Waikato River

Flowing through Waikato, New Zealand, Waikato River is a river that suits anglers willing to walk a bank. Most fish at Waikato River hold in identifiable lies — the same eddies, drop-offs, and shaded undercuts produce trip after trip. After heavy rain, Waikato River can colour up and rise quickly; that's often when bigger predators come out to feed, but wading conditions get dangerous.

Location

-38.0182, 175.6400 · View on OpenStreetMap →

Species at This Spot

Brown troutRainbow troutCommon carp

Fishing Techniques

• For Brown trout

  When fishing streams, focus on seams and current breaks, where trout hold to ambush prey.

• For Rainbow trout

  Vary your retrieve speed when using spinners to find what triggers a strike; sometimes a slow, steady retrieve works best, while other times a faster, erratic retrieve is more effective.

• For Common carp

  Pre-bait the area with a similar bait you plan to fish with to attract carp and increase your chances.

Recommended Gear

Tackle commonly used to target the species at Waikato River.

Plan Your Trip

Before fishing Waikato River, make sure your licence covers Waikato, New Zealand and that any species-specific seasons are open. Local regulations change year to year, so check the current rules rather than going from memory.

Nearby Spots in Waikato

See all fishing spots in Waikato →

Other Fishing Regions in New Zealand