Fish & Game Eastern region have boosted the fish population in Lake McLaren with a release of trophy-sized rainbow trout, some weighing over 7kg.

Twenty big trout were released into Lake McLaren on Wednesday and Fish & Game hopes anglers will make the most of this opportunity to catch a massive trout over the long Easter weekend.

In spring every year, Fish & Game stock the lake with 1,500 young yearling brown and rainbow trout of about 18cm which grow into fish of about 1.5 or 2kg.

These fish make up the bulk of the lake's fish and are reasonably easy to catch from the shore with simple spinning or fly fishing gear.

The trophy fish release on Wednesday however offers a special opportunity, explains Fish & Game's Mark Sherburn.

'Once a year we take a few big fish from one of our display ponds at the Ngongotaha hatchery and let them go around the region. It's a promotional release to get people pumped about trout fishing. McLaren is so close to Tauranga, and a wonderful spot for a family outing, we think it's an excellent project.”

In the past, several big fish have been landed by lucky anglers and Fish & Game would like to hear of fishing success after the fish release.

A fishing licence is required to fish for trout and several licence options are available including adult day fishing licences, family, junior and a winter licence.