Fish & Game reminder: 'great fishing in Waikato hydro lakes'

Auckland and Hamilton anglers have been reminded of some great winter fishing within easy reach.

The Waikato River hydro lakes are often overlooked by anglers travelling south from Hamilton or Auckland in search of some good trout fishing, says Auckland-Waikato Fish & Game.

Fisheries Manager Adam Daniel says lakes Karapiro, Arapuni and Waipapa are all good options, with Arapuni standing out as the clear favourite.

“Lake Arapuni is only an hour south of Hamilton and produces some great fish. So if you’re thinking of towing your boat all the way down to Rotorua or Taupo, we strongly suggest you may want to give Arapuni another look this winter.”

Dr Daniel says that with excellent boat ramps, free camping on Landing Road and some big fish to be caught, Lake Arapuni in particular is an excellent choice for a weekend of fishing.

The northern end of the lake offers some good trolling waters and there are some nice locations to anchor or fish from the shore in the faster moving water near Waipapa Dam.

“With over 13 square kilometres of water to fish, and only moderate pressure on the busiest of days, you are unlikely to run into a traffic jam on the water or at the boat ramp.”

In a recent visit to Lake Arapuni on a sunny Friday there were a total of 12 anglers fishing the lake, with about half fishing from boats, Dr Daniel adds.

The stocking rate of Lake Arapuni is on a par with some of the more popular Rotorua lakes but with far less fishing pressure. Auckland-Waikato Fish & Game has released 16,000 fish into the lake over the past three years.

Dr Daniel says a recent review of Lake Arapuni catch records and tagging data revealed that most fish top the 50 cm mark after three years in the lake. “Some fish survive up to five years in Lake Arapuni and approach the 70 cm mark.”

The most popular fishing methods at Lake Arapuni are trolling or harling a smelt fly. “Over winter the lake is cooling and fish can be taken on the change of light near the surface.”

“The shore-based fishing at lake Arapuni is predominantly done by drifting smelt flies or bait on short leaders, with enough lead to get on or near the bottom in the swift moving water of the upper and lower end of the lake.”

Shore-based fishing opportunities are limited at Lake Arapuni but there is walking access below the Waipapa Dam (access from the powerhouse parking lot). The Arapuni Bridge is also a productive location for more experienced anglers (given that it involves landing fish from a 20 metre bridge using a dip net with traffic roaring past). For the more adventurous, hiking to the Mangawhio Stream from the walking track near the boat ramp below the Waipapa Dam can be rewarding.

Fish & Game records indicate that more than 30% of the fish caught in the lake are wild fish that spawn in its small tributary streams. And large brown trout make up a large part of the wild population (pictured: 2.7kg brown caught by Wally Hawkin of Raglan).

ENDS

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