PRINCIPAL TROUT FISHING WATERS OF THE WAIKATO
NOTE - SOME RULES AND REGULATIONS MAY HAVE CHANGED BELOW PLEASE CHECK THE LINK AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE FOR AN UP TO DATE VERSION
COMPILED BY THE HAMILTON ANGLERS CLUB INC
1ST REVISION AUGUST 1984,
2ND REVISION OCTOBER 1988
3RD REVISION JANUARY 1997
The following list comprises the main fishing waters within 11/4 hours drive from Hamilton. Travel times are approximate.
Foreword
Dear Reader,
As angling techniques become more specialized and numbers of anglers increase, the need for change within ourselves becomes even greater.Anglers of tomorrow may well find that all they have to look forward to catching are hatchery-reared trout. They may not ever know the thrill of a hard fighting wild fish on the end of their line.
Take my word, as someone who has fished for both, that the fighting ability of wild fish is far superior to that of hatchery fish.
Catch and release of trout, restoration of riparian vegetation, pollution control, and animal rights are just some of the challenges we face today. Who knows what the anglers of tomorrow will face.
Treat what you have with the respect and care that you would expect for yourself and you will forever know the joy of fishing.
Bert Robinson.
HAC. Past President.
Lake Arapuni:
This large water has many productive spots, but fish may be taken by trolling or harling throughout the lake. A boat is necessary to reach most of the upper water. A boat can be launched below Waipapa Dam, at Bulmers. Arapuni. Landing, Jones' Landing, and at Arohena Landing Road.
Those fishing the shore can gain access to good fishing water from Landing Road (leading to the club lodge), Arapuni Landing Road or Bulmers Landing Road. The dam headrace on the Putaruru-Te Awamutu Highway has always been popular though a drop-net is required. Open to winter fishing, all types of legal lures or bait are allowed. Harling or fly-fishing with a smelt type fly can be productive, especially when fish are visibly feeding. Fishing the weed beds with a floating or sink-tip line and smelt fly or nymph is best. (50 minutes travel time.)
Mangawhio Stream:
Rowing into Lake Arapuni below Waipapa Dam, access can be gained by a walking track, near the boat ramp below the Waipapa Dam, to a large waterfall on the Mangawhio. Fishing in the pools between the falls and the lake is permissible year-round, and can be very productive in winter. Good boat fishing at the mouth at times. Do not drive your boat through the mouth at speed as this puts the fish down. Above the falls the stream flows through a steep gorge and access is extremely difficult but good fishing is to be had for the more adventurous. Leaving vehicles unattended in this area is risky. Fly only above the falls. (60 minutes travel time.)
Lake Karapiro:
Trolling and harling are available throughout this large lake, but are generally better in the upper waters. A trolling restriction is in place two hundred metres downstream of the Huihuitaha Stream mouth on Lake Karapiro. There are access roads on both sides of the lake, but shore fishing is generally limited by aquatic plant growth. The upper waters are fishable, however and many large fish have been taken here. It is open to winter fishing and all types of legal lure and bait are allowed. (35 minutes travel time)
Pokaiwhenua River:
Enters Lake Karapiro below Arapuni where it is crossed by Horohoro Rd. There are about 15km of fishable water, divided into two sections by falls adjacent to the Putaruru-Arapuni Rd. The bed is of rock, gravel and pumice and is wadeable in most places. The upper reaches can be gained from the Putaruru-Tokoroa Highway, but flows here are severely reduced by the demands of the Kinleith pulp mill. Rainbows are present above the falls, rainbow and browns below. Open to fly and spoon. Closed from June 30 until October 1. (45 minutes travel time).
Little Waipa Stream:
Another water flowing into Karapiro and crossed near the lake by Horohoro Rd. The water flows steadily between banks of watercress. The stream is divided into two sections by Pearce's Falls, but excellent fishing can be had throughout. Above the falls the fish are mainly rainbows and rise freely to the dry. Below the falls browns are also present. Accessible from Waotu, Hodderville, and Pearson's Roads and from the Putaruru-Arapuni Highway, the water is fly-fishing only and is closed from June 30 until October 1. (40 minutes travel time).
