Tauranga anglers replenish trout stocks

Children from an anglers group took part in the release of 700 trout into Lake Mclaren and the Ruahihi Canal. Photo/ Supplied

The Bay's trout stocks have been given a boost with 700 of the species being released into local waterways.

Fish & Game officers released 700 trout into Lake McLaren and the Ruahihi Canal on Thursday.

Fish & Game officer Lloyd Gledhill said 500 rainbow and 200 brown trout were released in to the waterways to ensure they were stocked for anglers.

The fish were raised at Fish & Game's Ngongotaha hatchery, near Rotorua, and were around 15 months old.

Gledhill spoke to a group of Tauranga anglers who took part in the release and said the trout would be catchable in three to six month's.

"Hopefully fishers will take the opportunity to come along and harvest them," he said.

Club member's children helped release the fish from the trout truck.

Around 100,000 trout were raised annually at the hatchery and then transported to new homes in lakes and waterways across the North Island.

Gledhill said the 'live trout truck' was the best way to transport the fish.

"Its purpose-built stainless steel tank is divided into three sections that are insulated and oxygen-fed so the fish can be transported comfortably.

"The tank holds just under 4000 litres of water and up to 5000 trout, depending on their age and size. When full, the load weighs around 10 tonne," he said.

Gledhill said the fish were placed into the tank the night before and fresh water kept flowing through the tank.

"The next morning we turn off the water flow, close up the tank and head off. The fish will be quite happy in the tank for at least 12 hours."