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.
Maps
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	Wilsons Dam (Ruakaka) — named Northland schedule row; Rainbow/Brown
Region	Northland region regulations (Fish & Game Northland)
Season	All year
Methods	Artificial fly, spinner, bait. No fishing from any boat or flotation device (Note 5).
Bag limit	3
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. Note 5: No angler shall fish from any boat or flotation device. 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.