The Waikato River holds a huge trout population. Brown trout are abundant throughout the length of the river, while rainbows are plentiful upstream of Hamilton. The best fishing is generally at twilight or after dark. The lower river fishes best during the winter months, while good fishing can be experienced throughout the year in the upper reaches in Hamilton and Cambridge. Beneath the Karapiro Dam is probably the single most popular fishing location in the region.
This is the trophy fishery of the Auckland/Waikato region with fish of “double figures” not uncommon, especially in the upper reaches. Access to good waters for shore based anglers can be obtained from Horahora Road where the most popular locations are the mouths of the Pokaiwhenua and Little Waipa Streams. Boat ramps are located off SH1, and at the mouth of the Little Waipa Stream.
This is the most popular lake fishery in the Auckland/Waikato region, and is heavily stocked with rainbow trout providing anglers with a relatively high catch rate of good fish. At the southern end of the lake, popular locations for the shore based angler include below the Waipapa Dam, and the mouths of the Tumai and Mangawhio Streams. At the northern end of the lake, access to several beaches can be obtained from Landing Road. Many anglers also fish in the vicinity of the Arapuni Dam. There are five boat ramps located around the lake - the most popular are Jones and Arapuni landings at the Lake’s northern end.
A high catch rate can be expected in this very scenic lake, but trout are generally smaller in size than in Arapuni and Karapiro. There is only one boat ramp located next to Waipapa Road (Te Awamutu-Mangakino). The mouth of the Waipapa River is a most popular for shore based anglers.