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Eastern >Fishing Regulations
Angling regulations are updated annually. Each region has specific regulations for individual rivers and lakes within the framework of national angling regulations.
Fish and Game New Zealand’s Eastern Region offers a large range of fishing opportunities for both lake and river fishing. Access to much of the fishable water in the Eastern Region has been described in a series of comprehensive informational pamphlets. These can be obtained free of charge from most licence sellers and sports shops, as well as our Rotorua office or on the Eastern Region fishing pages on the www.fishandgame.org.nz web site. These pamphlets have detailed maps of their respective catchments along with labelled access points and fishing information, and outline the best fishing areas and methods to use. An active access programme is also being implemented throughout the region with extensive signage and tracks have been cut to guide anglers to many fishing opportunities.
The bush clad Lakes Waikaremoana and Waikareiti in the east provide spectacular boat and shoreline fishing for both brown and rainbow trout in the scenic Te Urewera National Park. The rivers within the park also provide opportunities to target headwater fish and spawning run fish. The Ruakituri River gives anglers a chance to catch world renowned strong trout while the Waiau Rivers offers very high catch rates.
The Bay of Plenty has a large number of spectacular river fisheries from the Waioeka River in the east through the Rangitaiki, Tarawera and Kaituna catchments to the Ngamuwahine River in the west. Lakes like Aniwhenua and Flaxy also add to diverse fishing opportunities.
The Rotorua Lakes are the central feature of the region. Shoreline fly fishing and spin fishing can result in very good catch rates while boat fishing over the summer months provides action and fun for the whole family. Most of the Rotorua Lakes lack suitable spawning rivers to sustain fish populations so supplementary stocking of Tarawera-strain trout maintain the high numbers for anglers. Lake Rotorua is not stocked but has one of the highest catch rates in the district while Lake Okareka also keeps anglers happy with high numbers of good quality fish. The trophy lakes – Tarawera, Okataina and Rotoiti – regularly produce fish in excess of 5 kg. Lakes Rotoma and Rotoehu provide experiences for those wanting to get away from the crowds and the opportunity to chase tiger trout. Lakes Rotomahana and Tikitapu also have their own special charm and local devotees, while Lake Rerewhakaaitu attracts shore based anglers targeting deep bodied fish. Smaller lakes with secluded bays and rising trout are there for the more adventurous anglers who want to “get off the beaten track”.
The Eastern Region offers diverse angler experiences, high catch rates and big fish. There is something for everyone.
PAMPHLET LIST
Comprehensive pamphlets are available for the following waters.
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· The Rotorua Lakes |
· Lake Rotorua and tributaries |
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· The Waikaremoana Lakes |
· The Ruakituri River |
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· The Waioeka River |
· The Rangitaiki River including Lake Aniwhenua |
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· The Waikato River and Waikato Lakes |
· Boat fishing information (New) |
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· Tauranga area trout fishing (New) |
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When fishing in the Eastern region, please ensure you are aware of and adhere to local regulations at all times.
2008/2009 regulations for the Eastern Region
Reference to description: New ZealandGazette, No 83, 24 May 1990, page 1861
1. Interpretation
“Fly line” in the Eastern Region means any floating or sinking line used to facilitate casting that is greater than 3m in length.
“Set rod” means any assembled rod that is not in physical contact with a licence holder when being used to fish for sports fish.
“Wild rainbow trout” means any rainbow trout not having a fin clip mark or tag.
