Southern Edge

Fresh water fishing

New Zealand has no native salmon or trout, but our crystal clear rivers and lakes have opened their arms to rainbows, browns and trophy-sized salmon. Rainbow trout from California were introduced in the early 1880s. They inhabit most rivers and lakes in both the North and South islands, typically growing to an average of 3-4 lb (1.5-2 kg). In some waters monster fish up to 15 lb (7 kg) are caught every year.

Brown trout arrived in the 1860s from the United Kingdom via Tasmania. Like the rainbows, they’re found in most lakes and rivers throughout the country. In rivers and streams, browns average 2-4 lb (1-3 kg). In lakes they’re noticeably bigger. Double figure fish are common enough to keep your hopes up.

Chinook salmon were successfully introduced to South Canterbury in the early 1900s. Canterbury remains New Zealand’s premier salmon fishing destination. The Rakaia, Waimakariri, Hurunui and Waiau rivers offer excellent sea-run salmon fishing between November and March.

In spring and early summer, a native freshwater delicacy can be caught near the mouth of major rivers. Whitebait, inanga in Maori, are tiny fish commonly served as fritters. They are still regarded as a traditional food by Maori.

Salt water fishing

With more than 15,000 kilometres of coastline, New Zealand promises salt water fishing challenges of every kind. According to local legend, the North Island is the result of a spectacularly successful game fishing expedition. In Maori it is known as Te Ika a Maui - the fish of Maui.

From the land you can try surfcasting and rock fishing. From the comfort of a charter boat the ocean is your oyster during a deepwater, saltwater fly or game fishing expedition. In places like the Marlborough Sounds, Auckland, Doubtless Bay, the Bay of Plenty the Bay of Islands and Southland, there are keen locals ready to take you to their favourite coastal fishing spots. In the north, you’re aiming to catch a nice snapper, kingfish or tarakihi for your dinner. In the south, blue cod, trumpeter and grouper are the hot prospects.

Each year from December until June, marlin and other types of billfish swarm along the North Island’s eastern coast from North Cape to East Cape. Yellowfin tuna, sharks and kingfish are other game fishing targets. From game fishing bases in Whangaroa, Russell, Tutukaka and Tauranga, you can hook into a day of high excitement on the high seas.

MORE ON FRESH WATER FISHING REGIONS

Northland,Auckland/Waikato,Coromandel,Bay of Plenty,East Cape,Hawkes Bay,Taranaki,Wellington,Marlborough,North Canterbury,West Coast,Central South Island, Southland

Northland Region extends from a line midway to a point between the North Head and South Head of the Kaipara Harbour, then running due east to a point just North of Wellsford and then a line running northeast to Te Arai Point which is just south of Mangawhai Heads. The Northland Fish and Game Council administer the fish and game bird resources north of this line up to Cape Reinga and North Cape.

To fish for sports fish Northland has hundreds of kilometers of fishable streams and rivers. A majority of the streams and rivers are heavily wooded along the banks which tend to keep the water cooler in the summer. Angler pressure on these streams is low, offering a semi-wilderness experience.

Winter fishing in Northland offers the best opportunity to fish the lakes and reservoirs when the trout become more active in the cooler surface water.

Fish and Game undertakes a stocking programme of hatchery raised rainbow and brown trout which are released annually into two natural lakes and three artificial reservoirs to provide further angling opportunities.

The Auckland/Waikato Region offers a wide diversity of fishing opportunities with many lake and river fisheries. Seven lakes within one hour of Auckland City are regularly stocked with trout, and wild trout are abundant in the Mangatawhiri and Mangatangi reservoirs. Moreover there is good trout fishing in the Coromandel Ranges with most rivers having easy access and high scenic values.

Further south there are numerous spring-fed trout streams in the South Waikato, and many backcountry fisheries throughout the King Country including the headwaters of the Waipa, Whanganui, Whakapapa, and Awakino Rivers. The Waikato River has an abundant brown trout population, and the hydro-lakes provide excellent lake fishing.

