Bay of Plenty anglers are rolling up their sleeves today to help Eastern Region Fish and Game officers release 4000 one-year-old rainbow trout into Lake Rerewhakaaitu.

Members of the Rotorua Angler's Association will be at the hatchery in Ngongotaha to help with fin clipping.

Trout.

Trouts' fins are clipped to identify them when they're later caught.

Fish and Game officer Mark Sherburn says the release is a labour intensive process as 100,000 fish are liberated by the Eastern Region every year.

'It's great to get the fishing club members involved as they've had a long-standing relationship with Fish & Game – contributing a lot over the years to our work.

'We value their contribution and want to see it continue.

'It's appropriate that the anglers can help with fish for Rerewhakaaitu as it's a popular fishing spot for them.”

The fish will be released at spots including Homestead Arm in Brett Road.

Mark says today's effort will take the total number of fish released into Rotorua lakes so far this spring to about the 35,000 mark.

'The fish will be taken to Rerewhakaaitu in Fish & Game's ‘Live Trout Truck' – a purpose-built transporter which has been sign-written to make people aware of its important role.

'The truck helps us get across to people just how much work is involved in keeping lakes stocked with good condition fish for anglers to target.”