Lake Waikaremoana Trout Fishing

Access map
Access map with topography

LINZ topographic map: (260 Map Series, 1:50,000)
W18 Waikaremoana

Although used for hydroelectric generation, Lake Waikaremoana remains a pristine lake of clear water surrounded by high hills and native bushland offering wilderness fishing conditions. Having a number of feeder streams means that there is a good population of wild fish. Trout were first released into the lake in 1896 but it was with the liberation of smelt in 1948 that saw the fishery improve to become one of New Zealand's premier waters that it is today.

In effect, Waikaremoana is two distinct fisheries. One is the shoreline fishery for the large brown trout that cruise the edge of the lake and the other the deeper rainbow trout fishery targeted by boat anglers.

Lake Waikaremoana is a very beautiful deep, cold lake. Its name translate to “sea of rippling waters" and care must be taken when fishing this lake by boat as the weather conditions can change rapidly, causing the lake to become quite dangerous.

Tagged Fish

Waikaremoana is basically a large wild fishery though some fish are released into the lake each year, most of which are tagged. Should you catch the tagged fish, the tags with details of the catch should be returned to the eastern fish and game office.

State Highway 38 (from Wairoa) runs close to much of the northern and eastern shoreline, providing good access to a number of fishing spots. There are boat ramps available for public use and a well-defined walking track. Department of Conservation huts can be found around the lake.

See the Lake Waikaremoana access map and list of access points.

Nymphs: By placing a lightly weighted nymph such as Hare and Copper or Pheasants Tail in front of a cruising trout and twitching it as they pass can be effective.

Dry flies: Waikaremoana is not noted as a dry fly lake although during the height of summer Cicada, Blowfly and Beetle patterns can be effective, particularly in the evening.

Wet flies / Streamers: The most effective fly patterns are those that imitate the smelt population. These include Dorothy's, Grey Ghosts, Parsons' Glory, Rabbit patterns, particularly yellow or green, and Jack Spratt. Patterns such as Mrs Simpson or Hamill 's Killer that imitate a bully pattern can also be effective. During the night or in dark overcast conditions use darker patterns such as Scotch Poacher, Craig's Night-time or Black Marabou patterns.

Spinners: Any Tasmanian Devil, Flat Fish, Cobras, Tokoroa Chickens or Toby's can be effective when either trolling or casting from the shore.

The four main tributaries of Lake Waikaremoana are the:
- Mokau
- Hopuruahine
- Aniwaniwa
- Te Korokoroo-Whaitiri

There are also numerous other small streams that flow into the lake at various points around the shoreline and provide excellent fishing as trout congregate around the mouths in the warmer months and from April onwards as trout begin to move upstream for spawning.