Rotenone drop removes rudd scourge from lake

Fish and Game can now restock Centennial Lake with tench and perch, after a successful operation by the Department of Conservation to remove the pest fish rudd.

In the month-long operation 347 rudd where killed using a cube root powder, which contains a small amount of toxic rotenone.

Rudd are classed as a noxious fish under the Freshwater Fisheries Regulations 1983 because they damage native and sports fish habitat.

DOC biodiversity ranger Helen McCaughan said the lake was an important site to eradicate rudd as it contained the southern-most population.

"Rudd compete with other fish for food and eat plants that provide places for small fish to hide. By removing them from Centennial Lake both native and sports fish should do better as there will not be so much competition."

Arowhenua Tangata Tiaki/Kaitiaki and Central South Island Fish and Game worked with DOC to remove non-target fish before the poison was applied.

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