Anglers have been asking about the new regulations on Lake O from 1st July?
DOC Press release: Regulation changes to enhance the Taupō fishery
Introduction
Regulation changes designed to improve trout quality and benefit anglers will be in place for the start of the new fishing season, from 1 July 2026.
The most obvious change for many people will be the increased ‘bag limit’, which increases from six to eight trout. This move aims to increase trout harvest and help maintain a healthy balance between trout and their main food source, smelt.
DOC Taupō Operations Manager Dave Conley says Taupō spawning streams are considered hyper-productive.
“This means recruitment of juvenile fish is extremely high, and harvest is an essential tool to keep numbers in check and maintain a healthy trout population.
“We operate a comprehensive technical monitoring programme which guides regulation changes and helps us to focus our efforts and efficiently deliver a world class wild trout fishery.
“We also listen carefully to the angling community and a number of changes this year reflect this,” Dave says.
A significant regulation change will benefit anglers at Lake Otamangakau. Next season will see the fixed February closure replaced by a more responsive management approach. Weather patterns will be closely monitored and closure decisions tailored according to the heat risk to trout.
Other minor changes are designed to simplify the regulations, making them easier to understand; for example, the regulations around soft baits have been streamlined.
Additionally, to increase fishing opportunities for anglers, fly-only restrictions have been relaxed at the underutilised Otaketake and Waitetoko stream mouths.
DOC manages the Taupō Fishing District as a sustainable wild trout fishery, which attracts thousands of anglers each year, allowing people to enjoy fishing and naturing in the outdoors.
Dave says fishing regulations are designed to protect the future of the fishery.
“To support the regulations we have Fishery Rangers out on the rivers and lakes ensuring everyone follows the rules – helping to protect the fishery we love.”
DOC aims to make trout fishing in the Taupō Fishing District as affordable as possible. In line with that goal, licence fees remain unchanged from previous years, ensuring anglers can access world class trout fishing at a reasonable price.
Taupō District fishing licences are available 24-hours a day, 7 days a week from the website.
Background information
Rules and regulations – what you need to know – updated 1 July to reflect the updated fishing regulations.
DOC manages the Taupō fishery in partnership with Tūwharetoa Māori Trust Board. Information about the unique management structure underpinning the Taupō fishery can be found online:
Rules and regulations – what you need to know
Introduction
Learn about the ‘rules’ governing fishing in the Taupō Fishing District.
The 2024 Taupō Fishery Anglers Notice contains rules which all anglers must comply with. The Taupō Fishery Regulations also contain some additional legal requirements relating to the Taupō Fishery.
Penalties apply to people who fish in the Taupō District without a Taupō fishing licence, or who fail to comply with the rules and regulations of the fishery.
Rules and regulations you must follow
1. Anglers notice and regulations
2. Lake Rotoaira
This lake is managed by the Lake Rotoaira Trust, so the Taupō Fishery Regulations and Anglers Notice do not apply. Lake Rotoaira licences can be purchased through the Taupō fishery ‘online licence store’ or through selected outlets.
3. Size limits
Note: size is measured from tip of the snout to the fork of the tail.
Minimum size is 35 cm except the following:
- Waipakihi River upstream of Rangipo Dam, Lake Moawhango and Lake Otamangakau: no minimum size
- Lake Kuratau and the river upstream of the lake: minimum size is 30 cm.
Maximum size of 55 cm applies at Lake Otamangakau.
4. Daily bag limit
On any day you must stop fishing once you have kept the daily bag limit of trout:
- Lake Kuratau and Moawhango and the Waipaki River upstream of the Rangipo Dam: no daily bag limit.
- Lake Otamangakau, two trout per day regardless of species.
- All other waters in the Taupō Fishing District, six trout per day regardless of species.
5. Fishing hours
You may fish only between 5:00 am and 12:00 midnight on any day.
6. Fishing seasons
There are a number of waters where fishing is prohibited at all times, and others where defined open seasons apply. See map of Taupō Fishing District below.
7. Fishing methods
In all cases
- You can only fish with one rod at any time, but you may have other assembled rods with you.
- You may use up to three flies or lures on your line.
- Only single-point hooks may be used, and a lure (including flies) may not have more than one hook attached.
- There is no weight restriction on flies and lures but the maximum allowable hook size is one that has a 14 mm gap between point and shank.
- The use of baits is not permitted and only artificial flies or lures may be used for trolling, jigging and spinning.
Trolling and jigging
- On Lake Taupō, you must not troll or jig within 200 m of the landmark post or posts situated at the mouth or mouths of tributary rivers and streams (landmark posts are marked with white, black and yellow rings) as these areas are restricted to fly-fishing only.
- You may put the rod in a rod holder, but only a licensed angler can fish with it.
- A person must not use any fish attracting electronic devices.
Fly fishing
- Most of the rivers in the Taupō Fishing District are restricted to fly fishing only. The exceptions are the Tongariro upstream of Waikato Falls and including the Waipakihi River, the Kuratau River upstream of the hydro-electric supply dam, the Hinemaiaia River upstream of the HB dam, and the Waikato River from the lake outlet to Huka Falls.
- In fly-fishing-only waters you may attach weight such as a splitshot to the line to facilitate the sinking of the fly and a yarn indicator. You must use a fly rod, fly reel, fly line, leader and artificial fly, and you must not use a float or attach weight to facilitate casting.
- Artificial fly means any lure of feather, fur, wool or other material used in the making of artificial flies.
- Fishing from a boat within fly-fishing-only waters is allowed at the mouths of the Tongariro and Tauranga Taupō Rivers and the lower Tongariro River downstream of Downs Pool; but in all these cases the boat must be securely anchored. Boats include float tubes and canoes.
Spin fishing
- Spin fishing is permitted in Lake Taupō outside of the fly-fishing-only areas (see Trolling and Jigging above), in the Tokaanu Tailrace and in those exceptions to the river fly-fishing-only restriction listed under ‘Fly fishing’.
- Spin fishing is also permitted in lakes Te Whaiau, Otamangakau, Kuratau and in the Hinemaiaia River upstream of the lower dam.
8. Sale of trout
It is illegal to sell or purchase trout.
9. Indigenous fish
The taking of koura and other fish indigenous to Lake Taupō is permitted only for members of the Ngati Tuwharetoa tribe.
10. Footwear
The wearing of felt-soled boots is not permitted when fishing for trout.
If you ignore the rules and regulations
You may be issued an infringement fine or prosecuted.