Waikato River:
This is another fishing water that can produce good results. Upstream of Hamilton there are few access points, but the most popular of these is immediately below Karapiro Dam where both brown and rainbow trout can be taken year round employing any legal method. The fish here feed largely on smelt and bullies. Access is also available at Cambridge. Through Hamilton itself the banks are low and willow free in many places. Fish can be taken year-round. but are caught most frequently from May to December. Good access is also available at Horotiu, Ngaruawahia and Huntly. Great summer fishing is available from Mercer north at all stream-mouths. The Waikato River is open all year. Early morning or evening are productive, with night fishing giving best results. Rabbit, Craig's nighttime or grey ghost flies, Toby, zed and veltic lures are favourites.
WAIPA RIVER AND TRIBUTARIES
Waipa River:
This is the largest tributary of the Waikato, which enters at Ngaruawahia. The lower waters up to Whatawhata are generally willow lined and of some of the small tributaries can also fish well. Above Otorohanga and the junction with the Mangapu River there are about 30km of fishing water consisting of pools and runs over a gravel bed. Brown and rainbow trout are present, and dry. wet, nymph and spin fishing are all productive. The upstream limit of winter fishing and bait fishing is Toa's Bridge on Otewa Rd and is a full hours drive from Hamilton. The river parallels this road for most of the way. The water is wadeable above Otorohanga and in a few places downstream. Good fishing is to be had from Otorohanga down to Whatawhata during the summer months. (30-40 minutes travel time)
Waimahora Stream:
This small stream enters the Waipa at Toa's Bridge. It has a gravel and sand bottom, is easily wadeable and contains small numbers of both brown and rainbow. Best fished with dry fly or nymph, but open to spoon as well it is closed to winter fishing. (40 minutes travel time)
Mangaohoi Stream:
Running from Pukeatua through Te Awamutu to the Waipa, the upper reaches of this stream upstream of Kihikihi are clear running over a shingle bed through farmland. It is accessible from the Kihikihi-Pukeatua Rd. Monkton Rd and Parawera Rd. It is a small stream and best fished with nymph or dry. Rainbows predominate in the upper waters. Open to spoon and fly. Closed to winter fishing. Good summer fishing where the mouth joins the Waipa River at the Pirongia golf course, during the summer. (35 minutes travel time).
Puniu River:
There are over 20km of good fishing water in this tributary which rises in Pureora Forest and flows to Pirongia to join the Waipa. The upper reaches are gained from Bayley, Newman and Seafund Roads. The water here contains both browns and rainbows and flows over a boulder, sand and bedrock base. Good nymph water with dry-fly productive in summer. Fly-fishing only from the river's source to its junction with the Bailey Road Bridge. The section from Seafund Road Bridge upstream is closed from June 30 until October 1. The lower river from the Bailey Road Bridge is open all year to all types of legal lures. Willows have been removed from most of this section and it flows over a sand and silt bed through farmland. Good fishing is available from Tiki Road and south of Kihikihi on State Highway 3. (35 minutes travel time).
Owairaka Stream:
This small water runs through farmland to join the Puniu just south of Parawera. The water is normally silty and is quite deep. Willows have been removed and the banks are pasture, flax and watercress. It runs parallel to the Kihikihi-Mangakino Rd. Open to spoon and fly. Closed to from June 30 until October 1 (35 minutes. travel time).
