Eastern Region / Fishing Fishing Regulations, 2007-2008

The following is our understanding of the regulations that apply to trout and salmon fishing in the Auckland/Waikato from 1 October 2007 to 30 September 2008. Where general rules do not apply, lakes and rivers are listed in alphabetical order for quick reference.

The information presented here is not meant to be taken as a complete statement of the law. Please refer to the North Island regulations booklet supplied with your fishing licence or view an online version at the Fish & Game New Zealand website.

Interpretation

“Fly line” in the Eastern region means any floating or sinking line used to facilitate casting that is greater than 3 metres in length.

“Set rod” means any assembled rod that is not in physical contact with a licence holder when being used to fish for sports fish.

“Wild rainbow trout” means any rainbow trout not having a fin clip mark or tag.

Authorised tackle

You may only fish for sports fish with a set rod if you are fishing from an unanchored boat.
No downrigger or other device must contain or have attached to its weight more than 40 metres of suspension cable.
It is prohibited to attach any paravane or weights to a line used in conjunction with a downrigger, or use any line containing wire, lead or other metal in conjunction with a downrigger.

Authorised methods

When fishing in bait fishing water, you must not use any whole fish sourced from any water other than where the fishing is occurring.
When fishing from an anchored boat, the boat must be securely anchored with no more than two anchors.

Hours of fishing

Fishing for sports fish between 12.00am (midnight) and 5.00am is prohibited.

	Season	Size limit	Bag limit (trout)	Methods allowed
General rules
All other waters not listed below	Oct 1-Jun 30	None	Trout: 2	Artificial fly, spinner
All springs, streams and their tributaries that flow into Lake Waikareti, and into or from Lakes Rotoma, Rotoehu, Rotomahana, Rerewhakaaitu, Rotokakahi, Okareka, Okataina, and Rotoiti, except the Ohau Channel	Closed	N/A	0	None
All streams flowing into Lake Tarawera	Closed	N/A	0	None
The Rotorua Lakes and their inflowing tributary streams (except closed areas)		350mm minimum
Fishing waters
Aniwaniwa Stream below Aniwaniwa Falls	All year	350mm minimum	Trout: 8 Brown trout: 2	Artificial fly, spinner
Aniwhenua Lake and canal	All year	None	Trout: 2	Artificial fly, spinner
Aratiatia, Lake	All year	None	No limit	Artificial fly, spinner, bait
Atiamuri, Lake	All year	None	No limit	Artificial fly, spinner, bait
Awahou Stream above the Hamurana Road Bridge	Closed	N/A	0	None
Awahou Stream below Hamurana Rd	All year	350mm minimum	Trout: 8 Brown trout: 2	Flyfishing only. Fishing for trout from an unanchored boat is prohibited.
Blue Lake (Lake Tikitapu)	All year	350mm	Trout: 8	Artificial fly, spinner
Flaxy Lake and canal	All year	None	Trout: 2	Artificial fly, spinner
Green Lake (Lake Rotokakahi)	Closed	N/A	0	None
Hamurana Stream
Hamurana Stream above the Hamurana Road bridge	Closed	N/A	0
Hamurana Stream below Hamurana Road	All year	350mm minimum	Trout: 8 Brown trout: 2	Artificial fly, spinner
Hamurana Stream: Within a 200m radius of the centre of Hamurana Stream mouth in Lake Rotorua	All year	350mm minimum	Trout: 8 Brown trout: 2	Artificial fly, spinner. Fishing for trout from an unanchored boat is prohibited.

