Fish and Game's concerned about people taking fish illegally in the Bay.

There's been a number of  people caught breaking the law whilst trout fishing around the Rotorua Lakes.

Offences include fishing without licenses, poaching spawning trout, using illegal tackle and bait, and fishing in banned areas.

People caught poaching spawning trout face fines of up to $10,000 or 12 months in prison.

Regional Manager Rob Pitkethley says these offences have a huge impact on the region's fish.

He says when people are running around in the spawning streams with nets and spears,  they cause damage where the fish lay their eggs.

He says this causes a major problem for successive generations of trout.