Last updated October 2026
Lake Ohakuri is the long, narrow hydro lake on the Waikato River above the Ohakuri Dam, near Atiamuri and about 45 minutes north of Taupō. It holds rainbow and brown trout and a good population of smelt, and it is open all year.
Most anglers troll or harl from a boat, or anchor in a sheltered bay to spin or fly fish. The lake is outside the Taupō fishery, so you need a Fish & Game licence here, not a Taupō licence, and bait is allowed.
At a Glance
- Location
- Waikato River above the Ohakuri Dam, near Atiamuri, about 45 minutes north of Taupō
- Water
- Fresh: Lake Ohakuri (Waikato River)
- Main species
- Rainbow and brown trout
- Methods
- Fly, spin and bait; trolling and harling from boats are the most popular
- Season
- Open all year
- Hours
- No fishing between midnight and 5am
- Licence
- Fish & Game licence (Eastern region rules); a Taupō licence does not apply
- Access
- Boat ramps at the dam, up the Whirinaki Arm and at Ōrākei Kōrako
- Tides
- None; the lake level rises and falls with power generation
- Suits
- Boat anglers; shore anglers who can find a gap in the weed
No tides. The level rises and falls with power generation at the Ohakuri Dam; sheltered bays and summer evenings usually fish best.
Setting and Background
Lake Ohakuri is the largest artificial lake on the Waikato River, covering about 12 square kilometres. The dam was built between 1956 and 1960, and the lake was filled over just 14 days in January and February 1961. The water looks dark but is usually very clear.
The rising water drowned about two-thirds of the Ōrākei Kōrako geothermal field, including the Minginui and Ōrākei Kōrako geysers, once among the largest in the world. At the head of the lake the water narrows into a channel between bush-covered banks, with the white terraces of the Ōrākei Kōrako geothermal park on the eastern side.
Today the lake is busy with boats in summer. The sheltered water draws wakeboarders and waterskiers, especially in the Whirinaki Arm, and the lake level can rise and fall sharply as Mercury runs the power station. Mercury publishes the current level online.
There is a lot of aquatic weed in the lake. Trout shelter and feed around the weed beds, but the weed makes shore casting hard and fouls trolled lures, so most of the better fishing is done from a boat.
How to Fish Lake Ohakuri
Where and when
The three main access points, the dam, the Whirinaki Arm and the head of the lake at Ōrākei Kōrako, also lead to the best water. Many anglers anchor in one of the quiet bays and spin or fly fish from the boat.
Fly fishing is best on summer evenings when trout are rising, and nymphs work from late spring into early autumn. In summer the trout go deep, so trollers use lead core line or add weight about a metre above the lure.
Below the dam
The Waikato River below the Ohakuri Dam runs a short way before it enters Lake Atiamuri. It fishes best when a good flow is coming through the dam, with a spinner or a wet fly, and both banks can be reached after a short walk from the road.
What to catch and what to use
- Rainbow and brown trout: found through the lake, often around the weed beds. Smelt are a main food, so smelt-coloured lures and streamers make sense.
- Spinners: the Tokoroa Chicken is the local favourite, with a black Toby, dark Tasmanian Devils or Cobras as alternatives, on a 2 m rod with about 3 kg line.
- Day streamers: Grey Ghost, Parson’s Glory and Rabbit patterns; Hamill’s Killer and Mrs Simpson around the weed beds.
- Evening flies: Fuzzy Wuzzy, Black Marabou and Craig’s Night-time.
- Nymphs: Hare and Copper, Pheasant Tail and Halfback in sizes 12 to 14, cast from a stationary boat and retrieved slowly.
- Bait and soft baits: both are allowed. Whole fish used as bait must come from Ohakuri itself.
Getting There and Facilities
- Dam ramp: off Ohakuri Road, which crosses the dam. A short access road runs down to a grassy clearing and a ramp on the western shore, just upstream of the dam.
- Whirinaki Arm reserve: on Whirinaki Valley Road, about 4.5 km south of Ngakuru. Rotorua Lakes Council lists a boat ramp, public toilets, picnic tables and electric barbecues.
- Ōrākei Kōrako: a ramp at the head of the lake gives access to the upper reaches.
- Shore fishing: possible in places, but the weed makes it hard. Look for clear water near the ramps and reserves.
- Supplies: there are no tackle shops at the lake. Buy your licence, bait and lures before you leave Taupō.
- Rubbish: take everything home with you.
Rules and Safety
Licence and rules
- Licence: a Fish & Game licence, which covers all of New Zealand except the Taupō fishery. Carry it and show it to a Fish & Game ranger on request.
- Rule set: Lake Ohakuri is in the Eastern Fish & Game region. Check the current Eastern regulations for limits before you go.
- Season and hours: open all year, with no fishing between midnight and 5am.
- Methods: fly, spin and bait. Use a rod and running line; a set rod is allowed only when fishing from a boat. No chemical attractants on lures.
- Boats: anchor with no more than two anchors or a GPS anchor.
Safety
- The lake level can rise and fall sharply when the power station is running. Watch your boat and gear at the shore.
- Keep well away from the dam and the line strung across the lake just upstream of it.
- Expect fast boats and waterskiers in summer, especially in the Whirinaki Arm. Fish the quieter bays and wear a lifejacket in a small boat or float tube.
- Weed can wrap around propellers and lines, so check your motor and lure often.
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Common Questions
Do I need a Taupō licence for Lake Ohakuri?
No. Ohakuri is outside the Taupō fishery and is in the Eastern Fish & Game region, so you need a Fish & Game licence.
What fish are in Lake Ohakuri?
Rainbow and brown trout. The lake also has a good smelt population, which the trout feed on.
Is Lake Ohakuri open all year?
Yes, but no fishing is allowed between midnight and 5am.
Can I use bait at Lake Ohakuri?
Yes. Fly, spin and bait are all allowed. Whole fish used as bait must come from the lake itself.
What is the best way to fish it?
Trolling or harling from a boat is the most popular. Anchoring in a sheltered bay to spin or fly fish also works, and summer evenings are good for fly fishing.
Can I fish from the shore?
In places, but there is a lot of weed along the edges. Most of the better fishing is reached by boat.
Where are the boat ramps?
At the dam off Ohakuri Road, at the Whirinaki Arm reserve on Whirinaki Valley Road, and at Ōrākei Kōrako at the head of the lake.
Does the lake level change?
Yes, it can rise and fall sharply with power generation. Check Mercury’s lake levels page before you go.
Spotted something incorrect on this page? Let us know.
Related links 3
- Fish & Game Eastern regulations 2026/27: seasons, methods and limits for Lake Ohakuri and the Waikato hydro lakes.
- Mercury lake levels: current levels for Ohakuri and the other Waikato hydro lakes.
- Rotorua Lakes Council: Whirinaki Arm reserve: facilities at the Whirinaki Arm boat ramp and reserve.