Coarse fisheries are present in most lakes north of Hamilton, including Lake Pupuke and Hamilton Lake. Good coarse fishing is also available in the lower Waikato and Whangamarino Rivers.

The Hawkes Bay region has a great diversity of fishing opportunities from the Tukituki to the Mohaka, while lake fishing is limited to Lake Tutira (the only substantial lake fishery in the region), the region does however have some of the North Island's best headwater fisheries and access to a variety of lowland angling. This variety and easy access for angling ensures opportunity is plentiful, increasing your chances of finding that ‘hot-spot’ or that ‘secret spot’ no one has found.

Fishing headwaters of rivers such as the Mohaka and Ngaruroro provides some spectacular experiences from the great fishing, the scenery and the wildlife that is regularly encountered in such remote areas. These areas provide not just great fishing, but a great opportunity for the family wanting to experience what the New Zealand backcountry has to offer.

Eastern Region: New Zealand’s Eastern Region offers a large range of fishing opportunities for both lake and river fishing. An active access programme is  being implemented throughout the region with extensive signage and tracks have been cut to guide anglers to many fishing opportunities.

The bush clad Lakes Waikaremoana and Waikareiti in the east provide spectacular boat and shoreline fishing for both brown and rainbow trout in the scenic Te Urewera National Park. The rivers within the park also provide opportunities to target headwater fish and spawning run fish. The Ruakituri River gives anglers a chance to catch world renowned strong trout while the Waiau Rivers offers very high catch rates.

The Bay of Plenty has a large number of spectacular river fisheries from the Waioeka River in the east through the Rangitaiki,Tarawera and Kaituna catchments to the Ngamuwahine River in the west. Lakes like Aniwhenua and Flaxy also add to diverse fishing opportunities.

The Rotorua lakes are the central feature of the region. Shoreline fly fishing and spin fishing can result in very good catch rates while boat fishing over the summer months provides action and fun for the whole family. Most of the Rotorua Lakes lack suitable spawning rivers to sustain fish populations so supplementary stocking of Tarawera-strain trout from the Ngongotaha hatchery maintain the high numbers for anglers.

Lake Rotorua is not stocked but has one of the highest catch rates in the district while Lake Okareka also keeps anglers happy with high numbers of good quality fish. The trophy lakes - Tarawera, Okataina and Rotoiti - regularly produce fish in excess of 5 kg. Lakes Rotoma and Rotoehu provide experiences for those wanting to get away from the crowds and the opportunity to chase tiger trout. Lakes Rotomahana and Tikitapu also have their own special charm and local devotees, while Lake Rerewhakaaitu attracts shorebased anglers targeting deep bodied fish. Smaller lakes with secluded bays and rising trout are there for the more adventurous anglers who want to “get off the beaten track”.

The Eastern Region offers diverse angler experiences, high catch rates and big fish. Something for everyone!

Most Taranaki trout fisheries have their source within the Egmont or Tongariro National Parks and provide a high quality angling experience in a scenic and un-crowded environment. More than 40 small to medium sized trout streams radiate from the base of Mt Egmont/Taranaki and few places have such a diversity of angling opportunities. These rivers provide quality ‘sight fishing’ opportunities for large brown trout, while rainbow trout fishing is also available in three local lakes and the Waingongoro River between Eltham and the sea.

Wanganui has a number of lake fisheries that provide good fishing for rainbow trout and perch within a few minutes of the city. Many anglers travel some distance from Wanganui to fish without realising the opportunities that are so close to hand.
The Ruapehu district rivers are some of the most productive in the Taranaki region. The Manganuioteao is a nationally important brown and rainbow trout fishery and offers a quality angling experience.

There is little fishing pressure in the region and anglers appreciate the peace and solitude that comes with the fishing.

The range of sports fishing opportunity in the Wellington Region is remarkable. We offer anglers an impressive array of fishing water and fishing experiences including:

• wilderness fisheries set amongst magnificent native bush and rugged mountain scenery.
• a variety of wild sportsfish including rainbow and brown trout, perch, and tench.
• simple fishing regulations.
• very good numbers of fish per kilometer especially in the main rivers.
• real peace and solitude - you will seldom see other anglers.
• ease of access to most fishing water.

