Anglers asked to help at Otamangakau

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 12, Issue 556, 4 October 1994, Page 4

Anglers asked to help at Otamangakau

Two lakes in the Taupo Fishing District open for the new season on 1 October. The Kuratau Hydro Lake and Lake Otamangakau have been closed for fishing since 1 July, to protect spawning trout. The Department of Conservation's Taupo Fishery Manager, John Gibbs, said many anglers looked forward to the opening of Lake Otamangakau especially, as it is one of the country's premier trophy fisheries. "Anglers will notice a number of changes during the new season," Mr Gibbs said. "While the fishing regulations remain the same DoC has instituted several initiatives to protect the fishery and improve the quality of anglers' experiences". A fishery monitoring programme began earlier in the year with the trapping and counting of spawning trout. To supplement information on age and growth of the fish, anglers will be asked to donate the heads and a small number pf scales from any trout they keep. DoC staff hope to develop a means of ageing Otamangakau trout

using the otolith bones from the dead and comparing them with growth rings on the scales. John Gibbs stressed that Otamangakau is an unusual and relatively vulnerable fishery. It was important that trout which were caught and released because they were undersize or had not regained trophy condition were handled carefully to improve their chance of survival. "Anglers should think carefully about their fishing methods, " he said. "Use of techniques such as still fishing sunken flies, or heave and leave as it is known, may result in trout being so deeply hooked that their survival is reduced if they are released." " DoC is providing new information signs at main accesses to assist anglers. They include information on correct release techniques, private rights, fire prevention, access and boating. John Gibbs said the Department has received a number of complaints about boats exceeding five knots within 200 metres of the shore. "Not only are wading and float tubing anglers endangered by this," he said "but the disturbance seems to make the fishing harder, especially over the busy summer period." Only a very small part of the centre of the lake lies outside the five knot limit. Conservation Officers will be strictly policing speed limits and offenders may well end up in court.