The Kai Iwi Lakes (Lake Kai-Iwi, Lake Taharoa and Lake Waikere) used to offer excellent fly fishing and spin fishing for a large population of rainbow trout in a beautiful setting. Fish and Game unfortunately have stopped stocking the lakes to protect some indigenous fish and the lakes now only contain the odd fish.
| Fish type and size | Very few fish |
| Situation | The three Kai Iwi Lakes are situated about 35km north of Dargaville on the Twin Coast Discovery Tourist Route. |
| Maps | |
| Check conditions | View the MetService weather forecast. |
| Description | The Kai Iwi lakes are deep sand-dune lakes with no rivers or streams flowing either in or out. Consequently Fish & Game used to release trout into Lake Taharoa and Lake Waikere each year. This stopped around 2022 |
| Regulations | |
| Applicable to | Kai Iwi Lakes (Taharoa, Waikere/Waikare, Kai Iwi) — under Northland schedule “All other waters not listed” (not named separately in the current Anglers Notice) |
| Region | Northland region regulations (Fish & Game Northland) |
| Season | All year |
| Methods | Artificial fly, spinner, bait |
| Bag limit | 2 |
| Size limit (cm) | 30 cm minimum for trout (300 mm) |
| Regulations notes | Note 1: Except for Perch and Tench (no daily limit), no angler shall on any one day take and kill or be in possession of more than the prescribed daily limit from the waters specified in the schedule. Note 2: An angler may continue to fish for a particular species on any day on which the angler has already killed a limit bag for that species, provided fish taken are immediately returned with as little injury as possible into the water from which taken. Note 3: In all waters of the region there is a minimum length of 300 mm for trout. Stocking has stopped, but sports fishing rules still apply if trout are taken. Verified 29-09-2026 from Fish & Game Northland Anglers Notice (2025/26 in force until 30-09-2026; 2026/27 from 01-10-2026 — same row for this water). Sources: Northland 2025/26 brochure; Northland 2026/27 brochure; Gazette 2025-gs3978; Gazette 2026-sl4317. |
| Disclaimer — This information is based on the fishing regulations as referenced above. Anglers should always satisfy themselves that they understand the current regulations applicable to their fishing location, season and method before fishing, and are responsible for complying with those regulations. | |