Home → Northland → Northland: Where to Fish → Whau Valley Dam

Whau Valley Dam

The Whau Valley Dam is the main source of water for the city of Whangarei. It was instructed in the 1950s and is fed by two small tributary streams that flow out of the native bush catchments of the Pukenui Forest.
Fish type Rainbow and brown trout.
Situation Whau Valley Dam is on the outskirts of the city of Whangarei, a 5 minute drive from the city.
Maps

Access map
Check conditions View the MetService weather forecast.
Description Whau Valley Dam provides excellent habitat for both rainbow and brown trout. Most of the fish in the lake had been liberated by Fish and Game though it also supports a small population of self sustaining brown trout that spawn in the two small forest stream tributaries
Fish numbers and size Most rainbow trout are stocked (from the Ngongotaha hatchery) and average around 1kg. Some wild brown trout are also present and there are reports of very large browns being caught, especially during the winter months.
Access Whau Valley Dam can be reached on the Whau Valley Road of SH1. Most angling is restricted to around the carpark area though there are some rough tracks that give further fishing access. See the Whau Valley Dam access map.
Methods Fly and spin fishing are both legal and young anglers can use baits such as worms, bread dough and insects
Recommended tackle Light tackle is recommended. Fly rods in weights 4 - 6 and spin rods capable of casting 5 - 10 gram weights.
Recommended lures

Nymphs: Hare and Copper, Pheasant Tail, Halfback, Caddis patterns such as the Horn Caddis, Black and Peacock, or a small San Juan Worm.

Dry flies: Flies that represent wind-blown terrestrials such as dragon flies. Daddy Long Legs and Coch-y-Bondu, Cicada patterns and Green Beetle in summer. Sam's Fancy and Damsel Fly.

Wet flies: Koura (freshwater crayfish) and bully imitation flies.

Night time: Black Phantom, Craig's Night Time, Fuzzy Wuzzy, Scotch Poacher, Black Marabou, Hairy Dog or any black fly that swims well.

Day time:  Hamill's' Killer, Mrs Simpson, Red Setter, Parson's Glory, Invicta, March Brown, Rabbit patterns such as Orange Rabbit, Muddler Minnow, Woolly Bugger.

Spinners: Black Toby, Veltic and mepps in green, black and red
Tributaries There are 5 small tributaries but all are closed to fishing.
Regulations
Applicable to Whau Valley Dam
Region Northland region regulations
Season All Year
Methods Fly spin and bait (No boats are allowed)
Bag limit 3 fish
Size limit (cm) 30cm

Other fishing waters of the region



NZFishing.com

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

Advertise Here