Fishing Ōhope
From the sand across the road to the White Island trench.
The eastern Bay of Plenty is serious fishing country. You can surfcast across the road from Salt & Pepper, fish the wharf at Port Ōhope three minutes away, or head out from Whakatāne after kingfish, hāpuku and gamefish around Whakaari (White Island).
From the beach
Ōhope Beach is a popular surfcasting beach, with kahawai, snapper and the odd kingfish in summer, and trevally and gurnard on calm days through the cooler months. Early morning and the evening change of light are usually best. Matātā, Thornton and the Whakatāne Heads are other local surfcasting spots.
The wharf and the harbour
The wharf at Port Ōhope is an easy spot for a family fish, and the Port Ōhope General Store next door sells bait and ice. Ōhiwa Harbour is shallow and much of it drains at low tide, so fish the channels around the tide changes. Shellfish gathering has had local closures and rahui, including a closure on mussels along part of the Harbour Road shoreline, so check MPI and respect any local signs before you gather.
Charters
- Ōhiwa Fishing Charters: trips from the Ōhope wharf on The Cougar, including out to the Ōpōtiki mussel farm. Rods available on board.
- Gambler Fishing Charters, Whakatāne: inshore trips for snapper, tarakihi and gurnard, and White Island trips from spring to autumn for kingfish, hāpuku, bluenose and bass.
- Club Talk Charters, Whakatāne: bigger trips to White Island and beyond for marlin, tuna, kingfish and hāpuku.
The Whakatāne i-SITE can also point you to other local operators. The Whakatāne Sportfishing Club on the main wharf welcomes day members and has a restaurant, and it’s the place to hear what’s biting.
Bringing your own boat
- Ramps: the Ōhiwa ramp on Harbour Road at Port Ōhope is minutes from the houses. The Whakatāne ramp is at the game wharf on Muriwai Drive. Ramp fees apply.
- The bars: both the Whakatāne river bar and the Ōhiwa entrance demand respect. There’s no longer a bar calling service at Whakatāne, so check the Coastguard bar cameras and forecasts and talk to Coastguard Whakatāne. If in doubt, don’t go out.
- At the houses: side access is tight, so unhitch out front or park the trailer across the road.
More detail on the harbour, moorings and speed limits is in our Ōhiwa Harbour guide and getting to Ōhope.
The rules
The Bay of Plenty is part of the Auckland (East) fisheries area. Under the rules in force from 1 November 2026, the main ones are:
- Snapper: 30 cm minimum, 7 per person per day
- Kingfish: 75 cm minimum, 3 per person per day
- Gurnard and trevally: 25 cm minimum
- Combined finfish: 20 per person per day
Rules change, so always check the free NZ Fishing Rules app before you go.