Fine weather is expected for hundreds of anglers who can swing Thursday off work for the start of the new trout fishing season on the Rotorua lakes.

Lakes Tarawera, Okataina and Rotoiti all reopen on October 1 after being closed for three months over the winter.

Five-year-old Lucas and Pete Corson, with one of the 'super” trout from Lake Rotorua. Photo: Mike Bodie.

Fish and Game is expecting around 1000 anglers to try their luck on the opening day, with most of the fish caught typically younger fish around two years of age.

'Because many of these young fish were released in different months in line with our staggered programme, there will be a real spread in the size,” says Fish & Game Officer Matt Osborne.

'Okataina will, we believe, continue the trend seen over the last few seasons and produce the largest fish,” he says, 'but this doesn't mean that large fish won't be caught on the other lakes.”

Growing conditions for trout in Okataina has been very good in recent years.

'Combine this with lower angler pressure as a result of lake levels and boat launching issues, and you have a formula that means trout can grow to a larger size before they're harvested.”

Two year-olds caught on Okataina are expected to average around 510mm, while Rotoiti fish will be around the 500mm mark, and Tarawera's a little smaller at 490mm due to differences in growth conditions between the three lakes.

The best methods for early in the season are to fish fairly shallow while it's still dark or the light is coming up, says Matt.

'Fish will initially be nearer the surface feeding,” he says. 'When the light strengthens, anglers should fish deeper with lead lines, wire lines or jigging.

'If the day remains overcast, fish may remain closer to the surface in some areas, although high boat traffic after the three month break often sends them deeper looking for cover.

'Please remember the basic rules of safe boating such as wearing a lifejacket, and don't be tempted to underestimate how rough it can get on the lake.”

Fish and game also urges boaties travelling between different North Island lakes to ‘check, clean and dry' their gear between waterways to stop the spread of harmful organisms.