Waipari Stream:
A tributary of the Puniu which it joints upstream of the Wharepapa Rd Bridge. Below a very rugged gorge the water flows over a sand, gravel and boulder bed. The fish are predominantly browns with a reasonable sprinkling of rainbows. Nymph. dry or small wet-fly are most productive. Fly only. Closed from June 30 until October 1. (40 minutes travel time)
Mangatutu Stream:
This is a large tributary of the Puniu, which it joins near Waikeria. This is one of the most popular streams in the district. It offers clear water flowing over a gravel bed. It has plenty of pools and is easily wadeable. Low and clear banks make fly-fishing a pleasure. Both brown and rainbow trout are available. It is easily accessible for about 10km by Wharepuhunga Road past Korakanui. Fly-fishing only is permitted from the stream's source to the Lethbridge Road Bridge. The whole stream is closed from June 30 until October 1. (40 minutes travel time.)
Moakuraroa Stream:
Flowing north to joint the Waipa near Pirongia the lower waters of this stream are willow infested, but ready access to open water is available from the Otorohanga-Honikiwi Road or the Otorohanga-Kawhia Road. The stream here flows over a gravel bed and has a reasonable number of pools. Brown and rainbow trout are present. Open to fly and spoon. Closed from June 30 until October 1. (40-50 minutes travel time)
Oamaru Stream:
A small tributary, which joins the Moakuraroa near the Honikiwi Road Bridge. A parallel road upstream of this point provides ready access. Generally clear, shallow water over a gravel bottom, smallish rainbows are plentiful with the odd good brown for the careful angler. Suitable for dry fly or small nymph. Open to fly and spoon. Closed from June 30 until October 1. (45 minutes travel time)
Turitea Stream:
This small stream rises east of Honikiwi. Its upper waters have been badly affected by land drainage, however the lower waters above and below a bridge on the Otorohanga-Kawhia Rd and adjacent to Turitea Rd flow over a gravel bed. Small pools are numerous beneath a willow canopy, and some good browns are available to those who persist. Best suited to wet-fly because of restricted casting room. Open to fly and spoon Closed from June 30 until October 1. (45 minutes travel time).
Mangaorongo Stream:
A Waipa tributary flowing from Pureora north to Kiokio where State Highway 3 crosses it. The upper waters are small though do hold some good browns late in the season. The middle waters offer easy fishing in sections where gravel and boulder beds are present amongst farmland. Accessible from Maihihi and Mangaorongo Roads. The lower reaches near the main south highway are slow and subject to discoloration but do offer the odd rising fish in summer. Open to fly and spin fishing but closed from June 30 until October 1. (50 minutes travel time)
Ngutunui Stream:
This small stream flows from southern Pirongia to join the Moakuraroa near the Otorohanga-Kawhia Road. The stream flows parallel to this road over a boulder and gravel bed. High banks and trees make it quite hard to fish but both brown and rainbow can be found in small pools. Open to fly and spoon. Closed from June 30 until October 1. (45 minutes travel time)
Mangaiti Stream:
Rising on Mt Pirongia, this stream flows east to join the Waipa. Accessible from the Pirongia-Kawhia Rd the water flows swiftly over a gravel and rock bed with numerous pools. Both brown and rainbow are available. Open to fly and spoon. This stream is closed from June 30 until October 1 (45 minutes travel time.)
Mangauika Stream:
Another small water flowing from Mt Pirongia, it enters the Waipa at Pirongia. Reached from Hanning's and Mangauika Road. It has a gravel and rock bed with a reasonable number of pools, but is subject to low flows due to Waipa District Council's supply requirements which abstracts from it's head-waters. A pleasant water to fish, Open to fly and spoon but closed from June 30 until October 1. (45 minutes travel time)
Mangawawe Stream:
Very similar to the Mangauika and also prone to the demands of District Council water requirements, this water is reached from O'Shea's Road. However some fish can be caught, particularly late in the season. Most suitable to dry or nymph. Closed from June 30 until October 1. Open to fly and spoon (45 minutes travel Time)
Kaniwhaniwha Stream:
This delightful Waipa tributary flows from eastern Pirongia and can be reached from the Whatawhata-Te Pahu Road or LimeWorks Loop Road. Shingle and boulder bed, it flows swiftly through farmland with patches of willow and native bush. It fishes better dry in summer when algal growth can be a problem. Brown and rainbow trout are present. Fly-fishing only, closed from June 30 until October 1. (45 minutes travel time)
WAIHOU RIVER AND TRIBUTARIES
Waihou River:
This large river flows from south of Putaruru to the sea at Thames. The lower waters below Te Aroha are heavily willowed but do hold some large fish. Above Te Aroha access is from the old Te Aroha Road or Manawar" Road and good spinner or wet-fly fishing is available here. Wading becomes increasingly possible upstream of here, and the riverbed is mainly gravel and sand. Further upstream there are some falls at Okoroire above which the fish are generally in very good condition. Further access can be gained from the Tirau-Rotorua Road or from White's or Leslie Road at Putaruru. Above here large fish can at times be seen in deep and clear spring water. (40 minutes travel time) Fly and spoon only above Okaroire Fails.
