Parkinsons Lake

Set on the coast in Waikato, New Zealand, Parkinsons Lake rewards anglers who time their session around the tide rather than the time of day. Dawn or dusk on a rising tide is usually the high-percentage window. Parkinsons Lake sees a mix of resident species and seasonal migrants, so anglers who fish it regularly track which species are showing each month and adjust rigs accordingly.

Location

-37.3148, 174.6849 · View on OpenStreetMap →

Species at This Spot

Rainbow troutBrown troutAustralasian snapper

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 Brown trout

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

• For Australasian snapper

  Use berley (chum) to attract snapper to your fishing spot and hold them there, increasing your chances of a successful catch.

Recommended Gear

Tackle commonly used to target the species at Parkinsons Lake.

Plan Your Trip

Anglers heading to Parkinsons Lake should sort licences and confirm seasonal regulations for Waikato 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 Parkinsons Lake.

Nearby Spots in Waikato

See all fishing spots in Waikato →

Other Fishing Regions in New Zealand