Looking for the best fishing stores in Taupo? The Lake Taupō fishery draws anglers from around the world, and a good fishing shop in Taupo is where you pick up the right flies, fly lines, lures and waders for the lake and its rivers, along with local advice on what the trout are taking. Taupo Rod & Tackle and Hamills Taupo sit in the town centre, and the list runs south to Tūrangi on the Tongariro River.
1Taupo Rod & Tackle
Taupo Rod & Tackle is a Tamamutu Street tackle shop specialising in trout fishing equipment, covering fly fishing as well as spinning, trolling, harling and jigging. It carries a large fly tying section alongside its own tested fly patterns for the Taupō fishery, and suits both visiting anglers travelling light and locals who tie their own flies.
Services
- Fly rods, fly reels and fly lines, including trout spey and Euro nymph gear
- Fly tying tools, hooks, beads, feathers, furs and synthetic materials
- Flies, lures and spinners, including Tasmanian Devil, Toby and Rapala
- Rental gear: fly fishing and spinning outfits plus waders
- Introductions to local fly fishing guides and charter boat operators
Highlights
- Stocks fly rods from Echo, G. Loomis, Loop, Orvis and TFO
- Saltwater fly rods, reels, lines and tying materials as well as freshwater
- Orders taken by phone and email from its online catalogue
- Parking directly in front of the shop
Location & Contact
Name: Taupo Rod & Tackle
Address: 4 Tamamutu Street, Taupo 3330
Phone: 07 378 5337
Website: tauporodandtackle.co.nz
2Hamills Taupo
Hamills Taupo is an independent, locally owned hunting, fishing and outdoors store on Tongariro Street, run by owners Saran and Amy since late 2017. Its fishing range covers fly fishing rods, reels and tools, with river-specific fly packs for the main Taupō streams, and it suits anglers who also hunt or camp and want everything under one roof.
Services
- Fly fishing rod and reel combos, fly reels and tackle boxes
- River fly packs for the Tongariro, Waitahanui, Hinemaiaia and Tauranga Taupo rivers
- Hunting gear, optics, thermal imaging and knives
- Camping gear, tents, shelters and sleeping bags
Highlights
- Part of the Hamills name founded by Bill Hamill in Rotorua in 1955, with each store individually owned
- Stock hand picked to suit the Taupō region
- Open 7 days, with online ordering and click and collect
- Supporter of the NZDA and The Sika Foundation
Location & Contact
Name: Hamills Taupo
Address: 109 Tongariro Street, Taupo 3330
Phone: 07 378 5665
Website: hamillstaupo.co.nz
3Hunting & Fishing Taupo (Fly & Gun)
Hunting & Fishing Taupo, known locally as Fly & Gun, is the Gascoigne Street branch of the Hunting & Fishing New Zealand group. It carries freshwater and saltwater fishing tackle together with hunting, camping and boating gear, and suits anglers wanting a broad range of mainstream brands and extended weekend hours.
Services
- Freshwater rods, reels, combos and line
- Flies, lures and softbaits
- Waders and wading boots
- Saltwater tackle, terminal tackle, nets and gaffs
- Boating gear, downriggers and fishing electronics
Highlights
- Part of a group started in Palmerston North in 1986 that now runs 40 stores nationwide
- Group fishing range includes Simms, Shimano, Daiwa, Okuma and Penn
- Open 7 days, including Sunday mornings from 9am
Location & Contact
Name: Hunting & Fishing Taupo (Fly & Gun)
Address: 27 Gascoigne Street, Taupo 3330
Phone: 07 378 4449
Website: huntingandfishing.co.nz/store-locator/taupo_fly_gun
4Sportinglife Turangi
Sportinglife Turangi is a fly fishing and outdoor sports shop in the Tūrangi Town Centre, about 50 kilometres south of Taupo near the Tongariro River at the southern end of the lake. Owner operated since 1968, it is staffed by fly fishers and suits anglers heading for the Tongariro and the lake’s southern tributaries.
