For kids that like fishing or for those wanting to try for the first time, coming to a lake that’s stocked with farmed salmon just waiting to be caught isn’t such a bad idea – but be warned, there’s no guarantee that you’ll actually catch one!

You can’t use your own tackle but fishing rods, chilly bins and nets are given out free of charge. You might want to buy some bait but it is also possible to catch a salmon without bait. Find yourself a spot around the lake and cast! There are staff members on hand to give you advice but it’s also about just giving it a go.

You might want to look around the farm pools before you give the fishing a try or if you need a break from fishing. There are information boards about each pool with the rough size and quantity of the fish in each. There’s also a cafe where you can eat your catch or buy some if you haven’t been lucky!

For very young preschoolers, the fishing might not hold their attention for long but there’s a playground next to the cafe and you can also wander next door to the separate cafe, petting zoo and feeding the eels place owned by the same people.

Although outside, this activity can be enjoyed in the rain if you’re prepared with raincoats and gumboots. There are a couple of shelters around the lake that you could fish from and there’s the bonus that the rain keeps the sandflies away!

It’s been said that if you do catch a fish, it can taste better if you ask for it to be smoked to get rid of a possible muddy flavour. There is an extra charge for this (see below).