Fishing restrictions:
Lake Taupo and the river mouths are open for fishing all year round.
Most of the rivers that flow into the lake are open all year round, except
for restrictions on many upper reaches during the New Zealand winter. These closures are
usually between June 31 and December 1. This is to allow for spawning of rainbow trout.
There are over forty rivers and streams flowing into Lake Taupo. Other
lakes in the area such as Otamangakau are open from December 1 to June 31.
Most of the fishing can be reached easily by car and, or boat. For more remote fishing helicopter and raft fishing is readily available
The Seasons:
Some months overlap because, well, weather makes its own rules.
Summer is November through March
Autumn is March through May
Winter is June through September
Spring is September through November
The Weather:
Lake Taupo is 375 metres (1250 feet) above sea level. Like most of
New Zealand the weather is subject to rapid change on a daily basis, and wind is a major
factor. Summer is usually warm with temperatures reaching into the
high twenties (Centigrade), and beyond. But temperatures can drop rapidly in the evening
and at night. In Winter below freezing temperatures are regularly experienced. In all seasons rain can be expected. But rain is what makes New Zealand clean and green, and gives us
great water for growing some of the world’s best trout. Rain is a price we gladly pay.
The key factor arising from the weather, is to at all times dress or carry
rain proof gear, and warm clothes. You can always shed clothes. Fishing requires neoprene chest waders at least 5mm thick.
The waters are very cold and vary only a little between Summer and Winter. In the big
rivers felt soles are recommended. Waders made of the much touted newer materials such as
Gortex and the like will not go the distance. There is a lot of undergrowth containing
brambles, blackberries, etc. which simply tear these waders to shreds. Waders can
be readily hired.
The Sun:
Many visitors to New Zealand, especially those from
the Northern Hemisphere suffer severe sun burn, up to and including third degree burning.
We are very fortunate to have very little air
pollution in New Zealand so the sun’s rays hit us with full force. It is little wonder
that New Zealand has some of the highest incidences of skin cancers in the world.
It is not uncommon to suffer sun burn even in Winter.
In Summer ‘burn times’, advertised on TV weather reports should be followed to the letter.
Burn times of less than ten minutes are a very regular occurrence. This means pale skin
will turn pink in less than ten minutes! A sun tan is no protection from sun burn,
especially a Northern hemisphere sun tan.
Always wear a wide brimmed hat, long trousers, and long sleeved shirts. Cover exposed
parts, face, hands and ears with a full sun block, at least SP25 rating, and re-coat with
sunburn cream regularly.
The Trout: Most rivers and lakes hold rainbow and brown trout, but
rainbows predominate. The average sized trout caught in the region is 2.2
kg, (4.5 lb.). The minimum size limit is eighteen inches.
All the trout in the area are wild trout. There is no stocking.
Trout over ten pounds are regularly caught but are regarded as a trophy.
Much bigger fish are irregularly caught in the region, up to eighteen pounds, but these
fish are noteworthy.
In winter most rivers and streams see spawning runs of rainbow trout. Brown
trout tend to make their spawning runs during and summer and autumn.
In summer through autumn trout in the lakes and river mouths are found
chasing smelt. This provides exciting fishing.
There is good dry fly fishing to be had on rivers and lakes throughout
summer and autumn.
Catch & Release:
In the general Taupo area catch & release is actively encouraged in all
waters except Lake Taupo and the main rivers – Tongariro, Tauranga-Taupo, and Waihatanui.
In these waters fish populations are abundant and there is good evidence that without
‘culling’ trout populations build faster than the feed available. However populations do
fluctuate and in times when fish numbers are slightly down catch and release is encouraged
in all areas. These waters are monitored very closely by the New Zealand Department of
Conservation.
Many of the fish in the Taupo area are in superb condition and the salmon pink\orange
flesh is a taste delight. No-one should feel guilty about taking a fish to eat.
In waters apart from those mentioned above most guides adhere to a strict catch &
release policy and this is a condition of hire. This rule applies even to ‘trophy’ fish.
Other Anglers: Fishing during winter in the spawning runs generates the biggest
"crowds". But crowd is a relative term. The more famous and popular pools may in
the peak times at weekends have six to eight anglers in a 300 metre pool. But there are
literally hundreds of pools.
It is not uncommon to fish in even the peak load times and see no-one else.