Home → Auckland – Waikato → Auckland-Waikato: Where to fish → Lake Waipapa

Lake Waipapa

Lake Waipapa provides good fishing for both brown and rainbow trout in near wilderness conditions on this deep and mysterious man-made lake. For most fishing a boat is required.
Fish type Both brown and rainbow trout that average around 1.5 kg, with some fish reaching very large sizes.
Situation Lake Waipapa lies downstream from Lake Maraetai which is connected by a short stretch of the Waikato River.
Maps

Access map
Check Conditions

View the MetService weather forecast.
Description Lake Waipapa is a deep dark lake that is surrounded by bush-clad hills reaching down to the water'sedge. There are limited opportunities for the shoreline angler and most fishing is done from a boat. Like all lakes in the Waikato Hydro System there is a significant amount of lake weed present which makes even the limited shoreline opportunities even more difficult. Anglers with a boat however will find excellent opportunities for fishing in the many secluded bays and stretches, especially in the section that leads up to the Maraetai Dam. Care must be taken however as water levels fluctuate in the section as flows increase during peak electricity generation.
Access Access to Lake Waipapa is on the Te Awamutu-Mangakino road which follows the Western shore for a few kilometres near the Waipapa Dam. There is a small boat ramp just above the dam. See the Lake Waipapa access map.
Methods Trolling and harling along the weed beds is the most popular method of fishing this lake. There is good fishing also for those happy to drift or moor their boat and cast either a spinner or fly along the sides of the weed beds.
Recommended tackle During the day some weight is needed on the line when trolling to ensure the lure gets down to the fish. This can be done by using three or four colours of lead core or adding a small sinker about 1 metre above the lures.
Recommended lures

Nymphs:
Well weighted nymphs such as a size 12 or 14 Hare and Copper, Halfbacks and emerger caddis patterns fished slowly along the weed banks.

Dry flies:
While not recognised as a dry fly water, many insects during the summer months get blown out of the surrounding forests onto the lake and patterns such as cicadas, beetles or daddy longlegs can be effective.

Wet flies / Streamers:
Try large (size 6 or 8) Hamill's Killer, Mrs Simpson,  Green Rabbit or a Dorothy during the day and a Black Marabou, Black Prince, Scotch Poacher or any dark patterns during the evening and night.

Spinners: Tokoroa Chickens and dark spinners such as Black Toby, and green Veltic spinners and Rapalas work well.
Tributaries The major tributary is the Waipapa River. While most of this river can be reached either by car and walking, the very lower section as it enters the lake can only be accessed by boat.
Related waters See also Lake Aratiatia, Lake Ohakuri, Lake Atiamuri, Lake Whakamaru, Lake Maraetai, Lake Arapuni, Lake Karapiro and the Waikato River.
Regulations
Applicable to Waipapa, Lake
Region Auckland/Waikato regulations
Season All year
Methods Artificial fly, spinner, bait

No fish taken from another water can be used as bait.
Bag limit 5
Size limit (cm) 30cm minimum

Other fishing waters of the region



NZFishing.com

NZFishing.com is the complete guide to New Zealand trout and salmon fishing.

Advertise Here