Anglers are gearing up to target some of New Zealand's "biggest wild trout" as some renowned Rotorua streams get set to open for summer.
Popular Lake Rotorua tributaries, which have been closed for the spawning season, re-open for summer angling from this Thursday, Fish & Game said in a statement today.
Those tributaries re-opening are the upper sections of the Ngongotaha Stream (above State Highway 5), the Waiteti Stream (above Hamurana Rd), and the Utuhina Stream (between Devon St and Pukehangi Rd).
Fish & Game Officer Matt Osborne said the streams were closed from the end of June to the beginning of December annually to protect important wild spawning habitat.
"While Fish & Game re-stocks other lakes in the district Lake Rotorua doesn't have the same need as lots of streams that feed into it provide gravelly beds and ideal habitat for natural spawning.
"We restock Tarawera, Okataina and Rotoiti lakes with thousands of hatchery reared fingerlings every year - for the simple reason that they provide pretty limited spawning habitat by comparison with Lake Rotorua which does well without our help," said Mr Osborne.
Fish & Game release a small number of tagged trout into Lake Rotorua but only for monitoring purposes.
Mr Osborne said there were some positive indicators ahead of the December 1 opening.
"Brown trout are already beginning to move into the tributaries, an annual exodus that happens when the lake gets to around 19C, and drives them into the streams in search of cooler water.
"We are already seeing these fish showing up in our fish trap on the Ngongotaha Stream that we use to monitor fish movement."
Mr Osborne said the brown trout from the Ngongotaha Stream can offer what one fishing website calls "some of the biggest wild trout to be found in the country...that can test the ability of the very best anglers."
Most experienced anglers will initially be nymphing or using globugs before moving later in summer to caddis and cicada-type dry flies and emerging type nymphs.
Fish & Game said anglers who take advantage of the change of light and fish the streams in the early morning or late evening usually have the most success.
Fish & Game officers will be out ranging at the opening of the Rotorua streams and in the weeks that follow speaking to as many anglers as possible.
Towards the East Coast the Mokau and Hopuruahine streams at Lake Waikaremoana will also be opening from December 1.
Mr Osborne said Fish & Game's monitoring of these streams through the winter period had highlighted good fish numbers present and a healthy size and condition.
Anglers are reminded of the need to check, clean, and dry fishing equipment including footwear when moving between waterways.
"We hope this becomes an ingrained habit with anglers if we are to stop the spread of aquatic pests," said Mr Osborne.
Anglers with any questions about the streams that are opening are urged to contact Fish & Game.