October 1 marks a special day for New Zealand trout anglers – the opening of the new season, often described as their Christmas and birthday rolled into one!

Excitement is always high across the country, but nowhere more so than the Rotorua lakes – the nation’s trout fishing hub.

And this year promises to be a bumper season, according to Eastern Fish and Game monitoring. Growth has been excellent across the district, said Fish and Game officer Matt Osborne.

“We’ve seen the Rotorua lakes performing exceptionally well for two seasons now, and all indications are this will continue into 2026. The big rain events of 2023 left the lakes rich in nutrients, which boosted the trout food chain.”

While many Rotorua lakes are open year-round, Rotoiti, Tarawera and Okataina close each winter to allow the trout a rest.

The October 1 opening is always a spectacle, with hundreds of boats and anglers creating a festival-like atmosphere on the water.

Fishing means relaxation.

Families are also a big part of opening day, with Fish and Game reporting many groups making the most of the event during school holidays.

A special family licence is available to encourage participation.

Across much of the country October 1 also signals opening day (though anglers should check local regulations or contact their Fish and Game office).

In the Bay of Plenty and Te Urewera, rivers and streams continue to recover strongly after Cyclone Gabrielle and now hold healthy trout populations.

And there’s more to fishing than just catching fish! A study conducted by Fish and Game New Zealand clearly shows that time spent fishing has a beneficial effect on our mental health.

The research found angling prompted feelings of happiness, helped connection with self, others, nature, and allowed a break from stress.

It also created opportunities for different generations of family to come together and learn from each other.

Boats set out onto Lake Tarawera early on opening morning.

Fish and Game reminds all anglers to check, clean, dry their gear when moving between catchments to prevent the spread of pests.

Fishing licences are available now from local agents or online at www.fishandgame.org.nz