The best fishing charters in Taupo put you on Lake Taupo with a skipper who knows where the rainbow and brown trout are feeding, whether that is off the town front or in the bush-fringed Western Bays. A fishing charter in Taupo is usually booked by the hour for the whole boat, with tackle supplied and methods such as downrigger trolling, harling and jigging on offer for beginners and experienced anglers alike. Skippered operators such as White Striker Charters and Taupo Lake Adventures work out of Taupo Boat Harbour on Redoubt Street, a short walk from the town centre.
1White Striker Charters
White Striker Charters is a Lake Taupo trout fishing charter run by skipper Richard Staines, who was born and bred in Taupo and has more than 30 years operating charter boats on the lake. Trips run aboard White Striker IV from Taupo Marina on Redoubt Street, and suit small groups and families as well as keen anglers, with no experience necessary.
Services
- Private trout fishing charters on Lake Taupo (minimum two hours)
- Scenic sightseeing cruises (minimum one hour)
- Catch cleaned and bagged, with trout smoking arranged on request
- Fishing licences arranged
- Gift vouchers
Highlights
- Skipper Richard Staines has over 30 years operating charter boats on Lake Taupo
- Licensed for up to 8 people
- White Striker IV has a fully equipped galley, and your trout can be cooked aboard
- Top quality fishing tackle supplied at no extra charge
Location & Contact
Name: White Striker Charters
Address: Berth 8A, Taupo Marina, Redoubt Street, Taupo
Phone: 021 144 6916
Website: troutcatching.com
2Taupo Lake Adventures
Taupo Lake Adventures offers skippered trout fishing charters and scenic cruises from Taupo Boat Harbour, with two boats to choose from and one skipper, Nick Reed, who has fished the Taupo fishery since 1987. There is no set schedule: you charter the boat for the time and duration that suits you, which works well for early morning harling or a full day out to the Western Bays.
Services
- Trout fishing charters with deep trolling on downriggers, harling or jigging
- One hour scenic cruise past Acacia Bay to the Māori rock carvings at Mine Bay
- Big Day Out: a six hour minimum cruise to the Western Bays aboard Bravado 3
- All fishing tackle supplied, with complimentary tea or coffee
Highlights
- Bravado 3 is an 11 metre Markline 1100 with a galley, BBQ and toilet, suited to 1 to 15 passengers
- Te Arani II is a 7.2 metre Sea Ray for 1 to 5 passengers, with a quicker run out to the fishing grounds
- Rates are charged per hour for the boat, not per person
- Bring your own food and drinks aboard
Location & Contact
Name: Taupo Lake Adventures
Address: Taupo Boat Harbour, 65 Redoubt Street, Taupo
Phone: 027 471 7650
Website: taupolakeadventures.com
3Chris Jolly Outdoors
Chris Jolly Outdoors is a family-owned Taupo outdoor operator founded in 1980 by Chris and Sue Jolly, running private boat charters on Lake Taupo alongside guided fly fishing, cruises, hiking and biking. For anglers it offers a charter boat for your own private fishing trip or a guide for fly fishing on the rivers, which suits groups, corporate outings and visitors who want to combine fishing with other activities.
Services
- Private fishing charters on Lake Taupo
- Half day and full day guided fly fishing
- Guided rafting and fly fishing trips
- Wilderness heli fishing
- Scenic cruises, including to the Mine Bay rock carvings
Highlights
- Family business founded in 1980
- Fleet includes the Levante, a Riviera 4000 Offshore Sedan for up to six guests with four fishing lines on board
- Waikare II, a 50 ft traditional launch, takes groups of up to 35 people
- Fishing trips can be customised or combined with other activities
Location & Contact
Name: Chris Jolly Outdoors
Address: Berth 4, Taupo Boat Harbour, Redoubt Street, Taupo 3330
Phone: 07 378 0623
Website: chrisjolly.co.nz
4Fish Her Charters
Fish Her Charters operates out of Kinloch Marina, a 20 minute drive from Taupo township, giving direct access to the Western Bays of Lake Taupo, which are reachable only by boat. Skipper Susan Hastie has fished Lake Taupo her whole life and the Western Bays for the last 26 years, and ties her own flies, making this a quiet option for small groups who want bush-fringed bays and views towards Mount Ruapehu.
