FISHING RIGHTS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 22 April 1938, Page 4

FISHING RIGHTS

POSTION AT LAKE ROTOAIRA. Although recent Court proceedings resulted in a decision that trout fishing in the protected waters of Lake Rotoaira, near Taupo, is not illegal, anglers who are in a position to judge do not agree with a widely accepted view that no licence is required for fishing in these waters. It is contended that anyone fishing in Lake Rotoaira without a licence, using illegal fishing methods or taking more than the limit catch, is committing a breach of the regulations. It is stated to be quite definite that the whole of Lake Rotoaira is within the boundaries of the Taupo fishing district, and under the Taupo trout fishing regulations it is provided that no fish can be taken in the district by anyone who does not hold a licence. Another clause in the regulations provides that the holder' of a licence may fish for trout in any part of the district except Lake Rotoaira, but the absolute protection of this lake has since been held to be invalid. The view is taken that references to fishing in Lake Rotoaira cannot override the dominating provisions in the regulations with regard to licences, and experts state that not only is it necessary to have a licence, but also restrictions on methods of fishing and the number of fish permitted to be caught in a day apply with equal force to Lake, Rotoaira as they do to other fishing waters in the Taupo district.