Thread: Lake Ōkataina closed!!

Just heard today that lake Okataina is to be closed to all boats by Māori (Ngati Taráwhai iwi Trust) the day before the trout opening season. I assume the same will shortly be proposed for Tarawera, Rotoiti and other Rotorua lakes. The reason is the golden clam in the Waikato river and a concern it will spread.

Someone can correct me if I’m wrong but I recall that Te Arawa Lakes Settlement Act 2006 guarantees the public the right of access for recreation.

Nothing received yet from fish & Game. I understand that all of the Councils are backing the Maori group along with Te Arawa Lakes Trust. I bet Fish & Game were not even consulted.

Why can’t they ban boats that have been in the Waikato River instead of banning everyone?

that is crazy

Co-Governance by another name. Same difference with the Tongariro. NZ is getting smaller just like the number of tax payers. LOL.

Having lost our only good trout fishery in Northland for similar dubious reasons, I can understand the frustration.

My brother in law has fished that lake for trout for a very long time. I wouldn’t want to be the one telling him he can’t anymore. He is a man of few words but I reckon that the second word out of his mouth would be “off”.

rest assured that "locals" still will be boating there, with nobody raising a stink...

Seems logical to me. Would the same restriction apply to waders, fishing gear, swimming togs, shoes and people?

Originally Posted by Woody

Seems logical to me. Would the same restriction apply to waders, fishing gear, swimming togs, shoes and people?

Fish & Game have sent an email to licence holders. The main threat seems to be ski boats that hold ballast water. However waterskiing is banned on the lake!!

Kayaks are probably the biggest threat with tourists travelling around.

Not trout fishers who only use their posts on the lake.

Even if the clams do get there, won’t the large trout clean them up?

It will be interesting to see what F&G do as well as the minister of hunting & fishing in waiting!!

If they do nothing then I will be asking for my licence to be refunded in disgust….

From what I've seen up here, F&G are on your side, but have no real power when it comes to these matters. You can try for a refund, I doubt you'll get it and F&G need all the support they can get.

According to a news article I read today, F&G had already approached regional council about concentrating eradication efforts in the area of Waikato river mostly affected but with little response. Yet we pay exorbitant rates to the regional council to protect our waterways. They are half- arsed IMO.
F&G do their absolute best but are grossly underfunded.

hmmm, another access issue ......just imagine life under 3 waters ....

3 Waters???

You are a bit behind the times.

The Select committee increased it to 5 waters (coastal and geothermal)

Roll on the 14th

GULP … 5 waters …FFS

6 waters (including the tears).

Well who’s responsible for all the shit released in Auckland today? That will be 7 waters, there will be consequences, maybe