Poutu Stream Trout Fishing

Access map
Access map with topography

LINZ topographic map: (260 Map Series, 1:50,000)
T19 Tongariro

Rainfall

At the Genesis Energy website, view graphs of recent rainfall at Turangi.

Weather forecast

View the MetService weather forecast for Taupo.

During the winter, many trout head up the Pouto to spawn and those few anglers that fish it can be very successful. There is an anglers right-of-way from the Tongariro River to the SH1 bridge, but most prefer to wade and fish as they go. The stream bed is very rocky and slippery so care is required.

This is a good river to fish when the Tongariro is either crowded with a number of fishermen or the Tongariro water is dirty due to rainfall, as the Poutu seldom floods.

Travelling south on SH1 and about 300 metres before the Pouto Stream bridge, follow the signpost to the Dreadnought Pool. Soon after you join the Poutu Loop Track, a footbridge crosses the Poutu Stream.

Alternatively, you can wade up the stream from the Poutu Pool on the Tongariro as far as the SH1 bridge.

Above the bridge is private property and access is prohibited.

See the Poutu River access map.

The Poutu Stream is best suited to nymphing though there can be some dry fly fishing in the warmer months. Some pools can be worth expolring with a wet fly.

Nymphs: During the spawning season, use Glo-bugs or small (12 - 14) weighted nymphs in the Halfback, Hare and Copper, and Pheasant Tail patterns.

Dry flies: During the summer use beetle patterns or Cicada or Cricket patterns

Wet flies: Woolly Buggers and Red Setters

Fly fishing only.
Boat fishing from an anchored boat only.

Not applicable

Not applicable