Lake McLaren and the Ruahihi Canal in the lower Kaimais will soon have hundreds more trout growing fat enough for local anglers to target.

Last night 700 trout were released by Fish and Game, assisted by Tauranga anglers, into the lake and canal.

It's fun! A Tauranga Anglers Club member's child lets trout go.

Fish and Game Officer Mark Sherburn says the fish released this time last year are now at a catchable size, and this year's fish will be nice and fat in another year's time.

Lake McLaren and the canal is a good local fishery for Western Bay of Plenty locals, he says, a 'perfect place to take a kid for his or her first fishing lessons using simple spin fishing techniques.”

The shoreline fishing on offer is accessible and fairly safe if parents and caregivers are taking the usual precautions for children around water, he says.

'We would suggest that Tauranga locals 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,” Mark says.

Fish and Game Officer Lloyd Gledhill clipping the fins of the young trout (sedated) at the hatchery before their release.

President Tauranga Anglers Club Richard Thomson says it was a great turnout last night with about 20 adults and 10 children helping to release the fish.

'It went really well, there was a great turnout.”

'Fish and Game supplied us with the trout, which they do every year – without them it would be pretty tough.”

Mark says while 500 one year old rainbow and 200 browns might not sound like a lot of fish, compared with some of their larger releases into the Rotorua lakes, this is in fact a high stocking rate.

'Although as with any lake, this doesn't necessarily translate into a high catch rate.”

He says the Tauranga Angler's Club members as always, turned out to help with the annual release, helping carry fish by bucket from the tank on the back of a Fish & Game ute. 'We love their enthusiasm and willingness to contribute to their local fishery.”

Lake McLaren 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. There are plenty of spots for fly or spin fishing from the shore but fishing from motorised craft is not permitted.

Fish are transferred to a bucket for Angler's Club members to tip into the waterway.