Skip to main content

Story: Freshwater fishing

Anglers and their catch

Image
Anglers and their catch

A group of anglers pose after a successful trip on Lake Rotorua in 1903. The rainbow trout they have caught are exceptionally well-conditioned – some look like rugby balls. The picture was taken by a tourist department photographer. The government was eager to encourage visitors to New Zealand, and one way of doing this was by highlighting fishing opportunities.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library, Tourist and Publicity Department Collection

Reference: PA1-o-502-03

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

All images & media in this story

How to cite this page

Carl Walrond, Freshwater fishing – An imported tradition, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/18239/anglers-and-their-catch (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Carl Walrond, published 1 March 2009.