Taupo Times

Too many trout – time for a harvest

- ROBERT STEVEN

The Taupo trout fishery is thought to be overstocke­d, preventing trout from growing to a very large size.

To counter the problem the number of trout that people are allowed to catch [bag limit] is being increased and the size limit is being reduced.

The new rules should increase the number of fish being harvested when the 2017/2018 season starts on July 1.

The daily bag limit is increasing from three fish to six fish and the minimum acceptable fish size is being dropped from 40cm to 35cm. Fish smaller than 35cm must be thrown back.

Fishery manager Dave Conley said the rule change would increase the number of trout being harvested from the lake, which should, in turn, help more trout grow bigger.

‘‘Over the last decade, we’ve seen a slight downward trend in size and quality, which would point to a high trout population placing pressure on their food source,’’ he said.

Rod and Tackle fishing shop owner Mathew Pate said the rule changes made sense. ‘‘There’s only so much smelt. ‘‘If there are too many trout, they can’t eat enough to grow big.’’

A new ‘‘family’’ fishing licence category is also being introduced to help make angling more affordable for families.

The family whole-season licence covers two adults and four children (or grandchild­ren) until July 2018.

At $149, the family licence will cost significan­tly less than buying two adult season licences ($99 each) and multiple child licences ($12.50).

The cost of an adult season licence is increasing from $90 to $99 – the first increase in six seasons.

A new ‘‘seniors’’ season licence [$90] for people aged 65+ n July 1 is being introduced to keep fishing affordable.

Stream mouth fly-fishing only restrictio­ns [the distance boats must stay from stream mouths] is being decreased from 300 metres to 200m, which is in keeping with regulation­s in other Fish & Game regions.

A post with white, black and yellow rings will indicate the restricted zone.

DOC, Tuwharetoa Maori Trust Board, the Taupo Fishery Advisory Committee, and Destinatio­n Great Lake Taupo were consulted on the rule changes.

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