Lake Rotoiti is the most popular Fish & Game managed freshwater fishing lake in the country, according to new Fish & Game research.

The 2021-2022 National Angler Survey conducted by Niwa for Fish & Game has just been released.       

The survey, conducted every seven years, records angling activity for all lake, river and canal fisheries managed by Fish & Game and collects data on the number of angling days (one angler fishing on one day, irrespective of the number of hours spent fishing).

Some 15,000 people were surveyed from December 2021 to October 2022.

The survey found the top three lakes to fish were Rotoiti in the Bay of Plenty with over 33,000 angler days, Benmore in Canterbury (31,262) and Wakatipu in Otago (26,267).

Eastern Fish and Game CEO Arash Alaeinia says it isn’t surprising.

“Rotoiti is an amazing fishery. It produces a high catch rate and some really solid trout plus it’s a beautiful lake to be on. There aren’t many weeks that go by when we don’t receive positive comments about it. It’s also big enough to handle the high angler use without being crowded – it seems like you have the lake to yourselves some days.”

Contributing to its popularity Lake Rotoiti is also heavily supported by liberations from the Ngongotaha trout hatchery with 28,500 yearling rainbows being released there annually.

Fish & Game also carry out detailed surveys on the Rotorua lakes to better enable us to manage the fishery, sas Arash.

“In our region we sold 12,952 fishing licences which is significant in a town the size of Rotorua.

“Unlike most regions, lakes accounted for the majority of the angler days in Eastern, 77 per cent of the total use.

“A wide variety of fishing methods can also be undertaken at the lakes including trolling, jigging, spinning and fly fishing and some areas are open all year round which adds to the appeal.

“While the most popular waterbody in Eastern was Lake Rotoiti, it was followed by Lake Tarawera and then Lake Rotorua.”

Nationally the survey shows far more people getting out fishing in the South Island compared to the North Island, with 77 per cent of angling activity occurring in the South Island and 23 per cent in the North Island.   

About 92,000 angling licences were sold in New Zealand for the survey period – down by around 10 per cent from the last survey, likely due to Covid lockdowns and international travel restrictions – almost 97 per cent of angler days were attributed to New Zealand resident long term season licences.

Total angler usage was 991,700 angler days – 38 per cent of angler days were for lakes; and 62 per cent were for rivers and hydro canals.     

Other key findings were:

• The top three lakes to fish managed by Fish & Game were Rotoiti in the Bay of Plenty, Benmore in Canterbury and Wakatipu in Otago. Rotoiti and Benmore each had more than 30,000 angler days, and Wakatipu got more than 26,000.    
• The top three rivers were the Clutha in Otago, with 30,985, followed by the Waimakariri (30,525) and the Rakaia (19,187), both in North Canterbury.    
• The Central South Island hydro canals were very popular: Ohau C (32,655), Ohau B (29,257), and then Pukaki Ohau A (26,211).    

“This survey highlights the real opportunities for more New Zealanders to get out in nature and rewild themselves by giving fishing a go,” says Fish & Game Chief Executive Corina Jordan.

“Clearly, South Islanders get it, with over three-quarters of angling effort taking place on the ‘mainland’. But North Islanders also have some exceptional trout fisheries – from the Waikato spring creeks, Rotorua lakes, and Central North Island high country wilderness rivers – there's plenty of choice”.

“And almost all the major centres south of Auckland have quality trout fisheries right on their doorstep. One of the country’s great fisheries – the Hutt River – has trophy-sized trout [over 10lbs] and flows right through two major urban areas.”

A solid Rotoiti rainbow trout.

There are proven benefits to mental health and wellbeing from spending time in nature. Overseas, fishing is a commonly prescribed activity to help people, such as war veterans, dealing with mental and emotional trauma.

“We know many Kiwis are suffering after some tough years, and angling can help. It’s also important that people take time to actively look after their wellbeing as a preventative measure.

“People wanting to know more should check out our ReWild site for inspiration and advice. Summer is a great time to give fishing a go.”