New fishing season begins

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 12, Issue 542, 28 June 1994, Page 7 (Supplement)

New fishing season begins

The new trout fishing season at Lake Taupo begins on Fridayl,July. DoC Fisheiy Manager John Gibbs reminds all anglers that a new licence is required for the 1994-95 season. John Gibbs said that there had been some confiision about season length and prices of the new licences following recent media reports from the Eastern Fish and Game Council. He stressed that there has been no change to the Taupo season of 1 July to 30 June. Taupo licence prices had been held steady for the last two and sometimes three years. Increased effort in fishery research means that some categories have increased for the new season. Adult whole season licences are $46.50, adult month $30.50, adult week $22,50. These three categories have all increased by 50 cents. Adult day licences have increased by $1 to $9. This is to bring them more closely into line with the national standard of 20% of the whole season fee. There is no increase in children' s licences which remain at $6 and $2 for whole season and day respectively. The fishery budget and business plan has been discussed with the Taupo Fishery Advisory Committee, which represents fishing clubs and other interest groups.

John Gibbs said they had unanimously supported the new licence fees. Other areas Fishing closes on Lake Otamangakau and the Kuratau River above the hydro dam. Both these waters open again on 1 October. Lake Taupo and the lower reaches of the eastern tributary rivers are open all year round. The use of downrigger fishing gear is legal from 1 July. John Gibbs said approval for a three year trial was granted following assessment of the effects of downriggers on the fishery. The approval is conditional that downriggers have not more than 40 metres of cable attached and that they are not used in conjunction with weighted fishing lines DoC staff will be closely monitoring downrigger use and will be checking gear to ensure it conforms with the regulations. "We see downriggers as another option to improve the quality of Taupo Anglers' expqrience," said John Gibbs. "We do not expect any adverse impact on the sustainability of the fishery," he said, "but if the unexpected does occur the trial can be stopped at any time."