Last updated October 2026
Mangatāwhiri Reservoir sits behind the Upper Mangatāwhiri Dam in the Hūnua Ranges and is part of Auckland’s water supply, run by Watercare. Its rainbow trout are wild fish, and you can try for them from signed areas of the dam face with a fly or an artificial lure.
Bait is not allowed. Before you fish, fill in the free Water Access Permit at the kiosk, and bring your Fish & Game licence.
At a Glance
- Location
- Upper Mangatāwhiri Dam, Hūnua Ranges, reached from Moumoukai Road
- Type
- Water-supply lake behind a straight dam with a rock-faced water side
- Main species
- Wild rainbow trout
- Method
- Fly fishing or spinning with artificial lures; bait banned
- Where to fish
- Signed sections of the dam face
- Season
- All year
- Permit
- Free Water Access Permit from the kiosk
- Licence
- Fish & Game licence, Auckland/Waikato region
- Access
- Walk in on the dam access road; no vehicles to the dam
- Tides
- None
No tides. The lake is part of Auckland's water supply and its level follows rain and demand. Fishing is from the signed dam face only.
More About Mangatāwhiri Reservoir
Watercare manages the Hūnua catchments to protect Auckland’s drinking water, and Mangatāwhiri is open to anglers only along its dam. The rest of the lake is out of bounds for fishing. Fish & Game describes the trout here as wild rainbows. Hatchery releases are mentioned only for Mangatangi, the reservoir to the east.
Seen from the air, the Upper Mangatāwhiri Dam runs almost dead straight across the valley. The lake side is a pale band of rock, a road runs along the crest, and the dry side is a broad grassed slope.
At the western end a narrow walkway reaches out to the intake tower, and Waterline Road passes close by. The lake itself opens out to the north of the dam.
Mangatangi Reservoir, a few kilometres to the east, is the other Hūnua lake open to trout anglers. The same permit and method rules apply at both.
How to Fish Mangatāwhiri Reservoir
Slow and deep
Fish & Game’s advice for the Hūnua reservoirs is to fish a nymph slowly. Set it under an indicator on a floating line, use a monofilament leader of 3 to 5 metres or more so the fly gets down, and retrieve very slowly with the odd twitch. Large, weighted, dark nymphs such as a Pheasant Tail, Halfback or Hare and Copper are the ones to carry.
Streamers and terrestrials
- Bully and smelt patterns: a Mrs Simpson, Hamill’s Killer or Grey Ghost, worth a try at any time of day.
- Kōura patterns: a Red Francis or Red Setter, worked in jerks along the bottom.
- Terrestrials: this is not really a dry fly lake, but in summer trout pick off insects blown onto the water. A cicada, cricket or green beetle pattern can work later in the day when the sun is lower.
Spinning
Spinning is popular here and lets you reach water further out than a fly line. Good choices are a Toby in black and gold or silver, a Zed spinner, a red Veltic fished deep, or any lure that looks like a small fish.
Your catch
Keep any trout whole until you are home. Gutting or cleaning fish anywhere on the site is not permitted, as the water is used for drinking.
Rules and Safety
- Two documents: a Fish & Game sports fish licence, carried while fishing, and a free Water Access Permit filled in at the kiosk.
- Fly and spin only: the Auckland/Waikato regulations list Mangatāwhiri Reservoir as open all year to fly and spin fishing. It is excluded from the region’s coarse fishing waters, so no bait or groundbait.
- Dam face only: stay inside the signed areas. Read the signs at the kiosk and gate, and follow them on the day.
- Biosecurity: arrive with clean gumboots or waders, never wear felt soles, and never bring water from another lake or river.
- Limits: look up the daily bag and size limits for the Auckland/Waikato region in the current Anglers Notice.
- Rock face: the lake side of the dam is faced with rock. Watch your footing, and keep young children well back from the water.
Getting There and Facilities
- Road: from State Highway 1, take Hunua Road and turn left into Moumoukai Road. From State Highway 2, Lyons Road and Paparimu Road also lead to Moumoukai Road.
- On foot: drive-up access to the dam has been restricted since at least 2020. Walk up the dam access road, and allow time for the walk at each end of your session.
- Next door: our Mangatangi Reservoir fishing guide covers the eastern lake, where hatchery trout are added to the wild fish.
- Supplies: nothing is sold at the reservoir. Sort out your licence online and your tackle before you leave town.
Trusted Sources
Fish & Game: Hūnua reservoirs: permits, access and the rules for fishing the dam faces.
Auckland/Waikato regulations 2026 to 2027: the season, methods and limits for the region’s waters.
NZ Fishing: Mangatāwhiri Reservoir: Fish & Game’s notes for anglers on this lake.
Common Questions
What trout are in Mangatāwhiri Reservoir?
Rainbow trout. Fish & Game describes the Hūnua reservoir trout as wild fish.
What do I need to fish Mangatāwhiri?
A Fish & Game licence and a free Water Access Permit from the kiosk.
Is bait allowed at Mangatāwhiri Reservoir?
No. It is fly and spin only, with artificial lures.
Where can I cast from?
Only the signed parts of the dam face.
What is the best method at Mangatāwhiri?
A nymph under an indicator on a long leader, fished very slowly. Caddis larva patterns are the favourites.
How do I get to the dam?
Take Hunua Road and Moumoukai Road, then walk up the dam access road. Vehicles cannot drive to the dam.
Is Mangatāwhiri open in winter?
Yes. The reservoir is open to fly and spin fishing all year.
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