Lake Waikareiti

Anglers know Lake Waikareiti as one of the lesser-trafficked lakes of Hawke's Bay, New Zealand. The standard playbook on a lake this size is to start shallow at first light, work outward toward deeper water as the sun climbs, and circle back to the shallows before dusk. Surface activity at Lake Waikareiti is a useful tell — boils, swirls, and rising baitfish point straight at the predator zone.

Location

-38.7126, 177.1703 · View on OpenStreetMap →

Species Reported in Hawke's Bay

These species are commonly caught at fishing spots across Hawke's Bay. Conditions at Lake Waikareiti may vary.

Rainbow troutEastern Australian salmonSouthern yellowtail amberjackBrown troutAustralasian snapperJackass morwong

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 Eastern Australian salmon

  Eastern Australian salmon often school, so if you catch one, keep fishing the same area; they are aggressive feeders and readily strike at moving targets.

• For Southern yellowtail amberjack

  When fishing structure, use a heavier leader to prevent break-offs, as yellowtail will often run hard into rocks or reefs.

Recommended Gear

Tackle commonly used to target the species reported in Hawke's Bay.

Plan Your Trip

Planning a trip to Lake Waikareiti? Check current conditions before you go: water level, recent weather, and any local closures. New Zealand regulations on licences, seasons, and bag limits apply at Lake Waikareiti — confirm them ahead of time.

Nearby Spots in Hawke's Bay

See all fishing spots in Hawke's Bay →

Other Fishing Regions in New Zealand