Fishing prospects on Rotorua lakes appear to be improving just in time for an influx of Easter holidaymakers, according to Fish & Game.

Eastern Fish and Game staff say there have been encouraging reports from several lakes, with where healthy numbers of fish have been caught in excellent condition.

One trout caught in Lake Rotoiti recently weighed in at nearly 4.5kg.

During angler boat surveys on Sunday at Lake Okataina, Fish and Game Officer Nigel Simpson spoke to 28 anglers and inspected their catch.

He says 23 fish have been caught by boaties, several around the 3kg mark, and others from about 2-3kgs. Another eight have been caught and released.

'Some were saying the day before had been even better. A number of smaller fish had been caught, but they had been in spectacular condition – the shape of a rugby ball.

'People had reported that some of these smaller fish had fought so hard they thought they'd hooked bigger fish.”

Nigel says there were some happy anglers around and one Irish tourist, who's been coming to Rotorua for 35 years, said his trip had been one of the best in his time.

'Lake Rotoiti is one of the standouts among the Rotorua lakes, with some bursts of excellent fishing.”

A Te Puke-based fishing club held a contest in mid-March across several lakes and Nigel says the best trout was hauled from Lake Rotoiti – six of them weighed over 2kgs with the biggest one coming in at 2.8kgs.

Fish and Game officers are reminding anglers there are changes to spin fishing from the shoreline rules and boat fishing on Lake Rotoiti.

These rules start from Easter Monday, April 1.

Certain areas where spinning was permitted are about to change over to fly fishing only.

At Lake Tarawera for example, the tributary stream mouths – marked by black, yellow and while landmark poles – will be fly fishing from April 1 until October 1.

Fish and Game officer Matt Osborne is assuring spin fishing enthusiasts these spots will be 'spinnable” again from October 1.

He says there are lots of other areas where spin fishing is still allowed.

Boat anglers on Lake Rotoiti are also reminded there is no boat fishing allowed within Ruato Bay, between the landmark poles on the eastern and western end of the Bay extending 200m north, from April 1.

Matt says anglers who have any doubts about the regulations should consult their North Island sports fishing regulations booklet or visit www.fishandgame.org,nz