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Lake Rotoehu

 

Lake Rotoehu is a very scenic, secluded lake providing excellent fly fishing for the large population of hard-fighting rainbow trout. In the past this lake has suffered from algal blooms but the lake is now much cleaner and a real pleasure to fish.
Fish type Rainbow trout
Situation Lake Rotoehu is a shallow lake surrounded by native trees and wetland vegetation.
Maps

Access map coming soon
Check conditions

View the MetService weather forecast.

View the lake level.
Fish numbers and size Lake Rotoehu has a very good population of rainbow trout averaging around 1.5kg.
Description Rotoehu is made up of a number of sheltered arms that can only be reached by boat. These bays provide great shelter from any wind and it is rare that an angler cannot find a place to fish in relatively calm water.

The water quality in this lake has improved greatly over the past few years due to the work carried out in the region to stop run-off and is now much cleaner and generally free from the algal blooms that plagued it in the past. It is now much cleaner and a real pleasure to fish. Being shallower than many of the surrounding lakes in the area it provides good fly fishing throughout the day with fish often feeding very close to the shoreline. An ideal lake for fly-fishing from a boat.
Access State Highway 30 between Rotorua and Whakatane passes the south west corner of the lake, but the best access is by taking the Pongokawa Valley Road. A boat ramp of sorts can be found at Kennedy Bay and small boats can be launched from several of the beaches. See the Lake Rotoehu access map.
Methods Rotoehu is best fished using a small smelt pattern cast from a boat towards the shore or by fishing to sighted fish from the shoreline as they move in to chase the large smelt population. Trolling or harling small lures close to the weed beds can also be very successful. There is limited shoreline fishing.
Recommended tackle

When trolling, it is not necessary to use weighted lines due to the depth of the lake. At most, two or three colours of leadline will get the lure down to the desired depth.

When fly fishing, floating lines or very slow sinking lines are needed.
Recommended lures

Nymphs:
Dark nymphs in Hare and Copper and Pheasant Tail patterns.

Dry flies:
During the warmer months when the water is still clear, beetle patterns can work and in late summer cicada patterns.

Wet flies / Streamers:
Any smelt pattern such as a Parsons' Glory, Grey Ghost, Rabbit pattern or white Dorothy.

Spinners:

Black Tobys, Silver Tobys, and Rapalas.
Regulations (1)
Applicable to Lake Rotoehu
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 All springs, streams and their tributaries which flow into or from Lake Rotoehu.
Region Eastern region regulations
Season Closed
Methods None
Bag limit 0
Size limit (cm) N/A

Other fishing waters of the region



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