Anglers given hurry up over ‘gold trout’

Anglers who are planning to fish the Rotorua lakes as the new fishing season opens this Sunday (Oct 1) are being urged to get in quick if they to want to chase ‘gold trout.’

Anglers...Only pink tags qualify!

Fish & Game staff have released 30 rainbow trout with specially numbered pink tags that can all win a prize in the Fish for Gold promotion.

The big prize is $10,000 cash, while another is an outboard motor valued at nearly $1000 and there are 28 tackle or voucher prizes valued at $200 each.

Fish & Game Eastern Region Manager Andy Garrick says if you’re thinking of entering, don’t hesitate as time is running out.

“This Saturday September 30 is the last day you can enter and entries are limited to 1200 people, and hundreds have already registered.”

Mr Garrick says that entry is free, all that’s needed is a 2017-18 Fish & Game sports fishing licence. 

“Why not have a crack, especially if you’re planning to fish Tarawera, Rotoiti or Okataina in any case – the lakes where these pink tagged fish have been released.

“It’ll put some real excitement and suspense into your fishing – wondering if that fish you’ve hooked is going to boost your bank balance!”

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 event runs from Opening Day to Sunday October 8 inclusive and you need to register online prior to Opening Day.  Details including entry form and terms and conditions can be found via Eastern Fish & Game’s pages here:

Check out the video on releasing the pink tag fish here: