Kai-Iwi Lakes Fishing

The three Kai-Iwi Lakes are situated about 35 north of Dargaville on the Twin Coast Discovery Tourist Route.

Access map
Access map with topography

LINZ topographic map: (260 Map Series, 1:50,000)
P07 Dargaville
O07 Aranga

Fly fishing

Angling is best in the cooler months when the fish move into the shallower warmer waters. During the summer they tend to go deep and so are best targeted by the boat angler through jigging or trolling. Shore-based anglers need to wade out to cast over the drop-off into the deep water using a fast (though not super fast) sinking line. The water is crystal clear and fish will often folllow a lure into shore and take it just as it is about to cross the lip. Night-time fly fishing is often the best time and can be good even when it is moonlit.

Boat fishing

Boat fishing, especially jigging and trolling, is recommended in the warmer months. Harling and bait fishing can also be productive. The fish are usually near the bottom of the lake where their food is, especially during the summer months.

Jigging

Jigging is very successful, ideally in a gentle to moderate breeze so the boat drifts quietly along and the jig stays in contact with the bottom of the lake.

Trolling

When trolling, use lead-cored lines which change colour every 10 metres. Each colour takes the lure down approxitely 1.5 metres or 5 feet and so the depth the lure is fished at is controlled by the number of colours used. A depth finder is helpful to ensure the lures are at the correct depth..

May-Sept: Fish are often in shallower waters during the cooler months. Try letting out 2-5 colours of line.
Oct-Apr: Fish are deeper when its warmer. You may need to let out 10 colours or more.

Taharoa is the largest lake (240 ha and 37m deep) and is situated between the two smaller lakes. It is the best lake for fishing from the shore and as there is plenty of room to cast, it's a good place for beginners. A sandy shallow shelf extends out from the beach around much of the lake and it is necessary to ensure that the lure is fished over this into the deeper water of the drop-off. This generally requires some wading.

Popular fishing spots
- In front of the Pines Beach Camping Ground
- From the jetty
- On the western shore from the sandspit (Promenade Point) past the Kai-Iwi Farmhouse.

Lake Waikere (35ha) is stocked with trout annually and also trolls well. It is used for water skiing so look out for submerged ski lane ropes. During the ski season the fish are usually pushed deeper by all the activity.

At 33ha, Kai-Iwi is the smallest of the three lakes. Fish & Game does not stock Lake Kai-Iwi and at present there are no trout.

Good numbers of well-conditioned fish all year round of excellent eating quality. The average size is 1.0 kg and ranges up to 4-4.5 kg.

The Kai-Iwi Lakes are 25.8km north-west of Dargaville on the Twin Coast Discovery Tourist Route. Turn off State Highway 12 at the Omamari Road sign-post. After 11km, take the Kai-Iwi Lakes Road which leads to the Taharoa Domain and Pine Beach camping ground.

See the Kai-Iwi lakes access map and the list of access points.

Nymphs: Hare and Copper, Pheasant Tail, Halfback, Caddis patterns such as the Horn Caddis, Black and Peacock, or a small San Juan Worm.

Dry flies: Flies that represent wind-blown terrestrials such as dragon flies. Daddy Long Legs and Coch-y-Bondu, Cicada patterns and Green Beetle in summer. Sam's Fancy and Damsel Fly.

Wet flies: Koura (freshwater crayfish) and bully imitation flies.

Night time: Black Phantom, Craig's Night Time, Fuzzy Wuzzy, Scotch Poacher, Black Marabou, Hairy Dog or any black fly that swims well.

Day time:  Hamill's' Killer, Mrs Simpson, Red Setter, Parson's Glory, Invicta, March Brown, Rabbit patterns such as Orange Rabbit, Muddler Minnow, Woolly Bugger.

Spinners: Black Toby, Cobra patterns, Tasmanian Devils in green, yellow, gold, black and gold-spotted.

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