Waimakariri River:
clear water flowing swiftly over a gravel bottom and entering the Waihou south of Okoroire. Easily accessible from the Te Aroha- Rotorua Highway and from a parallel road at that point. The fish are rainbows, with an increasing number of larger fish available. A delightful stream for the light tackle fisherman but especially for the beginner or junior. Open all year. Spin and fly only. (40 minutes travel time)
Waiomou River:
The Waiomou rises in the Kaimais and flows west to the Waihou Good fishing for rainbows in water that is generally readily wadeable and evenly flowing over a shingle bed. Reached from the Matamata-Tauranga or Hamilton- Tauranga Road or from the Waiomou Road east of Okoroire. Fly and spoon only. Closed from June 30 until October 1. (40 minutes travel time.)
Rapurapu Stream:
This is a small tributary of the Waiomou that can be accessed from Rapurapu Road just off the main road to Tauranga. The water is clear, with many deep pools and gravel runs. It fishes particularly well when the Waiomou is in flood. Most suitable to dry fly or nymph. Fly and spoon only. Closed from June 30 until October 1. (40 minutes travel time).
Kakahu Stream:
Another Waiomou tributary, this small stream is easily wadeable and flows over a gravel bed, with numerous pools. Rainbows are plentiful to the careful fisherman who persists with dry or nymph or small wet fly. Accessible from Waiomou-Rapurapu Road, it is fly-only water and closed from June 30 until October 1. (40 minutes travel time).
Oraka River:
This river rises on the Mamaku Plateau and flows north to join the Waihou near Te Poi. A lot of fishing water, most of it easily fished. It flows evenly over a gravel and silt bottom and is open to spoon and fly. Accessible from Lake Road, Tirau - Okoroire Road, Tirau, Taumangi Road and at Putaruru. It is wadeable in many places. Closed from June 30 until October 1 (40 minutes travel time).
Ohinemuri River:
This is one of the largest tributaries of the Waihou, rising east of Waihi at Paeroa. The upper waters have a shingle and rock bottom and are closely willow lined. The lower waters below Waikino in the gorge are often deep. Rainbows and brown's are available. Fly and spoon only, it is open from the Waihou River upstream to the Victoria St Bridge at Waihi all year round. (50 minutes travel time)
Waitawheta River:
Flows nor'-westerly over a gravel and boulder bottom to join the Ohinemuri at Waikino. Accessible by crossing the Ohinemuri at Waikino, then from Dickeys Flat Road or at Waitawheta. Brown and rainbow trout. The lower reaches, from it's confluence with the Ohinemuri upstream to a sign post at Dickies flat, is open to spinning and winter fishing. (50 minutes travel time).
Komata Stream:
The Paeroa-Thames Road crosses this small boulder and gravel stream just north of Paeroa. Flows through pasture, with a willow canopy in places. Small pools hold rainbows throughout the year. Closed from June 30 until October 1. Fly-fishing only. (60 minutes travel time).
