Trout Fishing

Watercare has opened both Mangatangi and Mangatawhiri dams for trout fishing.

Both dams are in the Hunua Ranges, 75km south-east of Auckland.

Dam locations

Mangatangi Dam
Mangatangi Dam is the largest and newest of Watercare's 10 storage lakes. Completed in 1977, Mangatangi dam can hold 39 million cubic metres of water and supplies around 23% of Auckland's bulk water.

Mangatangi Stream was first stocked with rainbow trout in 1899. It was a popular angling spot for many years before the dam and lake were created in 1977 and angling access was ended.

In 1993 Watercare agreed to restore trout fishing on a trial basis. Over three years 5,000 hatchery-reared rainbow trout were released into the lake by the Fish & Game Council. The trial was successful; there were no adverse environmental effects or loss of water quality.

A boat fishing trial, involving a limited number of rowing dinghies owned by the Freshwater Anglers Club, is taking place.

Fishing areas: Restricted to the face of the dam and emergency overflow beach at the eastern side of the dam, as indicated by signs. For boat fishing contact the Auckland Freshwater Anglers Club on 09 575-2056.

Mangatawhiri Dam
Mangatawhiri dam is the second largest in the Auckland region, formed when the storage dam was completed in 1965. It can hold 16.55 million cubic metres of water and provides around 17% of Auckland's bulk water.

As with Mangatangi, the stream was stocked with fish just before the turn of the 20th century - in 1897. The lake and its tributaries provide an ideal trout habitat and support a naturally self-sustaining trout population.

Fishing area: Restricted to the face of the dam, as indicated by signs.

Licences

Before going fishing you'll need:

  • A Fish & Game Council fishing licence
    Obtain one from the Fish & Game Council or sports and fishing shops
  • A Watercare Water Access Permit
    Permits are free. Collect one from either the Mangatangi or Mangatawhiri Fishing Centre. The Mangatangi Centre is located just inside the main gate and the Mangatawhiri Centre is at the western end of the dam.

Please deposit your permits in the fishing returns boxes at the dam fishing centres after filling out catch details at the end of the day.

Fish and game regulations

  • Artificial lure/fly (no bait)
  • Minimum length - 30cm
  • Bag limit - 5 trout per day