Last updated October 2026
Lake Rotokaeo, or Forest Lake, is a small, shallow lake in Minogue Park in north-west Hamilton, beside a large playground.
A University of Waikato survey found goldfish, brown bullhead catfish, shortfin eels and mosquitofish, so this is a spot for simple float fishing rather than sport fish. Goldfish and catfish need no licence. Check for cyanobacteria warnings first: the lake has had them.
At a Glance
- Location
- Minogue Park, Forest Lake, north-west Hamilton
- Type
- Small, shallow lowland lake, under 4 ha and about 1.8 m deep, with tea-coloured water
- Fish recorded
- Goldfish, brown bullhead catfish, shortfin eels, mosquitofish
- Licence
- None needed for goldfish or catfish
- Method
- Light float rig from the bank
- Season
- Open all year
- Algae
- Cyanobacteria warnings from time to time: check before fishing
- Parking
- Large car park off Walsh Street, south of the playground
- Suits
- Children learning to fish, with an adult
- Rules
- Fish & Game Auckland/Waikato
Where to find it
Get directions · -37.77439, 175.25261
No tides. Warm weather brings coarse fish on the bite but also algae blooms: check the current health warning before fishing.
More About Lake Rotokaeo
Rotokaeo means lake of freshwater mussels (kāeo). The area was once a large peaty swamp, and the lake gave kōura, kōkopu and tuna (eels) as food. It was later drained, and a weir now controls its depth. Ngāti Māhanga and Waikato are the iwi connected to the lake.
Today the lake covers under 4 hectares and is about 1.8 metres deep, with tannin-stained water. From above, much of the surface is covered in floating plants, and the western side is a wide strip of wetland. The open water and paths are on the eastern and southern sides, close to the playground.
In December 2008 the University of Waikato electrofished the lake for NIWA. It found goldfish and mosquitofish in the biggest numbers, a smaller number of brown bullhead catfish, and shortfin eels, which made up most of the weight of fish caught.
No koi carp turned up, and the researchers thought large orange goldfish might explain earlier koi sightings. The introduced fish caught in that survey were removed, so numbers may have changed since. Ask at a Hamilton tackle shop what is being caught now.
How to Fish Lake Rotokaeo
Where to fish
Fish from the eastern and southern banks, where the paths run beside open water. The western side is shallow wetland with floating plants, and the survey team could not even work a boat there. Look for a clear gap in the weed to drop a float into.
What to use
Fish & Game’s standard coarse rig suits this lake: a light float with the bait resting just on the bottom, hooks from size 8 to 12 and 2 to 3 kg line.
Bread crust or paste, worms, maggots and sweetcorn are its usual coarse baits. Catfish feed on the bottom, so fish worms right on the mud for them. Shortfin eels are native: if you hook one, release it.
Rules and Safety
- Fish & Game Auckland/Waikato rules apply. Lakes in the region are coarse fishing waters, open all year, with any bait allowed. The 2026 Anglers Notice took effect on 1 October 2026.
- Goldfish and catfish need no licence. Perch, tench and rudd do: everyone, of any age, needs a licence to fish for them. If you catch one without a licence, return it to the water quickly.
- Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) warnings are placed on the lake from time to time. A warning was in place in March 2026. When one is in place, stay away from the water, and if you feel unwell after contact, call Healthline on 0800 611 116.
- Keep dogs out of the water during a warning, and do not let them drink it or eat anything from the lake.
- Do not use fish from another water as bait, and do not carry water or bait buckets between waterways.
Getting There and Facilities
- Parking: a large car park off Walsh Street sits just south of the playground and the lake.
- Paths: a path loops through Minogue Park, and a path runs along the eastern shore below Kingsway Crescent.
- Playground: the playground is right beside the lake, with netball courts to the east.
- Tackle: Hunting & Fishing Waikato is at 674a Te Rapa Road, Hamilton.
Further Reading
Fish & Game: coarse fish species: which coarse fish need a licence.
University of Waikato: Lake Rotokaeo fish survey: the 2008 electrofishing survey of the lake.
LAWA: Waikato region: current algae and swimming status for Waikato lakes.
Common Questions
What fish are in Lake Rotokaeo?
A 2008 survey found goldfish, brown bullhead catfish, shortfin eels and mosquitofish.
Do I need a licence to fish Lake Rotokaeo?
Not for goldfish or catfish. You need a Fish & Game licence, at any age, to fish for perch, tench or rudd.
Are there koi carp in Forest Lake?
None were found in the 2008 survey. Researchers thought big orange goldfish could explain the koi sightings.
Is there an algae warning on Lake Rotokaeo?
Warnings are placed from time to time, and one was in place in March 2026. Check LAWA or Health NZ before you fish.
What bait should I use at Forest Lake?
Bread, worms, maggots or sweetcorn under a light float, with the bait just on the bottom.
Is Lake Rotokaeo good for kids?
Yes, for simple float fishing with an adult close by. The playground is right next to the lake.
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