Fishing

The central location of Kawerau provides access to a large range of opportunities for both lake and river fishing.

Lake Tarawera

Lake Tarawera is a deep, clear lake with excellent water quality all year round. Surface water temperatures range from winter lows of 12 degrees Celsius to summer highs of 22 degrees Celsius.   

April to September is when trout spawn and gather in numbers at places like the lake outlet. Vehicle access to this area is from Kawerau and requires an access permit, available from the Information Centre situated on Plunket Street in the centre of Kawerau.

Lake Tarawera is world renowned for the size and condition of the rainbow trout taken from it; many fish in excess of 4kg are caught every year. It is currently illegal to keep wild trout over 65cm in length caught from Lake Tarawera. If the fish is over 65cm, and doesn't have a fin clip or tag, release it carefully back into the water alive so we can use these to produce good numbers of big hatchery fish in years to come.

Lake Rotoma

Lake Rotoma, just over ten minutes drive from Kawerau, is a very deep lake (over 80 metres in places) with crystal clear water. The lake is well stocked with rainbow trout averaging around 1.5 to 2 kg. A small number of tiger trout have also been released into this lake (the only lake in the area that has them), but they are smaller on average than the rainbow trout.

The lake is open all year to boaties, but shoreline fishing is restricted to 1 October to 30 June each season. 

Tarawera River

Exciting fishing exists in the forests above Kawerau and an access permit is required to get into the area. A permit can be obtained from the Information Centre located on Plunket Street in the centre of Kawerau.

The best access is from River Road and rainbow trout averaging 1.5 kg are present in high numbers in swift water.

Ruruanga Stream

The Ruruanga Stream flows through Kawerau's Stoneham Walkway and past the town. This stream is a junior angler fishery where children under 14 years of age can brush up on their techniques in a safe environment.