Last updated November 2026
The Waikato River at Huntly is wide, slow and usually brown, and it holds good numbers of brown trout. Two access points about a kilometre apart on the Huntly West bank make a simple shore trip: the river by the walking bridge, which crosses beside the rail bridge to the town centre, and the Waahi Stream outlet off Harris Street, below the power station.
In a spring contest reported by Fish & Game, most of the fish were caught near Huntly. You need a Fish & Game licence, and fly, spinner and bait are all allowed.
At a Glance
- Location
- Huntly West bank of the Waikato River, from the walking bridge (Parry Street end) north to the Waahi Stream outlet off Harris Street
- Type
- Large, slow lowland river with a stream mouth
- Water
- Fresh: lower Waikato River
- Main species
- Brown trout
- Methods
- Fly, spinner and bait all allowed
- Season
- Open all year
- Best time
- Twilight and after dark; winter and spring
- Boat ramps
- Parry Street (concrete) and just north of the Lake Waahi outlet (metal)
- Rules
- Fish & Game Auckland/Waikato; licence required
- Cost
- Fish & Game licence
No tides. Water temperature and level move the fishing: Fish & Game reports the lower river fishing well between 14 and 19°C at Huntly, and high water after rain makes the banks hard to fish.
Setting and Background
Through Huntly the Waikato runs north between the town centre, Main Street and the railway on the east bank, and the houses of Huntly West on the other side.
On the aerial photo the river is broad and brown, with willows and trees along both banks. A footpath runs over the river beside the Huntly rail bridge, linking Huntly West near Parry Street and George Clay Place with Venna Fry Lane and Main Street.
About a kilometre downstream the Waahi Stream, which drains Lake Waahi to the west, winds past Harris Street and enters the Waikato on the west bank, just south of Huntly Power Station. Fish & Game uses the power station’s river level and temperature readings when it reports on the lower river.
Fish & Game describes brown trout as abundant along the whole length of the Waikato, and the lower river as best in winter.
In spring large browns move into the lower river to feed on smelt, and they can be caught from Mercer upstream to Karāpiro Dam before many of them head up the Waipā. In one October contest on the lower river, browns over 3 kg were caught and most of the fish came from around Huntly.
How to Fish the Waikato River at Huntly
Where and when
Start on the Huntly West bank by the walking bridge, where Parry Street ends at the river beside a concrete boat ramp, then try the water around the Waahi Stream outlet off Harris Street.
Fish & Game says the best fishing on the Waikato is generally at twilight or after dark, and it reports the lower river fishing well when the water at Huntly is between 14 and 19°C.
In spring it expects many of the big browns to head up the Waipā by the end of October, and trout generally move to cooler streams by December.
What to catch and what to use
- Brown trout on soft baits: paddle-tail soft baits. If a fish strikes and misses, slow down and pause the lure for a second before carrying on.
- Brown trout on spinners: black or copper Tobys or Zeds, in 7, 10 or 12 g.
- Brown trout on the fly: large, dark streamer flies around size 4.
- Bait: allowed on this water. Use only bait fish taken from the river you are fishing.
Getting There and Facilities
- Walking bridge: the footpath beside the rail bridge links the Parry Street side of Huntly West with Main Street, so you can park in town and walk over.
- Waahi Stream outlet: reached from Harris Street, Huntly West.
- Boat ramps: Fish & Game lists a concrete ramp at the end of Parry Street, a metal ramp with reasonable parking just north of the Lake Waahi outlet, one immediately upstream of the Tainui Bridge on the same bank, and one on the east bank just outside town by the public toilets.
- Toilets: Waikato District Council lists public toilets in Huntly, including The Boatie Toilet in Huntly East.
Rules and Safety
- The Fish & Game Auckland/Waikato Anglers Notice that took effect on 1 October 2026 has no separate entry for the Waikato at Huntly, so the rule for all other rivers and streams applies: open all year to fly, spinner and bait. Check the notice for limits.
- You need a current Fish & Game licence and must carry it whenever you fish.
- Do not use fish or clams from another water as bait, and do not move water between waterways, including in bait buckets.
- The river is wide and deep. Fish from the bank, keep children back from the edge, and stay off the banks when the river is high after rain. Watch for boats around the ramps.
Like Hamilton’s outdoors?
Explore Hamilton Weekly has a walk or park idea every week, plus local news and weekend picks. Free every Thursday.
Free. One email a week. Unsubscribe any time.
Waikato River at Huntly: Common Questions
Where can I fish the Waikato River in Huntly?
From the Huntly West bank by the walking bridge, where Parry Street ends at the river, and around the Waahi Stream outlet off Harris Street, about a kilometre downstream.
What fish are in the Waikato River at Huntly?
Brown trout. Large browns move into the lower river in spring to feed on smelt.
When is the best time to fish at Huntly?
Twilight and after dark, from winter into spring, while the water is cool.
What lures work for brown trout at Huntly?
Paddle-tail soft baits and black or copper Tobys or Zeds. On the fly, large dark streamers around size 4.
Can I use bait?
Yes. Fly, spinner and bait are all allowed, but bait fish must come from the river you are fishing.
Do I need a licence?
Yes. You need a current Fish & Game licence and must carry it.
Is there a boat ramp at Huntly?
Yes. Fish & Game lists ramps at the end of Parry Street, just north of the Lake Waahi outlet, beside the Tainui Bridge and on the east bank outside town.
Spotted something incorrect on this page? Let us know.
Related links 3
- Fish & Game Auckland/Waikato regulations 2026/27: seasons, methods, bait rules and limits.
- Fish & Game: lower Waikato River: boat ramps at Huntly and along the lower river.
- Waikato Regional Council river levels: latest river levels and flows before you go.