| Fish type |
Brown
and rainbow trout |
| Situation |
Lake Rotoiti lies northeast
of Lake Rotorua and is connected by the Ohau channel. |
| Maps |
Access
map
Access
map with topography
LINZ topographic map: (260 Map Series,
1:50,000)
U15
Ngongotaha
V15
Edgecumbe
|
| F&G pamphlet |
Rotorua Lakes access pamphlet
>>> |
| Description |
Lake Rotoiti
is a deep lake formed from a volcanic cone that provides excellent
fishing to both the shoreline and the boat angler who wishes
to target trophy sized fish. It is third-largest lake in the
Rotorua area. As there are unlimited numbers of spawning tributaries,
most fish are hatchery-reared but due to the abundant food
source in the lake, fish grow rapidly and can reach impressive
sizes.
The northern shoreline is bush clad and
often has steep cliffs rising directly out of the water. This
section is only suited to boat fishing. The southern shore
offers a range of angling opportunities to the fly fisherman
who wishes to fish from the shoreline.
An algae bloom that affected the lake for
a period has
not been a major problem over the last few summers and
with a diversion wall well under way, the future looks good.
|
| Fish numbers and size |
Many thousands of fish are released
into Lake Rotoiti each year and are combined with the wild fish
population so that stocks are very high. Trout in this lake
consistently reach large sizes as there is an abundant food
source. |
| Access |
There is
good access to much of the lake. State Highway 33 provides
access to the northwestern shoreline, with State Highway 30
providing good access to the southeastern shoreline. As most
of the lake can only be fished by boat there are a number
of public boat ramps.
See the Lake Rotoiti access
map.
|
| Methods |
Throughout the year trolling
is the most effective and popular way of fishing. The change
of light in morning and evening means fish can be caught by
harling or trolling with a shallow lure but throughout most
of the day it is important to get the lure down to the fish.
To do this anglers use either lead core line or a downrigger.
From autumn onwards and during the cooler months there is excellent
shoreline fishing, particularly where any small stream enters
the lake. As the small tributaries are generally on the southern
shore where the lake is very shallow it is necessary to use
either a floating or very slow sinking line to avoid catching
the weed on the bottom. |
| Recommended tackle |
When trolling it is often necessary
to get the lure down very deep and so many anglers use 100m
or even more of lead core line or use a downrigger that can
get lures down 20 metres or more. Those fly fishing from the
shore need to use a 6 - 8 weight in a floating or very slow
sinking line. |
| Recommended lures |
Nymphs:
Nymphs in the Pheasants
Tail, Hare and Copper
and Halfback patterns can
be successful. When jigging during the winter months any pattern
such as a Glo-bug can also
work well.
Dry flies:
During warmer weather trout will rise to take any terrestrial
insect that is blown on to the water, so any Cicada,
Wasp or Blowfly
pattern can be successful during the warmer months.
Wet flies / Streamers:
During the day use any pattern that resembles a smelt such
as the Grey Ghost, Dorothy,
Ginger Mick or Rabbit
pattern. At night use a Fuzzy
Wuzzy, Craig's
Night-time, Scotch
Poacher or any dark Marabou
pattern. Lumo flies work well particulary on very dark nights.
When jigging, use any smelt pattern.
Spinners: Toby
patterns, Tasmanian Devils
and Copper patterns
all work well when deep trolling. Different colours work well
at different times of the year so it is best to experiment
to ensure the best result. |
| Tributaries |
The major tributary into Lake
Rotoiti is the Ohau
Channel and the major outflow is via the Kaituna River.
Try fishing the mouth of any small stream as it enters the lake,
particularly in winter when large trout are searching for places
to spawn. |
| Regulations
(1) |
| Applicable to |
Lake Rotoiti except the areas
below. |
| Region |
Eastern
region regulations |
| Season |
1 Oct-30 Jun |
| Methods |
Artificial fly, spinner |
| Bag limit |
Trout: 8 |
| Size limit (cm) |
350 mm minimum |
| Regulations
(2) |
| Applicable to |
Lake Rotoiti
winter shoreline area - from Ruato Bay landmark to Hinehopu
landmark extending 200m offshore.
Exception: Within 200m of Ruato Bay stream
mouth, Waiiti Stream mouth & the Pipe (see below). |
| Region |
Eastern
region regulations |
| Season |
All year |
| Methods |
All year: Artificial fly, spinner
1 Jul-30 Sept: Fishing for trout from a boat is prohibited. |
| Bag limit |
Trout: 8 |
| Size limit (cm) |
350 mm minimum |
| Regulations
(3) |
| Applicable to |
Lake Rotoiti: Within 200m of
Ruato Bay stream mouth, Waiiti Stream mouth & the Pipe (see
above) |
| Region |
Eastern
region regulations |
| Season |
All year |
| Methods |
1 Oct-31 Mar: Artificial fly,
spinner
1 Apr-30 Sept: Fly fishing only. Fishing for trout from an unanchored
boat is prohibited. |
| Bag limit |
Trout: 8 |
| Size limit (cm) |
350 mm minimum |
| Regulations
(4) |
| Applicable to |
Lake Rotoiti: Within 200m of
Tapuaekura Bay stream mouth and Haparu Bay stream mouth |
| Region |
Eastern
region regulations |
| Season |
1 Oct-30 Jun |
| Methods |
1 Oct-31 Mar: Artificial fly,
spinner
1 Apr-30 Jun: Fly fishing only. Fishing for trout from an unanchored
boat is prohibited. |
| Bag limit |
Trout: 8 |
| Size limit (cm) |
350 mm minimum |
| Regulations
(5) |
| Applicable to |
Lake Rotoiti: Within 300m of
the Ohau Cannel delta landmark |
| Region |
Eastern
region regulations |
| Season |
1 Oct-30 Jun |
| Methods |
Fly fishing only.
Fishing for trout from an unanchored boat is prohibited. |
| Bag limit |
Trout: 8 |
| Size limit (cm) |
350 mm minimum |
| Regulations
(6) |
| Applicable to |
All springs, streams and their
tributaries which flow into or from Lake Rotoiti except
the Ohau Channel and the Kaituna River |
| Region |
Eastern
region regulations |
| Season |
Closed |
| Methods |
None |
| Bag limit |
0 |
| Size limit (cm) |
N/A |
