Reel Life September 2024 - Eastern

Bumper Trout Opening Expected

Enthusiastic trout fishers around the country are eagerly awaiting the start of the new fishing season on Tuesday 1^st October.

The opening day is always highly anticipated because of the opportunity to catch fish that have been rested over winter. All indications are that this season will produce some of the best trout seen in many years.

The Rotorua lakes are a prime location for trout and Fish & Game are reporting excellent conditions for growth following the high lake levels that occurred in 2023. “We’ve seen some absolute cracker fish this winter in our monitoring, and we hope that’s going to continue as we roll into summer” said Fish & Game’s Matt Osborne.  

With just a few days to go before the opening on Tuesday 1^st October it’s time for anglers to check over their fishing tackle, boats, motors and make sure everything is ready for the early start.

Fish & Game remind anglers too of the need to get their new season licences. Several licence options have been made available so anglers can be assured of getting the most suitable licence for their needs at the best price. The range includes adult season licences, which offer the best dollar value for people who want to fish throughout the year, right through to short periods such as the 24-hour licence for those who are perhaps just trying trout fishing for the first time. Other options include a ‘local area’ licence for people who just intend to fish in the Eastern Fish & Game Region, a family licence, loyal senior licence plus licences for children and juniors.

Fishing is proven to provide huge mental and physical benefits and additionally provides natural free-range kai for the angler and their families. Opening day on the Rotorua lakes has become a celebration rather than just an opportunity to go trout fishing.

Eastern Fish & Game Officer Mark Sherburn says that often fishers begin the day by trolling in reasonably shallow water in an attempt to pick up fish feeding on smelt. As the day goes on deeper methods such as lead line trolling, downriggers or jigging and softbaiting are the way to go. “Shallow trolling with a ‘Tassie’ and a smelt fly is a productive way to begin. If it’s a bright day and there’s lots of boat traffic, expect the fish to move a little deeper.”

“It's important to fish where the fish are. Keep a close eye on the fish finder and make a careful note of their depth and location. You need to get your lures right in front of their noses and that’s a matter of knowing how deep your lures are going” says Mr Sherburn.  Choice of lure is very personal and anglers have their favourites, but smelt-type lures are a very popular choice for opening as are old favourites such the Black and Gold Toby lure. 

It is important for anglers and other lake users to remember the Check, Clean and Dry message as we roll into summer too says Fish & Game. Ensuring we keep local waterways pest free is vital to our continued enjoyment of the resource and everyone needs to do their part. Last year’s outbreak of Freshwater Gold Clam in the Waikato River area has heightened the risk.