Eastern Region Fishing Reports

Latest news: January 2012

Latest reports: November 2011

Rotorua fishing reports

by Mike Davis of Rotorua Hunting & Fishing

Hot weather boosts prospects

The Rotorua streams got off to a steady if unspectacular start on December 1. Plenty of anglers hit the rivers on Opening Day, with the upper Utuhina showing up best...Read more

To listen to the most recent broadcast online tune in to 104.6 FM 6.00-6.45pm Fridays or go to www.planetaudio which will take you to the regular Hooked on Flyfishing show

Radio host Colin Shepherd has up-to-date weather reports and fishing reports for the upper North Island each Friday.

Rotorua lakes and rivers report

Compiled by Bert Robinson of specialist fly fishing store O'Keefes Fishing Specialist in Rotorua.

Summary of results of F&G Winter Creel surveys

May-June 2008

Lake Rotoiti has been producing some excellent fish this winter for the shoreline angler. The rainbows caught between Ruato Bay and Hinehopu (The Pipe) are coming in at an impressive average weight of 3.3kg.

Lake Tarawera is attracting high numbers of anglers with fish quality continuing to be excellent. The average fish is pulling the scales down to 2.2kg. A real improvement was seen on Lake Tarawera during opening day (October 1st 2007) and it’s good to see this carry on.

Lake Okataina is still producing good quality fishing. The catch rate is more than respectable and shoreline caught fish are averaging 2.3kg. There has been little angler pressure, so those who enjoy fishing in solitude should head over.

Report from Miles Rushmer Guiding

29 May 2008

• Browns all well and truly on their way back to Lake Rotorua. They are taking large globugs as they drop backwards down the stream towards you. You need to be prepared to take quick shots.
• Lake Tarawera is fishing well late at night and early morning.
• Lake Okataina is also producing some nice fish.
• It seems the Rotorua Lake shoreline fishing is now well under way

Best fishing season in years

If you've got plans to go trout fishing - now is the time, says Rotorua angler Mark Kahu.

Mr Kahu has been fishing the waterways around Rotorua for more than 20 years and he says it's the best season he has experienced....

Some info for those heading towards the Rotorua Lakes.

A reasonable shoal of smelt has suddenly appeared over the sand patch immediately off the end of our jetty, showing all the hallmarks of spawning behaviour.

Fishing has been generally good for the past couple of weeks with the average catch around 2kg and in better condition than last year - meaning a second year of improved growth. Perhaps fishing this holiday is going to be better than usual...

Peter Storey, The New Zealand Trout Fisher
www.nztroutfisher.co.nz

Long, warm spring good for growth
6 October 6, 2007

The mud-fishers are happy. Well, someone had to be after the atrocious weather of mid-week.

At Rotorua and Taupo they missed the worst of the rain and wind, getting just enough of a fresh to spark good runs of fish in the rivers...

One Double X Regional News story
4 October 2007

A strong angler season in the Bay of Plenty is being predicted by Fish and Game New Zealand. It opened this week with the largest caught a 5.6 kilogram brown trout.

Officer Rob Pitkethley says early indications show both the size of trout and angler catch rates are looking good. He says it's the best they've had in four years. Mr Pitkethley says even at the more difficult to fish Rotoiti, results have been positive.