Hangaroa River	1 Oct-30 Jun	None	2	Artificial fly, spinner
Hopuruahine Stream and tributaries above landmark pole	1 Dec-30 Jun	350mm minimum	Trout: 8 Brown trout: 2	Flyfishing only. Fishing for trout from an unanchored boat is prohibited.
Kaitawa, Lake: inflowing tributary streams	1 Oct-30 Jun	350mm minimum	Trout: 2	Artificial fly, spinner
Kaitawa, Lake	1 Oct-30 Jun	350mm minimum	Total trout: 8 Brown trout: 2	Artificial fly, spinner
Kaituna River below control gates	All year	None	Trout: 2	Artificial fly, spinner
Kaituna River below SH2 bridge	All year	None	No limit	Artificial fly, spinner, bait
McLaren, Lake	All year	None	Trout: 2	Artificial fly, spinner
Maraetai, Lake	All year	None	No limit	Artificial fly, spinner, bait
Matahina, Lake	All year	None	Trout: 2	Artificial fly, spinner
Mokau Stream above landmark pole	1 Dec-30 Jun	350mm minimum	Total trout: 8 Brown trout: 2	Flyfishing only. Fishing for trout from an unanchored boat is prohibited.
Motu River above SH35	1 Oct-30 Jun	None	Trout: 2	Artificial fly, spinner
Motu River below SH35	1 Oct-30 Jun	None	No limit	Artificial fly, spinner, bait
Ngahewa, Lake	All year	None	Trout: 8	Artificial fly, spinner
Ngapouri, Lake	All year	None	Trout: 8	Artificial fly, spinner
Ngongataha Stream
Within a 200m radius of the centre of the Ngongataha Stream mouth in Lake Rotorua	All year	350mm minimum	Trout: 8 Brown trout: 2	Artificial fly, spinner. Fishing for trout from an unanchored boat is prohibited.
Ngongataha Stream below SH5 Bridge	All year	350mm minimum	Trout: 8 Brown trout: 2	Artificial fly, spinner
Ngongataha Stream above SH5 Bridge	1 Dec-30 Jun	350mm minimum	Trout: 8 Brown trout: 2	Flyfishing only. Fishing for trout from an unanchored boat is prohibited.
Ohau Channel
Ohau Channel within the landmarks at either end	1 Oct-30 Jun	350mm minimum	Trout: 8 Brown trout: 2	Flyfishing only. No fishing from a boat: No boats are permitted to anchor in the Ohau Channel; and fishing for trout from an unanchored boat is prohibited.
Ohakuri, Lake	All year	None	No limit	Artificial fly, spinner, bait
Okareka, Lake	All year	350mm minimum	Trout: 8	Artificial fly, spinner
Okareka, Lake: all springs, streams and their tributaries which flow into or from Lake Okareka	Closed	N/A	0	None
Okaro, Lake	All year	350mm minimum	Trout: 8	Artificial fly, spinner
Lake Okataina
Okataina, Lake excepting areas below	1 Oct-30 Jun	350mm minimum	Trout: 8	Artificial fly, spinner
Okataina, Lake winter shoreline area - from Te Koutu Point landmark to west of Okataina Lodge landmark extending 200m offshore	All year	350mm minimum	Trout: 8	All year: Artificial fly, spinner. 1 Jul-30 Sept: Fishing for trout from a boat is probibited.
Okataina, Lake within 200m of Log pool, Rayners 1 and 2 stream mouths	1 Oct-30 Jun	350mm minimum	Trout: 8	1 Oct-31 Mar: Artificial fly, spinner 1 Apr-30 Jun: Flyfishing only. Fishing for trout from an unanchored boat is prohibited.
Okataina, Lake: all springs, streams and their tributaries which flow into or from Lake Okataina	Closed	N/A	0	None

