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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.

  Finding the best places to fish

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:

  Getting to the fishing

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.

  Using a fishing guide

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.

  New Zealand fishing methods

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

See New Zealand fishing methods for more information.

  Flies and lures

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.

  The New Zealand fishing year 

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.

  Fishing etiquette

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

  Boat fishing guidlines

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.

  Help prevent didymo

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.

  Further information

 

Bradley Smokers

Flyshop New Zealand

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Planning your Fishing Trip

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4WD Hire

New Zealand 4WD Hire

 

 

Scierra Dynatrack boots

Scierra Dynatrack boots

 

Light-weight Scierra Ipac wading boots

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