New laws won't impact trout season

Trout season opens tomorrow. Photo / iStock

Anglers dusting off their rod and reel for the new trout season that opens tomorrow have been assured that access to their favourite fishing spots won't be blocked by new health and safety laws.

Thousands of trout anglers will tomorrow descend on rivers and streams that have been closed to fishing over winter.

Some fishermen have been anxious new workplace safety legislation would restrict access to their favourite fishing spots because they had to cross farmland to reach them.

"Happily that's not the case," said Fish & Game spokesman Don Rood. "When parliament recently passed the new Health and Safety in Employment Act, it clarified that the new law does not apply to recreational access.

"It says a farmer's responsibility and duty does not apply to recreational users coming onto their farm land, except when work is being carried out in that particular part of the farm at the time.

"Anglers and farmers can now rest easy that the law doesn't affect traditional access to favourite trout rivers and streams."

Larry Ware, vice president of Rotorua Anglers Association, said open day is a "serious ritual" for many boaties who have been banned from lake fishing all winter.

"There's perhaps more drinking than fishing, but they come from all over the North Island, particularly to Lake Tarawera," he said.

Many seasoned campaigners will launch their boats today to secure prime mooring positions or campsites at the lake's edge, Mr Ware said.

While the seasons don't restrict fly fishermen to the same extent, given they can fish lakes and rivermouths all year round, many of his members will be out tomorrow for the social occasion of open day.

"All of us old lizards will crawl out, lie in the sun, and go fishing," he said.

Fish & Game and Federated Farmers have worked together to ensure recreational access is safeguarded, Mr Rood said.

Anglers, however, should still exercise common courtesy and talk to farmers and get permission to cross their land, he added.

While other existing legislation also protects recreational access to rivers, streams and bush, Fish & Game is concerned some land owners are trying to physically block public roads.

Fish & Game is fighting some attempts to prevent public access.

"No one has the right to take away access rights or block public roads in a cynical attempt to capture recreational areas for their own exclusive use," Mr Rood said.

Anglers wanting to check on access can go to the Walking Access Commission's maps, available on the commission's website.

Fish & Game also maintains a nationwide network of access signs highlighting where anglers can legally get to streams, rivers and lakes to fish for trout.

"There is plenty of information available for trout anglers deciding on where to fish on opening day, or looking for a new spot," Mr Rood said.

"New Zealand has a fantastic wild trout fishery which is the envy of the rest of the world.

"The important thing is that people get out and enjoy themselves when the new season opens on Thursday and hopefully get a nice fish to put on the family dinner table."

www.fishandgame.org.nz