Maratoto:
Accessible from the main Paeroa-Thames Road at Hikutaia. Gravel and boulder bed. Flows through pasture with willows in many places. Some very good nymph water that can be extremely clear in summer. A parallel road exists, off which a crossing known as the old Whangamata Track marks the upstream limit of winter fishing and above which the water is for fly-fishing only. (60 minutes travel time.
Oparau Stream:
This small stream rises on the Western flanks of Mt Pirongia and flows into Kawhia Harbour. Access is from Pirongia West No.1 Road and Moerangi Road, but fishing is best in the lower, semi tidal reaches. This stream flows over a rock/shingle bed with some siltation problems. Dry fly fishing in late summer can be superb with nymphing very productive as well. Small zed and veltic spinners also work well there. A tributary, the Okupata is probably the better stream to fish. Access is from the Oparau School and Okupata Road. Good sized browns and rainbows Open to fly and spoon. it is closed from June 30 until October 1. (11/4 hrs travel time).
Awaroa River:
This river starts to the south of Kawhia Harbour. Access is from Harbour Road off State Highway 31. A shingle bed with good runs and pools. A good dry fly hatch and subsequent rise is often experienced early morning and late evening during late summer. Best fishing is in the lower to middle reaches and is easily accessed from the Road. Permission is required to cross farm land in the lower reaches. Excellent nymphing water upstream of the only bridge crossing this river, with very little access to the river from the road above this point. Good sized browns and rainbows. (11/4 hours drive from Hamilton). Open to fly and spoon it is closed from June 30 until October 1
Mangatangi Reservoir:
Accessed off Workman Road from the Kaiaua-Pokeno Road Fishing access is restricted at this time to the darn face, and is sign posted. Keeping off the stone dam face is very important as the fish are easily spooked with the noise. Targeting trout in May and June is worth while. A permit to fish the lake is required and can be obtained, free of charge, from the kiosk near the main gate. Vehicle access is restricted to between 8.30am and 4.3Opm. The lake is subject to large fluctuations in level due to the water requirements of Auckland City. Bait fishing is not allowed. (11/4 hours travel).
(c) HAMILTON ANGLERS CLUB INC
The above regulations covering the above information is believed to be correct at the time of document creation However Anglers are reminded to check the current regulations a copy of the Auckland Waikato Fish and Game Regulations
can be found here Current Fish and Game Regulations for Auckland/Waikato
Waikato River Flows
The following is an article by Ben Wilson from Auckland/Waikato Fish and Game. It contains some great info about how to check out the flow of some of the local rivers before you head off fishing.
Find out the flows before you go Many northern anglers will have experienced the frustration of a long drive down to the King Country only to find the rivers well in flood. And yet on-the-other-hand when the northern urban areas are saturated with rain the southern rivers will often be bathed in sunshine - you simply cannot predict whether a river will be fishable by the recent weather in Auckland or Hamilton. But with the internet and a phone it is easy to find out what rivers are fishable before you venture south.
Genesis Energy provides a phone service (07 3868113) and a website (www.genesisenergy.co.nz) that gives very useful information on flows in the Whakapapa and Whanganui Rivers. Flows in both rivers are controlled by intake weirs for the Tongariro Power Scheme. The water taken from the rivers is diverted to Lake Otamangakau and then down the Wairehu Canal. However from 1st December till 31st May, sufficient flows must be left in both rivers to maintain a flow of at least 29m³/s (cubic metres of water per second) at Te Maire, which is located about on the Whanganui River about 15km downstream of Taumarunui. Consequently both the Whakapapa and the Whanganui can have their lowest flows at the beginning of the fishing season, but flows usually increase after 1st December. The phone service provides information on the following sites:
- Below the Whakapapa intake. The intake controls flows in the Whakapapa River with a minimum flow of 3m³/s. To safely fish the upper reaches of the Whakapapa, below the intake, you need flows close to the minimum. However over summer, flows are often around 10m³/s, which should provide excellent conditions for the middle/lower reaches at Owhango/Kakahi but flows will be too high for safe fishing in the upper river.
