Whakapara River Fishing

The Whakapara River provides good small stream fishing for a reasonable population of small rainbow trout.

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Fish type	Rainbow trout in reasonable numbers averaging under 1 kg
Situation	The Whakapara river rises in the hills north of Whangarei and flows north west to enter the Waiotu River
Maps	Access map Access map with topography LINZ topographic map: (260 Map Series, 1:50,000) Q06 Hukerenui
Description	The Whakapara is a small stream flowing over both open farmland and stands of native bush. It flows mostly over a stone and gravel bed and provides good small stream of fishing for a reasonable population of rainbow trout. This is good dry fly and nymph water.
Access	Approximately 5 km north of the settlement of Hikurangi, State Highway 1 crosses the Whakapara River. Park here for good access both upstream for a few kilometres and downstream for about 6 km to the confluence with the Waiotu River. See the Whakapara River access map.
Recommended tackle	Due to the small size of the river, angler should use as light tackle as possible. Rods capable of casting weights 3 to 4 line are recommended. Those wishing to use a spinner would be well advised to also use very light tackle capable of casting lures no heavier than 7 g and on 2 kg lines.
Recommended lures	Nymphs: In the upper and middle reaches lightly weighted stoneflies and mayfly patterns such as Pheasants Tail, Halfback and Hare and Copper in sizes 14 to 18. Dry flies: Popular patterns include Royal Wulff, Adams, Blue Dun, Coch-y-Bondu, Green Beetle (during the early summer) and cicada and cricket patterns late in the summer. Wet flies: Day time: Small bully patterns such as Hamills' Killer and, Mrs Simpson Evening rise: Small wee-wets such as March Brown, Red Governor and Hardys Favourite and sizes 12 to 14 during the evening rise when fish are often taking emerging insects just subsurface. Night time: Black Phantom, Scotch Poacher Spinners: Small bladed spinners such as Veltic or Mepps, in brighter colours such as gold and red, during the day.
Tributaries	Tributaries of the Whakapapa include the Kaimamaku Stream and the Kaikanui River.
Regulations
Applicable to	Whakapara River
Region	Northland regulations
Season	Oct 1-Apr 30
Methods	Artificial fly, spinner.
Bag limit	Trout: 2
Size limit (cm)	Trout: 300mm minimum
Trolling	Anglers trolling from boats must stay at least 50 metres from any anglers fishing from the shore.

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