Nested right on top of the largest lake in New Zealand lies the town of Taupo. Its numerous outdoor attractions have made it very popular with tourists from all over the world. The same can be said for Taupo fishing, widely regarded as the best freshwater destination in the country. It's definitely the place with the best access to a number of productive lakes, active all year long.
Taupo Fishing Spots
Lake Taupo might be the obvious first choice, but it's far from the only one out there. These are premier Rainbow and Brown Trout fishing grounds where you can try out a variety of different angling techniques. More than two million people come to Taupo every year and quite a few of them are anglers looking to give these renowned lakes a go themselves.
Lake Taupo
New Zealand's largest lake stretches over a 616km² surface area. Its waters are clean, cold, and absolutely perfect for producing vast numbers of quality fish. While it's a great fishery year-round, the best time for fishing is definitely in the winter. Fishing the river and stream mouths usually results in regular trophy-size catches this time of year.
Summer is also a good time to be fishing this lake. The local trout will be looking for baitfish in the shallow waters, making it a great time to fish from the shore if that's your thing. As long as you have lures that resemble smelt, you're looking at a great time in the shallows.
Lake Otamangakau
Also known among the locals as Lake O, Lake Otamangakau has world-class freshwater fishing to offer at any time from November to May. Weed beds and channels will be your main Trout fishing hotspots, a favorite of the local fly anglers. Other lakes provide much better shore fishing options, but Lake O has some good potential for wading on its northwest side.
Lake Kuratau
While Lake Kuratau may be the smallest of the bunch, it makes up for that with an incredible amount of Rainbow and Brown Trout you can catch here every year. A high catch rate has made this the fishery of choice for novice anglers and family fishing trips. As with Lake O, the November-May period is the best time for fishing these bountiful waters. If you're a dedicated spin angler, fishing Lake Kuratau at first light is your absolute best bet of all the other options.
Taupo Fishing Tips
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Since bait fishing is forbidden in these waters, most anglers will be trolling with lures, while fly anglers will gravitate to the river mouths and deeper inland.
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When it comes to fly fishing, the nymphing scene here is huge. A 7 wt rod and forward floating line will give you access to all the best fly fishing Taupo has to offer.
- Local anglers tend to fish a number of flies in tandem, with the heaviest one tied first. This is to make sure they go down deep, with the smaller flies being responsible for most of the actual fish-catching.
Need to Know
Lake Taupo is the only one open for fishing during the entire year, the others have set seasons determined on an annual level.
Regulations
Unlike the rest of New Zealand, managed by the NZ Fish & Game Council, fishing in Taupo is regulated by the Department of Conservation. The DoC issues fishing licenses that you need for fishing during the season (you can find and buy these online). They also set the size and bag limits, something to watch out for if you're new in the area.
Budget
A half day's worth of Trout fishing can set you back anywhere between $400–$500, while a full day is closer to $700–$800. The size and capacity of the boat are some of the key factors for the difference in price.
Getting There
The Taupo Airport has daily flights coming in from Auckland, making it the easiest way of getting to Taupo. Several coach providers provide you with a daily bus route as well. And if you're driving here yourself, State Highways 1 and 5 connect Taupo to most other big cities on the northern island.