Fisheries > Bay of Plenty

The Bay of Plenty offers a variety of angling experiences from small lake fisheries to scenic headwater fisheries within National parks. A number of pamphlets are available on specific catchments within the bay and a general outline from west to east follows.

Lake McLaren

Lake McLaren is a small hydro impoundment in the upper Wairoa Catchment on the eastern side of the Kaimai ranges. The lake is accessed from S.H. 29 off McLaren Falls Road. There is a very good picnic and reserve area and motorised boats are not allowed on the lake. The lake is shallow with good weed beds and both brown and rainbow trout. Shoreline stalking of the browns in summer is popular and fly and spinning most successful.

Ruahihi Canal

The canal runs from the lake and is easily accessible along both sides from either end. The gates at the canal are locked after hours. The canal holds medium sized stocked rainbows. Fly and spin are both productive and a good dry fly hatch occurs during the summer months.

Wairoa River

The Wairoa below McLarens Falls has both brown and rainbow trout and spinning is the most productive way to take fish. Be aware of water level changes when the rafting days are on as flows can increase dramatically.

Ngamuwahine River

The Ngamuwahine is one of the more scenic rivers in the area and holds good numbers of brown trout up to 3kg. Dry fly in the summer is one of the better ways to get the fish, and a spinner also works well. Access is off S.H. 39 at Ngamuwahine Road. The road end leads to a walk into the Kaimai-Mamaku Forest Park and fishing is good both above and below the bushline.

Kaituna River

The Kaituna River flows from Lake Rotoiti to the sea at Maketu. The river holds good numbers of brown and rainbow trout and foot access is mainly through private property. The best access can be gained by boat from the ramp at the Maungarangi Road bridge off S.H. 33.

Tarawera River

The Tarawera flows from Lake Tarawera through Kawerau to the sea at Matata. Exciting fishing exists in the forests above Kawerau and a Fletcher Challenge Forest access permit is required. The best access is from River Road and rainbow trout are present in high numbers in swift waters and average around1.5kg.

Whakatane River

The Whakatane River flows northwards from deep in the Te Urewera National Park at Ruatahuna to the coast at Whakatane. The river holds good populations of middle-sized brown and rainbow trout in a very scenic environment. The river is accessible from either end, with the headwaters reached from S.H. 38 at Ruatahuna. The Ruatoki Valley Rd off Reid Rd at Taneatua follows the river upstream from the lower reaches to the park boundary. Access from the road to the lower reaches is across private property so the land owners permission is necessary. The middle reaches are accessed from a riverbank track that runs from the Ruatoki Rd end through the National Park, joining the upper and lower road access points. Nymph and dry flies are the common mid-headwater lures and there are some good wet fly pools below the park in the lower reaches.

Waimana River

The Waimana River is the main tributary of the Whakatane River. It holds good numbers of both brown and rainbow trout and has some of the most scenic fishing in the region. Access is good throughout its length. The middle to upper reaches are reached from S.H. 2, turning off at Bell Road and continuing through Matahi Valley Road. Nymph fishing is the preferred method in the upper reaches. Late summer can often see a very good lace moth rise so dry flies should be carried at this time of year.

Waioeka River

The Waioeka River runs into the sea at Opotiki and is accessed along much of its length from S.H. 2 between Opotiki and Gisborne. A full information pamphlet detailing this area is available. The catchment has a range of accessible areas and offers some picturesque fishing for good numbers of brown and rainbow trout in the 1 - 2 kg range.