Trout released

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 1, Issue 17, 27 September 1983, Page 12

Trout released

Wildlife Ranger, Dave Johnson reports a release of rainbow-trout fingerlings into lakes in the Waimarino recently. This is part of a restocking programme carried out each year. They are liberated into suitable areas where there is either restricted or no spawning available for trout to replenish their numbers naturally. The fish are from the Tongariro Trout Hatchery at Turangi and the one-year-old fingerlings are from Lake Taupo stock. They are excellent fighting fish and will be of size to be caught in less than twelve month's time. Four hundred fingerlings were reieased into the Karioi Lakes, approximately two hundred in each of the top and bottom lakes. They have a fin clipped off so anglers can identify the year of liberation. This year it is RF or 'right pelvic\ Liberations and corresponding fin clips' for past years at Karioi lakes are as

follows: 1982, fin-clip left pelvic, number of fish released 400; 1981 adipose, 400; 1980, unmarked 300. Two hundred fingerlings also marked by fin-clip RF were stocked into a lake at Winstones down the Pipiriki Road. The size of the fish , will be~ monitored and once they reach the legal catchsize the lake will be opened up on a permit-basis to the public. Records of fish caught will be needed to be kept. The only time the lake may be closed is during hot spells where there is a fire risk. The Wildlife Service hopes the public will assist by recording and returning information of any hatcherymarked fish caught. This provides information on growth rates, population structure and effectiveness of the stocking programme. Knowing that hatcheryreleased trout are being caught in significant nu^| bers will ensure liberations will continue in the future.