Eastern Fish & Game
Family Fun
Eastern Fish & Game manages the trout fishery of the region including the world-famous Rotorua lakes.
Fish the Rotorua lakes
Whatever your level of angling experience and skill, the Rotorua Lakes Region offers a wide range of trout fishing opportunities. There are always fish biting somewhere in the district!
A number of the 13 lakes here are world-renowned for the quality and size of their trout, while others provide a high catch rate, or peaceful and highly scenic locations. In addition to the lakes, nearby streams provide the chance to catch once-in-a-lifetime trophy trout.
Rainbow trout are the most common fish in the lakes, but brown and tiger trout are also found in certain lakes. The Rotorua lakes provide all this excellent fishing for both first-timers and experienced anglers, all within 40 minutes’ drive of Rotorua city.
A trout fishing licence is required to fish for sports fish (trout and salmon) in New Zealand.
Hatchery and nature walks
The Trout Hatchery operated by Eastern Fish & Game rears over 70,000 ‘fry’ (baby trout) and grows them to ‘fingerling’ size before they're released from a specially designed truck that travels around the region, up to Northland and as far south as Wellington to supply trout to all over North Island. You can enjoy a walk though the hatchery and see the trout at their different stages of development, as well as an aquarium with four different types of trout to see.
Enjoy the beautiful setting of the hatchery, with ponds, a crystal-clear stream, open spaces for games and picnics, and short nature trails. Ideal for team getaways and off-site meetings to refresh, reflect and recharge, and outings or just a family picnic.
The site is free for families and individuals, but a small fee is asked for groups and organised visits.
Whatever your level of angling experience and skill, the Rotorua Lakes Region offers a wide range of trout fishing opportunities. There are always fish biting somewhere in the district!
A number of the 13 lakes here are world-renowned for the quality and size of their trout, while others provide a high catch rate, or peaceful and highly scenic locations. In addition to the lakes, nearby streams provide the chance to catch once-in-a-lifetime trophy trout.
Rainbow trout are the most common fish in the lakes, but brown and tiger trout are also found in certain lakes. The Rotorua lakes provide all this excellent fishing for both first-timers and experienced anglers, all within 40 minutes’ drive of Rotorua city.
A trout fishing licence is required to fish for sports fish (trout and salmon) in New Zealand.
Hatchery and nature walks
The Trout Hatchery operated by Eastern Fish & Game rears over 70,000 ‘fry’ (baby trout) and grows them to ‘fingerling’ size before they're released from a specially designed truck that travels around the region, up to Northland and as far south as Wellington to supply trout to all over North Island. You can enjoy a walk though the hatchery and see the trout at their different stages of development, as well as an aquarium with four different types of trout to see.
Enjoy the beautiful setting of the hatchery, with ponds, a crystal-clear stream, open spaces for games and picnics, and short nature trails. Ideal for team getaways and off-site meetings to refresh, reflect and recharge, and outings or just a family picnic.
The site is free for families and individuals, but a small fee is asked for groups and organised visits.