Last updated November 2026
Lake Arapuni is the hydro lake on the Waikato River between Waipāpa Dam and Arapuni Dam, the next lake upstream from Karāpiro. Fish & Game calls it the most popular trout fishery in the Auckland/Waikato region.
Most of the catch is rainbow trout, and the few brown trout are often big. It is good trolling water, so most anglers fish from a boat out of Jones Landing or Arapuni Landing, but there are shore spots at both dams and at the stream mouths in the upper lake.
At a Glance
- Location
- Waikato River between Waipāpa Dam and Arapuni Dam, near Arapuni village
- Main species
- Rainbow trout (most of the catch); brown trout about 5%
- Methods
- Trolling from a boat; bait and weighted flies from the shore
- Best months
- January to April, though the lake fishes all year
- Season
- Open all year
- Licence
- Fish & Game licence, carried at all times
- Boat ramps
- Five; Jones Landing and Arapuni Landing are the most popular
- Shore spots
- Arapuni Dam and bridge, below Waipāpa Dam, Tumai and Mangawhio stream mouths
- Facilities
- Toilets, jetty and ramp at Jones’ Landing
- Rules
- Fish & Game Auckland/Waikato
No tides. The lake fishes all year and best from January to April; Mercury publishes the lake level, and summer algae can affect the water near Jones' Landing.
Getting to Know Lake Arapuni
Arapuni is one of the Waikato hydro lakes that Mercury reports levels for. Waipāpa Dam holds the top of the lake and Arapuni Dam the bottom, and below Arapuni Dam the river runs on into Lake Karāpiro.
Seen from above at Jones Landing, the lake is narrow and river-like, with bush along the far bank and a small island just off the ramp.
Fish & Game describes Arapuni as the most popular trout fishery in the Auckland/Waikato region. Rainbows average about 1.5 kg, with the odd fish over 2.5 kg. Browns make up only about 5% of the catch, but they are often large, so a trophy fish is a real chance.
The rainbows here grow fast. In a 2015 report, Fish & Game said they grew faster than anywhere else in the North Island, including the Rotorua lakes, and that the average fish in its tagging programme that season was over 52 cm. Some fish carry tags, and Fish & Game asks anglers to report them.
The Arapuni bridge has a long record as a shore spot. The late Tony Stevens fished off it most mornings with a smelt fly behind a ball sinker, landing his trout with a dip net on a rope, and reported 1,729 trout to Fish & Game over a decade.
How to Fish Lake Arapuni
From a boat
Most anglers fish Arapuni from a boat, and it is easy trolling water. Fish & Game names Bulmers Landing, Jones Landing and Landing Road as good ramps for trolling. Weed can be a problem in some places, so check your lure regularly.
From the shore
- Arapuni Dam and bridge: the most popular shore spot at the bottom of the lake. Bait and weighted flies are the usual methods here, including a smelt fly fished behind a ball sinker. A drop net on a rope is the way to land a fish from the bridge.
- Below Waipāpa Dam: at the top of the lake, also fished with bait and weighted flies.
- Mangawhio Stream: a walking track of about 1.5 km starts at a boat ramp roughly 1 km below Waipāpa Dam. The lower 700 m or so of the stream is open all year.
- Tumai Stream mouth: reached on the Waikato River Trail from the eastern side of Waipāpa Dam.
- Middle reaches: several beaches can be reached from Landing Road, a metal road.
When to go
Arapuni fishes well all year, but Fish & Game says January to April are the most productive months.
Rules and Safety
- Arapuni comes under Fish & Game Auckland/Waikato’s rule for all other lakes: open all year to fly, spinner and bait. It is not a coarse fishing water. The 2026 Anglers Notice took effect on 1 October 2026. Check it for limits.
- All springs, rivers and streams flowing into the lake are closed to fishing except the Waikato River and the Mangawhio Stream. Flooded backwaters are exempt.
- Everyone, of any age, must carry a current sports fishing licence, or be named on a family licence and fish with the main licence holder.
- Felt-soled waders and boots are banned. Do not use fish from another water as bait, and do not carry water or bait buckets between waterways.
- Blue-green algae can bloom in summer. South Waikato District Council has posted algae warnings at Jones’ Landing, and LAWA advises staying out if the water is bright green. Keep dogs away from the water: a very small amount of algae can seriously harm a dog.
- Report any tagged trout to Fish & Game with the tag number and the length from nose to tail fork.
Getting There and Facilities
- Jones’ Landing: Jones Landing Road, Arapuni, off Lake Arapuni Road. It has a boat ramp, a jetty, a toilet block, a playground and barbecue area, and a large grassy area along the water’s edge.
- Camping: freedom camping is allowed at Jones’ Landing with a permit from South Waikato District Council.
- Walks and cycling: Jones’ Landing is a stop on the Waikato River Trail, and a steep track of about 30 minutes climbs to a lookout.
- Next lake down: for the trophy water below Arapuni Dam, see our Lake Karāpiro fishing guide.
- Tackle: buy bait, lures and licences before you leave. Hunting & Fishing Cambridge is at 2 Oliver Street, Cambridge, and Hunting & Fishing Waikato at 674a Te Rapa Road, Hamilton.
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Common Questions
What fish are in Lake Arapuni?
Mostly rainbow trout, averaging about 1.5 kg. Brown trout are about 5% of the catch, but they are often large.
Can I fish Lake Arapuni from the shore?
Yes. The Arapuni Dam and bridge, the water below Waipāpa Dam, the Tumai and Mangawhio stream mouths and the beaches off Landing Road are all fished from the shore.
Where do I launch a boat on Lake Arapuni?
There are five ramps. Jones Landing and Arapuni Landing at the northern end are the most popular, and Bulmers Landing and Landing Road also suit trolling.
When is the best time to fish Lake Arapuni?
It fishes all year, but January to April are the most productive months.
Do I need a licence to fish Lake Arapuni?
Yes. Everyone, of any age, needs a current Fish & Game licence, or must be named on a family licence and fish with the main holder.
Can I fish the streams that run into Lake Arapuni?
Only the Mangawhio Stream. All other springs, rivers and streams flowing into the lake are closed to fishing.
Can I camp at Jones’ Landing?
Yes. Freedom camping is allowed with a permit from South Waikato District Council.
Spotted something incorrect on this page? Let us know.
Related links 3
- Fish & Game: Lake Arapuni: ramps, shore spots and closed streams.
- Fish & Game Auckland/Waikato regulations 2026/27: seasons, methods and current limits.
- LAWA: Lake Arapuni at Jones Landing: algae advice for the water at Jones’ Landing.