Lake Rotoroa

Lake Rotoroa is the larger and quieter of the two Nelson Lakes. It runs about 14 km through beech forest, covers 23.4 km² and drops to 145 m, at about 445 m above the sea. The D'Urville and Sabine rivers feed it at the southern head, and the Gowan River leaves at the northern end, beside the small settlement of Rotoroa and the DOC campsite. It holds a large, self-sustaining population of brown trout, with some rainbows. The average fish runs 1.4 to 1.8 kg (3 to 4 lb), and bigger ones are caught often.

The lake is fished mainly by trolling. Its sides drop away steeply, so there is little shore fishing, and a boat opens up the rest of the water. Troll or harl streamers and spinners along the drop-offs: a Parson's Glory, a Toby or a Tasmanian Devil. Downriggers are allowed. Shore anglers do best at three places: where the D'Urville and the Sabine come in at the head, and where the Gowan leaves at the north end. Large, heavily weighted nymphs in sizes 10 to 14 work best on the fly, and a terrestrial such as a Humpy, or a sedge pattern, brings up fish that are feeding on the surface.

The head of the lake is a long way from the road. A water taxi runs on the lake all year, out to the head of the lake near Sabine and D'Urville huts, and it saves a long walk. The Rotoroa Route along the northeast shore is closed to the public. Water skiing and jet skis are banned, so the lake stays quiet. Rotoroa has no shop, so bring what you need. Take repellent, as the sandflies are fierce. Longfin eels gather at the jetty. They are protected, so do not feed or fish for them. Lake snow, an invasive algae, is in the lake: dry your gear for 48 hours before you fish another water.