Unique tiger trout ready for chase

Rotorua anglers are being encouraged to catch rare tigers from Lake Rotoma.

Fish and Game has released 150 tiger trout into Lake Rotoma - the only New Zealand lake which is stocked with the unique game fish with striped markings.

The release is a move to celebrate the 150-year anniversary of acclimatisation societies, which were set up in the 1800s and preceded Fish and Game.

Eastern Fish and Game officer Mark Sherburn said tiger trout could not breed.

"They're a sterile hybrid, a cross between a brown trout and North American brook char," he said.

The Ngongotaha hatchery began its tiger programme about 10 years ago and Mr Sherburn said the aim was to produce something special for the lakes and also to provide a challenge for anglers.

"The programme faded somewhat when Fish and Game stopped getting much feedback on the trout from anglers," Mr Sherburn said.

"But we've stepped it up again in the last couple of years in response to a wave of angler support and interest."

There had been a lot of requests to breed the fish from anglers who enjoyed the challenge of chasing it. "It's been about four years since the previous release of 200 tigers into Lake Rotoma," Mr Sherburn said.

"Given the level of interest from anglers, Fish and Game planned to continue the programme, releasing another few hundred next year."

If the programme ceased, the tigers would die out.

"The fish live for a long time, longer than rainbow trout and can put on more weight, growing to about 8kg," he said.

When young, tiger trout appeared to behave like their brook char mothers.

"But when they grow bigger they seem to behave like brown trout, the fathers, mooching around in a similar manner.

"They skulk around the bottom of the lake and ambush their food or prey."