Last updated October 2026
The Waiotaka River is a small, meandering river that enters Lake Taupō at Stump Bay, about 7 km north of Tūrangi. Large brown trout shelter in its lower reaches over summer and a healthy run of rainbows comes through in winter.
Anglers fish the wide, shallow mouth at the end of Frethey Drive and walk the banks above State Highway 1. It is fly fishing only, part of the river is closed, and you need a Taupō fishing licence from DOC.
At a Glance
- Location
- Stump Bay, off State Highway 1, about 7 km north of Tūrangi
- Main catch
- Brown trout in the lower reaches in summer; rainbow trout on the winter run
- Method
- Fly fishing only, river and mouth
- Lower river
- Open all year
- Middle river
- Closed through the prison land
- Upper river
- Open 1 December to 31 May
- Hours
- No fishing between midnight and 5am
- Access
- Frethey Drive to the Stump Bay car park, then a pumice track to the mouth
- Gear
- Floating line; many anglers use an 8 weight
- Licence
- Taupō fishing licence from DOC
No tides. The lake level decides how far you can wade at the shallow mouth, and smelt runs bring the trout in.
The Background
The Waiotaka rises in Kaimanawa Forest Park and crosses Department of Corrections and iwi land on its way to the lake. The lower reaches are lined with willows. Upstream of Rongomai marae the river opens out into runs and riffles. It is easy to miss where it passes under State Highway 1.
From above, Frethey Drive runs from the highway to a car park on the lakeshore at Stump Bay, with grass, a few trees and a long sandy shore curving away to the north-east. The river reaches the lake to the west of the car park, through wetland and scrub, and a track runs along the shore toward it.
The mouth is very shallow, with extensive shallows before the lake drops away some distance offshore. That makes it a mouth for wading and a floating line rather than for long casts into deep water.
How to Fish the Waiotaka River
The mouth
Early summer is excellent in the shallows when the smelt are running. Fish a floating line with a light-coloured smelt fly by day and a very dark fly in the evening. When the lake is low you can wade roughly 100 m out to where the bottom drops away. Take care after dark, and know your way back to shore.
Above State Highway 1
Between the highway and the mouth the river is narrow and overgrown, and hard to fish. Above the highway a walkway follows the true left bank for about 4 to 5 km, reached from two tracks just south of the SH1 bridge.
Dense bank vegetation makes casting difficult, so the river sees little pressure. Large fish run up in winter, and resident fish can be seen all year in the clear water. The banks are steep: stand a little above the water and carry a long-handled net.
What to catch and what to use
- Brown trout: large fish shelter in the lower reaches over summer.
- Rainbow trout: a healthy run comes through in winter.
- Methods: nymphing is the most popular, and dry flies work well in summer.
- Gear: a floating line, as most of the river is very shallow. Many anglers use an 8 weight to keep big fish out of the snags.
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, calls it both the Waiotaka River and the Waiotaka Stream. It sets the reaches, seasons, daily limit and minimum size, so check the current notice and DOC’s district map.
- Fly only: the whole river is fly fishing only, with no bait.
- Reaches: the lower river is open all year. The stretch inside the Tongariro/Rangipo Prison boundaries, from about 2 km upstream of the Hautu Ford on Waiotaka Road to the edge of Kaimanawa Forest Park, is closed at all times. Above the forest park boundary the river is open 1 December to 31 May.
- Mouth: the Waiotaka 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: no fishing from the State Highway 1 bridge, as with every state highway bridge in the district.
- Hours: no fishing between midnight and 5am.
- Footwear: felt-soled boots are not permitted.
Safety
- The pumice off the track to the mouth is very soft. Walk it, or take great care if driving.
- The drop-off beyond the shallows is a long way out. Wade it only when the lake is low, and not alone after dark.
- The river is small but has some deeper pools, and some tracks are eroded.
Getting There and Facilities
- Mouth: heading north on State Highway 1, turn onto Frethey Drive about 300 m past the Waiotaka bridge. It ends at the Stump Bay car park, and a pumice track leads on to the mouth. For swimming and the reserve itself, see our Stump Bay guide.
- Middle reaches: the bank walkway starts from two tracks just south of the SH1 bridge. A signposted vehicle track leads to the Waiotaka Fishing Pools.
- Upper river: Waiotaka Road is the signposted route toward the upper limit of winter fishing, reached from Tūrangi by Korohe Road or the Grace Road intersection. It has a vehicle ford and leads to the prison. The only road beyond is a prison road, and permission to use it is not given. Parking along the river is limited.
- Supplies: buy what you need in Tūrangi.
Tackle and Bait Nearby
- Sporting Life, 60 Turangi Town Centre, Tūrangi, sells fly lines, streamers and nymphs, runs guided trips and posts regular fishing reports.
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Common Questions
Where is the Waiotaka River mouth?
At Stump Bay, about 7 km north of Tūrangi. Take Frethey Drive off State Highway 1, just north of the Waiotaka bridge.
Is the Waiotaka fly fishing only?
Yes, the whole river and the mouth zone are fly fishing only.
Is the whole river open?
No. The lower river is open all year and the upper river from 1 December to 31 May, but the stretch through the prison land is closed at all times.
What flies work at the mouth?
A light-coloured smelt fly by day and a very dark fly in the evening, on a floating line.
Can I wade out at the mouth?
When the lake is low you can wade roughly 100 m out to the drop-off. Take care, especially after dark.
What trout are in the river?
Large brown trout in the lower reaches over summer, and a run of rainbows in winter.
Can I drive to the mouth?
Frethey Drive goes to the Stump Bay car park. The pumice beside the track to the mouth is very soft, so walking is the better choice.
Do I need a licence?
Yes, a Taupō fishing licence from DOC, bought online.
Spotted something incorrect on this page? Let us know.
Related links 3
- DOC Waiotaka River: access, reaches, seasons and hazards.
- Anglers Notice for Taupō District 2026: the official reach boundaries, closed water and mouth rules.
- DOC Taupō fishery rules: hours, fly fishing rules and the district map.