Mixed results for Rotorua anglers this summer

Trout fishing on the Rotorua lakes is producing mixed results for anglers so far this summer.

Fish and Game officer Mark Sherburn said while some lakes were doing well, others needed further warm weather patterns to produce good results.

"The summer heat always provides opportunities for anglers to target fish in specific locations. We've seen improving catch rates at the stream mouths of Lake Rotorua and in the Ngongotaha and Waiteti streams since New Year. Rotorua is a shallow lake so it's one of the first to be affected by the warmer weather with trout entering or congregating around the cooler in-flows.''

Mr Sherburn said some of Rotorua's deeper lakes like Tarawera, Rotoiti and Okataina seemed to be a few weeks behind their normal patterns and they hadn't warmed up to the same temperatures which were expected at this time of year.

"There are some nice fish being caught, but not in great numbers at this stage. This will improve as the surface layers become warmer and fish begin to group in the thermocline,'' Mr Sherburn said.

The thermocline is a deeper layer of cooler water where trout prefer to live during the warmer months. Anglers are able to target this location by using deep fishing methods such as downriggers and jigging.

Mr Sherburn said reports form back country rivers across the region had also been promising.

"Summer provides increased insect activity which is the main food source of river dwelling trout. Additionally low rainfall and clear flows makes spotting trout easier which was one of the key elements to exciting river fishing.''

Mr Sherburn said Fish and Game staff had also been busy checking licences and surveying anglers over the summer period and reminding anglers to check and clean fishing equipment and boats which move between waterways to prevent the spread of aquatic pests.