Fishing Spots in Ruapehu
From trophy fishing in Lake Otamangakau or
the Whakapapa River to sight fishing for large trout in smaller streams and
rivers, Ruapehu caters to all types of anglers.
With secluded and sparsely
trafficked locations, Ruapehu has a multitude of tranquil waterways to fish.
The most well-known spots for good fishing include the Whanganui
River, Whakapapa River, Manganui o te Ao River, Mangawhero River, Retaruke
River, Ongarue River, and the Tokiharu and Waitaiki Streams.
You can get more
information on Ruapehu's best fishing spots by contacting one of the local isites, or visiting the Fish &
Game Angler Access Map.
Fishing Licences for Ruapehu and Taupō
Visitors who want to go freshwater fishing in Ruapehu will need a licence from Fish and Game New Zealand.
All Fish & Game
fishing licences (apart from Local Area) can be used anywhere in New Zealand
except the Taupō area, which is administered by the Department of Conservation
(DOC).
For fishing in Taupō area (which is shown on the access map below) you'll need a DOC Taupo Licence. For information on the DOC Taupō Trout Fishery, visit here.
- Buy a Fish & Game Licence here
- Buy a Taupo Fishing Licence here.
Ruapehu Fishing Guides
Local fishing guides are readily available. These experts can show you their favourite
spots, assist with licences, and help with obtaining permission to cross
private land where required. Sometimes a familiar face is all it takes!
The Ruapehu area covers three Fish & Game regions (Auckland/Waikato,
Taranaki, and Wellington) and the DOC Taupo Trout fishery. Fisheries in each
region are managed separately.
Where to Find Ruapehu Fishing Area Information
For areas managed by Fish & Game, visit the Fish & Game Access Map or the Fish & Game website.
They offer information on fishing regulations including when rivers are open or closed and daily bag limits, and where to go fishing e.g., Angler Access points and public access areas.
On the map, rivers open today are shown in blue, and
closed rivers are shown in red. Select the rivers or access points for more
information. You can zoom out to see the boundaries for each Fish & Game region,
and the DOC Taupo Trout Fishery.
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The Best Places to go Fishing in Ruapehu
Te Manganui-o-te-ao River
A favourite among local and returning anglers, the Manganui-o-tea-o River is a
heritage river rich in beautiful native scenery. Flowing through native bush
and local farmland this river offers a diverse range of fishable waters with
its high water quality, large boulders, overhanging bush, deep pools and papa
ledges. It is recommended only experienced anglers fish this river as the
waters are fast-flowing and there are many obstacles.
A common fishing spot on the
Manganui-o-tea-o River is the Ruatiti Domain, located 22kms west of Ohakune. This area is open year-round for fishing
and also has free camping facilities available.
The Whanganui River
In a remote backcountry setting, the
Whanganui River and its tributaries provide top quality Brown and Rainbow trout
fishing for intermediate to advanced anglers. Its waters are in the Tongariro National Park, running through native
forest, over shingle and stone beds with deep pools and small rapids. The
waters eventually exit into the Tasman Sea, through the city of Whanganui. The
water is generally clean, sometimes with a slight tinge of colour, which can
assist in fishing by making it easier to approach trout without spooking them.
The Whanganui river has also hosted both Commonwealth and World Fly Fishing Championships,
drawing anglers from around the globe to its pristine waters. It's a testament
to the river's allure and the appeal of its abundant trout population. Whether
you're a seasoned angler or just appreciate the beauty of a well-cast line, the
Whanganui River offers an unforgettable experience.
Whakapapa River
The Whakapapa River, with its extremely clear waters and turbulent rapids,
begins on the slopes of Mt Ruapehu before eventually joining on to the Whanganui
River near Kakahi. One of New Zealand’s finest trout fisheries, but certainly
not for the faint-hearted. The upper
reaches of this river are for the more experienced angler, the depth of the
waters is deceiving and the current is a lot stronger than it looks. The lower
areas of the river are the most popular with fishing enthusiasts, being easier to access and navigate, with the fish count a lot higher than the upper sections
of the river.
Ongarue River
The upper and middle reaches of the Ongarue River provide excellent fly fishing
waters. Its clear waters run over a gravel and stone bed, with bankside
vegetation providing great trout habitation. The river is small in size
allowing easy movement up and downstream.
The Mangawhero River
The Mangawhero River begins on the western banks of Mt Ruapehu and runs through the township of
Ohakune before eventually connecting with the Whangaehu River. The upper
Mangawhero River contains mostly Brown Trout from 1.5 kgs. Mangawhero River access can be found
from public land within Ohakune itself and off Burns Street. During spawning
season the Mangawhero is closed from the Waimarino Golf Club Bridge.
Tokiahuru and Waitaiki Streams
Found in the Karioi State Forest, a short drive from Ohakune township on Mt
Ruapehu's southern slopes. These streams are characterized by clear, cold, fast
water over the gravelled bottom with springs in the headwaters and vegetation
to hold back the rainfall.
It's great to keep in mind that the Tokiahuru and
Waitaiki Streams can still be fished when other locations are in spate and
discoloured by heavy rain.
The Tongariro River
The Tongariro River at the southern
end of Lake Taupo is considered one of the best trout fishing rivers in the world. Located just a short drive from most towns and villages in the Ruapehu
region
