Cooler autumn weather conditions with a hint of frost, light rain and shorter days have got the local trout on the move according to Fish & Game.

Stimulated by seasonal and environmental conditions, trout respond to cooling water conditions by moving and feeding actively prior to winter spawning, something that plays into the hands of Easter weekend fishers.

Average Rotorua lake temperatures have dropped slightly over last few weeks and good catches have been reported, notes Fish & Game staff.

“Whereas most of the bigger fish were located at depth a month ago, we are now seeing some fish down about the 20-metre mark and another group feeding near the surface,” says Fish & Game’s Mark Sherburn.

Lake Tarawera’s fish have looked quite spectacular throughout summer.

Recent years have seen them improving but behind what is normally expected of the region’s showcase fishery, however, anglers are buzzing with anticipation approaching winter when rainbow trout are at their biggest.

Cooling temperatures will see fish congregate nearer spawning streams or in the case of hatchery-reared trout, their liberation sites making them quite targetable by anglers venturing out over the Easter break.

Fish & Game have created a winter fishing licence which is available from 1 April each year at a reduced cost.

Eastern Fish & Game Region CEO Arash Alaeinia says the reduced cost of the winter licence is excellent value as it takes anglers up until the end of September.

“There's still lots of great fishing ahead of us through the winter period on the Rotorua lakes.

“Many of the lakes remain open all year round and there are opportunities on lakes, streams, from boats or the shore”

Meanwhile streams and stream mouths in the region have seen an influx of fresh spawning fish.

The Ngongotaha, Waiteti and Utuhina streams all have good numbers of early spawning rainbows.

Brown trout, which normally commence their spawning runs early, are being caught at the river mouths at night.

Fish & Game reminds anglers to carry their fishing licences over the long weekend to make a licence-check with a Ranger quick and easy, and of the need to Check, Clean and Dry to prevent the spread of pest organism