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Lake Tutira

 

Lake Tutira is a very pleasant lake to fish and is suitable for young anglers as well as the more experienced. The lake has suffered badly from farming run-off from around 2014 to 2019 but has experienced a great revival with fish numbers and sizes rising to what they were a decade earlier.
Note This is a fragile lake so please ensure you do not leave any rubbish. And if you are using the lake and become aware of any changes in the lake conditions, such as smell and/or change in the colour of the water please notify the Hawkes Bay Regional Council on 0800 108 838.
Fish type, number and
size		 Lake Tutira holds rainbow trout averaging 1 kg with some large fish also present. There are also Loch Leven present in the lake (one of the few places in New Zealand in which they are found).
Situation Lake Tutira is approximately an hours drive from Hastings on the Napier-Wairoa road (State Highway 2).
Maps

Access map
Check conditions

View the MetService weather forecast

Algal bloom

The presence of a cyanobacteria algal bloom in Lake Tutira and this has caused fish stocks to decline over the past few years. Although this threat is now declining, during the warmer weather when the algae is most likely to be prevalent you can check the conditions by phoning the Hawke's Bay Regional Council on 0800 108 838.
Description Tutira is a large lake of over 200 ha. It is a wildlife refuge, but row boats and kayaks are permitted. Trout are regularly liberated into the lake and it is a very popular fishing venue for young anglers

Summer fishing

During the summer, weed can be a problem. While there is good fishing from most of the shoreline, the western shore is willow-lined and can only be fished from a boat.

Early in the season the fishing from the shore is good but during the warmer months the fish move deeper, necessitating the use of a boat. Fish are also pushed deeper during the warmer months due to the heavy recreational use this lake receives.

Winter fishing

Lake Tutira starts to fish well in July/August as fish start to come in closer to the shore to attempt spawning. After a good southerly with plenty of wind and rain, fish can also be found closer to the edges as they use the conditions to come into the shallow water.
Access

Access is easy as SH2 between Napier-Wairoa runs along the west side of the lake. The other side of the lake is accessible through the gate to the picnic reserve at the southern end.
Methods Lake Tutira is suitable for all methods of fishing although the most successful methods are trolling, harling or casting a lure from a boat.

There is is good easily accessible shore-based fishing especially during spring and autumn. A slow-sinking line and dragonfly imitation (such as Hamill's Killer) fished along the weed beds is particularly effective.
Recommended lures Nymphs: Small (14 to 16) lightly weighted nymphs such as Stonefly, Pheasant Tail, and Hare and Copper fished along the edge of weed beds using a floating line. Halfback and Globugs are also good options.

Dry flies: Although Lake Tutira is not noted as a dry fly water, fish can be caught on cicadas, crickets and beetle patterns and other terrestrial insects that get blown onto the lake during the warmer months.

Wet flies: Hamill's Killer, Red Setter, Mrs Simpson, Parsons' Glory and Woolly Buggers are good options to start with throughout the year.

Spinners: Tobys are effective when trolled or try small Veltics cast along weed beds.
Related waters The small Lake Waikopiro nearby also holds fish.
Regulations
Applicable to Lake Tutira
Boats Motorised craft are prohibited on Lake Tutura to ensure the noxious aquatic weed Hydrilla is not spread. Row boats and canoes are permitted though ensure they are clean before using them.
 F&G region Hawke's Bay Fish & Game region regulations apply
Season All year
Methods

Artificial fly, spinner
Bag limit 4
Size limit (cm) 350mm minimum

Other fishing waters of the region



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