New Zealand Winter Fishing

Most rivers close at the end of June, but the following waters remain open over the winter months:

- Mangawhio Stream, below lower falls
- Waipapa River, below the lower falls
- Hikutaia River, below the Whangamata track
- Mangaotaki River, below the lower bridge on Mangaotaki Road
- Marokopa River, below Mangatuahaua Stream
- Ohinemuri River, below Victoria Street Bridge in Waihi
- Puniu River, below Seafund Road
- Waihou River
- Waikato River
- Waimakariri Stream
- Waipa River, below Toa Bridge
- Waitawheta River, below the end of Franklin Road
- Whanganui River, below its confluence with the Whakapapa

All lakes remain open over winter.

Boat fishing on Lakes Tarawera, Rotoiti and Okataina comes to an end for the season at midnight on the 30th of June 2008. This includes fishing the upper reaches of some of the local Rotorua streams (Ngongotaha, Waiteti and Utuhina) as well as the Ohau Channel, and those waterways not listed within the regulation guide that fall under the heading of "all other waters".

However Lake Rotorua and Rotoma, Rerewhakaaitu, Okaro and Ngapouri all remain open to boat fishing.

During the winter months huge numbers of large trout enter all the Taupo rivers and make their way upstream to spawn. This is the premier fishing time for the region as trout that enter the rivers are in prime condition. July to September are traditionally the best months for spawning runs and are usually the busiest months with the most anglers on the waters. In recent years October has been very good too as spawning runs become more spread out.

Fly fishing the eastern tributaries such as the Tongariro, Tauranga-Taupo, Hinemaiaia and Waitahanui, mostly for rainbow trout, provides the fishing challenge. These rivers are very popular and, if you are to enjoy your fishing there, it is vital to be aware of the fishing etiquette that applies.

Note that the upper parts of the rivers are closed from 1st June to 30th November to protect the trout while they are spawning.

Lake Tutira starts to fish well in July/August as spawning begins and fish start to come in closer to the shore

After heavy rain, the Mohaka River cleans the quickest (geneally clearingwithin 1-2 days) and provides the more fishable conditions.

Wetlining is a good option where river levels are high and flows are swift.

Taranaki Ringplain

Winter is traditionally a quiet time for trout fishing on the Taranaki ringplain, as most waters are closed for the trout spawning season. But fishing is still available in a number of local lakes and the lower reaches of a selection of coastal rivers and streams.

Lake Ratapiko: One of the most productive winter fisheries is Lake Ratapiko, a 21-hectare hydro reservoir located 9 km along Tariki Road off SH3, mid-way between Inglewood and Stratford. Lake Ratapiko contains hatchery rainbow trout up to 2.7 kg, with wild browns up to 2 kg and perch up to 1.5kg also present. Spin and bait fishing methods are popular, although wet-fly fishing will also take fish. Trout cruising the lake edge can also be targeted with damselfly, waterboatman or snail imitations. The lake margins adjacent to Tariki Road can be reached via the water ski and powerboat access points. Permission to fish other parts of the lake margin should be sought from the local landowners.

Lake Mangamahoe is another productive fishery located on SH3 between New Plymouth and Inglewood. The lake is fly-fishing only with fly rod, fly reel and fly line and the use of size 8 -12 Rabbit, Red Setter or Hamill’s killer type wet flies, or small waterboatman or snail imitations can produce good conditioned brown and rainbow trout up to 2kg. Booby-type flies fished on a short trace and sinking line can also be productive. Please note that the lake inlet is closed to winter fishing

Waiwhakaiho River: For New Plymouth anglers, the Waiwhakaiho River can be fished from the sea up to the end of the gravel track originating at the right-hand end of Rimu Stream. This provides 4km of fishable water with easy access and some large pools. Mainly brown trout are present, with the occasional rainbow and it’s a good place to spend and hour or two fishing without having to travel out of the city.

