Auckland / Waikato News > August 2009

Lake Arapuni

Lake Arapuni has been fishing well as trout growth rates have taken off over winter.  Two years ago we doubled the number of hatchery-reared rainbows released into Arapuni, from 2,000 to 4,000 fish, and the results were initially disappointing with slow growth rates compared to previous years.  You can see this slow growth in the graph below, which shows tag returns for trout released in 2005 and 2008.  Moreover, from the Arapuni fishing competition, we know that the 2005 releases averaged  47 cm by the end of summer compared to just 41 cm for the 2008 releases.  But in the last three months growth rates have gone thru the roof and fish from the 2008 releases are now reaching 55-60 cm and 2-3 kg.  This was unexpected as growth usually slows down over winter and then picks up again in Spring.  The next couple of months should be interesting , especially if this rapid growth continues – we could see 2-year-old  rainbows 65-70 cm by Christmas!

A variety of methods can be successfully used on Arapuni.  Most boat anglers are trolling with leadlines or fast sinking fly lines.  Popular lures at the moment are copper  tobys and green/yellow cobras.  Large rabbit flies are always popular.  Most land-based anglers fish below the Waipapa Dam or in the evening at one of the beaches near the Hamilton Angler’s Hut.  The lower reaches of the Mangawhio Stream are open over winter and the pool below the falls could be a good option.

 
Tag returns from Lake Arapuni for fish released in 2005 and 2008 (each point on the graph represents the capture of a tagged fish).  The fish are released in late May at about 14 cm.

Ben Wilson
Fisheries Manager
bwilson@awfg.org.nz

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