2. Open Season, PERMITTED METHODS, BAG LIMITS
Lakes / Rivers |
Open Season |
Permitted Methods |
Bag Limit |
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All other waters not listed and excepting closed waters (Section 3) |
1 Oct – 30 Jun |
Artificial fly/spinner |
2 |
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Aniwaniwa Stream below Aniwaniwa Falls |
All year |
Artificial fly/spinner |
8* |
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Aniwhenua Lake and canal |
All year |
Artificial fly/spinner |
2 |
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Aratiatia Lake |
All year |
Artificial fly/spinner/bait |
No limit |
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Atiamuri Lake |
All year |
Artificial fly/spinner/bait |
No limit |
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Awahou Stream below Hamurana Road |
All year |
Fly fishing only |
8* |
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Flaxy Lake and Canal |
All year |
Artificial fly/spinner |
2 |
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Hamurana Stream below Hamurana Road |
All year |
Artificial fly/spinner |
8* |
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Hopuruahine Stream and tributaries above landmark pole |
1 Dec – 30 Jun |
Fly fishing only |
8* |
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Kaitawa Lake |
1 Oct – 30 Jun |
Artificial fly/spinner |
8* |
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Kaituna River below control gates |
All year |
Artificial fly/spinner |
2 |
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Kaituna River below State Highway 2 Bridge |
All year |
Artificial fly/spinner/bait |
No limit |
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McLaren Lake |
All year |
Artificial fly/spinner |
2 |
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Maraetai Lake |
All year |
Artificial fly/spinner/bait |
No limit |
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Matahina Lake |
All year |
Artificial fly/spinner |
2 |
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Mokau Stream above landmark pole |
1 Dec – 30 Jun |
Fly fishing only |
8* |
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Motu River above State Highway 35 |
1 Oct – 30 Jun |
Artificial fly/spinner |
2 |
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Motu River below State Highway 35 |
1 Oct – 30 Jun |
Artificial fly/spinner/bait |
No limit |
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Ngahewa Lake |
All year |
Artificial fly/spinner |
8 |
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Ngapouri Lake |
All year |
Artificial fly/spinner |
8 |
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Ngongotaha Stream below State Highway 5
Bridge |
All year |
Artificial fly/spinner |
8* |
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Ngongotaha Stream and tributaries (excluding Waimataa) above State Highway 5 Bridge |
1 Dec – 30 Jun |
Fly fishing only |
8* |
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Ohau Channel within landmarks at either end |
1 Oct – 30 Jun |
Fly fishing only |
8* |
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Ohakuri Lake |
All year |
Artificial fly/spinner/bait |
No limit |
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Okareka Lake |
All year |
Artificial fly/spinner |
8 |
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Okaro Lake |
All year |
Artificial fly/spinner |
8 |
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Okataina Lake excepting areas below |
1 Oct – 30 Jun |
Artificial fly/spinner |
8 |
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· Winter shoreline area from Te Koutu Point landmark to west of Okataina Lodge landmark extending 200m offshore |
All year |
Artificial fly/spinner |
8 |
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· Within 200m of Log pool, Rayners 1
and 2 stream mouths |
1 Oct – 30 Jun |
Fly fishing only from
1 April to 30 June |
8 |
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Putere Lakes |
All year |
Artificial fly/spinner |
2 |
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Rangitaiki River below Otamatea Stream |
All year |
Artificial fly/spinner |
2 |
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Rangitaiki River below State Highway 2 Bridge |
All year |
Artificial fly/spinner/bait |
No limit |
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Rangitaiki Canal (Wheao) |
All year |
Artificial fly/spinner |
2 |
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Rerewhakaaitu Lake |
All year |
Artificial fly/spinner |
8 |
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Rotoehu Lake |
All year |
Artificial fly/spinner |
8 |
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Rotoiti Lake excepting areas below: |
1 Oct – 30 Jun |
Artificial fly/spinner |
8 |
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· Winter shoreline area from Ruato Bay landmark to Hinehopu Landmark extending 200m offshore, excepting area below in italics: |
All year |
Artificial fly/spinner |
8 |
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· Within 200m of Ruato Bay Stream mouth, Waiiti Stream mouth and the Pipe |
All year |
Fly fishing only from
1 April to
30 September |
8 |
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· Within 200m of Tapuaekura Bay Stream mouth and Haparu Bay Stream mouth |
1 Oct – 30 Jun |
Fly fishing only from
1 April to 30 June |
8 |
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· Within 300m of the Ohau Channel delta landmark |
1 Oct – 30 Jun |
Fly fishing only |
8 |
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Rotoma Lake excepting areas below: |
All year |
Artificial fly/spinner |
8 |
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· Winter shoreline areas between landmarks at Anaputa Point and Matahi Bay, and between landmarks in Manawahe Bay both extending 200m offshore |
1 Oct – 30 Jun |
Artificial fly/spinner |
8 |
