Thousands of anglers are heading out to lakes, rivers and streams across the country today for the first day of the new freshwater fishing season.

It's the first time in five years that the October 1 start of the trout and salmon season has fallen on a weekend, and with school holidays in full swing, Fish & Game predicts this year will be a 'real family affair.”

With the new fishing season kicking off today, a number of fishers slept on their boats down at Lake Tarawera in Rotorua so they could be out on the water at first light today.Photo: Grant Dyson.

Fish & Game Communications Manager Don Rood says the timing of the weekend opening is great for families.

'It means that rather than the keen anglers in the household having to take a day off work, or sneaking out early to fish, the whole family can head out together for an outdoors adventure with the prospect of taking home some fresh wild food for the barbecue or smoker,” says Don.

'The start of the season always brings a get-together of family members and fishing mates, but this time round the Saturday kick off will really give that camaraderie a boost.”

And the chances of catching trout for the table are looking good.

'It has been a relatively mild winter in many areas and that means a good survival rate of both adult and newly hatched trout.”

Although recent rain has affected some rivers in the North Island, further south conditions look good.

In the Rotorua lakes, anglers have the chance to hook a tagged trout worth $10,000 in the ‘Fish for Gold' competition.

'This is a great opportunity and of course, children have just as much chance of hooking the winning fish as anyone else. If they do, it will be a school holiday break they will never forget,” says Don.

One of the green tagged trout worth $10,000. Supplied Photo.

Fish & Game has made it easier to take the family fishing with the family licence, which allows parents and their children to fish together.

There is also a range of new licence categories, including those catering for older anglers and those wanting to fish in just their home region rather than the whole country.

Fish & Game does have a warning, though, for those considering not buying a licence.

'As usual, Fish & Game rangers will be out in force checking licences over coming days, so anglers need to make sure they have their licences, are fishing where they are supposed to be, and not exceeding their catch limits.

'Buying a licence is easy – it takes only a couple of minutes on the Fish & Game website. Get it wrong by fishing without a licence and things get expensive.”

Anglers are urged to double check if the area they are planning to fish this weekend is actually open to fishing.

'Not all streams and rivers are open on October 1 and the season on more sensitive and remote areas in the backcountry won't begin until November, or even December for some places,” says Don.

If anglers are unsure, they should check the Fish & Game website www.fishandgame.org.nz or with their local Fish & Game regional office.

To purchase a fishing licence visit Fish & Game's website at: www.fishandgame.org.nz/content/fishing-licence-info

Revellers gathered at The Landing on Lake Tarawera on the eve of the new fishing season which kicks off today. Photo: Grant Dyson.