Last updated October 2026
The Ōhau Channel carries Lake Rotorua’s outflow about 2 km across flat farmland at Mourea into Lake Rotoiti. It is the main route for trout moving between the two lakes, so at times it holds a lot of fish, and trout of around 4.5 kg are caught most seasons.
Anglers fish the deep pool below the weir at the Lake Rotorua end and the delta where the channel enters Rotoiti. The season opens on 1 October, and opening morning here is a big event, with anglers arriving hours early to claim a spot.
At a Glance
- Location
- Mourea, between Lake Rotorua and Lake Rotoiti; the outlet is at the end of Takinga Street
- Type
- Lake outlet channel about 2 km long, with a weir at the top and a delta at Lake Rotoiti
- Water
- Fresh, flowing from Lake Rotorua to Lake Rotoiti
- Main species
- Rainbow and brown trout
- Best time
- Spring smelt runs (October and November), and early and late in the season
- Season
- 1 October to 30 June
- Methods
- Fly only from the weir to the marker pole about 200 m downstream; fly and spin below that; no bait
- Boats
- No anchoring in the channel; ramps at the Ōhau Delta
- Licence
- Fish & Game licence required
- Rules
- Fish & Game Eastern Anglers Notice
No tides. Lake Rotorua's level and the flow over the weir drive the channel, spring smelt runs bring the trout in, and warm weather can bring algae warnings.
About Ōhau Channel
Lake Rotorua drains from its north-eastern corner into the Ōhau Channel, which runs about 2 km across open farmland past Mourea and into Lake Rotoiti. A small weir sits just below the outlet.
Built in 1989, it controls Lake Rotorua’s level, mainly to stop it falling too low, and the water flows over it into a deep hole that holds big fish.
Since 2008 a steel diversion wall in Lake Rotoiti has steered the channel’s nutrient-rich water away from the main lake and out down the Kaituna River. It was always meant to be temporary.
Corrosion was found in 2014, and Bay of Plenty Regional Council is trialling repairs through 2026; Eastern Fish & Game approved the works in August 2026 so that trout habitat would not be affected. The Rotorua lakes are taonga of Te Arawa, and the council runs its lakes programme with Te Arawa Lakes Trust.
Lake Rotoiti has few spawning streams, so trout run up the channel in late autumn and winter to reach the spawning streams of Lake Rotorua. In spring they crowd back in to feed on smelt that move into the channel.
Fish reach impressive sizes, especially early (October) and late (April) in the season: trout of about 4.5 kg, usually browns, are caught most years, and fish of 8.6 kg and 9 kg have been recorded.
Local anglers say the fishing has changed since the diversion wall went in. The Ohau Anglers Klub reported in the mid-2010s that smelt runs had almost stopped, sediment had built up at the top of the channel, and opening-morning weigh-ins had dropped sharply after 2009. That is an angling club’s view rather than an official survey, but it is worth knowing when you read older reports of the channel’s best days.
How to Fish the Ōhau Channel
Where to fish
The channel has three distinct fisheries. The top one is the outlet, the weir pool and about 300 m below it, over the upper spawning beds; the pool below the weir is the most popular spot.
The middle section crosses private farmland and is fished less: ask the landowner before crossing private land, unless there is a Fish & Game access sign. The lower section runs from Mourea Bridge down to the delta, where the channel spills into Lake Rotoiti and there is good access.
When to fish
October and November are prime time, when smelt run into the channel and the trout follow them. Fish are biggest early and late in the season.
Smelt flies work in the channel day and night, but Eastern rules ban fishing between midnight and 5am, so night fishing means the evening. On opening day, 1 October, many anglers arrive hours before the 5am start.
Flies and lures
- Smelt flies by day: Grey Ghost, Doll Fly, Jack Spratt and yellow or green Rabbit patterns.
- At night: dark patterns such as Fuzzy Wuzzy and Scotch Poacher, or lumo flies such as a Black Marabou Lumo.
- Nymphs: Hare and Copper or Rough Nymph in sizes 10 to 14, and egg patterns such as Globugs during the spawning runs.
- Summer: cricket and cicada patterns. The channel is not highly regarded for dry fly fishing.
- Spinning: allowed only below the marker pole about 200 m downstream of the weir. Soft baits are allowed there too, but not in the fly-only water.
Lines and rods
Use a fast-sinking or ultra-fast-sinking line, or heavily weighted nymphs, to get down in the current, especially in the deep hole below the weir. A 6 to 8 weight rod suits, with an 8 weight usual for smelt flies. In summer a floating line with weighted nymphs can also work.
Rules and Safety
- The channel is covered by the Fish & Game Eastern Anglers Notice 2026, in force from 1 October 2026. It is open from 1 October to 30 June.
- From the weir to the black, yellow and white ringed marker pole about 200 m downstream is fly fishing only. From the marker down to Lake Rotoiti you can fly fish or spin. Bait is not allowed. Older guides describe the whole channel as fly only; the lower water opened to spinning in 2018.
- No boat may anchor in the Ōhau Channel, and you may not fish for trout from an unanchored boat within 200 m of a marker pole.
- No fishing between midnight and 5am. One rod only, and no felt-soled waders. You need a current Fish & Game licence and must carry it.
- Streams flowing into Lake Rotoiti are closed to fishing, but the Ōhau Channel is specifically exempt.
- Cyanobacteria blooms affect the channel at times: Health NZ advised people to stay out of it from November 2025 to January 2026. Check for a current warning before you go, and keep dogs out of the water during one.
- Boats use the channel, as do kayakers and swimmers, so watch your back-cast.
Getting There and Facilities
- Weir end: the channel leaves Lake Rotorua at the end of Takinga Street, Mourea, with easy access to the outlet and weir pool.
- Delta end: the Ōhau Delta car park and twin boat ramps are at the Lake Rotoiti end. During the wall repair trials one ramp is closed until about the end of October 2026, and access may be briefly restricted while equipment is loaded. The alternative ramps are at Okawa Bay and Ōtaramarae.
- Private land: the middle of the channel crosses farmland. Ask first; permission is generally given.
- Licences: Fish & Game licences are sold online and through agents in Rotorua, including the Rotorua i-SITE on Fenton Street.
Find Out More
Fish & Game Eastern regulations 2026/27: seasons, methods, limits and the Ōhau Channel rules.
Bay of Plenty Regional Council: the Ōhau Diversion Wall: repair works and boat ramp updates.
LAWA: Lake Rotorua at Ōhau Channel outlet: water quality and algae alerts.
Common Questions
Where is the Ōhau Channel?
At Mourea, about 2 km of channel between the north-eastern corner of Lake Rotorua and Lake Rotoiti. The outlet is at the end of Takinga Street.
When does the Ōhau Channel open for fishing?
It is open from 1 October to 30 June. Opening day is one of the busiest of the year.
Is the Ōhau Channel fly fishing only?
Only the top section, from the weir to the marker pole about 200 m downstream. Below that you can fly fish or spin.
Can I use bait in the Ōhau Channel?
No. Bait is not allowed anywhere in the channel.
What flies work in the Ōhau Channel?
Smelt patterns such as Grey Ghost, Doll Fly and Jack Spratt by day, dark or lumo flies in the evening, and weighted nymphs and egg patterns when trout are running to spawn.
Can I fish from a boat?
Yes, but no boat may anchor in the channel, and you cannot fish for trout from an unanchored boat within 200 m of a marker pole.
Do I need a licence?
Yes. You need a Fish & Game licence and must carry it while fishing.
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