2009-2010 Eastern Region Fishing Regulations

Angling regulations are updated annually. Each region has specific regulations for individual rivers and lakes within the framework of national angling regulations.

CONTACT

Office: c/- Ngongotaha Hatchery, 1130 Paradise
Valley Road, Ngongotaha
Postal Address: Private Bag 3010, Rotorua 3046
Email: office@erfgc.co.nz

Administration: Lynne Sands
Phone and Fax: (07) 357 5501 Fax: (07) 357 5503
Gisborne Phone (06) 867 0390
Manager: Rob Pitkethley
Office Manager: Kate Thompson
Senior F&G officer: Matthew McDougall
F&G officers: Mark Sherburn, Lloyd Gledhill, Gerald Inskeep, John Meikle, Eben Herbert, Matthew Osborne, Anthony van Dorp

Fish and Game New Zealand’s Eastern Region offers a large range of fishing opportunities for both lake and river fishing. Access to much of the fishable water in the Eastern Region has been described in a series of comprehensive informational pamphlets. These can be obtained free of charge from most licence sellers and sports shops, as well as our Rotorua office or on the Eastern Region fishing pages on the www.fishandgame.org.nz web site. These pamphlets have detailed maps of their respective catchments along with labelled access points and fishing information, and outline the best fishing areas and methods to use. An active access programme is also being implemented throughout the region with extensive signage and tracks have been cut to guide anglers to many fishing opportunities.

The bush clad Lakes Waikaremoana and Waikareiti in the east provide spectacular boat and shoreline fishing for both brown and rainbow trout in the scenic Te Urewera National Park. The rivers within the park also provide opportunities to target headwater fish and spawning run fish. The Ruakituri River gives anglers a chance to catch world renowned strong trout while the Waiau Rivers offers very high catch rates.

The Bay of Plenty has a large number of spectacular river fisheries from the Waioeka River in the east through the Rangitaiki, Tarawera and Kaituna catchments to the Ngamuwahine River in the west. Lakes like Aniwhenua and Flaxy also add to diverse fishing opportunities. The Rotorua Lakes are the central feature of the region. Shoreline fly fishing and spin fishing can result in very good catch rates while boat fishing over the summer months provides action and fun for the whole family.

Most of the Rotorua Lakes lack suitable spawning rivers to sustain fish populations so supplementary stocking of Tarawerastrain trout maintain the high numbers for anglers. Lake Rotorua is not stocked but has one of the highest catch rates in the district while Lake Okareka also keeps anglers happy with high numbers of good quality fish. The trophy lakes-Tarawera, Okataina and Rotoiti-regularly produce fish in excess of 5 kg. Lakes Rotoma and Rotoehu provide experiences for those wanting to get away from the crowds and the opportunity to chase tiger trout. Lakes Rotomahana and Tikitapu also have their own special charm and local devotees, while Lake Rerewhakaaitu attracts shore based anglers targeting deep bodied fish. Smaller lakes with secluded bays and rising trout are there for the more adventurous anglers who want to “get off the beaten track”.

The Eastern Region offers diverse angler experiences, high catch rates and big fish. There is something for everyone.

PAMPHLET LIST
Comprehensive pamphlets are available for the following waters.

• The Rotorua Lakes
• Lake Rotorua and tributaries
• The Waikaremoana Lakes
• The Ruakituri River
• The Waioeka River
• The Rangitaiki River including Lake Aniwhenua
• The Waikato River and Waikato Lakes
• Boat fishing information (New)
• Tauranga area trout fishing (New)

REGULATIONS

Reference to description: New Zealand Gazette, No 83, 24 May 1990, page 1861 (SO Plan 58495)

1. Interpretation
“Fly line” means any floating or sinking line used to facilitate casting that is greater than 3m in length.
“Set rod” means any assembled rod that is not in physical contact with a licence holder when being used to fish for sports fish.
“Wild rainbow trout”means any rainbow trout not having a finclip mark or tag.

2. Open Season, PERMITTED METHODS, BAG LIMITS

Bag limits denoted by 8* mean no licence holder shall kill more than 2 brown trout in a daily bag limit of 8 trout.

3. CLOSED WATERS

No licence holder shall fish for sports fish at any time from the following waters:

3.1 All streams flowing into Lake Tarawera and that portion of the Tarawera River enclosed by landmarks at the Lake Tarawera Outlet and extending approximately 150m downstream to landmarks in the river, otherwise known as the Tarawera Outlet Spawning Sanctuary.

3.2 The Utuhina Stream above the Pukehangi Road Bridge and all tributaries of this stream.

3.3 The following streams and their tributaries which flow into Lake Rotorua:

(a) the Waiowhiro, Waiohewa, Waingaehe, Waimataa and Waikuta Streams

(b) the Hamurana Stream above the Hamurana Road Bridge

(c) the Awahou Stream above the Hamurana Road Bridge

3.4 All springs, streams and their tributaries which flow into Lake Waikareiti, and into or from Lakes Rotoma, Rotoehu, Rotomahana, Rerewhakaaitu, Rotokakahi, Okareka, Okataina and Rotoiti except the Ohau Channel and the Kaituna River.

3.5 The section of the Ruahihi Canal between the landmarks at the southern end of the canal which enclose the artificial spawning bed.

4. AUTHORISED TACKLE

4.1 No licence holder shall fish for sports fish with a set rod unless he or she is fishing from an unanchored boat.

4.2 Downriggers, paravanes, weights to assist sinking of trolled lures and metal cored or wire lines are prohibited in Lakes Waikaremoana and Waikareiti.

5. BAIT FISHING WATERS

5.1 No licence holder when fishing in bait fishing waters shall use any whole fish sourced from any water other than that where the fishing is occurring

6. COARSE FISHING WATERS

6.1 There are no defined coarse fishing waters in the Eastern Region.

7. USE OF BOATS

7.1 No licence holder shall fish for trout from a boat in the following waters:

(a) that section of the Tarawera Outlet enclosed by landmarks;

(b) the designated winter shoreline-fishing areas on Lakes Tarawera, Rotoiti and Okataina (Schedule 2 Clause 2) from July 1 to September 30.

Note 1) No boats are allowed to pass through the Tarawera Outlet Spawning Sanctuary at any time.

2) No boats are permitted under the Bay of Plenty Regional Navigation Safety Bylaws 2004 to anchor in the Ohau Channel.

7.2 No licence holder shall fish for trout from any unanchored boat:

(a) in waters that, at any time of the year, are reserved for artificial fly fishing.

(b) in waters that are within a 200m radius around the centre of the Utuhina, Waiteti, Ngongotaha and Hamurana Stream mouths in Lake Rotorua.

(c) in waters that are within the section of Rangiuru Bay defined by landmarks at Stoney Point and Kariri Point and extending 200m offshore in Lake Tarawera.

(d) Boats should be securely anchored with no more than two anchors.

8. MINIMUM AND MAXIMUM LENGTH TO BE TAKEN

8.1 Lakes Waikaremoana, Kaitawa, Whakamarino (Tuai) and Waikareiti, and the Rotorua Lakes and their inflowing tributary streams 350mm minimum

8.2 Ruakituri River and tributaries above Waitangi Falls 600mm maximum

8.3 All other waters No minimum size limit

8.4 No licence holder shall keep or kill any wild rainbow trout larger than 650mm caught in Lake Tarawera, including that section of the Tarawera River between the Tarawera Outlet and the falls approximately 2500m downstream from the Outlet.

9. HOURS OF FISHING