Putere Lakes	All year	None	Trout: 2	Artificial fly, spinner
Rangitaiki River below Otamatea Stream	All year	None	Trout: 2	Artificial fly, spinner
Rangitaiki River below SH2 Bridge	All year	None	No limit	Artificial fly, spinner, bait
Rangitaiki Canal (Wheao River)	All year	None	Trout: 2	Artificial fly, spinner
Rerewhakaaitu, Lake	All year	350 mm minimum	Trout: 8	Artificial fly, spinner
Rerewhakaaitu, Lake: all springs, streams and their tributaries which flow into or from Lake Rerewhakaaitu	Closed	N/A	0	None
Rotoehu, Lake	All year	350 mm minimum	Trout: 8	Artificial fly, spinner
Rotoehu, Lake: all springs, streams and their tributaries which flow into or from Lake Rotoehu	Closed	N/A	0	None
Rotokakahi, Lake (the Green Lake)	Closed	N/A	0	None
Rotokakahi, Lake: all springs, streams and their tributaries which flow into or from Lake Rotokakahi	Closed	N/A	0	None
Lake Rotoiti
Rotoiti, Lake excepting areas below	1 Oct-30 Jun	350 mm minimum	Trout: 8	Artificial fly, spinner
Rotoiti, Lake winter shoreline area - from Ruato Bay landmark to Hinehopu landmark extending 200m offshore. Exception: Within 200m of Ruato Bay stream mouth, Waiiti Stream mouth & the Pipe (see below).	All year	350 mm minimum	Trout: 8	All year: Artificial fly, spinner 1 Jul-30 Sept: Fishing for trout from a boat is probibited.
Rotoiti, Lake, within 200m of Ruato Bay stream mouth, Waiiti Stream mouth & the Pipe (see above)	All year	350 mm minimum	Trout: 8	1 Oct-31 Mar: Artificial fly, spinner 1 Apr-30 Sept: Flyfishing only. Fishing for trout from an unanchored boat is prohibited.
Rotoiti, Lake within 200m of Tapuaekura Bay stream mouth and Haparu Bay stream mouth	1 Oct-30 Jun	350 mm minimum	Trout: 8	1 Oct-31 Mar: Artificial fly, spinner 1 Apr-30 Jun: Flyfishing only. Fishing for trout from an unanchored boat is prohibited.
Rotoiti, Lake within 300m of the Ohau Cannel delta landmark	1 Oct-30 Jun	350 mm minimum	Trout: 8	Flyfishing only. Fishing for trout from an unanchored boat is prohibited.
Rotoiti, Lake: all springs, streams and their tributaries which flow into or from Lake Rotoiti except the Ohau Channel and the Kaituna River	Closed	N/A	0	None
Lake Rotoma
Rotoma, Lake excepting the areas below	All year	350 mm minimum	Trout: 8	Artificial fly, spinner
Rotoma, Lake: Winter shoreline areas between landmarks at Anaputa Point and Matahi Bay, and between landmarks in Manawahe Bay both extending 200m offshore	1 Oct-30 Jun	350 mm minimum	Trout: 8	Artificial fly, spinner
Lake, Rotoma: all springs, streams and their tributaries which flow into or from Lake Rotoma	Closed	N/A	0	None
Lake Rotomahana
Rotomahana, Lake	All year	350 mm minimum	Trout: 8	Artificial fly, spinner
Rotomahana, Lake: all springs, streams and their tributaries which flow into or from Lake Rotomahana	Closed	N/A	0	None
Lake Rotorua
Rotorua, Lake excepting the areas below	All year	350mm minimum	Trout: 8 Brown trout: 2	Artificial fly, spinner
Rotorua, Lake within 200m of Awahou Stream mouth	All year	350mm minimum	Trout: 8 Brown trout: 2	Flyfishing only. Fishing for trout from an unanchored boat is prohibited.
Rotorua, Lake within 200m of Ohau Channel entrance	All year	350mm minimum	Trout: 8 Brown trout: 2	Flyfishing only. Fishing for trout from an unanchored boat is prohibited.
Waters that are within a 200m radius around the centre of the Utuhina, Waiteti, Ngongataha and Hamurana Stream mouths in Lake Rotorua	All year	350mm minimum	Trout: 8 Brown trout: 2	Fishing for trout from an unanchored boat is prohibited.
The following streams and their tributaries which flow into Lake Rotorua: - the Waiawhiro, Waiohewa, Waingaehe, Waimata and Waikuta streams - the Hamurana stream above the Hamurana Road bridge - the Awahou Stream above the Hamurana Road Bridge	Closed	N/A	0	None
Ruahihi Canal
Ruahihi Canal except the area below	All year	350mm minimum	2	Artificial fly, spinner
The section of the Ruahihi Canal between the landmarks at the southern end of the canal which enclose the artificial spawning bed.	Closed	N/A	0	None
Ruakituri River
Ruakituri River and tributaries above Waitangi Falls	1 Oct-30 Jun	600mm maximum	2	Flyfishing only. Fishing for trout from an unanchored boat is prohibited.
Ruakituri River and tributaries (excluding Hangaroa) above Te Reinga Falls	1 Oct-30 Jun	None	2	Flyfishing only. Fishing for trout from an unanchored boat is prohibited.
Ruakituri River below Te Reinga Falls	1 Oct-30 Jun	None	2	Artificial fly, spinner
Lake Tarawera
Tarawera, Lake excepting areas below	1 Oct-30 Jun	650mm maximum for wild rainbow trout	Trout: 8	Artificial fly, spinner
Tarawera, Lake within the section of Rangiuru Bay defined by landmarks at Stoney Point and Kariri Point and extending 200m offshore	1 Oct-30 Jun	650mm maximum for wild rainbow trout	Trout: 8	Artificial fly, spinner. Fishing for trout from an unanchored boat is prohibited.
Tarawera Outlet Spawning Sanctuary	Closed	N/A	0	None. No boats are allowed to pass through the spawning sanctuary at any time.
All streams flowing into Lake Tarawera, and into that portion of the Tarawera River enclosed by landmarks at the Lake Tarawera Outlet and extending approximately 150m downstream to landmarks in the river, otherwise known as the Tarawera Outlet Spawning Sanctuary	Closed	N/A	0	None. No boats are allowed to pass through the Tarawera Outlet Spawning Sanctuary at any time.
Tarawera, Lake within 200m of the Te Wairoa Stream mouth	1 Oct-30 Jun	650mm maximum for wild rainbow trout	8 female trout only	Flyfishing only. Fishing for trout from an unanchored boat is prohibited.
Tarawera, Lake within 200m of the mouths of Wairua Stream and Twin Creeks	1 Oct-30 Jun	650mm maximum for wild rainbow trout	Trout: 8	Flyfishing only. Fishing for trout from an unanchored boat is prohibited.
Tarawera, Lake within 200m of the Tarawera Outlet	1 Oct-30 Jun	650mm maximum for wild rainbow trout	Trout: 8	Flyfishing only. Fishing for trout from an unanchored boat is prohibited.
Tarawera, Lake winter shoreline area from Tarawera Outlet landmark to Te Tapahoro Bay landmark and 200m offshore	All year	650mm maximum for wild rainbow trout	Trout: 8	All year: Artificial fly, spinner 1 Jul-30 Sept: Fishing for trout from a boat is probibited.
Tarawera, Lake winter shoreline area from Te Wairoa Landing landmark to Otumutu Lagoon landmark and 200m offshore, excluding within 200m of the following landmarked stream mouths: - Landing - Orchard - Waitangi - Otumutu Lagoon streams	All year	650mm maximum for wild rainbow trout	Trout: 8	All year: Artificial fly, spinner 1 Jul-30 Sept: Fishing for trout from a boat is probibited.
Tarawera Lake within 200m of the Landing and the Orchard Stream mouths	All year	650mm maximum for wild rainbow trout	Trout: 8	Flyfishing only. Fishing for trout from an unanchored boat is prohibited.
Tarawera Lake within 200m of the mouth of the Waitangi Stream mouth	1 Oct-30 Jun	650mm maximum for wild rainbow trout	Trout: 8	Flyfishing only. Fishing for trout from an unanchored boat is prohibited.
Tarawera Lake within 200m of the Otumutu Lagoon Stream mouths	1 Oct-30 Jun	650mm maximum for wild rainbow trout	Trout: 8	Artificial fly, spinner
Tarawera River
Tarawera Outlet Spawning Sanctuary	Closed
All streams flowing into the Tarawera Outlet Spawning Sanctuary (that portion of the Tarawera River enclosed by landmarks at the Lake Tarawera Outlet and extending approximately 150 metres downstream to landmarks in the river)	Closed
Tarawera River from the Tarawera Outlet to the Tarawera falls approximately 2500m downstream from the Outlet (excluding the spawning sanctuary which is closed).	1 Oct-30 May	650mm maximum for wild rainbow trout	Trout: 8	Flyfishing only. Fishing for trout from an unanchored boat is prohibited. No boats are allowed to pass through the Tarawera Outlet Spawning Sanctuary at any time.
Tarawera River from the falls to SH2	All year	None	Trout: 2	Artificial fly, spinner
Tarawera River below SH2	All year	None	No limit	Artificial fly, spinner, bait

