Lake Aratiatia. Lake Aratiatia is located on the Waikato River just downstream from the famous Huka Falls. It is the first of the hydro lakes. Although access is not the easiest, it is well worth the effort as excellent fish are taken. Average fish range from 0.5kg to 3kg, while the larger ones can reach 5kg. Unfortunately there are no boat ramps. Most of the fishing is from the bank on both sides of the lake. Shoreline fly fishing is popular, especially on the true left of the lake (facing downstream). Veltic lures or a black/green toby are often successful for spin fishing. Immediately downstream from Lake Aratiatia, ECNZ opens the dam gates each day at 10am and 2pm. The rapids are a spectacular sight. There are a number of other visitor attractions close by, making Lake Aratiatia an ideal place for a day's outing.

Waikato River and tributaries.The Waikato River provides a very productive trout fishery. Shoreline fly or spin fishing or harling from a boat are popular on the river. Both brown and rainbow trout can be taken and most anglers should be successful, with many achieving the bag limit.
Popular fishing spots on the Waikato River can be accessed via Fletchers Forest Reserve boat ramp on iver Road, and the reserve at the Waikato River Lodge. Geothermal influences mean that the temperature of the Waikato River can be quite high in the summer months. As a result, fishing at the confluences of the cool, spring fed streams is often successful.
Fish congregate in the cold water at the Pueto, Kaiwhitiwhiti, Rautawiri, and Tonepatutahi Stream mouths from October to May . Spinning or fly fishing with a nymph from the shore are also recommended further upstream on these tributaries. These streams hold a lot of fish, so anglers should not go away disappointed.

Access to both the Pueto and Kaiwhitiwhiti Stream confluences is through Fletcher Forest. Permits are required to enter the forest, and these can be obtained from the Fletcher Challenge Forests Visitor Centre on Long Mile Rd. Rotorua or at their forestry office on state highway 38 at Rainbow Mountain.
Anglers can gain access to the Rautawiri Stream through the reserve at the Waikato River Lodge on Earle Road, Broadlands. Additional access to both the main river and the streams is through private land. Anglers should ask the landowner for permission in these cases.

Lake Ohakuri. Lake Ohakuri is a favoured destination for a number of recreational users. It is ideal for picnics, swimming and water-skiing, as well as fishing. Shoreline fishing is possible, although access is difficult. The best fish are taken trolling or spin fishing from a drifting boat.
Casting over the weed beds can produce excellent fish. Rainbow and brown trout between 0.5kg and 3kg are common. There have been liberations of R-type trout from the Tarawera breeding programme, so the fishery could well produce a few surprises.

The Waikato River part of the lake and the Whirinaki arm are the most popular areas for fishing. Trollers could try a Tokoroa Chicken, while the smelt patterns are often successful for harling anglers. Access to the lake is from the Ohakuri dam face or the Forest Product reserve area, which is open to camping.

Lake Atiamuri. As with the other hydro lakes, there are large numbers of fish in Lake Atiamuri and both rainbow and brown trout may be taken. Some of these reach the 4.5kg mark. Trolling on Lake Atiamuri can be very productive, as is fishing from a drifting boat. The Tahanatara arm of the lake is a popular location for boat fishing. Anglers can take good trout fishing from an anchored boat at some of the small stream mouths. Both casting a fly and spin fishing are recommended. Lake Atiamuri offers some shoreline fishing opportunities. The best places are on the true right of the lake in the Waikato arm. Wet flies are worth trying, as are hare and copper nymphs. Access to Lake Atiamuri is through the Atiamuri village. There is an excellent boat ramp available.

Lake Whakamaru. The fourth in the chain of lakes from Lake Taupo, Lake Whakamaru provides many angling opportunities. Large brown trout, up to trophy size await the keen angler. There are lots of smaller rainbows, too. from 1kg to 3kg. Anchoring at stream mouths and casting over the weed beds with either a fly or spinning lures are reliable methods. Casting from a drifting boat can also produce excellent results. Trolling is difficult because of the weed beds, but upstream from the Whakamaru dam on the true right of the lake may bring a few surprises for anglers. Near the Whakamaru Christian Camp is a favoured spot for shoreline fishing. There is easy access to Lake Whakamaru on the true right. A number of reserves are open for camping, and all provide good boat ramps.

Lake Maraetai. Lake Maraetai is the last of the hydro lakes on the Waikato River that is in the Eastern Fish and Game region. In this case, last does definitely not mean least. Lake Maraetai is extremely popular with local anglers in the Mangakino district and, as all fishermen know, the locals know where the best fishing spots are. While rainbow trout may be taken from Lake Maraetai, there is a very large population of browns and they make up most of the anglers catch. The lake can be very productive for shore line anglers, but trolling or casting from a drifting boat are more popular. Sandy Bay is a popular area for trolling. Flamingo pattern lures or red rabbit flies are often successful. Spinning from an anchored boat around the weed beds in the Mangakino arm of the lake is well worth a try. Dawn or dusk produce the best results. Boat access to this lake is available from the domain on Lake Road at Mangakino.