Lake Otamarearoa Trout Fishing (Muirs Lake)

Access map
Access map with topography

LINZ topographic map: (260 Map Series, 1:50,000)
Q12 & R12 Pukekoke

Lake Otamatearoa (Muirs Lake) is small being only around 6.5 hectares. It is surrounded by extensive weed beds making shoreline angling only possible at the small boat ramp. It is therefore almost totally fished by those using a small row boat, kayak or float tube.

The lake subject to the strong prevailing westerly wind which can make fishing very difficult times. The wind however does keep the lake cool during warmer weather and the extensive lake weed provides excellent fishing conditions for trout growth. Consequently trout can reach some large sizes and are generally in very good condition when caught.

As there is no natural spawning habitat, all the fish are stocked by Fish & Game as part of its annual replenishment programme .

Access to Lake Otamatearoa from Waiuku is along Kariotahi Road, left into Codlin Road, then right into Whiriwhiri Road.

The lake is on private land and so permission should always be sought from the landowner (at the house approximately 300 m north of the lake) before fishing.

Spinning and harling are the two most popular and productive methods though casting a nymph or other lure from a boat can also be very effective.

As the lake is relatively shallow, floating lines are best. On the frequent days when the wind is blowing, it will often require a fly rod capable of casting a weight six or seven line

Nymphs: Damsel and dragonfly nymphs fished from a floating line along the weed beds.

Dry flies: In summer a cicada, cricket or beetle pattern and from late summer, lace flies.

Wet flies: Bully patterns such as Mrs Simpson, Kilwell's No 1 and Lord's Killer or a Red Setter slowly harled around the weed beds. During the warm evenings in late spring early summer small emerging sedge patterns such as an Invicta or Greenwell's Glory fished just subsurface in front of rising fish.

Spinners: Black and gold Tobys and small dark Veltic or Mepps.