Chasing rainbows

Years of dedication to the pursuit of trophy trout underpin this year’s overall winner in the Taupō fishery photography competition.

The image submitted by experienced trout angler Karl Sawyer shows him proudly holding a huge rainbow trout caught at Lake Otamangakau, within the Taupō Fishing District.

Karl has been fishing the Taupō area for 30 years and enjoys the challenges and opportunities the fishery provides.

“Every year is different, it’s never boring. This fish was the largest I’ve caught in over 20 years on Lake Otamangakau, and it was worth every bit of effort,” Karl says.

Department of Conservation Principal Ranger Fisheries Mark Venman was impressed with Karl’s photo during the judging.

“It’s a stunning fish, it’s really something special, and you can see the feeling straight away in Karl’s face.”

The photo will appear on the printed plastic wallet cards for the upcoming 2026/27 Taupō fishing season.

Six other winning photographs will be used on the DOC website to illustrate different licence categories.

Mark says the photos show people of all ages and experience levels, using a variety of fishing techniques, “all unified by their enjoyment of the Taupō fishery.”

All winners will receive a Taupō season fishing licence for the 2026/27 fishing season, which begins 1 July 2026 and runs through to 30 June 2027.

For everyone else, Taupō fishing licence fees remain unchanged from last year.

Taupō fishing season licences for 2026/27 will go on sale on June 24. All licences can be purchased online at www.doc.govt.nz/FishingLicence.

Details of fishing regulations covering the Taupō Fishing District can be found on the DOC website - Rules and regulations – what you need to know.

Karl Sawyer reels in the largest fish he has caught in over 20 years fishing at Lake Otamangakau.