Discover peaceful winter fishing spots throughout the Eastern region.

Waters listed below are open all year unless a specific winter season is noted alongside the entry.

 

Key
  • F = Fly fishing
  • S = Spin fishing
  • B = Bait fishing
  • FSB = Fly, Spin, and Bait fishing permitted
  • FS = Fly and Spin fishing permitted only
  • Bag limit = maximum number of fish that may be taken or killed in one day

 

Bag limits

Note: No fishing between midnight and 5am. Minimum size 350mm in Rotorua Lakes and Waikaremoana/Kaitawa/Whakamarino/Waikareiti. No more than 2 brown trout in a daily bag of 8.

Waters

Key

Bag Limit

Aniwaniwa Stream – downstream of Aniwaniwa Falls

FS

8 trout

Aniwhenua Lake and canal

FS

2

Aratiatia Lake

FSB

No limit

Atiamuri Lake

FSB

No limit

Flaxy Lake and Canal

FS

2

Hamurana Stream – downstream of Hamurana Road

FS

8 trout

Kaitawa Lake

FS

8 trout

Kaituna River – downstream of control gates

FS

2

Kaituna River – downstream of State Highway 2 Bridge

FSB

No limit

McLaren Lake

FS

2

Maraetai Lake

FSB

No limit

Matahina Lake

FS

2

Motu River – downstream of State Highway 35

FSB

No limit

Ngahewa Lake

FS

8 trout

Ngapouri Lake

FS

8 trout

Ngongotaha Stream – downstream of State Highway 5 Bridge

FS

8 trout

Ohakuri Lake

FSB

No limit

Okareka Lake

FS

8 trout

Okaro Lake

FS

8 trout

Okataina Lake – winter shoreline fishing area

FS

8 trout

Otara River – downstream of Otara East Bridge

FS

2

Putere Lakes

FS

2

Rangitaiki River – downstream of Otamatea Stream confluence

FS

2

Rangitaiki River – downstream of State Highway 2 Bridge

FSB

No limit

Rangitaiki Canal (Wheao)

FS

2

Rerewhakaaitu Lake

FS

8 trout

Rotoehu Lake

FS

8 trout

Rotoiti Lake – winter shoreline area

FS

8 trout

Rotoma Lake

FS

8 trout

Rotomahana Lake

FS

8 trout

Rotorua Lake

FS

8 trout

Ruahihi Canal

FS

2

Tarawera Lake – winter shoreline areas

FS

8 trout

Tarawera River – falls to State Highway 2

FS

2

Tarawera River – downstream of State Highway 2

FSB

No limit

Tikitapu Lake

FS

8 trout

Tiniroto Lakes

FS

2

Utuhina Stream – downstream of Devon Road Bridge

FS

8 trout

Utuhina Stream – upstream of Devon Road, downstream of Pukehangi Road Bridge

FS

8 trout (open 1 Dec–30 Jun only)

Waikareiti Lake

FS

8 trout

Waikaremoana Lake

FS

8 trout

Waikaretaheke River – downstream of Piripaua Powerhouse

FS

2

Waiau River – downstream of Waikaretaheke River confluence

FS

2

Waikato River – Huka Falls to Maraetai

FSB

No limit

Waimana River – downstream of Matahi Bridge

FS

2

Waioeka River – downstream of Tauranga Stream confluence

FS

2

Waioeka River – downstream of State Highway 2 Bridge

FSB

No limit

Wairoa River – downstream of Te Reinga Falls to State Highway 2

FS

2

Wairoa River – downstream of State Highway 2 Bridge

FSB

No limit

Wairoa River (Tauranga) – downstream of Lake McLaren

FS

2

Wairoa River (Tauranga) – downstream of State Highway 2 Bridge

FSB

No limit

Waiteti Stream

FS

8 trout

Whakamarino Lake / Tuai Lake

FS

8 trout

Whakamaru Lake

FSB

No limit

Whakatane River – downstream of Owaka Stream confluence

FS

2

Whakatane River – downstream of State Highway 2 Bridge

FSB

No limit

Wheao River

FS

2