Anglers from as far away as Whangarei made the most of the trout seasons ‘second opening' on December 1.

The upstream portion of several streams at Rotorua and Waikaremaona opened to trout fishing yesterday, an event much anticipated by anglers preferring to fish small streams.

The upper section of the Ngongotaha, Waiteti and Utuhina streams at Rotorua and the Mokau and Hopuruahine Streams at Waikaremoana have a later than normal opening to protect trout engaged in spawning.

'Rainbow trout at some locations tend to reproduce during spring, rather than the more traditional winter period so it's important to let them do so undisturbed,” says Fish & Game's Matt Osborne.

'Many of the streams are busy with spawning right through November and we need to protect that natural process”

Fish & Game rangers were out checking licences and talking with anglers for the morning.

Most were successful with one local landing seven nice rainbows in the first two hours of fishing.

Brown trout were less common on the day, however their upstream migration was very much triggered by warming lake temperatures which would happen within the next couple of weeks.

'The surface temperature on Lake Rotorua was currently 18 C and brown trout would move upstream from the lake once it hit 19 degrees.

"The browns we have seen this season are looking really good, averaging almost 3kg."

Fish & Game want to remind anglers to carry their fishing licences with them, and to check their fishing equipment as they move between waterways, always checking, cleaning and drying to prevent the spread of invasive pest species such as weeds and alien fish species like catfish.