Last updated October 2026
Lake Ōkāreka is a 340 hectare crater lake in the Rotorua district, with clear water, an average depth of 20 metres and a township on its western shore. It holds mainly rainbow trout, with a few browns, kept up by stocking because the lake has no notable spawning streams.
Local lake sites report most trout from a boat, trolling or jigging, but the shallows around Boyes Beach and the western bays also give fly anglers a chance. The lake is open all year to fly and spin.
At a Glance
- Location
- Ōkāreka Loop Road off Tarawera Road, Rotorua district; township on the western shore
- Type
- Crater lake, 340 ha, average depth 20 m, maximum 34 m
- Water
- Fresh: Lake Ōkāreka
- Main species
- Rainbow trout (stocked), a few brown trout
- Season
- Open all year
- Methods
- Fly and spin only; no bait
- Best time
- Dawn and dusk for shore fly fishing; trolling over weed beds early morning and late evening
- Access
- Boyes Beach reserve, Acacia Road reserve and the DOC campsite (Millar Road)
- Rules
- Fish & Game Eastern; licence required
- Cost
- Fish & Game licence
No tides. Wind and the time of day move the fishing: trout come into the weedy shallows at dawn and dusk, and the deeper water is fished by trolling.
About Lake Ōkāreka
Lake Ōkāreka formed about 19,000 years ago and drains to Lake Tarawera through Waitangi Springs and an artificial channel. Bay of Plenty Regional Council reports a catchment of 1,980 hectares, an elevation of 355 metres and stable water quality, with a trophic level index of 3.3 for several years against a target of 3.
The name means the lake of sweet food: kūmara were grown around the lake, and Māori fished it for whitebait, koura and toitoi. It is one of the 14 Te Arawa lakes.
The fishery relies on stocking, because the lake has no notable feeder streams. Local fishing sites report mostly rainbow trout of about 1 to 1.5 kg, with numbers high, and a few browns. A fly-caught 5.2 kg rainbow from the western shallows made the news in July 2014, but that is a record rather than the norm.
Boyes Beach at the western end is a Rotorua Lakes Council reserve run by the Lake Ōkāreka Community Association, with toilets, picnic area, barbecues, drinking water and a playground. A walkway runs from Boyes Beach to Silver Beach. A DOC campsite sits in the Lake Ōkāreka Scenic Reserve off Millar Road.
How to Fish Lake Ōkāreka
By boat
Local lake sites say trolling is the most popular method. Lures are fished 3 to 6 metres down on a leadline of four to six colours with a 3 to 5 metre leader, and jigging is growing.
Harling lures along weed beds in the early morning and late evening works, and the northern area is reported as a good place to start.
From the shore
The western end of the lake near Boyes Beach and several small western bays are the usual shore spots, particularly at changing light and at night. Fly anglers use a floating or slow-sink line, and polarised glasses help spot fish over the weed beds. Wading is reported as safe around the western, southern and northern sections.
Flies and lures
- Flies: Hare and Copper, Pheasant Tail, Halfback, Hamill’s Killer and Mrs Simpson, plus smelt patterns. Green Beetle dry flies suit November and December and cicada or blowfly dries suit late summer. At night, use dark flies such as Black Fuzzy Wuzzy and Woolly Bugger.
- Lures: black and gold Toby, Tasmanian Devil and Cobra.
Getting There and Facilities
- Getting there: from Rotorua, take Tarawera Road to Ōkāreka Loop Road. The township is on the western shore.
- Boyes Beach: free public toilets, picnic area, free electric barbecues, drinking water, playground and paid showers. Dogs are allowed, but not between 9am and 7pm from 15 December to 1 March, and not on the walkway.
- Campsite: DOC runs a campsite in the Lake Ōkāreka Scenic Reserve on Millar Road. Dogs are not allowed on DOC land here, and lake water should be boiled before drinking.
- Boat ramp: check with Rotorua Lakes Council for the ramp location and condition before towing a boat.
Rules and Safety
- Fish & Game Eastern regulations apply. Lake Ōkāreka is open all year to fly and spin. Bait is not allowed. Check the regulations for bag and size limits.
- You need a current Fish & Game licence and must carry it. Check with Eastern Fish & Game whether any Te Arawa lakes licence arrangements apply to the day you fish.
- The streams that flow into the lake are closed to fishing. Do not fish them even if local sites say they fish well at night.
- Fishing is not permitted during the overnight hours set in the regulations, and set rods may only be used from a boat. No angler may fish from an unanchored boat within 200 metres of a landmark.
- Check the weather before launching a boat. Check LAWA for any water quality or algae notices before fishing or letting a dog near the water.
Where to Learn More
Fish & Game Eastern regulations 2026/27: season, methods, closed waters and limits for Lake Ōkāreka.
Rotorua Lakes Council: Boyes Beach: facilities, dog rules and the lakeside walkway.
Bay of Plenty Regional Council: Lake Ōkāreka: lake facts and water quality.
Common Questions
What fish are in Lake Ōkāreka?
Mainly rainbow trout, with a few brown trout. The fishery relies on stocking.
When is Lake Ōkāreka open?
All year under the Fish & Game Eastern regulations.
Can I use bait?
No. Lake Ōkāreka is fly and spin only.
Where can I fish from the shore?
Around Boyes Beach on the western side and the small western bays, particularly at changing light and at night.
What works for trolling?
Local lake sites report lures 3 to 6 metres deep on a leadline, with harling along weed beds early morning and late evening.
Do I need a licence?
Yes. You need a current Fish & Game licence and must carry it.
Can I fish the streams that flow into the lake?
No. The streams flowing into Lake Ōkāreka are closed to fishing.
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