TROUT FISHING.

Otago Witness, Issue 3830, 9 August 1927, Page 10

TROUT FISHING.

RESTOCKING THE LAKES. WELLINGTON, August 1. The improvements that are being made to the fishing attractions of the thermal regions are referred to in the annual report of the Department of Internal Affairs, which was presented to the House to-day. Hatchery operations for the year commenced on June 9, 1926, when the first ova were collected, and daily collections were made until September 16. Of the ova thus obtained 1,402,000 were disposed of in the eyed stage. The State Fisheries in Sydney took 570,000, and the balance was distributed throughout the Dominion. A total of 150,000 ova and 250,000 fry were delivered to the Tourist Department for the purpose of restocking the local waters of the thermal district. The Auckland Acclimatisation Society was supplied with 580,000 fry for liberation in that society’s waters. An effort was also made to supply a number of fry from ova collected at Taupo, but owing to the rough nature of the journey from Tokaanu to National Park the “green” ova were not strong enough to withstand successfully the transport. The result was that only some 100,000 ova were reared as fry, and these were liberated in Lake Rotorua.

In continuation of the policy of improving the fishing in the lake waters a consignment of 250,000 Lake llawea ova were reared to the fry stage and liberated in Lakes Taupo and Rotoiti. A trout hatchery has been constructed in the vicinity of Tokaanu, and will be in full operation during the next spawning season. The hatchery, it is believed, will be of very considerable benefit not only to the fisheries in the thermal district but to fisheries generally throughout the Dominion, as the fish from which the ova" will be taken cannot be surpassed in any part of New Zealand. The curing of fish for anglers at Taupo has again been the means of saving a considerable number of fish that would not otherwise have been available as a food supply. During the season 290 separate lots were cured, totalling 1316 fish. On the representation of anglers at Tokaanu similar arrangements have now been made there also to cure trout for anglers and others. The increase of the bonus for shags’ heads from Is 6d to 2s 6d resulted in an increased number of these birds being destroyed. During the past season 935 were accounted for.

During the year the -department took control of the fishing on Lake Taupo, and many improvements for the convenience of anglers have already been made. Tracies have been cut along the sides of various rivers, clearings made for camping sites, and notice boards erected, and a ranger has been appointed to control the district. Tn order to enable the department to maintain and improve the fisheries, ths report adds, periodical reports are being obtained from the department’s ranger relative to the waters in the district, giving particulars regarding the fish therein, the food supply, the condition of the Asli, and other matters in connection therewith. There is little need of fear for the future of the district as a fishing resort. Every effort will be made not only to keep up the fisheries but to improve them, and in this connection tho

department will consult from time to time with the experts of the Marine Depart, ment.