Anglers willing to work hard and try a variety of fishing methods are bagging the good fish, say Fish & Game Eastern Region staff.

Fish & Game officer Mark Sherburn says anglers need to think outside the box a little as unseasonal condition are producing mixed fortunes for most fishermen.

'It's as if we're a month ahead on the calendar, so methods like shallow trolling in the mornings and fishing for cruising fish around the weed beds is the way to go.

'Try the sort of locations and methods you would use in early autumn.”

The usual high summer water temperatures just haven't happened, and with shorter days and cooler overnight temperatures, it doesn't appear they will kick in, he says.

'Lake Rotorua, which often gets to well over 20C, has remained in the mid 19s for most of the summer.

'These temperatures are actually good for trout feeding and growth, but don't necessarily produce great fishing.”

Mark says one pleasing trend, however, is a lift in the condition of fish coming from Lake Rotorua after a couple of years when they weren't in good shape.

Reports from the lake indicate both boaties and shore-based fishers are seeing some gradual improvements.

Mark says some nice condition fish in the 1-1.5kg range have been caught at the mouths of the Awahou, Hamurana and Ngongotaha streams.

He says lake water temperatures also have an enormous influence on fish growth, and officers have had reports of a number of genuine trophy trout caught in January, the latest a tagged 5.5kg rainbow hooked in Lake Okataina.