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Rotomahana Lake |
All year |
Artificial fly/spinner |
8 |
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Rotorua Lake excepting areas below: |
All year |
Artificial fly/spinner |
8* |
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· Within 200m of Awahou Stream mouth |
All year |
Fly fishing only |
8* |
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· Within 200m of Ohau Channel entrance |
All year |
Fly fishing only |
8* |
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Ruahihi Canal |
All year |
Artificial fly/spinner |
2 |
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Ruakituri River and tributaries (excluding Hangaroa) above Te Reinga Falls |
1 Oct – 30 Jun |
Fly fishing only |
2 |
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Tarawera Lake excepting areas below: |
1 Oct – 30 Jun |
Artificial fly/spinner |
8 |
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· Within 200m of the Te Wairoa Stream mouth |
1 Oct – 30 Jun |
Fly fishing only |
8, female trout only |
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· Within 200m of the mouths of Wairua Stream and Twin Creeks |
1 Oct – 30 Jun |
Fly fishing only |
8 |
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· Within 200m of the Tarawera Outlet |
1 Oct – 30 Jun |
Fly fishing only |
8 |
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· Winter shoreline area from Tarawera Outlet landmark to Te Tapahoro Bay landmark and 200m offshore |
All year |
Artificial fly/spinner |
8 |
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· Winter shoreline area from Te Wairoa Landing landmark to Otumutu Lagoon landmark and 200m offshore, excluding landmarked stream mouths as below in italics: |
All year |
Artificial fly/spinner |
8 |
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· Within 200m of the Landing and the Orchard Stream mouths |
All year |
Fly fishing only |
8 |
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· Within 200m of the mouth of Waitangi Stream |
1 Oct – 30 Jun |
Fly fishing only |
8 |
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· Within 200m of the Otumutu Lagoon Streams |
1 Oct – 30 Jun |
Artificial fly/spinner |
8 |
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Tarawera River from the outlet to the Tarawera falls, excluding the
spawning sanctuary |
1 Oct – 31 May |
Fly fishing only |
8 |
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Tarawera River from the falls to State Highway 2 |
All year |
Artificial fly/spinner |
2 |
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Tarawera River below State Highway 2 |
All year |
Artificial fly/spinner/bait |
No limit |
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Tikitapu Lake |
All year |
Artificial fly/spinner |
8 |
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Tiniroto Lakes |
All year |
Artificial fly/spinner |
2 |
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Utuhina Stream below Devon Road Bridge |
All year |
Artificial fly/spinner |
8* |
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Utuhina Stream above Devon Road Bridge
but below Pukehangi Road Bridge |
1 Dec – 30 Jun |
Fly fishing only |
8* |
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Waikareiti Lake |
All year |
Artificial fly/spinner |
8 |
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Waikaremoana Lake excepting area below: |
All year |
Artificial fly/spinner |
8* |
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· Within 200m downstream of the Hopuruahine and Mokau landmark poles |
All year |
Fly fishing only |
8* |
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Waikaretaheke River down from Piripaua Powerhouse |
All year |
Artificial fly/spinner |
2 |
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Waiau River below Waikaretaheke River |
All year |
Artificial fly/spinner |
2 |
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Waikato River from Huka Falls to Maraetai |
All year |
Artificial fly/spinner/bait |
No limit |
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Waimana River below the Matahi Bridge |
All year |
Artificial fly/spinner |
2 |
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Waioeka River below the Tauranga Stream confluence |
All year |
Artificial fly/spinner |
2 |
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Waioeka River below State Highway 2 Bridge |
All year |
Artificial fly/spinner/bait |
No limit |
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Wairoa River below Te Ringa Falls to State Highway 2 |
All year |
Artificial fly/spinner |
2 |
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Wairoa River below State Highway 2 Bridge |
All year |
Artificial fly/spinner/bait |
No limit |
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Wairoa River (Tauranga) below Lake McLaren |
All year |
Artificial fly/spinner |
2 |
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Wairoa River (Tauranga) below State Highway 2 Bridge |
All year |
Artificial fly/spinner/bait |
No limit |
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Waiteti Stream below Hamurana Road |
All year |
Artificial fly/spinner |
8* |
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Waiteti Stream above Hamurana Road |
1 Dec – 30 Jun |
Artificial fly/spinner |
8* |
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Whakamarino Lake (Tuai Lake) |
1 Oct – 30 Jun |
Fly fishing only |
8* |
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Whakatane River below Owaka Stream |
All year |
Artificial fly/spinner |
2 |
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Whakatane River below State Highway 2
Bridge |
All year |
Artificial fly/spinner/bait |
No limit |
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Wheao River |
All year |
Artificial fly/spinner |
2 |
Bag limits denoted by 8* mean no licence holder shall kill more than 2 brown trout in a daily bag limit of 8 trout.
