Lake Kaiiwi Trout Fishing Competition 2021 might be the last one for a while

Trout fresh out of the Lake Kaiiwi. Photo / Supplied

This year will mark the third consecutive year when Taharoa Domain Governance Committee has denied the release of trout into Lake Kaiiwi and trout fishing enthusiasts are not happy about it.

Fishing rods and a variety of baits will be out and about, as fishermen set up camp around Lake Kaiiwi for the annual Trout Fishing Competition from July 2 to 4.

Lake Kaiiwi trout, with their pink and orange flesh, is claimed to be among the best eating trout in New Zealand. Enthusiast Peter Allen says the fish are in their best condition now and this bodes well for the trout fishing competition.

Trout fishing enthusiasts Chip Jaffurs (left) and Peter Allen. Photo / Supplied

However, he says, this world-class fishery will be lost soon as the Kaipara District Council has refused to release baby trout into Lake Taharoa and Lake Waikare.

"The Kaiiwi lakes are a put-and-take fishery. Trout do not survive more than three to four years in still water lakes. They have to have the river to spawn or breed in.

"Trout have been released into these lakes since 1916 and now for the last three years, the council has refused to do so. This will kill the trout fishery and also the fishing competition that is built around it."