Now this is an interesting thread from the dim dark past. Whitey (second to last post) provides a great example of the dangers of introducing any non-native animal or fish anywhere.

I have friends who have daydreams about importing all sorts of sportfish into New Zealand. Largemouth bass particularly, but also (in saltwater) striped bass and/or mulloway, even flathead!

Totally bonkers of course

Be careful what you wish for

If the last thing we need are smugglers that can import bass, the closest places that have these fish are the Philippines and South Africa.

I would like to see them introduced into the hydro lakes and upper nth island lakes.

1/ They would eat the perch, koi, rudd etc that are threatening our clean waterways. The positives to this is we would prevent the problems we are expecting to see as carp become more widespread. Bass do not muddy up the waterways as trout do.
2/ Take Lake Otatoa for example - a world class trout fishery ruined by perch. Put Bass in their and they would eat the perch. This would create - 3.
3/ World class Bass fishery near Auckland. First Otatoa then our next opportunity is bass in lake Pupuke. There is currently a wide variety of fish in Pupuke, introducing bass would not adversely effect the quality of the fishery of this lake. The positive results would be staggering - creating sales for local retailers, manufacturers and wholesalers for a new sports fish, new fishing magazines and fishing show opportunities. The employment opportunities are huge.
4/ Trout fishing has a minority following throughout most parts of the world. Similar to snapper vs trout in NZ. The financial benefits from snapper fishing significantly outway that of trout. The same would be true if we created a bass fishery in NZ. We would see more overseas anglers spending more money than they do currently for trout fishing.
5/ The effects on trout fishing rivers. Minimal if at all measurable. Bass will not survive in our back country rivers. So there is no risk of putting our world class fisheries at risk. The majority of overseas anglers come to fish these back country rivers. Therefore we would not effect the numbers of overseas anglers coming to fish these rivers.
6/ The big lakes of the Nth and Sth island. Well to put it plenty most of the Rotorua lakes are buggered already. Bass would have a far greater survival rate in Rotorua and rotoiti than trout in 20 yrs from now. We already run the risk of not having a fishery in these lakes in the future. At least by introducing bass we would all have something fun to fish for.
7/ Many of the Sth Island alpine lakes are to cold to support the survival of Bass. Therefore there is limited risk of bass surviving in these lakes if introduced.

8/ The real biggy is Lake Taupo. The lake is so huge that trout would be able to out run the bass. Potentially you could have a unique trout fishery and bass fishery. This happens in much of California. The negative is bass could be the main catch. Who had a great season on the Tongariro this year anyhow. Not many if any.

9/ Great lakes we could lose as trout fisheries - Taupo and Tarawera. Koi could ruin these any how.

10/ Ever been to a Waikato hydro lake in summer. Its not easy to catch a trout when these lakes warm and algae becomes a problem. Bass would feeding ferociously - wow what a bonus.