Tikitapu, Lake (the Blue Lake)	All year	350mm	Trout: 8	Artificial fly, spinner
Tiniroto Lakes	All year	None	Trout: 2	Artificial fly, spinner
Tuai Lake (Lake Whakamarino)	1 Oct-30 Jun	350mm minimum	Trout: 8 Brown trout: 2	Flyfishing only. Fishing for trout from an unanchored boat is prohibited.
Utuhina Stream
Utuhina Stream below Devon Road Bridge	All year	350mm minimum	Trout: 8 Brown trout: 2	Artificial fly, spinner
Utuhina Stream above Devon Road Bridge but below Pukehangi Road Bridge	1 Dec-30 Jun	350mm minimum	Trout: 8 Brown trout: 2	Flyfishing only. Fishing for trout from an unanchored boat is prohibited.
Utuhina Stream above the Pukerangi Road bridge and all tributuries of this stream	Closed	N/A	0	None
Within a 200m radius of the centre of the Utuhina Stream mouth in Lake Rotorua	All year	350mm minimum	Trout: 8 Brown trout: 2	Fishing for trout from an unanchored boat is prohibited.
Lake Waikareiti
Waikareiti, Lake	All year	350mm minimum	Trout: 8	Artificial fly, spinner. Downriggers, paravanes, weights to assist sinking of trolled lures and metal cored or wire lines are prohibited in Lake Waikareiti.
Waikareiti, Lake: all springs, streams and their tributaries which flow into Lake Waikareiti	Closed	N/A	0	None
Lake Waikaremoana
Waikaremoana, Lake except the area below	All year	350mm minimum	Trout: 8 Brown trout: 2	Artificial fly, spinner. Downriggers, paravanes, weights to assist sinking of trolled lures and metal cored or wire lines are probited in Lake Waikeremona.
Waikaremoana, Lake within a 200m radius of the Hopuruahine and Mokau landmark poles	All year	350mm minimum	Trout: 8 Brown trout: 2	Flyfishing only. Fishing for trout from an unanchored boat is prohibited. Downriggers, paravanes, weights to assist sinking of trolled lures and metal cored or wire lines are probited in Lake Waikeremona.

