| Fish type |
Mostly
rainbow trout though tiger trout have also been released into
this lake (the only lake in the area that has them). |
| Situation |
Lake Rotoma is the most easterly
of the lakes within the Rotorua Lakes system. |
| Maps |
Access
map
Access
map with topography
LINZ
topographic maps: 1:50,000 (260
series)
|
| Check conditions |
See the
Environment Bay of Plenty website for:
- A
report card on the lake water quality
- Lake
use map and lake closure notices
View the MetService
weather forecast for Rotorua.
|
| F&G pamphlet |
Rotorua Lakes access pamphlet
>>> |
| Description |
Lake Rotoma
is a very deep lake with crystal clear water. The lake is
thought to be the result of a major volcanic eruption and
is over 240 feet deep in places. Although several small streams
do flow into the lake there is no visible outlet for the water.
Consequently, all fish caught are hatchery-raised fish and
there is the added bonus of being able to catch tiger trout,
a sterile cross between a brook trout and brown trout.
There is good road access to the southwestern
and southern shoreline to the fly fisherman, although most
of the lake is surrounded by bush and open farmland and really
only accessible by boat. |
| Fish numbers and size |
The lake is very well-stocked
with rainbow trout averaging around 1.5 to 2 kg. There are also
a very small number of tiger trout which are smaller on average. |
| Access |
SH30 runs
for several kilometres along the south-western and southern
shore. See the Lake Rotoma access
map.
Two boat ramps are available for public
use. |
| Methods |
Trolling is the most popular
method for fishing this lake although over the past few years
jigging has also become a very popular and very effective method
of taking trout when they are lying deep in the lake. In late
spring trout will chase smelt and can be caught very close to
shore. In late autumn and early winter large trout will often
congregate around the southern beach area as this was where
they were released and they are returning when they are ready
to spawn. Both these times provide great opportunities for the
fly fisherman to target large prime condition fish. |
| Recommended tackle |
Due to the depth and clarity
of the water, when trolling it is necessary to use about 100
metres of lead core line or a downrigger to get the necessary
depth. It is also necessary to use a very long leader of around
10 to 15m. Most shoreline anglers prefer to use a medium to
fast sinking line to get the fly down in the deep water. In
the evenings however the fish often come in very close to shore
when a floating line is best used. |
| Recommended lures |
Nymphs:
Weighted Hare
and Copper, Pheasants
Tail and Halfbacks
all work well. Glow
bugs can be used effectively when jigging. During the
winter months the "heave and leave” method can
be very effective using Glow
Bugs.
Dry flies:
While not known as a dry fly fishery, during the summer months
trout will rise to take Green
Beetles and Cicadas.
Wet flies / Streamers:
During the day use light patterns such as Parson's
Glory, Grey
Ghost or Rabbit
patterns and at night dark patterns such as Scotch
Poacher, Black
Marabou patterns and Craig's
Night-time.
Spinners: Silver
Toby's, Black
Tobys, Tasmanian
Devils and fat fish patterns all worked well. |
| Tributaries |
There are no tributaries to
Lake Rotoma |
| Regulations
(1) |
| Applicable to |
Lake Rotoma except the areas
below. |
| Region |
Eastern
region regulations |
| Season |
All year |
| Methods |
Artificial fly, spinner |
| Bag limit |
Trout: 8 |
| Size limit (cm) |
350 mm minimum |
| Regulations
(2) |
| Applicable to |
Lake Rotoma winter shoreline
areas between the landmarks at Anaputa Point and Matahi Bay,
and between the landmarks in Manawahe Bay both extending 200m
offshore |
| Region |
Eastern
region regulations |
| Season |
1 Oct-30 Jun |
| Methods |
Artificial fly, spinner |
| Bag limit |
Trout: 8 |
| Size limit (cm) |
350 mm minimum |
| Regulations
(3) |
| Applicable to |
All springs, streams and their
tributaries which flow into or from Lake Rotoma. |
| Region |
Eastern
region regulations |
| Season |
Closed |
| Methods |
None |
| Bag limit |
0 |
| Size limit (cm) |
N/A |
