Last updated October 2026
Parkinsons Lake is a small sand dune lake beside Whiriwhiri Road, inland from the southern end of Kariotahi Beach west of Waiuku. Fish & Game stocks it with rainbow trout every year and has also released adult brown trout.
The water is small, easy to reach and easy to fish from the shore, which is why Fish & Game puts it on its list of places to get started. You need a Fish & Game licence.
At a Glance
- Location
- Whiriwhiri Road, south of Lake Otamatearoa, west of Waiuku
- Type
- Small sand dune lake, about 1.5 ha, with weed in places
- Main species
- Rainbow trout (stocked yearly, about 1.2 kg on average); some large brown trout
- Method
- Fly, spin or bait
- Season
- Open all year; fishes well May to November
- Suits
- Beginners and children; easy shore fishing and wading
- Licence
- Fish & Game licence (Auckland/Waikato rules)
- Access
- Good shore access from Whiriwhiri Road
- Tides
- None; calm days fish best
No tides. Sea breezes off the west coast are the main factor: a calm day is easier to fish, especially with a fly.
More About Parkinsons Lake
Parkinsons is one of two trout lakes near Waiuku that Fish & Game looks after, both within reach of the sea breezes off the west coast.
The breezes keep the water cool through summer, which helps the trout grow, but a windy day makes casting a fly hard. Fish & Game puts its size at 1.5 ha, and other sources give a little under 2 ha.
It is a eutrophic dune lake, rich in nutrients, and it was once choked with dense growths of native and introduced water plants. Weed can still be a problem, and Fish & Game has released grass carp to keep it down.
Rainbow trout go in every May, averaging about 1.2 kg with the odd fish over 2 kg, and Fish & Game describes the lake as holding some good-sized rainbows for its size. In 2020 more than 100 adult brown trout were added. Browns are present in low numbers, and they are generally large and hard to catch.
From above, the lake has two short arms, with the road curving close along its southern and eastern sides. The banks on the road side are open grass, and trees line the north-western shore.
How to Fish Parkinsons Lake
Where to stand
Fish & Game says the lake is easily fished from the shore and easily waded. The grassy banks along the road side give room to cast. Where weed is thick along the edge, look for a clearer gap to cast into.
A simple rig for children
Fish & Game’s simple setup for its stocked lakes is a 7 ft rod with 3 kg monofilament, and a couple of kernels of canned sweet corn hung about half a metre under a small float.
Corn is now legal as bait in Auckland/Waikato waters, and dough baits such as Power Bait also work, under a float or on the bottom. Cast out, sit back and watch the float.
Fly and spin
Spin and fly gear both work well in the stocked lakes. Choose a calm day if you are fly fishing, because the sea breeze makes casting hard.
When to go
The lake is open all year. Fish & Game rates the cooler months, May to November, as the best time, starting with the fresh stock released in May. Summer heat slows the fishing in the region’s dune lakes.
Rules and Safety
- Licence: anyone fishing for trout needs a Fish & Game licence, carried while fishing.
- Methods: Parkinsons Lake falls under the general Auckland/Waikato lake rules: open all year to fly, spin and bait.
- Bait rules: never use fish or shellfish taken from another water as bait, and never move water, including bait buckets, from one waterway to another.
- Waders: felt soles are banned.
- Limits: see the current Auckland/Waikato regulations for how many trout you may keep.
- Road: Whiriwhiri Road runs right beside the water, so watch children near the road as well as the lake.
Getting There and Facilities
- Road: Parkinsons Lake is beside Whiriwhiri Road, south of Lake Otamatearoa, west of Waiuku.
- Before you go: buy your licence online and your bait and tackle in town. There is nothing to buy at the lake.
- Another lake nearby: Lake Whatihua, beside Kariotahi Road, is stocked at the same time and known for its rise on calm days.
Where to Learn More
Fish & Game: Waiuku lakes: stocking, weed and access for Parkinsons and Whatihua.
Fish & Game: Auckland lakes: simple float and bait setups for the stocked lakes.
Auckland/Waikato regulations 2026 to 2027: seasons, methods and limits.
Common Questions
Where is Parkinsons Lake?
Beside Whiriwhiri Road, south of Lake Otamatearoa and west of Waiuku, inland from the southern end of Kariotahi Beach.
What fish are in Parkinsons Lake?
Rainbow trout stocked every May, averaging about 1.2 kg, and a smaller number of large brown trout.
Is Parkinsons Lake good for kids?
Yes. It is small and easy to fish from the shore, and Fish & Game lists it as a place to get started.
What bait works for trout at Parkinsons Lake?
Canned sweet corn under a small float, or a dough bait such as Power Bait.
When is the best time to fish Parkinsons Lake?
May to November, when the water is cool and the new fish are in. Pick a calm day.
How big is Parkinsons Lake?
Fish & Game puts it at 1.5 hectares.
Is weed a problem?
At times. Fish & Game has released grass carp to reduce it.
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