- Piriaka. This site is located at the small power station about 10km downstream from the Whanganui/Whakapapa confluence (upstream from Taumarunui). Typical summer flows here are about 20m³/s.
- Te Maire. Typical summer flows here are about 30m³/s (note that Te Maire is downstream from the Whakapapa, Whanganui and Ongarue catchment).
- Wairehu Canal. This canal carries water that was diverted from the upper Whanganui/Whakapapa catchments. If flows are less than 0.3m³/s then it is likely that no flows are being diverted.
The Whanganui-Manawatu Regional Council have a website that provides hydrological data on the region’s rivers (www.horizons.govt.nz). However most of these data refers to the Manawatu area but the site does provide data on the following:
- Recent rainfall at Te Porere, in the headwaters of the Whanganui River, on the Turangi/National Park state highway (excellent for the Whanganui and Whakapapa Rivers).
- Turbidity (water clarity) at Te Maire. If the turbidity is less than 20 ntu then the Ongarue, Whakapapa and Whanganui Rivers would have be fishable the previous day. Note that the site is located downstream of Taumarunui and thus if there has been heavy rain in the headwaters the effects will not be noted at Te Maire for at least 24 hours. Nevertheless a useful site.
Images of Mt Ruapehu can be obtained from www.geonet.org.nz/volcano/info/ruapehu.html. The images are updated every hour.
Mighty River Power have a free-phone that provides information on river flows beneath the Karapiro Dam (0800 820 082). Minimum flows are about 150m³/s. Generally the flows below Karapiro have a weekly cycle with the lowest flows in the weekend and maximum flows during the week. The best fishing, especially from the tracks around Cambridge, occurs when the flows are low.
Waikato Regional Council have a great website that provides data on recent rainfall and river flow at a large number of sites throughout the Waikato (www.waikatoregion.govt.nz). This website is good for flows at the following rivers: Awakino, Mangaokewa, Kauaeranga, Tairua, Ohinemuri, Puniu, and Waipa. The site usually provides flow data that has been updated within the last three hours as well as a graph showing flows over the last 7 days – really useful. The site also provides data on recent rainfall at sites throughout the Waikato, and again there are graphs providing data for the last 7 days. As a general guideline (i.e not always reliable!), if there has been about 10mm of rain in the last 48 hours then the southern rivers will be fishable but with some colour. However, with rainfall greater than 25mm they’re unlikely to be fishable. The rainfall site at Wharekiri is particularly useful as it is a good indicator for all rivers flowing from the Pureora Forest (Waipapa, Ongarue, Maramataha, Waipa, Puniu and Mangatutu Rivers).
Waikato Regional Council also have a phone service providing river level, river flows and rainfall information for its major river catchments. Calls cost 12 cents per minute, reports average 90 seconds, and you can hang up at any time. The river level data is hard to interpret, but may be useful if you know the catchment well. The accompanying table gives the phone numbers for each of the catchments. We have not included all the monitoring sites, just those relevant to anglers. Rainfall totals are for the previous 24 hours.
Also of some use may be the Honda Shop (www.thehondashop.co.nz) who maintain a realtime link to weather stations at a number of farms in the northern King Country. Hopefully the number of stations will increase to allow for wider coverage.
Find out the flows before you go Many northern anglers will have experienced the frustration of a long drive down to the King Country only to find the rivers well in flood. And yet on-the-other-hand when the northern urban areas are saturated with rain the southern rivers will often be bathed in sunshine - you simply cannot predict whether a river will be fishable by the recent weather in Auckland or Hamilton. But with the internet and a phone it is easy to find out what rivers are fishable before you venture south.
