Trout boost for eastern hydro lakes

Fishing Lake Whakamarino (also known as Tuai). Photo/Supplied

Fish & Game officers have made their annual trek from Rotorua to two small hydro lakes south of Waikaremoana to boost the local fish stocks.

Fish & Game Eastern Region staff carted the 500 rainbow and 50 brown trout reared at their Ngongotaha hatchery to release into lakes Whakamarino (also known as Tuai) and Kaitawa.

Fish & Game Officer Matt Osborne said most of the 550 trout were released into Tuai, with some into Kaitawa. The two lakes form part of the Waikaremoana hydroelectric power scheme run by Genesis.

There was good access around the Tuai power station where many of the biggest fish had been caught and to a number of points around the lake shoreline, he said.

Tuai is designated fly fishing only and can also be fished from a small unanchored boat.

Kaitawa is a picturesque spot with easy access to walkable shoreline for fly and spin anglers alike.

Osborne said the two locations were an extra drawcard for anglers who might be chasing fish at Lake Waikaremoana a short distance away.

If the weather prevents access at Waikaremoana, Tuai and Kaitawa's more sheltered location was ideal for fishing.