Lake Taupō

Where the Tongariro enters the southern end of the lake at the Main Mouth. Within 200 m of the landmark post (a white, black and yellow ringed post) the water is fly fishing only, so no trolling or jigging. Unlike most mouths, you may fish here from a boat, securely anchored parallel to the flow with no more than two anchors. The delta is a shallow, unstable pumice shelf that is not safe on foot, so come by boat from Tokaanu or Motuoapa.

Best for: Rainbow trout and brown trout gathering off the mouth before they run the river, on a sinking line from an anchored boat

The mouth at Te Rangiita on the southeastern shore. Fly fishing only within 200 m of the landmark post. Shore anglers wade the edge, and boats may fish here if securely anchored parallel to the flow. The mouth has a steep pumice drop-off, so watch your footing.

Best for: Rainbow trout and brown trout staging off the mouth in late summer and autumn, on a sinking line at dusk and after dark

The rip where the Waitahanui's cold, clear current runs out into the lake at Waitahanui, on the eastern shore. A sinking line fished from the shore at a river mouth is the method DOC recommends, and this is one of the best-known mouths on the lake. Fly fishing only within 200 m of the landmark post, and no fishing from a boat there. The drop-off is steep pumice, so do not wade too far out.

Best for: Brown trout and rainbow trout gathering off the mouth in late summer and autumn before they run the river, on a sinking line at dusk and into the night

The mouth at Hatepe, beside a boat ramp. Fly fishing only within 200 m of the landmark post, and no fishing from a boat there. The pumice drop-off is changeable, so test your footing.

Best for: Rainbow trout gathering to run the Hinemaiaia in late summer, autumn and winter, on a sinking line from the shore

The bays on the western side of the lake, such as Western Bay, Whanganui Bay and Kawakawa Bay. DOC points small boats and kayaks to the sheltered bays west of Taupō and Tūrangi in calmer weather. Kinloch is the nearest launch.

Best for: Rainbow trout and brown trout trolled or harled along the drop-offs and weed edges, with smelt flies, Tobys and Tasmanian Devils

The open water of the main basin, over 600 km² and about 180 m deep at most. Rainbow trout roam it after shoals of smelt, usually between about 25 and 45 m down, and jigging over the bottom at 30 to 35 m in summer is the most popular method. Downriggers and lead-line trolling work too. The lake is big and exposed and the weather changes fast, so check the forecast and leave your trip plan with the Coastguard. Motutaiko Island is private: do not land on it.

Best for: Rainbow trout and brown trout jigged with smelt flies or trolled with lead line, all year