Fisheries > Rangitaiki Catchment

The Rangitaiki River catchment is the largest in the Eastern Fish and Game region. It offers lake, small stream, and big river fishing opportunities. Angling information on this catchment is contained within the Rangitaiki pamphlet and is available throughout the region.

Rangitaiki River

The upper Rangitaiki River is within the Kaiangaroa Forest and a Fletcher Challenge Forest access permit is required. The Otamatea and Dry Fly creeks can be accessed from Eastern Boundary Road and this also provides access to the upper river and Te Awa camping ground. The mid-river and Waihua and Mangamako Streams can be accessed from Galatea Road off SH 30.

Flaxy Lakes and Canals

The Rangitaiki Canal is accessed off Kiorenui Road and from the canal Bush Road runs up to Flaxy Lake and Flaxy Canal. This area provides very good summer fishing with fly and spoon to brown and rainbow trout.

Whirinaki River

The Whirinaki can be accessed from Ngatimanawa Road and the bridge on Whirinaki Road. There is a truck that runs alonside the river through most of this section. Access to higher reaches is via SH 38, Okuia Road, Minginui Road and River Road. A number of signed access points run off all these roads and the river contains high densities of both brown and rainbow trout in a scenic bush setting.

Horomanga River

The Horomanga can be accessed from bridges on Galatea and Troutbeck Roads, and also from the Te Urewera Park boundary at the end of the gravel road on the south side of the Troutbeck Road bridge. The Horomanga provide excellent late season wet fly and nymphing for spawning runs from Lake Aniwhenua.

Lake Aniwhenua

There is a boat ramp and free camping area for lake Aniwhenua at the end of Black Road. A track runs up the eastern side of the lake from this camping area. Small boats can also be launched at access points off Rabbit Bridge on Kopuriki Road. Aniwhenua provides good rainbow and brown trout to shoreline fly and spoon, or stalking fish from drifting boats.