Waimarino River Fishing: Small Fly Stream near Tūrangi

Last updated October 2026

The Waimarino River is a very small, bush-lined stream that enters Lake Taupō about 10 km north of Tūrangi. Its shallow pools and runs fill with spawning rainbow trout in winter, and the upper reaches offer dry fly fishing in summer.

The mouth and lower river are reached from the State Highway 1 bridge. The whole river is fly fishing only, and you need a Taupō fishing licence from DOC.

At a Glance

Location

State Highway 1, about 10 km north of Tūrangi

Main catch

Rainbow trout, mainly on the winter spawning runs

Method

Fly fishing only, river and mouth

Lower river

Lake Taupō to the Korohe Crossing sign: open all year

Upper river

Above the Korohe Crossing sign: open 1 December to 31 May

Hours

No fishing between midnight and 5am

Access

SH1 bridge for the mouth and lower river; rough 4WD tracks for the middle reaches

Gear

An 8 weight rod is recommended

Licence

Taupō fishing licence from DOC

Tides

None; the lake level decides how far you can wade at the mouth

Getting to Know The Waimarino River

The Waimarino rises on the western side of the Kaimanawa Range and runs down to the south-eastern shore of Lake Taupō. It is a small river of shallow pools and runs, heavily enclosed by bush, with fallen snags that DOC says can shelter a tremendous number of fish during the winter spawning runs.

From above, State Highway 1 crosses the river a short way back from the lake. Below the bridge the river winds north-west through scrub and wetland to a sandy mouth with small spits on either side. This lower ground is the Waimarino Recreation Reserve, at the northern end of Te Mātāpuna, the South Taupō Wetland, where the community group Project Tongariro is restoring the native cover.

Upstream, the river runs through private exotic forest with no public road, so the upper reaches are for anglers prepared to walk.

How to Fish the Waimarino River

The river

Nymphing is the most popular method. Winter brings the spawning runs, when rainbows push up into the pools and hold under the snags. In summer, walk up to the upper reaches for dry fly fishing.

Light tackle suits a stream this size, but DOC recommends an 8 weight so you can steer big fish away from the snags. Tracks are limited and you will need to wade.

The mouth

The water off the mouth is shallow near shore, with a steep drop-off some distance out. A floating line suits normal conditions.

When Lake Taupō is below 356.4 m you can wade out to the drop-off, so check the lake level before you go. The mouth fishes best after dark, especially from March to May, but remember that fishing stops at midnight.

What to catch and what to use

• Rainbow trout: the main catch, especially on the winter spawning runs.
• Rod: an 8 weight, strong enough to pull fish out of the snags.
• Methods: nymphs in the river, dry flies in summer upstream, and a floating line at the mouth.
• Flies: ask at a Tūrangi tackle shop for the patterns working this week.

Rules and Wading Safety

Rules

• Licence: a Taupō fishing licence from DOC is required, bought online.
• Rule set: the Anglers Notice for Taupō District 2026, in force from 1 July 2026, sets the reaches, seasons, daily limit and minimum size for the Waimarino. Check the current notice and DOC’s district map before you fish.
• Fly only: the whole river is fly fishing only. Split shot and a yarn indicator are allowed, but no float, no weight to help casting, and no bare hooks, spinners or bait on the line or leader.
• Reaches: open all year from the lake up to the sign at the Korohe Crossing. Above the sign, open 1 December to 31 May only.
• Mouth: the Waimarino is one of the listed mouths. Within 200 m of the landmark post it is fly only, with no trolling or jigging and no fishing from a boat.
• Bridge: fishing from any state highway bridge is banned, so fish from the banks, not the SH1 bridge.
• Hours: no fishing between midnight and 5am.
• Footwear: felt-soled boots are not permitted.

Safety

• The river is small but has some deeper pools under the bush.
• The mouth is mostly shallow, then drops away steeply. Look at it in daylight before fishing it after dark.
• Only wade out to the drop-off when the lake is low enough, and wear a wading belt.

Getting There and Facilities

• Mouth and lower river: from the State Highway 1 bridge, about 10 km north of Tūrangi. Pull well off the highway to park.
• Middle reaches: a rough 4WD track runs upstream from the SH1 bridge along the southern bank. A second rough 4WD track from the Korohe road end reaches the river about 2 km further upstream.
• Upper river: walk upriver from those tracks. The river runs through private forest and there is no public road.
• Supplies: there are no facilities at the river. Buy what you need in Tūrangi.

Tackle and Bait Nearby

• Sporting Life, 60 Turangi Town Centre, Tūrangi, sells fly gear, nymphs and dry flies, runs guided trips and posts regular fishing reports.

Further Reading

Common Questions

Is the Waimarino River fly fishing only?
Yes, the whole river and the mouth zone are fly fishing only.

When is the Waimarino open?
The lower river, from the lake to the Korohe Crossing sign, is open all year. Above the sign it is open from 1 December to 31 May.

Where do I get onto the river?
From the State Highway 1 bridge for the mouth and lower river, and by rough 4WD tracks for the middle reaches.

What rod should I use?
DOC recommends an 8 weight, so you can keep large fish out of the snags.

When is the best fishing?
Winter for the spawning rainbows, summer for dry flies on the upper river, and dark evenings from March to May at the mouth.

Can I wade out at the mouth?
When Lake Taupō is below 356.4 m you can wade to the drop-off. Check the lake level first and take care.

Can I fish from the SH1 bridge?
No. Fishing from state highway bridges is banned in the Taupō district.

Do I need a licence?
Yes, a Taupō fishing licence from DOC, bought online.

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