Services
- Trout fishing charters using trolling, harling, jigging and downrigging
- Fishing charter and Kotukutuku waterfall package
- Scenic cruises to Kawakawa Bay, the Māori carvings and Otupoto Falls
- Water taxi to Kawakawa Bay rock climbing and Waihaha
Highlights
- Based at Kinloch Marina on the western side of the lake
- 6.2 metre Stabicraft hardtop powered by a 130hp Yamaha four stroke
- All fishing gear supplied, with free tea, coffee and baking
- Prices are for the boat, not per person
- Fishing licences available from the skipper
Location & Contact
Name: Fish Her Charters
Address: Kinloch Marina, Kinloch, Lake Taupo
Phone: 027 347 4437
Website: fishher.co.nz
5Lakefun Taupo
Lakefun Taupo is a Lake Taupo watersports hire business that also runs private fishing charters aboard its launch Midknight II, booked from its office on Ferry Road by the boat harbour. Alongside jet ski, kayak and self-drive boat hire, the fishing trips suit groups and first-timers, with no experience needed and all equipment supplied.
Services
- Private fishing charters aboard Midknight II (minimum two hours)
- Private scenic trips to the Māori rock carvings
- Self-drive boat hire
- Jet ski and kayak hire
Highlights
- Three hour fishing trips include a Māori rock carvings visit, weather permitting
- Scenic groups of up to 13 people, including infants and children
- Toilet on board and BYO food and drinks
Location & Contact
Name: Lakefun Taupo
Address: Ferry Road, Taupo
Phone: 0800 876 882
Website: lakefuntaupo.co.nz
Fishing Charters in Taupo at a Glance
| Business | Highlight |
|---|---|
| White Striker Charters | Skipper Richard Staines has over 30 years operating charter boats on... |
| Taupo Lake Adventures | Bravado 3 is an 11 metre Markline 1100 with a galley, BBQ and toilet |
| Chris Jolly Outdoors | Family business founded in 1980 |
| Fish Her Charters | Based at Kinloch Marina on the western side of the lake |
| Lakefun Taupo | Three hour fishing trips include a Māori rock carvings visit |
How to Choose the Right Fishing Charter in Taupo
- Match the boat to your group: small hardtops and runabouts suit two to five anglers, while larger launches with a galley and toilet suit families and groups of ten or more.
- Ask which methods the skipper uses and when: harling works best at first light and dusk, while deep trolling with downriggers and jigging fish the deeper water through the day.
- Check where the boat departs: Taupo Boat Harbour on Redoubt Street is right by town, while Kinloch gives quicker access to the Western Bays.
- Confirm what is included, such as tackle, licences, tea and coffee, filleting or having your catch smoked, and whether you can bring your own food.
- Look at the minimum booking time and whether rates are per boat or per person, as most Lake Taupo charters are priced by the hour for the whole boat.
Frequently Asked Questions About Taupo Fishing Charters
Do I need a fishing licence on a Lake Taupo charter?
Yes. Lake Taupo and its rivers sit within the Taupō fishery, which has its own licence separate from the Fish and Game licence used elsewhere in New Zealand. Some skippers can arrange one for you, or you can buy it online from the Department of Conservation before your trip.
What fish will I catch on a fishing charter in Taupo?
Lake Taupo is a trout fishery, so you are targeting rainbow and brown trout. Skippers use downrigger trolling for the deeper fish, and harling or jigging depending on the time of day and conditions.
How long should I book a fishing charter for?
Most Taupo fishing charters have a two or three hour minimum, and three hours or more gives the skipper time to move between spots. Full day trips to the Western Bays are available from some operators for anglers who want to cover more water.
Is a fishing charter suitable for beginners and children?
Yes. Lake charters are well suited to first-timers because the skipper supplies the tackle, sets up the lines and helps land the fish. Larger launches with a toilet and cabin are the more comfortable choice for families with young children.
Where do fishing charters leave from in Taupo?
Most charter boats berth at Taupo Boat Harbour and Taupo Marina on Redoubt Street, near the Ferry Road end of town. If you are staying on the western side of the lake, charters also run out of Kinloch Marina, about 20 minutes from the town centre, close to the Western Bays.
What is the best time of year to fish Lake Taupo?
Lake Taupo is fished all year round. Early mornings and evenings suit harling in the shallows, while trolling deeper water works through the middle of the day. Check the Department of Conservation Taupō Trout Fishery pages for current bag limits and any seasonal restrictions.
Can I keep and eat the trout I catch?
Yes, within the bag and size limits set for the Taupō fishery. Many charter operators will clean and bag your catch, and some can cook it on board or arrange for it to be smoked.
How We Chose the Best Fishing Charters in Taupo
Every business in this guide was found by searching for fishing charters in Taupo, then checked against what the business publishes itself: its own website, or where it has none, its official social or booking page. Names, addresses and phone numbers come from those pages rather than a directory feed, so what you see here is what the business says about itself. We also check that each one is still trading and is actually based in or genuinely serving Taupo, rather than a national operator running a local landing page. A business we can’t confirm from its own pages is not listed.