Fish & Game has released a thousand trout into Lake McLaren and the Ruahihi Canal in the lower Kaimai ranges – with Tauranga anglers helping out.

Lake McLaren, in McLaren Falls Park offers year-round fishing with a bag limit of two trout and no size restriction. The lake and canal are stocked with rainbows and brown trout but there are also some wild fish.

Fish & Game Officer Mark Sherburn says the 500 one year-old rainbows and 200 browns were released into the lake at various locations around Cherry Bay, and in the canal near the entrance to the Park.

This time an extra 300 'very catchable” two year-old fish rainbows were also released.

'As always we were happy to have Tauranga Anglers Club members along to see the fish swim away – and take part.

'It's become something of a tradition to hand some pails filled with fish to the members' kids who turn up, so they can have the fun of tipping trout into the water.”

He says Lake McLaren offers a family-friendly fishing location.

Slow vehicle access is permitted throughout the park, providing easy access to picnic areas. There are also coin operated barbecues.

Fish & Game suggests Bay of Plenty residents consider buying a family licence so two adults and two children or grandchildren can fish under the one licence, while the primary licence holder can still fish on their own.