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DATAWATCH (Tagged trout)

Download a Datawatch Tagged Trout form

The “Datawatch” tagging programme has been running for nearly 20 years on some lakes and provides Fish & Game with an excellent method for monitoring fish growth each year.

Most of the Rotorua Lakes and Lake Tutira contain Datawatch tagged trout. Between 500 and 1000 of our annual releases into most lakes are tagged with a small plastic tag, and when anglers catch these fish they return the tag along with fish details so we can monitor trout growth during the season. Returning this information is rewarded with a letter showing how the fish you caught was growing compared to others of the same tag, and you also go into the draw for a free trout fishing licence.

From the 2004-05 season we moved to longer tags and this seems to have increased the return rate as anglers are seeing the tags more easily. The tagging programme supplies vital information for the management of these lakes so please make the effort and help us manage your fisheries!

All anglers who return tags with the date the fish was caught, fish length and tag numbers go into the draw for one of 23 free whole season licences each year.

The more tags you get back, the more chances you have. Send any tag details to Fish & Game NZ, Private Bag 3010 Rotorua, or phone 07 357 5501 or e-mail mosborne@erfgc.co.nz

Licence winners for 2008/9 season (fish caught during the 2007/8 season)