Fishing near Ngaruawahia, Waikato

Ngaruawahia sits at the confluence of the Waikato and Waipā rivers in the heart of the Waikato region, making it a natural base for freshwater fishing. The lower Waikato River — a large, powerful flow running from Lake Kārapiro to the coast — holds strong populations of both brown and rainbow trout, along with coarse fish. Boat access is the key here: many of the most productive stretches can only be reached on the water, and trolling is a well-regarded method on this section of the river.