The seasonal cycles of abundance of the phytoplankton and zooplankton in Lake Ototoa, Northland, at 36° 31 S, 174° 14 E, are described. Concentrations of chlorophyllawere low (range 0.04–4.61 mg.m‐3; mean 0.97 mg.m‐3), and highest values were in winter. Phytoplankton densities were also low; an oligo‐trophic diatom‐desmid assemblage associated withBotryococcus, Dinobryon,andSvhaerocysliswas found.