Eastern Reel Life March 2019

Autumn fish ‘ideal eating’         

Cooler temperatures and the start of autumn conditions have finally prevailed in the central North Island, providing relief to the stressful conditions trout have endured.

Right: Mellow autumn fly fishing at Lake Tarawera.

Although afternoon temperatures are still in the mid-20’s and insect activity remains intense, morning temperatures are signalling that winter spawning won’t be too far away.

The focused angling at Lake Rotorua’s stream mouths has subsided as the lake water has begun to cool.

Streams throughout the region have fished well and recent drift dive counts by staff have indicated that fish populations in the Motu, Whirinaki and Waioeka rivers are on a par or better than previous years.

Good trout numbers are being located at depths of 20m on Rotoiti, Tarawera and Okataina and some well-conditioned fish are being caught.

Hooked up with dog on standby.

Autumn is an ideal time to harvest fish for the table, and early morning harling with smelt flies will become successful over the next couple of months.

Boaties are urged to take care on Lake Waikaremoana where water levels remain low.      

Fish & Game begins trapping for hatchery brood fish in April each season, and while runs usually begin slowly, the trigger is rainfall as this acts as a stimulation to mature trout.   

Hatchery releases for the month of March have been completed at lakes Okataina, Tarawera and Rotoiti. This season’s fish are marked Lp (left pelvic).

Datawatch tagged trout details can now be entered online.

We need your tag details and please remember that entries go into the draw to win one of 20 free whole season fishing licences. Click here to enter your details.

Fishing diaries

Fill in your fishing diaries here for all lakes and streams to help us manage the Eastern Region . You can win with diary information as well - participants go in the draw to win a $100 Kilwell voucher.

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