Services
- Fly rods, reels and lines, including spey, trout spey and Euro nymph set-ups
- Flies, including heavy nymphs, dry flies, wee wets and egg patterns
- Fly tying hooks, threads, beads and materials
- Breathable and neoprene waders, wading boots and fishing vests
- Guided fly fishing trips, half day, full day or multi day
Highlights
- Owner operated since 1968
- Publishes a regular Tongariro River fishing report with flows and weather
- Carries Sage, Simms, Patagonia, RIO, Scientific Anglers and Guideline
- Guides are members, or working towards membership, of the New Zealand Professional Fishing Guides Association
Location & Contact
Name: Sportinglife Turangi
Address: 60 Turangi Town Centre, Tūrangi 3334
Phone: 07 386 8996
Website: sportinglife-turangi.co.nz
Fishing Stores in Taupo at a Glance
| Business | Highlight |
|---|---|
| Taupo Rod & Tackle | Stocks fly rods from Echo, G. Loomis, Loop, Orvis and TFO |
| Hamills Taupo | Part of the Hamills name founded by Bill Hamill in Rotorua in 1955 |
| Hunting & Fishing Taupo (Fly & Gun) | Part of a group started in Palmerston North in 1986 that now runs 40... |
| Sportinglife Turangi | Owner operated since 1968 |
How to Choose the Right Fishing Store in Taupo
- Fly fishing depth: if you fish the rivers, look for a store with a serious range of fly rods, fly lines, tippet and locally proven flies rather than a small general tackle corner.
- Lake gear: for trolling, harling and jigging on the lake, check the shop stocks lead line, downrigger gear and lures such as Tasmanian Devils and Tobys.
- Local knowledge: staff who fish the Tongariro, Waitahanui and Hinemaiaia can tell you which patterns and methods are working right now.
- Rental gear: visitors travelling light should ask about rod, reel and wader hire before buying a full outfit.
- Guides and charters: some tackle shops run or recommend guides and charter boats, which is useful if you are new to the fishery.
Frequently Asked Questions About Taupo Fishing Stores
Do I need a licence to fish Lake Taupō and its rivers?
Yes. The Lake Taupō district, including the lake, its tributaries and the Waikato River down to Huka Falls, has its own licence administered by the Department of Conservation, and a Fish & Game licence does not cover it. Taupō licences are sold online through DOC’s Taupō fishing licence store, so buy one before your first trip.
What gear do I need for fly fishing the Tongariro River?
Most anglers use a 6 to 8 weight fly rod, a floating or sinking line depending on the season, fluorocarbon tippet, waders and wading boots, and a box of nymphs, egg patterns and streamers. A fishing store in Taupo or Tūrangi can match your line and flies to the current river flows.
Can I hire fishing gear in Taupo?
Yes. Some tackle shops hire fly fishing and spinning outfits and waders by the day, which suits visitors who have not brought their own gear. Ask what is included, as fly outfits often come with a line and landing net.
Where is the fishing shop nearest the Tongariro River?
Tūrangi, at the southern end of Lake Taupō, is the base for Tongariro River anglers and has its own fly fishing shop in the town centre. In Taupo itself, fishing stores are clustered in the town centre around Tongariro, Tamamutu and Gascoigne streets, close to the lakefront and the Waikato River.
What lures work for trolling on Lake Taupō?
Spoon-style and minnow lures such as Tasmanian Devils, Tobys and Cobras are standard for trolling and harling the lake, often fished on lead line or a downrigger. A local tackle shop can tell you which colours and depths are working at the time.
Are there rules on fishing methods in the Taupō fishery?
Yes. The Taupō fishery has its own bag limits, minimum sizes and method restrictions, and some rivers are fly fishing only. Check the current Taupō Trout Fishery rules and regulations from DOC before you head out.
Do fishing stores in Taupo sell fly tying materials?
Yes. Fly tying is popular in the region, and specialist fishing stores in Taupo and Tūrangi stock hooks, beads, threads, feathers, furs and synthetic materials, along with vices and tools for tying your own trout flies.
How We Chose the Best Fishing Stores in Taupo
Every business in this guide was found by searching for fishing stores 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.