An angler has hooked and landed what is believed to be the biggest trout ever recorded at Northland's Kai Iwi lakes.
Bruce Yorke caught the 4.32kg rainbow trout in Lake Tahora. Photo: SUPPLIED
The rainbow trout weighed 4.32kg (9lb5oz) - just shy of the 10lb mark which trout anglers worldwide regard as the benchmark of a trophy trout or fish of a lifetime.
The 66cm-long trout was hooked by Bruce Yorke at Promenade Point in Lake Tahora, using a cooked prawn bait.
Fellow angler Peter Allen netted the fish for him after he fought it to the shore, and Mr Yorke said he was amazed at the rainbow's size as it came into view.
"When Peter had it in the net it looked like a kingfish," he said.
Mr Yorke's monster was not the only big trout hooked that weekend; Barry Chapman caught one weighing 2.94kg.
Northland Fish and Game manager Rudi Hoetjes said it was an encouraging trend and indicated the Kai Iwi lakes were improving, with better habitat for all wildlife.
Murray Dixon won the Kai Iwi Lakes fishing contest last month with a rainbow trout weighing 3.695kg.
