Fish & Game is preparing to conduct its annual release of 700 trout into Lake McLaren and the Ruahihi Canal with Tauranga anglers invited to play their part.

Lake McLaren, in McLaren Falls Park in the lower Kaimais, offers year round fishing with a bag limit of two trout and no size restriction.

The lake and canal are stocked with rainbow and brown trout, but also have some wild fish.

Fish & Game officer Mark Sherburn says 500 rainbow and another 200 browns will be released into the lake at various locations around Cherry Bay, and in the canal near the entrance to the park.

The liberation is being carried out today from 6pm.

'We're very pleased to have Tauranga Anglers Club along again to help in the release,” says Mark.

'In the past we've handed them pails of the one-year-old fish so they could have the pleasure of tipping the young trout into the water – quite a buzz for those who love sport fishing.

'As keen trout fishers, these folk are of course especially appreciative of the work we do to keep the region's lakes stocked with fish.”

Tauranga club members have contributed directly over the years in different ways, for example, assisting in the preparation of material for local brochures, and past president Mike Jarvie still serves as one of our honorary rangers.

Lake McLaren offers a family friendly fishing location with slow vehicle access permitted throughout the park providing easy access to picnic areas and coin operated barbecues.

'It's an ideal spot for Tauranga residents to introduce their youngsters to trout fishing and make it a real family and outdoor experience.”

Mark urges people to consider the purchase of a family licence, which permits two adults and two children or grandchildren to fish under the one licence, while the primary licence holder can still fish on their own.

Tauranga Anglers Club President Richard Thomson says Fish & Game has made Lake McLaren and the Ruahihi Canal a ‘fantastic' place to fish, and do a great job of keeping the local waterways stocked with rainbow and brown trout.

He says the club has enjoyed helping with the trout releases over the years and hopes to do so for many years to come.