Lake Tarawera

Lake Tarawera sits in Bay of Plenty, New Zealand and offers the kind of structure-driven lake fishing that suits both bank anglers and those working from a small boat or float tube. Fish on a stillwater like this don't move much during the heat of the day — finding shade, cooler thermoclines, or current from inflowing streams is the local trick. Most successful trips to Lake Tarawera come down to reading the water before tying on a lure.

Location

-38.2055, 176.4381 · View on OpenStreetMap →

Species at This Spot

Rainbow troutLake char

Fishing Techniques

• 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 Lake char

  Target lake trout in deep, cold water during the summer months, focusing on areas with structure or drop-offs; use a fish finder to locate schools of fish and baitfish.

Recommended Gear

Tackle commonly used to target the species at Lake Tarawera.

Plan Your Trip

Anglers heading to Lake Tarawera should sort licences and confirm seasonal regulations for Bay of Plenty before the trip. A quick weather check the morning of helps too — wind direction in particular can make or break a session at a spot like Lake Tarawera.

Nearby Spots in Bay of Plenty

See all fishing spots in Bay of Plenty →

Other Fishing Regions in New Zealand