The hunt for a trout worth $10,000 in the Rotorua lakes has ended without the big prize being struck - but three anglers have welcomed $200 worth of fishing gear each as their reward for catching special green-tagged trout.
In a press statement to the Rotorua Daily Post, Eastern Fish & Game said two of the winners, Rotorua locals Marcel Schweizer and Mark Preece were at their headquarters for the prize draw on Sunday.
The Fish for Gold promotion focused on 30 green-tagged fish - 10 fish apiece had been released into three lakes - Tarawera, Rotoiti and Okataina. Three anglers caught qualifying green-tagged trout - one from each lake.
"Twenty-nine of the green tag numbers have a $200 voucher or tackle attached, but only one has the big $10,000 cash prize," said Fish & Game Eastern Manager Andy Garrick.