Stillwater · Volcanic · Bay of Plenty

Lake Tarawera

Panoramic view of Lake Tarawera with geothermal steam rising near the shoreline

Tarawera is the trophy lake of the Rotorua district — deep, clear and cooler than Rotorua, it grows the biggest rainbows around, fish that hold over the cold springs and run the tributaries in season.

Marginal · Rainbow
Grey Ghost · 4-8
A patient day, if you fancy it
Good wave on — drift country. Slow going — pick your moments and do not force it.
40% confidence
limited data
What moved it
  • WindW 12 km/hGentle breeze · Gusts to 40 km/h
Today's fly
Grey Ghost
Grey Ghost4-8
Proven pattern for this period
Conditions on the water
Live gauge
Wind
Gentle breeze · Gusts to 40 km/h
W 12 km/h
N
W
from the west
Wave20 cm ripple
Water temp
Air temp6°C
CloudClear
Pressure1011 hPa
Rain · recent0.0 mm

Some readings unavailable — check directly before fishing.

How these readings are sourced

Weather-only: no live gauge. Read wind, water temperature and the cold-water springs/mouths.

How to fish it · for Rainbow
When
No strong hatch signals at the moment — general searching tactics should work best. The ripple is helpful — fish should move onto the feed and a slow-drifted team or single wet will cover water well.
Where
Set up a broadside drift and cover the water systematically. Work a bushy searching pattern on the bob and drop a contrasting nymph on the point. Keep a sedge-style dry or emerger on a short leader for the evening rise.
The plan
Plan A

Set up a broadside drift and cover the water systematically. Work a bushy searching pattern on the bob and drop a contrasting nymph on the point. Keep a sedge-style dry or emerger on a short leader for the evening rise.

Plan B

If the main plan is not working, switch to a smaller, more imitative pattern fished slower and deeper. A change of drift angle can also make a difference.

Watch for

Evening tends to be the best period in summer — stay late if you can for a sedge or spinner fall.

Boat — drift

A gentle ripple is ideal for drifting — broadside drift covering the wind lanes should be productive.

Sub-surface · on the nymphunder the surface

Hatch predictions

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Beyond the hatch · worth watchingambient prey

Hatch predictions

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Through the year
0–3 scale · July highlighted
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Brown BeetleHatch
2
3
2
Black MidgeHatch
2
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
2
Murrough (Great Red Sedge)Hatch
1
2
1
Lake OliveHatch
1
2
2
2
2
2
1

Numbers are intensity 0 (none) to 3 (peak) — a guide, not a guarantee.

Ranked for today
Rainbow fly box
Permits & access
Permit required — see local rules.
  • Eastern Fish & Game region — a Fish & Game licence is required (NOT a DOC Taupō licence)
  • Check the current Eastern region Anglers Notice.
What's coming
Plan ahead
5-day outlook
Condition match
52%
Cloud25%
Wind65%
Temp60%

A reasonable day here, though cloud isn't quite in the sweet spot.

Other water nearby · 2
Gallery · 2
  1. Panoramic view of Lake Tarawera with geothermal steam rising near the shoreline
    Lake Tarawera, Bay of Plenty
  2. Terrain map of the venue
    Terrain map
About this water

Tarawera is the trophy lake of the Rotorua district — deep, clear and cooler than Rotorua, it grows the biggest rainbows around, fish that hold over the cold springs and run the tributaries in season. Much of it is boat-access fishing, jigging and trolling the drop-offs and working the stream mouths and the hot-water beaches, with fly fishing the cold-water inflows. A scenic, big-fish lake under a famous mountain.

Under the surface

A deep, clear lake beneath the riven dome of Mount Tarawera, whose 1886 eruption reshaped this whole country. Cooler and deeper than its neighbours, it grows the largest rainbows of the district, fish that hold over the cold springs and gather at the stream mouths and the famous hot-water beaches.

Wading: Deep cold lake, sudden weather, boat access fishing — caution

  • Lake
  • Volcanic
  • Stillwater
  • River mouth
Why this score
  • summer conditions with clear skies and breezy wind.
Directions
Seasons & zones
  • Trout year-roundyear-round

    Eastern Fish & Game licence required (not DOC Taupō). Legal status: guidance_not_permission.

Related guides
Booking & contacts