Last updated October 2026
Lake Forsyth / Te Roto o Wairewa is a long, shallow lake beside State Highway 75 between Little River and the Birdlings Flat turn-off on Banks Peninsula.
Fish & Game says it fishes best in spring, especially after the lake has been opened to the sea, and that one of the prime spots is where the highway runs closest to the lake just after the Birdlings Flat turn-off. It is open all year to fly, spin and bait with a Fish & Game licence. The lake has frequent toxic algae warnings, so check before you go.
Lake Forsyth / Te Roto o Wairewa at a Glance
- Location
- Beside SH75 (Christchurch Akaroa Road) between Little River and the Birdlings Flat turn-off, Banks Peninsula
- Type
- Shallow coastal lake, about 7.6 km long, average depth about 1 m
- Main species
- Trout; it is also a listed coarse fishing water
- Best time
- Spring, especially soon after the lake has been opened to the sea
- Where to fish
- The shore where SH75 runs closest to the lake, just after the Birdlings Flat turn-off
- Season
- All year, fly, spin and bait
- Licence
- Fish & Game licence
- Hazards
- Frequent toxic algal blooms: check health warnings first
- Rules
- Fish & Game North Canterbury; the lake is a mātaitai
No tides. The lake fishes best in spring, especially after it has been opened to the sea, and algal blooms in warm weather can close it to contact, so check water quality first.
Setting and Background
Te Roto o Wairewa fills a steep-sided valley between bare and scrubby hills on the south-western side of Banks Peninsula, near the eastern end of Te Waihora / Lake Ellesmere. It is about 7.6 km long and up to 1 km wide, but shallow, with an average depth of about 1 m and a maximum of about 4 m.
SH75 and the Little River Rail Trail run along its north-western shore, and there is a marshy wetland at the south-western end toward the gravel barrier at Birdlings Flat.
The lake has been an important source of tuna (eels) for Ngāi Tahu, and it is described as the only Ngāi Tahu customary lake. Wairewa Rūnanga are its kaitiaki.
The rūnanga built an outlet canal through the gravel bank at Birdlings Flat, which is opened to the sea when heavy rain brings a flood risk. A bridge was built over the canal in 2018.
The water is rich in nutrients and has been poor in quality since the early 1900s. After a dry spell in 2016, toxic algal blooms killed pets and sheep that drank from it, and health warnings have been issued since, most recently in February 2026.
How to Fish Lake Forsyth
Where and when
Fish & Game’s prime spot is the shore where the Akaroa Highway runs closest to the lake, just after the Birdlings Flat turn-off.
The highway runs right beside the water along the north-western shore, so park well off the road and walk down to the edge. Spring is the best season, and the fishing is at its best soon after the lake has been opened to the sea.
Methods
- Spinning: Fish & Game suggests Toby, Tasmanian Devil and smaller ticer lures for spin fishing in the area.
- Bait: worms, freshwater shrimp or live cockabullies fished on the bottom with a small weight. Bait is allowed here all year.
- Fly: also allowed all year.
Coarse fish
Lake Forsyth is one of North Canterbury’s listed coarse fishing waters, so fishing for coarse fish is allowed here. Check the regulations for the coarse fish rules before you start.
If the lake is under an algae warning or the wind is wrong, the sea is a short drive away. See our Birdlings Flat surfcasting guide.
Getting There and Facilities
- Road: drive SH75 from Christchurch through Tai Tapu and Motukarara toward Little River. After the Birdlings Flat turn-off the highway runs along the lake’s north-western shore.
- Parking: pull fully off the highway where there is room, and take care with traffic on SH75.
- Rail trail: the Little River Rail Trail runs along the same shore and gives walking and cycling access to the lakeside.
- Supplies: Little River is the nearest settlement. Buy bait and your licence in Christchurch before you go, or buy the licence online from Fish & Game.
Rules and Safety
- Toxic algae: health warnings for harmful algal blooms have been issued for Te Roto o Wairewa, most recently in February 2026. While a warning is in place, avoid contact with the water, keep dogs away and never drink the lake water, as boiling does not remove the toxin. Avoid eating fish from the lake during a bloom; if you do eat fish, remove the gut and liver and wash it in clean water. Signs include surface scum, cloudy or discoloured water and small globules in the water, but some blooms are not visible. Check LAWA and Health New Zealand’s health alerts before you go.
- Licence: you need a Fish & Game sports fishing licence for trout.
- Season: the lake is open all year, fly, spin and bait. The outlet, the Takiritawai (Wairewa) River, is open 1 October to 30 April. Check the 2026/27 South Island regulations for limits.
- Mātaitai: the lake is within the Wairewa / Lake Forsyth Mātaitai, an area managed for customary fishing with Wairewa Rūnanga as kaitiaki. Respect the lake’s importance to Ngāi Tahu, and check MPI’s mātaitai rules before you take anything other than sports fish.
- Highway: SH75 is busy and runs right beside the water. Park well clear and watch children near the road.
Official Sources for Lake Forsyth / Te Roto o Wairewa
Fish & Game: fishing close to Christchurch: where and when to fish Lake Forsyth.
Fish & Game South Island regulations 2026/27: seasons, methods, limits and coarse fish rules for Lake Forsyth.
LAWA swim sites: water quality and algae information for Canterbury lakes.
Common Questions
Where is the best place to fish Lake Forsyth?
Fish & Game names the shore where the Akaroa Highway (SH75) runs closest to the lake, just after the Birdlings Flat turn-off.
When is the best time to fish Lake Forsyth?
Spring, especially soon after the lake has been opened to the sea.
Is Lake Forsyth open all year?
Yes. It is open all year to fly, spin and bait. The outlet river is open 1 October to 30 April.
Does Lake Forsyth get toxic algae?
Yes. Health warnings for harmful algal blooms have been issued, most recently in February 2026, so check LAWA and Health New Zealand’s alerts before you go and keep dogs out of the water.
Can I eat fish from Lake Forsyth?
Avoid eating fish during an algal bloom warning. If you do, remove the gut and liver and wash the fish in clean water.
Do I need a licence?
Yes. You need a Fish & Game sports fishing licence for trout.
What does Te Roto o Wairewa mean to Ngāi Tahu?
It is described as the only Ngāi Tahu customary lake, long valued for tuna. Wairewa Rūnanga are its kaitiaki.
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