Waikaretaheke River down from Piripaua Powerhouse	All year	None	Trout: 2	Artificial fly, spinner
Waiau River below Waikaretaheke River	All year	None	Trout: 2	Artificial fly, spinner
Waikato River from Huka Falls to Maraetai	All year	None	No limit	Artificial fly, spinner, bait
Waikuta Stream and its tributaries	Closed	N/A	0	None
Waimana River below the Matahi Bridge	All year	None	Trout: 2	Artificial fly, spinner
Waimata Stream and its tributaries	Closed	N/A	0	None
Waingaehe Stream and its tributaries	Closed	N/A	0	None
Waioeka River below the Tauranga Stream confluence	All year	None	Trout: 2	Artificial fly, spinner
Waioeka River below SH2 bridge	All year	None	No limit	Artificial fly, spinner, bait
Waiohewa Stream and its tributaries	Closed	N/A	0	None
Waiowhiro Stream and its tributaries	Closed	N/A	0	None
Wairoa River below Te Reinga Falls to SH2	All year	None	Trout: 2	Artificial fly, spinner
Wairoa River below SH2 Bridge	All year	None	No limit	Artificial fly, spinner, bait
Wairoa River (Tauranga) below Lake McLaren	All year	None	Trout: 2	Artificial fly, spinner
Wairoa River (Tauranga) below SH2 Bridge	All year	None	No limit	Artificial fly, spinner, bait
Waiteti Stream
Waiteti Stream below Hamurana Road	All year	350mm minimum	Trout: 8 Brown trout: 2	Artificial fly, spinner
Waiteti Stream above Hamurana Road	1 Dec-30 Jun	350mm minimum	Trout: 8 Brown trout: 2	Artificial fly, spinner
Within a 200m radius of the centre of the Waiteti Stream mouth in Lake Rotorua	All year	350mm minimum	Trout: 8 Brown trout: 2	Artificial fly, spinner. Fishing for trout from an unanchored boat is prohibited.

Whakamarino, Lake (Tuai Lake)	1 Oct-30 Jun	350mm minimum	Trout: 8 Brown trout: 2	Flyfishing only. Fishing for trout from an unanchored boat is prohibited.
Whakatane River above Owaka Stream	1 Oct-30 Jun	None	Trout: 2	Artificial fly, spinner
Whakatane River below Owaka Stream	All year	None	Trout: 2	Artificial fly, spinner
Whakatane River below SH2 Bridge	All year	None	No limit	Artificial fly, spinner, bait
Wheao River (Rangitaiki Canal)	All year	None	Trout: 2	Artificial fly, spinner

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