The large Mangatawhiri Reservoir in the Hunua Ranges has limited areas open to trout fishing and is also a designated coarse fishing water.
Fish type |
The Mangatawhiri Reservoir contains rainbow trout. |
Situation |
Located in the Hunua Ranges south of Auckland. |
Maps |
Access map
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Check conditions |
View the MetService weather forecast.
View river level for last 7 days. |
Rules |
Fishing is restricted to the face of the dam indicated by signs. Anglers may note enter the water unless they are wearing clean boots or waders. Fish must be taken whole from the site: no gutting or cleaning of fish is permitted anywhere on the site.
A Water Access Permit is required. It is available at no cost by self-help from the fishing kiosks at the reservoirs.
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Access |
Travelling south from Auckland, turn off SH1 into Hunua Road, then left into Moumoukai Road. Or else, from SH2, take Lyons Road, then Paparimu Road and Moumoukai Road. See the Mangatawhiri Reservoir access map. |
Methods |
Fly fishing using a nymph is generally most productive. retrieve the nymph slowly, giving it just an occasional twitch. Spin fishing is also popular and effective and can allow anglers to cast further out into the lake. |
Recommended tackle |
When nymphing a long monofilament leader, 3-5 m plus long, with a floating fly line. |
Recommended lures |
Nymphs: Large weighted dark Pheasant Tail, Halfbacks and Hare and Copper nymphs fished with a floating line with a long leader to get down.
Dry flies: Not noted as a dry fly fishery but fish will feed on any terrestrial insect that is blown onto the lake. Therefore, during the summer cicadas, cricket patterns and green beetle can all be effective, particularly later in the day when the sun is lower.
Wet flies / Streamers: Bully patterns such as Mrs Simpson and Hamill's Killer and smelt patterns such as Grey Ghost are worth trying at any time of the day. Also try any Koura (freshwater crayfish) pattern such as a Red Francis or Red Setter fished jerkily along the lake bottom.
Spinners: Any Toby pattern (but particularly black and gold or silver), Zed Spinners and any other pattern that represents a small fish. Red veltic spinners fished deep can also be effective.
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Related waters |
Mangatangi Reservoir |
Regulations |
Applicable to |
Mangatawhiri Reservoir |
Region |
Auckland/Waikato regulations |
Season |
All year |
Methods |
Artificial fly, spinner |
Bag limit |
5 |
Size limit (cm) |
30 cm minimum |
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