Waipa trap reports – 2024 winter season
Introduction
Read reports of the Waipa Stream fish trap over winter 2024.June 2024
The arrival of significant rainfall this month encouraged trout to move up into headwater streams. A total of 183 mm of rain fell at the Waipa trap site, with no flood events.
After a particularly dry May where only 49 trout were captured, June delivered an impressive 332 fish, offering encouraging signs for the winter season ahead.
Compared to June last year, slightly more brown trout were recorded but they were very similar in terms of average length and weight. Rainbows on average were 23 mm longer and 300 grams heavier than those trapped the same time last year. They also displayed a better condition factor.
There were 132 browns in total, with the heaviest weighing 3.95 kg. This large hen was 670 mm long with a condition factor of 47.4. Previous fin clips confirm she had spawned in the Waipa stream before and must be at least 5 years old.
The heaviest Rainbow was also a previous spawner. A jack which measured 600 mm, 2.6 kg and 43.5 CF.
Graphs and tables June 2024 (XLXS, 66K)
May 2024
The Waipa spawning trap was recommissioned for the 2024 Winter season in May. The trap is located on the Waipa stream, a tributary of the Tongariro River. The stream is an important spawning tributary for both brown and rainbow trout.
The 27 consecutive year of trap operation got off to a quiet start. In-stream conditions were low and clear, with no heavy rain or flood events recorded. Only 117.5 mm of rain was measured at the Waipa trap site and there was a period of 20 consecutive days with no rainfall recorded at all.
With stream levels more reminiscent of summer, the numbers of migrating trout in headwater streams were reduced. This is clearly illustrated by comparing the May 2023 data, when we experienced over three times the rainfall.
Brown trout migrate before rainbows, but their numbers were low this May. Only 16 were recorded for the month. The largest was a 620 mm jack that weighed 3.1 kg.
A total of 33 rainbows were captured. The largest was a hen of 570 mm and 2.2 kg. The fin-clip pattern confirmed this fish was at least 5 years old.
Each fish is carefully processed before being released upstream. This written summary along with the accompanying spreadsheet, provides anglers with a snapshot of the trap results.
Data from our Autumn Lake Productivity survey confirmed high productivity in Lake Taupō, therefore we anticipate trout numbers will increase significantly with the arrival of rain.