It's high time would-be poachers learn a lesson from court penalties – and give up trying to poach trout, especially from protected spawning streams.

This is the message from Fish & Game officers.

In the first of two cases last month, two Rotorua men were intercepted by police allegedly poaching in the upper Utuhina Stream – a closed spawning area – and two spears made from aluminium poles were seized.

Fish & Game officer Anthony van Dorp says the end of the poles had been fashioned into points, and the spears were seized without incident.

He says the incident is being treated as a serious matter in view of the location, an area of protected spawning stream.

The pair have now been summonsed to appear in court.

'The spawning streams are closed to fishing for good reason – so that as many trout can spawn successfully as possible.

'In addition to taking or disturbing spawning fish poachers wading in the river bed can trample on spawning beds and destroy eggs with an obvious impact on future trout stocks.”

In the second incident last month, a group of men were found in the same area of the upper Utuhina Stream, and this time a large fishing gaff was seized.

Charges have been laid against two men over the matter.

'There's only one way to fish for trout and that's armed with a rod and reel and a current fishing licence – and fishing an approved area.

'If you're caught with a rough and ready spear or similar in a spawning stream there is no defence – and you'll likely face serious charges.”

Anthony says it's pleasing to see the courts are continuing to take a strong line on people who are involved in trout poaching.

Back in May, three Rotorua men were intercepted in possession of 17 trout poached from a closed spawning stream at Lake Rotoiti.

They trio appeared in court late last month and pleaded guilty to possession of illegally taken trout.

'Judge Snell sentenced them each to 100 hours of community work which sends a clear message that even being in possession of poached trout, especially from spawning streams, is a matter taken seriously both by Fish & Game officers and the courts.”

Anthony says officers have also dealt with a number of people found fishing without a licence recently.

In one case, the angler made a false claim that they did have a licence.

'The message here is quite clear; if you want to fish for trout get a licence, fish legally – that is using permitted methods – and in areas which are open to anglers to fish in – not protected spawning waters which hold the future of our trout fisheries.”