The region encompasses the southern part of New Zealand from Waiouru, across to Dannevirke and down to Wellington. Included in our region are four major fishing rivers; the Rangitikei, Manawatu, Ruamahunga and Hutt. Variety is definitely the spice of life. There is very scenic wilderness/back-country fishing in rivers within the Kaimanawa, Ruahine and Tararua Forest Parks that divide our region from north to south. Outside of these parks rivers and streams flow through peaceful hill country farmland and lowland river plains to the sea. All fishing methods are practiced in over 90% of waters – 10% of waters are fly or spin fishing only. All the rivers and streams contain brown trout, a few are brown and rainbow trout and two of the main rivers contain perch. Most waters are open all year and have no bag limit. A few waters have a very low bag limit and some are managed as trophy fisheries and so have a maximum size limit – please check your regulation guide.

Angler Access

Anglers access to most rivers and streams, is public and readily available. Access along rivers and streams, is often over private land – particularly the medium to smaller sized waters

New Zealand’s Nelson/Marlborough region offers some of the best, most easily accessible brown trout fishing in the country. In fact many of New Zealand’s fishing guides who specialise in sighted brown trout fishing, work in this region. There is wonderful diversity reflected in the waters of Nelson-Marlborough. Rivers in the Golden Bay area are crystal clear in normal flows and dark brown in freshes from tannic acid leaching out of the native bush catchments. Waimea basin catchments rise in the steep beech clad Richmond and Arthur ranges before flowing through intensely farmed lands growing pine trees, applies, kiwi fruit and hops.

The Murchison district offers everything from small feeder streams to the impressive Buller River. The Buller is New Zealand’s fifth largest river, originating from the alps in the Nelson Lakes National Park. The run off and snow melt from these mountains flow into Lakes Rotoiti and Rotoroa. The two Lake outlets form the upper Buller River until it is joined by the Matakitaki, Mangles, Matiri and Maruia at the ‘four rivers plain’ near Murchison. Marlborough rivers are a total contrast to the western Nelson rivers, often being blue coloured from glacial silt and wide, braided and undergoing extremes of flow.

Molesworth Station is New Zealand’s largest farm. This huge trackless area features many small alpine tarns and lakes and its western and southern boundary is the Clarence River – one of New Zealand’s longest and more remote catchments that drain the Inland and Seaward Kaikouras. The lower Clarence and the Awatere Rivers flowing northeast from Molesworth are heavily silt laden for much of the year.

Completing the circle of the region we finish in the Marlborough Sounds main catchment, the Pelorus Valley. Beginning in the Richmond ranges between Nelson and Marlborough, this river gouges its way through steep native bush covered mountains to slow down to a gentle pace in lush dairy farm land before entering the sea at Havelock.

The West Coast Fish and Game Region extends from Kahurangi point, north of Karamea, to Awarua point south of Haast. In between lies some 2m hectares, much of it in wilderness. With the pressures of modern life, increasing numbers of anglers rate isolation, peace and solitude almost as highly as the opportunity to fish for wild trout.

A good topographic map and sense of adventure are important pre-requisites for discovering your preferred angling experience.

Brown trout occupy a diverse range of habitats between the mountains and the sea including lakes, rivers, spring fed river tributaries and estuaries. Barriers to access for anglers are, for the most part, dictated only by climate and terrain.

Many of the rivers mentioned in the West Coast web pages support trout populations that fluctuate depending on the time of year. The usual pattern is for the lower reaches of the major rivers to carry more fish in spring and early summer, after which trout move upstream to occupy mid-headwater habitats.

Smaller streams generally fish best early and late-season when water temperatures provide for longer feeding periods.

Lake fishing is generally consistent year-round, although at the height of summer deep water fishing is best during daylight hours.

