Patea River Fishing

The Patea River is a highly productive brown trout fishery located on Mount Taranaki’s ringplain.

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Fish type	Brown trout averaging around 1.5 kg but with many bigger fish also present. There are also a few rainbow trout below the Patea dam.
Situation	The Patea River rises on the eastern slopes of Mount Taranaki and flows first in an easterly direction through the town of Stratford before turning south to enter the Tasman Sea that the small township of Patea. The river has been dammed halfway along its course with the resultant formation of Lake Rotorangi which neatly divides the river into two separate fisheries.
Maps	Access map Access map with togography map LINZ topographic map: (260 Map Series, 1:50,000) Q20 Stratford
F&G pamphlet	Taranaki Ringplain access pamphlet >>>
Check conditions	River flow and river level View graphs of recent river flow and river level at the Taranaki Regional Council website. Rainfall View graphs of recent rainfall at the Taranaki Regional Council website. Weather forecast View the MetService weather forecast for Wanganui.
Description	In its upper reaches the Patea River provides excellent fishing for large brown trout some of which can reach trophy size. In the upper reaches the water is generally very clear flowing over a stony and gravel bed. It provides excellent trout habitat and fish can be sighted in the water.
Access	See the Patea River access map.
Methods
Recommended tackle
Recommended lures	Dry flies: Nymphs: Wet flies: Spinners:
Tributaries
Regulations (1)
Applicable to	Patea River upstream from Mangamingi Bridge
Region	Taranaki region regulations
Season	1 Oct-30 Apr
Methods	Artificial fly, spinner, bait
Bag limit	Trout: 2
Size limit (cm)	None
Regulations (2)
Applicable to	Patea River downstream from Patea Dam
Region	Taranaki region regulations
Season	1 Oct-30 Sept
Methods	Artificial fly, spinner, baitArtificial fly, spinner, bait
Bag limit	Trout: 2
Size limit (cm)	None

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