Genesis Energy provides a phone service (07 3868113) and a website (www.genesisenergy.co.nz) that gives very useful information on flows in the Whakapapa and Whanganui Rivers. Flows in both rivers are controlled by intake weirs for the Tongariro Power Scheme. The water taken from the rivers is diverted to Lake Otamangakau and then down the Wairehu Canal. However from 1st December till 31st May, sufficient flows must be left in both rivers to maintain a flow of at least 29m³/s (cubic metres of water per second) at Te Maire, which is located about on the Whanganui River about 15km downstream of Taumarunui. Consequently both the Whakapapa and the Whanganui can have their lowest flows at the beginning of the fishing season, but flows usually increase after 1st December. The phone service provides information on the following sites:
- Below the Whakapapa intake. The intake controls flows in the Whakapapa River with a minimum flow of 3m³/s. To safely fish the upper reaches of the Whakapapa, below the intake, you need flows close to the minimum. However over summer, flows are often around 10m³/s, which should provide excellent conditions for the middle/lower reaches at Owhango/Kakahi but flows will be too high for safe fishing in the upper river.
- Piriaka. This site is located at the small power station about 10km downstream from the Whanganui/Whakapapa confluence (upstream from Taumarunui). Typical summer flows here are about 20m³/s.
- Te Maire. Typical summer flows here are about 30m³/s (note that Te Maire is downstream from the Whakapapa, Whanganui and Ongarue catchment).
- Wairehu Canal. This canal carries water that was diverted from the upper Whanganui/Whakapapa catchments. If flows are less than 0.3m³/s then it is likely that no flows are being diverted.
The Whanganui-Manawatu Regional Council have a website that provides hydrological data on the region’s rivers (www.horizons.govt.nz). However most of these data refers to the Manawatu area but the site does provide data on the following:
- Recent rainfall at Te Porere, in the headwaters of the Whanganui River, on the Turangi/National Park state highway (excellent for the Whanganui and Whakapapa Rivers).
- Turbidity (water clarity) at Te Maire. If the turbidity is less than 20 ntu then the Ongarue, Whakapapa and Whanganui Rivers would have be fishable the previous day. Note that the site is located downstream of Taumarunui and thus if there has been heavy rain in the headwaters the effects will not be noted at Te Maire for at least 24 hours. Nevertheless a useful site.
Images of Mt Ruapehu can be obtained from www.geonet.org.nz/volcano/info/ruapehu.html. The images are updated every hour.
Mighty River Power have a free-phone that provides information on river flows beneath the Karapiro Dam (0800 820 082). Minimum flows are about 150m³/s. Generally the flows below Karapiro have a weekly cycle with the lowest flows in the weekend and maximum flows during the week. The best fishing, especially from the tracks around Cambridge, occurs when the flows are low.
Waikato Regional Council have a great website that provides data on recent rainfall and river flow at a large number of sites throughout the Waikato (www.waikatoregion.govt.nz). This website is good for flows at the following rivers: Awakino, Mangaokewa, Kauaeranga, Tairua, Ohinemuri, Puniu, and Waipa. The site usually provides flow data that has been updated within the last three hours as well as a graph showing flows over the last 7 days – really useful. The site also provides data on recent rainfall at sites throughout the Waikato, and again there are graphs providing data for the last 7 days. As a general guideline (i.e not always reliable!), if there has been about 10mm of rain in the last 48 hours then the southern rivers will be fishable but with some colour. However, with rainfall greater than 25mm they’re unlikely to be fishable. The rainfall site at Wharekiri is particularly useful as it is a good indicator for all rivers flowing from the Pureora Forest (Waipapa, Ongarue, Maramataha, Waipa, Puniu and Mangatutu Rivers).
Waikato Regional Council also have a phone service providing river level, river flows and rainfall information for its major river catchments. Calls cost 12 cents per minute, reports average 90 seconds, and you can hang up at any time. The river level data is hard to interpret, but may be useful if you know the catchment well. The accompanying table gives the phone numbers for each of the catchments. We have not included all the monitoring sites, just those relevant to anglers. Rainfall totals are for the previous 24 hours.
Also of some use may be the Honda Shop (www.thehondashop.co.nz) who maintain a realtime link to weather stations at a number of farms in the northern King Country. Hopefully the number of stations will increase to allow for wider coverage.