Canterbury anglers are relieved they will able to fish again after poor water quality appeared to be the cause of a mysterious outbreak of red rashes on trout.
The lakes have been closed since early December and families have missed out on their prime fishing and holiday period.
Tests have cleared the high country Canterbury lakes of any bacterial issues and scientists say it is likely to be an environmental issue.
Tony Hawker of Fish and Game says it could be to do with hot weather.
"These lakes got really warm, the top seven meters of the lake was like bathwater and we think that was causing stress to the fish.. and that's why they've picked up this rash".
They say the hard work is ahead of them as they try to implement a way to control farm run off.
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