Freshwater Fishing in New Zealand: a "how to" guide

New Zealand's trout and salmon fishing is widely reputed because of the beautiful scenery, well-conditioned trophy fish and the variety of the New Zealand fly fishing experience.  New Zealand also offers coarse fishing and great sea fishing.

Some of New Zealand's best fresh water fishing spots are well known and popular, others are underfished but equally deserving of the angler's attention. For a selection:

• See best places to fish or
• Check our suggested fishing trip itineraries Plan your trip to New Zealand to fish

Unless you are hiring a guide, you will need a vehicle to get to the fishing on most lakes and rivers. You can hire a rental car, motorhome or campervan. Travelling in a motorhome or campervan allows to travel independently and flexibly, at your own pace. A 4-wheel drive vehicle may be needed to drive to the more remote fishing over unformed roads and tracks.

Freedom Fishing

Much of New Zealand's best fishing is able to be easily reached by vehicle. And to increase the range of waters able to fish, a good four wheel drive is recommended. Many rivers and lakes are remote but do have tracks to them suitable for a 4WD vehicle. Combined with a tent and camping equipment, the numbers of rivers and lakes open to the intrepid angler is huge. There is nothing more frustrating than having to leave a great fishing spot because you have to get back to your accommodation in daylight hours and so miss the best evening fishing times. A tent and a good vehicle allow you to really experience the best of the backcountry fishing available.

Four wheel drive vehicles can be hired through New Zealand 4WD Hire which has offices at the two major international terminals at Auckland and Christchurch. New Zealand 4WD Hire can also arrange for the hire of tents and other camping equipment to save you bringing these bulky items in as part of your baggage allowancwe.

And do remember that New Zealand has extremely strict bio-security proceedures and any camping equipment brought into the country that border control suspects has been used overseas and may contain unwanted organism will be taken away and cleaned. A process that can take a few days thereby shortening your fishing time considerably.

An experienced New Zealand fishing guide can provide invaluable expertise, transport, and often fly fishing tackle as well. Some New Zealand flyfishing guides even offer a "no fish, no pay" policy when trolling for trout. Many professional New Zealand flyfishing guides are members of the New Zealand Professional Fishing Guides Association, NZPGA.

To find a flyfishing guide in any region, first select the region from the New Zealand fly fishing regions map, then select Fishing Guides from the menu.

In New Zealand, fresh water fishing is permitted using the following methods:

• Fly fishing
  - Dry fly fishing
  - Wet fly fishing
  - Nymphing
• Spinning
• Bait fishing
• Boat fishing
  - Trolling
  - Harling
  - Jigging

See New Zealand fishing methods for more information.

A typical New Zealand fly box:
Find out about and view pictures of commonly used trout flies

Index of trout flies and lures: Browse a huge selection of New Zealand trout fishing flies, spinners and lures.

Most New Zealand fishing waters are open during the warmer month from October to April, while some New Zealand lakes and rivers are also open for winter fishing. See the New Zealand fishing year for a month-by-month description of New Zealand fishing.

A code of expected behaviour governs the way anglers interact, particularly in popular New Zealand fishing spots. Please see New Zealand fishing etiquette.

New Zealand boat fishing guidelinesPlease see New Zealand boat fishing guidelines for some common sense rules to follow when launching and retrieving a boat at busy boat ramps.

Please check, clean and dry your equipment after fishing in New Zealand waters to help prevent the spread of didymo (also known as rock snot). See preventing didymo spreading in New Zealand fishing waters for further details.

• Fish & Game New Zealand fishing access pamphlets:
  What Fish & Game New Zealand fishing access pamphlets are available, where to get them, and links to online versions.
• Fish & Game New Zealand contact details:
  How to contact the regional offices of Fish & Game New Zealand with queries or for advice about freshwater fishing.
• A glossary of New Zealand fishing terms:
  A glossary of terms relevant to trout and salmon fishing in New Zealand.
• New Zealand fishing bibliography
  A New Zealand fishing bibliography including details of some excellent books about New Zealand trout fishing and about New Zealand salmon fishing
• New Zealand fishing news items:
  A summary of New Zealand fishing news items about recreational fishing or otherwise of interest to trout and salmon anglers.