Last updated November 2026
Lake Ngangana is a small lake of about 4 hectares at the end of Joll Street in Waitara, beside the Taranaki Kart Club track and the Waitara River, about 15 km from New Plymouth.
Fish & Game Taranaki stocks it from time to time with rainbow trout, and it has a good perch population. It is open all year and bait is allowed, which makes it an easy place to take children. The lake has had toxic algae blooms, including a past fishing closure, so check for warnings before you go.
Lake Ngangana at a Glance
- Location
- End of Joll Street, Waitara, about 15 km from New Plymouth
- Type
- Small lake of about 4 ha beside the Waitara River
- Water
- Freshwater lake (Fish & Game Taranaki)
- Main species
- Rainbow trout (stocked from time to time) and perch
- Season
- Open all year
- Methods
- Fly, spin and bait
- Access
- Joll Street off Princess Street; southern end from Waipapa Road
- Suits
- Families and beginners
- Algae
- Blooms in the past: check warnings before fishing
- Licence
- Fish & Game licence required, for perch as well as trout
No tides. Weed growth and algae blooms in warm, still weather matter most; check algae alerts before you go.
The Background
From above, Joll Street ends beside the kart club track, and the lake lies just to the south in a long, narrow basin between the road end and the Waitara River, edged with trees. A walking track along the Waitara riverbank reaches some of the fishing spots.
Fish & Game Taranaki describes the lake as periodically stocked with rainbow trout, with a good perch population. In October 2018 it held a kids’ fish-out here with the Inglewood Rod, Gun and Recreation Club and released 250 rainbows. Aquatic weed can make the edges hard to fish at times.
In September 2023 Te Whatu Ora Taranaki issued a health warning for a dense, potentially toxic blue-green algal bloom, and Fish & Game reported the lake closed to fishing while it lasted. No later warning was found in October 2026, but blooms can return in warm, still weather.
How to Fish Lake Ngangana
Where and when
Fish from the bank wherever you can reach clear water past the weed. The lake is open all year, so it is worth a visit in winter when rivers are high and dirty. After a stocking, the rainbows are easiest to catch in the following weeks.
What to catch and what to use
- Rainbow trout: a small spinner such as a 7 g toby or veltec, or a paddle-tail soft bait, which Fish & Game Taranaki suggested for the start of the season.
- Perch: a worm under a float is the simple way for children to catch them.
- Bait fish: if you use small fish as bait, they must come from this lake.
What to bring
A light spinning rod, worms and a float, and your licence. Clean and dry your gear before fishing anywhere else: gold clam, a pest, has been found in Lake Rotomanu in New Plymouth.
Getting There and Facilities
- Driving: turn into Princess Street off SH3 north of the Waitara River Bridge, then take the first right into Joll Street. The southern end is reached from Waipapa Road.
- Parking: park on the road edge, clear of the gate.
- Walking: the track along the Waitara riverbank reaches some fishing spots.
- The river: for kahawai, whitebait and trout in the river next door, see our Waitara River fishing guide.
Rules and Safety
- Fish & Game Taranaki rules apply. You need a licence, and in Taranaki that includes fishing for perch. The lake is open all year to fly, spin and bait.
- Check the current Taranaki regulations for the trout limit; there is no perch limit.
- Algae warning: the lake has had toxic blue-green algae blooms. Before fishing, check LAWA and Taranaki Regional Council for alerts and look for signs at the lake. If a warning is in place, stay out of the water, keep children off algal mats and keep dogs away from the shore.
- Clean, check and dry your gear between waters to stop pests such as gold clam spreading.
Tackle and Bait Nearby
- Hunting & Fishing Taranaki Valley, 2/20 Rifle Range Road, Waiwhakaiho, on the Waitara side of New Plymouth.
- Hunting & Fishing Taranaki, Ocean View Parade, New Plymouth.
- Licences are also sold online through Fish & Game.
Helpful Resources
Fish & Game: Taranaki ringplain waters: Lake Ngangana access, stocking and species.
Taranaki sports fishing regulations: season, methods and limits.
LAWA: Taranaki swim and algae alerts: check for algae warnings before you go.
Common Questions
Where is Lake Ngangana?
At the end of Joll Street in Waitara, beside the kart club track and the Waitara River, about 15 km from New Plymouth.
What fish are in Lake Ngangana?
Rainbow trout, stocked from time to time, and a good perch population.
Can I use bait?
Yes. The lake is open all year to fly, spin and bait.
Do I need a licence for perch?
Yes. Perch are sports fish in Taranaki, so you need a Fish & Game licence for perch as well as trout.
Is there algae in the lake?
There have been toxic blooms, including a fishing closure in 2023. Check LAWA, the regional council and the signs before fishing.
Is it good for kids?
Yes. It is small, open all year, allows bait and has plenty of perch.
Where do I park?
On the edge of Joll Street, clear of the gate, or at the southern end off Waipapa Road.
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