Where to Fish for Trout in the Eastern Region of New Zealand

Rotorua Lakes

Lake Rotokakahi (the Green Lake) is privately owned and closed to fishing. It is tapu (sacred) and deserted - no person, European or Maori ventures upon it.

  Winter angling

Each autumn and spring (and summer at lake Tarawera) Fish & Game New Zealand release yearling rainbow trout from the Ngongotaha hatchery to local lakes. Many fish will return two or three years later to spawn at their point of liberation and therefore produce prime angling opportunities during the winter. See the Fish & Game website for a list of liberation points.

Other great fishing waters in the region include:

Lake Aniwhenua on the Rangitaiki River

Lake Waikaremoana

The Ruakituri River

Children's fishing days

Children can learn to fly fish and catch a rainbow trout at the Ngongotaha Trout Hatchery on specified open days.

Rotorua toursim website

The official Rotorua tourism website also offers useful information about fishing most of the Rotorua Lakes.