Fish & Game to poacher: we have your spear

If you lost a fishing spearhead in the Water of Leith this week, Fish & Game has it and would like to talk to you.

Otago Fish & Game officers have recovered a live sea-run trout with the protruding prong in the Dunedin inner-city river.

Staff using an electric-fishing device caught the 4kg fish and removed the offending object. The fish was released to continue its upriver journey to spawn.

Above: Otago Fish & Game officer Jayde Couper with the speared sea-run trout in the Water of Leith in Dunedin. 

Otago Fish & Game spokesperson Bruce Quirey said trout congregated in lower reaches at this time of year before moving upriver to spawn.

“Poached trout will get you into hot water,” Mr Quirey said.

“The penalty for anyone with a spear, gaff or net who disturbs sport fish congregating to spawn or in the vicinity is up to two years imprisonment or a fine of up to $100,000.

“Anyone who knows more about this incident or sees suspicious activity is asked to contact Fish & Game.”

Rangers will continue to patrol the river.

Sea-run trout are typically brown trout that migrate to the sea and return to freshwater to spawn.

“Sea-run trout are crucial for driving and maintaining the fishery,” Mr Quirey said. “These trout are renowned for their size, fighting spirit and eating qualities, which makes them prized by legal anglers.”

Adult female sea-run trout typically carry between 1500 to 3000 eggs per kilogram of body weight. They also produce two to three times more eggs than similar-aged resident females.

“Allowing them to spawn preserves their important genetics.”

Mr Quirey said anyone wanting to want to fish for them should buy a licence, use a fishing rod, and check the local regulations.

Winter sport fishing licences went on sale this week.