Waikoau River

Waikoau River cuts through Hawke's Bay, New Zealand and offers classic river fishing. The local patterns are the universal river patterns: fish the heads of pools at first light, the deep slow water in the middle of the day, and the tail-outs as light fades. Light tackle and a careful drift go a long way at Waikoau River — heavy splashes spook a whole pool.

Location

-39.2667, 176.8830 · View on OpenStreetMap →

Species at This Spot

Rainbow trout

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.

Recommended Gear

Tackle commonly used to target the species at Waikoau River.

Plan Your Trip

Anglers heading to Waikoau River should sort licences and confirm seasonal regulations for Hawke's Bay 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 Waikoau River.

Nearby Spots in Hawke's Bay

See all fishing spots in Hawke's Bay →

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