| Fish type |
Both
brown and rainbow trout are present but because there are limited
spawning opportunities for the trout, a large proportion of
those fish caught are stocked fish. Each year around 2000 rainbow
trout and 500 brown trout are released into the lake by Fish
and Game. Over the years, the average size of these fish has
risen dramatically and now each year many fish over the magical
10 pound (4.5 kg) are caught. |
| Situation |
Lake Karapiro lies downstream
of Lake Arapuni and is the last of the Hydro lakes on the Waikato
system. It is a long L-shaped lake, with roads following the
northern and eastern shoreline. The lake is the venue for a
variety of water activities and is most famous as a rowing venue. |
| Maps |
Access
map
Access
map with topography
LINZ topographic map: (260 Map Series,
1:50,000)
T15
Putaruru |
| F&G pamphlet |
Auckland/Waikato
Lakes Trout Fishing |
| Description |
While there
are fish throughout this lake, the best fishing is to be found
at the head of the lake where the water leaves Arapuni dam.
In this section there is a good current into a large concentration
of fish. In other sections of the lake, trolling and harling
are the preferred methods although any angler wishing to fish
from a moored or drifting boat and casting a fly or spinner
around the weed beds can do very well. Like all Waikato Hydro
lakes however, weed growth particularly in the warmer months
can be a real problem. During the summer trout feed voraciously
on the hatching caddis
fly, especially around the stream mouths.
The most popular place to fish is the faster
water where the river leaves the dam at Arapuni. The current
is very fast and the fish tend to be near the bottom, requiring
very fast sinking lines. Care must be taken when fishing here
however as the water levels can rise dramatically during times
of electricity generation as large quantities of water suddenly
flow through the power station. |
| Access |
State Highway 1 follows
the northern shore of the lake and a side road follows the
eastern shoreline. There are a number of boat ramps around
the lake. See the Lake Karapiro access
map. |
| Methods |
When fishing the faster water
below the Arapuni dam it is necessary to use a fast sinking
line to ensure the lures get down to the fish which are usually
near the bottom. This can result in some loss of tackle as snags
are picked up. However, this is where the angler is more likely
to catch that trophy fish. There is good fishing using dry fly
in the summer months around the stream mouths, and throughout
the year harling and trolling along the edge of the weed beds
can be very successful. |
| Recommended lures |
Nymphs:
Nymphs such as Green
Caddis fly work well in the evening or try the standard
weighted Hare
and Copper or Pheasant
Tail when casting along the weed beds during the day.
Dry flies:
The prolific hatches of caddis
fly and sedge
during the summer months can give excellent dry fly fishing,
especially around the stream mouths on warm evenings. Any
dry fly that imitates an emerging
or mature caddis fly can be successful.
Wet flies / Streamers:
During the day use any smelt pattern such as Parson's
Glory or Jack
Spratt, or try a bully pattern such as Mrs
Simpson or Hamill
's Killer. In the evening and at night use dark patterns
such as Black
Marabou, Scotch
Poacher or Fuzzy
Wuzzy.
Spinners: The
Tokoroa Chicken is generally very popular and successful although
anglers should not ignore the Black
and Gold Toby,
green and gold Cobras
and Tasmanian
Devils. |
| Tributaries |
The two major tributaries of
Lake Karapiro are the Pokaiwhenua Stream and the little Waipa
Stream. There are also a number of small streams, all of which
can provide excellent fishing during the warmer summer months
around their mouths as trout congregate around the cooler water
as it enters the lake. |
| Related waters |
See also Lake Aratiatia, Lake
Ohakuri, Lake
Atiamuri, Lake
Whakamaru, Lake
Maraetai, Lake
Waipapa, Lake
Arapuni and the Waikato
River. |
| Regulations |
| Applicable to |
Lake Karapiro |
| Region |
Auckland/Waikato
regulations >>> |
| Season |
All year |
| Methods |
Artificial fly, spinner, bait
If fishing from a vessel in the upper reaches of Lake Karapiro
(upstream from the white maker post, situated 200 metres below
the Huihuitaha Stream mouth) , the vessel must be securely anchored. |
| Bag limit |
2 |
| Size limit (cm) |
30cm minimum |
