Last updated November 2026
Hokowhitu Lagoon, also known as Centennial Lagoon, is a curved lagoon beside Centennial Drive in Palmerston North, an old loop of the Manawatū River.
Fish & Game lists it by name in its regulations: open all year, with fly, spinner and bait allowed. It has held kids’ trout fish-out days, and Fish & Game has reported plenty of trout there for a quick fish while the rivers were dirty. Perch are common too. There is parking, toilets and a walkway, which makes it an easy spot for families.
At a Glance
- Location
- Centennial Drive, Hokowhitu, Palmerston North
- Type
- Curved oxbow lagoon of the Manawatū River
- Water
- Freshwater lagoon (Fish & Game Wellington)
- Main species
- Perch; trout (stocked for events)
- Season
- Open all year
- Methods
- Fly, spinner and bait
- Facilities
- Parking, toilets, picnic tables, seating and a walkway
- Dogs
- On a lead
- Other users
- Kayakers and canoe polo
- Licence
- Fish & Game licence required, including for perch
No tides. A sheltered city lagoon that stays fishable when the rivers are high; water quality drops after heavy rain.
More About Hokowhitu Lagoon
The lagoon is an oxbow left behind by the Manawatū River. From above, it curves around between the houses of Hokowhitu on one side and Centennial Drive and the golf course on the other, with a path along the bank.
Palmerston North City Council says it was once an important fishery for Rangitāne, with a thriving eel population. Today it is a hotspot for kayaking and canoe polo, and a popular place for a picnic or a walk.
Fish & Game held its Manawatū children’s fish-out day here in November 2017, and in November 2023 its weekly report said there were still plenty of trout in the lagoon for a quick-fire fish while the Manawatū, Ōroua and Pohangina ran dirty. Perch are the most common fish.
How to Fish Hokowhitu Lagoon
Where and when
Fish from the bank along Centennial Drive, well away from paddlers. The lagoon is open all year, and it is a handy option when the rivers are high and dirty after rain. Early morning and evening are quieter.
What to catch and what to use
- Perch: a worm under a float is the easy way for children to catch them.
- Trout: small spinners or soft baits, or a nymph or wet fly on a fly rod.
- Bait: allowed. If you use small fish as bait, they must come from the lagoon.
Getting There and Facilities
- Access: Centennial Drive, Hokowhitu, Palmerston North.
- Facilities: parking, toilets, picnic tables, seating, a walkway and a bike path.
- Dogs: allowed on a lead.
- Paddlers: kayakers and canoe polo teams use the water. Cast away from them.
Rules and Safety
- Fish & Game Wellington rules apply. The regulations list Hokowhitu Lagoon (also known as Centennial Lagoon) as open all year to fly, spinner and bait. There is a trout limit; check the regulations. There is no limit on perch.
- You need a Fish & Game licence to fish for trout and perch, including on fish-out days unless the event says otherwise.
- City stormwater drains into the lagoon. Check LAWA before swimming, and think twice before eating fish from it.
Tackle and Bait Nearby
- Hunting & Fishing Manawatu, 35 Grey Street, Palmerston North.
- Licences are also sold online through Fish & Game.
From locals
Is Hokowhitu Lagoon safe to swim in, or is the water dodgy?
Is the path along the lagoon okay for a wheelchair or a pram, and is the bank easy to fish from?
No answers yet. If you know, a local would love to hear it.
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Common Questions
Can you fish at Hokowhitu Lagoon?
Yes. Fish & Game lists it by name in its regulations, open all year to fly, spinner and bait.
What fish are in the lagoon?
Perch, and trout that have been stocked for fish-out days. Fish & Game reported plenty of trout there in late 2023.
Do I need a licence?
Yes, for trout and perch, which are both sports fish.
Is it good for kids?
Yes. It is in the city, with parking, toilets and an easy walkway, and perch are simple to catch.
Is there a limit on perch?
No. There is no daily limit on perch, but there is a trout limit.
Can I bring my dog?
Yes, on a lead.
Where do I park?
On Centennial Drive, Hokowhitu.
Spotted something incorrect on this page? Let us know.
Related links 3
- Palmerston North City Council: Hokowhitu Lagoon: facilities and location.
- Wellington sports fishing regulations: the lagoon’s season, methods and limits.
- LAWA: Hokowhitu Lagoon: water quality.