Lake Waikare is a lake in the Waikato region of New Zealand, situated near the communities of Te Kauwhata, Ohinewai, and Rangiriri. Several boat ramps provide access to the lake. The Roto Street ramp in Te Kauwhata gives access to the northern and western areas of the lake, though a key is required and must be obtained in advance from Fish & Game Hamilton. A boat ramp at Ruahine Road at the lake's outlet also accesses the northern area of the lake and beyond. The former yacht club site off Waikare Road provides a boat ramp giving access to most of the lake. A further ramp on private land off Matahura Stream on Waikare Road is available with landowner permission.

A Fish & Game wildlife management area known as "The Island" can only be reached by boat, with the old yacht club site or Gills Road typically used as the departure point for reaching it.

Lake Waikare is also connected by a drain to the smaller Lake Rotokawau (also known as "Black Lake"), a 22-hectare body of open water surrounded by approximately 260 hectares of Crown-owned conservation area. Paddlers can access Lake Rotokawau from Lake Waikare via this canal connection by small boat or canoe, though the route is frequently obstructed and effort is typically required to push through overgrowth and other obstructions.

Given the presence of a Fish & Game wildlife block and the surrounding conservation areas, paddlers should be aware that portions of the shoreline and adjacent land are managed for game bird hunting, which may affect the experience during hunting seasons. The Roto Street access point requires advance coordination with Fish & Game Hamilton to obtain a key before launching.