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Wilson's Dam

Wilson's Dam is located off State Highway One, just north of Ruakaka on Prescott Road. This dam was created as a water supply reservoir for the local area and is now regularly stocked by Fish and Game with both rainbow and brown trout.
Fish type Rainbow and brown trout averaging just under a kilogram and reaching up to 2kg
Situation Wilson's Dam is located off State Highway near the township of Ruakaka.
Map

See the Google Map for access.

Check conditions View MetService weather forecast.
Description With very limited spawning areas Wilson's Dam is described as a "put and take" fishery as most trout present in the lake are in fact part of an annual release by Fish and Game. Consequently there are reasonable number of fish in the reservoir. Both brown and rainbow trout are present.

Due to the high temperatures in summer most fish head to deeper water during the hotter periods and as boats are not allowed on this lake winter is the best time to target the fish which come in to feed in the shallows when the water temperature cools.  During autumn and spring there can be good fishing in the evenings.

Access Access can be gained from Presotts road at a couple of points but both do require a walk to reach the reservoir. At the end of Sail Rock Road there's a large parking lot at the base of the dam wall. Anglers can then  walk from there to the edge of the reservoir. See the Wilson's Dam access map.
Recommended tackle All methods are legal.
Recommended lures

Nymphs:
In the upper and middle reaches, lightly weighted stoneflies and mayfly patterns such as Pheasant  and Tail, Halfbacksand Hare and Copper in sizes 14 to 16 fished around the weed beds

Dry flies:
Flies that imitate any terrestrial insects that get blown on the lake. In spring and autumn small adams and midge patterns can work on still evenings.

Wet flies / Streamers:
Use small wee-wets such as March Brown, Red Governor and Hardies during the evening rise when fish and flies such as Mrs Simpsons and Kilwells that imitate small bullies.

Spinners:

Black and gold Tobys and silver Tobys and small bladed spinners such as Mepps or Veltic.

Bait is also permitted (though this may not be any part of a fish)

Tributaries There are no tributaries
Regulations
Applicable to Wilson's Dam
Region Northland regulations
Season All year
Methods Artificial fly, spinner and bait.
Bag limit 2
Size limit (cm) Trout: 300mm minimum.
Boats No boats are allowed on the lake making shoreline fishing the only option

Other fishing waters of the region



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