A Fish and Game promotion means anglers could win $10,000 if they catch the tagged trout. Photo/File
A Fish and Game promotion means anglers could win $10,000 if they catch the tagged trout. Photo/File
Anglers young and old are invited to "join in the excitement" of trying to catch a fish worth $10,000 as the new trout fishing season gets underway.
Fish & Game has unveiled details in a statement of another Fish for Gold promotion, where fishers can target trout with special greennumbered tags - to win a grand prize of $10,000.
The major fishing promotion gets underway on opening day October 1 and runs for nine days until Sunday October 9.
Fish & Game Officer Mark Sherburn said staff would release 30 rainbow trout with specially numbered green tags - ten into each of the three lakes, Tarawera, Rotoiti and Okataina, in time for the opening.
Numbers on the tags correspond to prizes contained in sealed and numbered envelopes and one of them contains the grand prize of $10,000. The other envelopes each contain a $200 tackle or voucher prize.
"Every eligible angler who returns with a green tag fish will win something," said Mr Sherburn.
"We found from last season that it creates keen interest in fishing the opening week of the season, by giving anglers that possibility of being rewarded with a significant prize."
Mr Sherburn said this season was the first time in five years the opening had fallen on a Saturday, and being in the middle of school holidays, it provided lots of opportunities for families to get out on the water.
"Mix in Fish for Gold and it ramps up the fun, excitement and intrigue for all," he said.
"Long time anglers in particular are well aware of the superb fishing on offer in the Rotorua lakes but we hope this will help attract others, including families, to sample the world class fishing on offer."
Fish for Gold is free to enter. All you must have is a 2016-17 Fish & Game sports fishing licence. Children under 12 are not eligible to enter on a free child's licence, but can if they are included as part of a family fishing licence.
The promotion is limited to the first 1200 entries - and you must register online prior to Opening Day.
Details including entry form and terms and conditions can be found via Eastern Fish & Game's pages: http://eastern.fishandgame.org.nz/newsitem/tagged-trout-promotion