To preserve our waterways from didymo and other unwanted organisms, please check, clean and dry all angling equipment before leaving the river.

North Canterbury region offers much to the angler. Without a doubt the star attraction of the region is the sea-run salmon fishery.

The Rakaia, Waimakariri, Hurunui and Waiau Rivers offer excellent sea-run salmon fishing between November and March. The best time to plan a trip is during February when river flows tend to be stable, after the period of major snow melt in the Southern Alps.

Most salmon are caught on heavy spinning tackle upriver or on specialised long distance casting tackle in the surf next to the river mouth. The salmon with an average size of around 8kg is one of the most highly sought-after sports fish in the country.

In addition to the high profile salmon fishery, North Canterbury also offers great fishing for other species. More than thirty high country lakes offer landlocked salmon, brown trout, rainbow trout, mackinaw and splake. The upper reaches of the braided rivers offer high quality brown and rainbow trout with very big fish in places.

The lower reaches of the same rivers provide excellent sea-run trout fishing as well. Very large runs of fresh silver sea-run brown trout converge on the tidal areas of the salmon river during the months of December and January in particular.

Central South Island region extends from the south bank of the Rakaia River in the north, to Moeraki in the south. With their headwaters in the Southern Alps, the Waitaki and the Rangitata are the region’s biggest rivers.

These are noted chinook salmon fisheries with trophy fish of 15kg and more being regularly reported. Most of New Zealand’s salmon run is contained within the border of the North Canterbury and Central South Island Fish & Game Regions.

The Rangitata Mouth is one of the more famous fishing locations in the South Island as very large numbers of salmon are regularly caught here. Salmon fishing in the Waitaki tends to be split amongst mouth and upriver anglers, with fishing from anchored jet boats being a popular option.

Smaller rivers including the Opihi-Temuka, Ashburton and Kakanui together with many high country lakes are habitat to substantial brown and rainbow trout fisheries. Fontinalis (brook trout) are also present in some of these waters. In fact the Central South Island Region probably offers the best Fontinalis populations in the country, with Lake Emily being renowned as the place in New Zealand to catch a trophy.

For sheer numbers of trout, the waters of the McKenzie country are hard to beat. The Tekapo River in particular contains very good numbers of trout which are not overly difficult to catch

Otago region has, without doubt, some of the most diverse waters for sports fishing in New Zealand. They range from the unique high country experiences on gin clear Southern Lakes river tributaries to put and take reservoir fisheries in Dunedin City.

Each year thousands of residents and visitors enjoy many types of angling throughout Otago waters.

Southland is bisected by four major rivers, the Aparima, Waiau, Oreti and Mataura. However, these represent just the starting point in a huge variety of opportunities throughout the province. When you consider the dozens of smaller rivers and streams, as well as the lakes, it’s not too surprising that Southland has the highest participation in angling per capita of any region in New Zealand.

Brown trout are the mainstay of Southland’s angling, and our rivers are justifiably famous for their quality. Perhaps you want to be able to spot very large brown trout, swaying in a crystal clear river, and carefully cast a nymph to tempt him to make a mistake? Or perhaps you’d prefer to take up the challenge with the super abundant, super fussy and super frustrating browns of the mad Mataura rise? Whatever your angling passion it can be found somewhere in Southland.

Rainbow trout are more common in our lakes, and their tributaries and provide yet more diversity to our angling scene. Watching a large green snout close over a cicada pattern and feeling the anticipation as you wait to set the hook should certainly spin your angling wheels?

While our fly fishing tends to get the headlines, the spin fishing opportunities are equally abundant. Spin fishing remains the most popular method in Southland, and with the success rate than better anglers enjoy that’s no surprise. A revolution in the quality and affordability of modern gear has also dramatically changed the sport from the days of a ‘solid glass’ rod and an ‘egg beater’ reel that truly did feel about that smooth!

As with every region in the country, more competent anglers will catch more fish. For those starting into this great sport, there is a wealth of introductory literature available for both fly and spin fishing, and these days also DVDs!