Fishing News index > July 2009

Just in case you didn’t know

Another winter is upon us and with it comes cooler water temperatures and shorter days. As the great majority of rivers and streams are closed during winter anglers turn their attention to open waters, especially lakes and reservoirs.
These waters are the mainstay of winter fishing in Northland and provide an excellent opportunity for families to spend time together on sunny clear calm days. Fish at this time of the year are usually in prime condition pre spawning and are wonderful table fare.
Our reservoirs and lakes are primarily put and take waters with annual stocking ensuring catchability and continuity. Limited successful wild spawning does exist in 2 of these waters, as the others have no real inflows for recruitment.

Every fish liberated is fin clipped which helps fisheries managers determine the year of release as well as growth and condition factoring when caught and measured. The viability of these waters is hugely dependant on this information as over or understocking may alter future angling prospects.

Other important parameters monitored besides creel surveying is the modification of a receiving waters catchment area. For some of our waters this isn’t a problem as two are public drinking water reservoirs with natural native bush catchments, which have restrictions by legislation as to what and how these areas can be modified. For the others however this isn’t the case and changing conditions need to be taken into account when fishery management decisions are made. Overall our waters are in a healthy position and will continue to provide anglers with year round prospects which is a bonus in a temperate climate like northland.

Annual Kai-Iwi Lakes Trout Fishing Competition.

This years Kai-Iwi Lakes competition promised to be a cracker as fishing activity prior to the weekend had been exceptional. Angler reports from the lakes had been outstanding with fish catches and quality the best seen for years. Fish taken over 2 kilograms were common with much larger fish being spotted on a regular basis.
Regular seasonal anglers have been amazed at the recent catchability of the area so the weekend promised to provide excellent angling for those in attendance.

Weekend Competition results.
 
The competition weekend brought with it fine clear calm weather for the 55 registered anglers who weren’t disappointed with the angling conditions or the fish numbers caught. Just over 100 fish were landed and weighed for the weekend with the heaviest specimen weighing 2.2 kilograms, which was caught in Lake Taharoa. The weight for this heaviest fish was surprising as everyone expected a larger specimen to take out the honours. Catches of regularity prior to the weekend were well in excess of 2.4 kilograms. All fisho’s attending thoroughly enjoyed their weekend and the conditions,
so with the fishery on the improve, and with the pine tree removal programme, future competitions successes should be  assured. 

Angler Peter Allen with winning trout (2.2kg)

A Sample of competition fish

Pristine conditions on Lake Taharoa

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