Dunedin children rigged their lures and cast their lines by the hundreds over the weekend.
More than 300 Dunedin children enjoyed the fresh air and the sunshine at Fish & Game’s Take A Kid Fishing event at the Southern Reservoir.
Fish & Game Otago officer Steve Dixon said the free event was a chance for children and their families to enjoy a healthy outdoor activity before the season started on October 1.
About 300 rainbow trout had been released into the Southern Reservoir with 300 more to follow next weekend.
Among them were about 15 fish weighing between 2.2kg-4.5kg, two of which had been caught on Saturday, but there were plenty of smaller "breakfast fish" still out there, Mr Dixon said.
"Just to see the kid come up with a fish in their hand and a big smile on their face, that’s what we’re all about."
Despite organisers gutting the fish in front of them, Mr Dixon said none of the children had been particularly squeamish.
"Some of the kids want to put the head and guts in their pocket and take that home as well", he said.
"It’s pretty fun."
Charlie Dixie had been fishing at the reservoir with his family over the past four years, but yesterday reeled in his first catch.
While the fish felt slimy and had been "swirling everywhere", he enjoyed the fun of trying to catch fish — and eating them.
The event will continue next weekend.
