Anglers are gearing up for the December opening of stream fishing around the shores of Lake Rotorua.

Lake Rotorua tributaries, which have been closed over the spawning season, re-open for summer angling from December 1.

A bumper stream fishing season is predicted once it starts on December 1. Photo: Supplied.

They are the upper sections of the Ngongotaha Stream near State Highway 5, the Waiteti near Hamurana Road and the Utuhina between Devon Road and Pukehangi Road.

Fish & Game Officer Matt Osborne says anglers should do well given improvements in Lake Rotorua trout over the past couple of years.

'The trout look to be in really good condition from our surveys, as a result of the lake's improving water quality and food supplies,” says Matt.

Anglers are also assured of easy access to the streams after Fish & Game's work to maintain access tracks.

Matt says brown trout are already showing up in the fish trap on the Ngongotaha Stream and 'come December, there will be plenty of browns as the temperature of Lake Rotorua rises above the 19C mark.”

Ngongotaha is known for its big brown trout moving up the streams in search of cooler water.

El Nino conditions are expected to produce plenty of fishing, with hot weather forecast.

Matt says the streams are likely to be low and clear, with the best fishing on offer in the early morning and evening.

'Most anglers will be nymphing or using globugs,” he says, 'before moving later in summer to caddis and cicada-type dry flies and emerging-type nymphs.

'There is scope on some streams for those who are new to fishing or prefer spinning. Please check your regulation booklet for places where spinning is permitted.”

He says Lake Rotorua has lots of streams feeding into it which provide gravelly beds and ideal habitats for natural spawning.

'Unlike the Tarawera, Okataina and Rotoiti lakes, which have only limited spawning habitat available meaning trout numbers need to be boosted with hatchery fish, sufficient natural spawning occurs within Rotorua's tributaries.”

Fish & Game officers will be out ranging at the opening of the Rotorua streams, and in the weeks following, speaking to anglers.

The Mokau and Hopuruahine streams at Waikaremoana will also be opening from December 1.

Anglers are reminded of the need to ‘Check, Clean and Dry' fishing equipment including footwear when moving between waterways to stop the spread of aquatic pests.