3. CLOSED WATERS
No licence holder shall fish for sports fish at any time from the following waters:
3.1 All streams flowing into Lake Tarawera and that portion of the Tarawera River enclosed by landmarks at the Lake Tarawera Outlet and extending approximately 150m downstream to landmarks in the river, otherwise known as the Tarawera Outlet Spawning Sanctuary.
3.2 The Utuhina Stream above the Pukehangi Road Bridge and all tributaries of this stream.
3.3 The following streams and their tributaries which flow into Lake Rotorua:
(a) the Waiowhiro, Waiohewa, Waingaehe, Waimataa and Waikuta Streams
(b) the Hamurana Stream above the Hamurana Road Bridge
(c) the Awahou Stream above the Hamurana Road Bridge
3.4 All springs, streams and their tributaries which flow into Lake Waikareiti, and into or from Lakes Rotoma, Rotoehu, Rotomahana, Rerewhakaaitu, Rotokakahi, Okareka, Okataina and Rotoiti except the Ohau Channel and the Kaituna River.
3.5 The section of the Ruahihi Canal between the landmarks at the southern end of the canal which enclose the artificial spawning bed.
4. AUTHORISED TACKLE
4.1 No licence holder shall fish for sports fish with a set rod unless he or she is fishing from an unanchored boat.
4.2 Downriggers, paravanes, weights to assist sinking of trolled lures and metal cored or wire lines are prohibited in Lakes Waikaremoana and Waikareiti.
5. BAIT FISHING WATERS
5.1 No licence holder when fishing in bait fishing waters shall use any whole fish sourced from any water other than that where the fishing is occurring
6. COARSE FISHING WATERS
There are no defined coarse fishing waters in the Eastern Region.
7. USE OF BOATS
7.1 No licence holder shall fish for trout from a boat in the following waters:
(a) that section of the Tarawera Outlet enclosed by landmarks;
(b) the designated winter shoreline-fishing areas on Lakes Tarawera, Rotoiti and Okataina (Schedule 2 Clause 2) from July 1 to September 30.
Note 1) No boats are allowed to pass through the Tarawera Outlet Spawning Sanctuary at any time.
2) No boats are permitted under Navigation Safety Rules to anchor in the Ohau Channel.
7.2 No licence holder shall fish for trout from any unanchored boat:
(a) in waters that, at any time of the year, are reserved for artificial fly fishing.
(b) in waters that are within a 200m radius around the centre of the Utuhina, Waiteti, Ngongotaha and Hamurana Stream mouths in Lake Rotorua.
(c) in waters that are within the section of Rangiuru Bay defined by landmarks at Stoney Point and Kariri Point and extending 200m offshore in Lake Tarawera.
(d) Boats should be securely anchored with no more than two anchors.
8. FISH LENGTH
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8.1 |
Lakes Waikaremoana, Kaitawa, Whakamarino (Tuai) and Waikareiti, and the Rotorua Lakes and their inflowing tributary streams |
350mm minimum |
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8.2 |
Ruakituri River and tributaries above Waitangi Falls |
600mm maximum |
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8.3 |
All other waters |
No minimum size limit |
8.4 No licence holder shall keep or kill any wild rainbow trout larger than 650mm caught in Lake Tarawera, including that section of the Tarawera River between the Tarawera Outlet and the falls approximately 2500m downstream from the Outlet.
9. HOURS OF FISHING
No licence holder shall fish for any sports fish between 12.00 midnight and 5.00am.
To see the latest regulations for all of the North Island (excluding Taupo where fishing is administered by DOC) and South Island, please download the PDFs below.
North Island / South Island | 
