| Fish type |
Rainbow trout |
| Situation |
Lake Tikitapu, also called the Blue Lake, is one of the best-known recreational lakes in the Rotorua district. It is very sheltered and the angler will often have to compete with other water users such as water skiers, swimmers and kayakers. |
| Maps |
Access map coming soon
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| Check conditions |
View the MetService weather forecast.
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| Description |
The Blue Lake is very attractive, having deep clear water. It is surrounded mostly by forest and, being very sheltered, means that it is very popular for all recreation users. It is stocked with both rainbow but has no natural spawning rivers or streams entering the lake.
The water also has no natural outlet and would appear to drain from a sub-surface aquifer into the nearby Green Lake. (note: the Green Lake is closed to the general public)
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| Fish numbers and size |
Tikitapu Lake holds a reasonable population of small to medium size rainbow trout. |
| Access |
Lake Tikitapu can be reached via the Rotorua - Tarawera Road. There is a good boat ramp. See the Lake Tikitapu access map. |
| Methods |
All methods are suitable on this lake, with jigging and harling being popular methods during the day. There is reasonable shoreline fishing around the main beach area for those wishing to fly fish or use a spinner. Parts of the path are well above the lake allowing anglers to spot fish as they cruise the margins. |
| Recommended tackle |
For nymph fishing:
A 4 to 6 weight rod. A floating line. A weighted nymph with lighter nymphs tied below. Leader 4-4.5 metres in length, and 2.5-4 kg strength. An indicator (to detect strikes)
For wetfly fishing:
A 6 or 7 weight rod. A medium to fast-sinking line. A short tippet of 2-2.5 metres.
For trolling:
A short (1.5-2 metre) reasonably stiff rod. Lead core line (or LED line) with at least 100 metres backing. A long leader of between 3 to 15 metres depending on the water clarity.
For trolling using a downrigger:
A downrigger. A flexible rod with reel set up with around 200 metres of 4 - 6kg nylon with a 3 metre leader of 3kg line.
For harling:
A flexible rod with reel holding a slow to medium sinking fly line (or between one and two colours of leadcore line). A leader of around 5 metres.
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| Recommended lures |
Dry flies: During the very warm weather many terrestrial insects can be blown onto this lake from the surrounding bush-land and patterns that match these can be successful. Try Cicada patterns and Beetle, Bumble Bee or wasp patterns during the summer months.
Nymphs: Green Caddis patterns, lightly weighted Pheasants Tail and Hare and Copper in sizes 14 - 16 can work well when fished just over the drop-off.
Wet flies / Streamers:
During the day use smelt patterns such as a Grey Ghost or Parsons' Glory, and during the evening and at night dark patterns such as Scotch Poacher, Hairy Dog or Fuzzy Wuzzy.
Spinners: During the day use bright spinners such as the gold or silver Toby and use darker patterns such as Black Toby or Rapalas in the evening or on overcast days.
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| Tributaries |
There are no tributaries |
| Regulations |
| Applicable to |
Lake Tikitapu (Blue Lake) |
| Region |
Eastern region regulations |
| Season |
All year |
| Methods |
Artificial fly, spinner |
| Bag limit |
Trout: 8 |
| Size limit (cm) |
350mm minimum |