Lake Ngangana: Lying next to the Taranaki Kart Club track at the end of Joll Street, Waitara, Lake Ngangana provides fishing for medium-sized rainbow trout in scenic surroundings. There is a walking track round the lake giving access to a number of fishing sites and there is always a sheltered spot out of the wind. The adjacent Waitara River downstream from the Manganui river confluence is also open during winter and spin fishing on an incoming tide or when the river clears during low flow periods can produce good brown trout up to 2kg. Waitara River access is best from Mamaku Road on the western side of the river.

Opunake Lake can be reached by a short walk down a track on the Opunake side of the Surf Highway 45 Bridge, or via Domett or Layard Streets in Opunake. The lake provides some good fishing for brown and rainbow trout, as does the adjacent Waiaua River downstream of the weir. The lower reaches of several coastal ringplain rivers, including the Kaupokonui and Waingongoro, are also open to winter season angling below the Surf Highway 45 bridges.

Patea River: Although the Patea River below Patea dam carries a high sediment load following rainfall, excellent conditioned brown trout up to trophy size are present and the river is well worth a visit during low flow periods. The lower Patea is reached via Ball Road, which runs off SH3 just north of Kakaramea. There is plenty of fishable water between McColl’s bridge and the dam face.

Wanganui

Lake Namunamu: For Wanganui anglers, Lake Namunamu located 14km west of Hunterville on the Turakina Valley Road is well worth a visit. The 13-hectare lake is sheltered from the wind and is stocked with rainbow trout that grow to around 2kg. A couple of dinghies are provided, but anglers must ensure they bring their own life jackets. Most fish are caught by harling a wetfly (Hamills Killer, Woolly Bugger, Parsons Glory) on a sinking line. Park by the access sign and take the farm track.

Lake Wiritoa contains both rainbow trout and perch, with popular fishing spots located at the water ski clubrooms and Scoutland’s Beach.

Lake Pauri contains a good population of perch, a white-fleshed good eating species that can grow to 2kg.

Waimarino

Manganuioteao River: The Manganuioteao mainstem (excluding tributaries) downstream of the Orautoha Stream confluence is open to winter season angling and the use of a Tongariro-style two-nymph rig incorporating #14-16 hare and copper or halfback type nymphs should bring success. Access is via Ohura Road (turn left 4km north of Raetihi) and Ruatiti Road. A free camping area is available at Ruatiti domain (take plenty of warm gear) and a large sign at the domain gives details of which landowner to ask for access.

Mangawhero River: The Mangawhero River (excluding tributaries) downstream of the SH49 “golf course” Bridge is also open during winter with the reach upstream and downstream of the Pakihi Road Bridge worth a look on a fine winter’s day. As for the Manganuioteao River, please obtain permission from the landholders and avoid disturbing stock.

The Tokiahuru and Waitaiki Streams, out near Karioi, are open downstream of the SH49 bridges. These spring-fed streams remain fishable when other waters are dirty from rain and they contain high-density populations of small rainbow trout, with a few larger brown and rainbow trout also present. The Tokiahuru is a fast flowing stream and care must be taken when crossing. The lower Tokiahuru can be accessed from Whangaehu Valley Road or Oruakukuru Road.

Places to target during the winter month are the lower to tidal reaches of rivers, especially the Buller, Wairau, Pelorus and Motueka. Also Lake Argyle and the shallow margins of the Nelson Lakes (Lakes Rotoroa and Rotoiti) are worth a look.

May

In May, fish are in top condition in readiness for spawning. Male trout especially, get more aggressive and territorial as they prepare to defend their spawning areas from smaller fish. Anglers can take advantage of this by using lures which provoke an attack response. Red seems to be a colour that trout will go for. So your lures should incorporate red in some way. Other good colours are black and green. Yellow is good when the water is discoloured.

With good hatches of deleatidium mayflies occurring on calm clear days, most standard dryfly and emerger patterns in sizes 16 and 14 will work. Nymphing is still a good bet.

June

Good hatches generally taper off with the shorter days, but on high barometer bright sun ‘red fish’ days, it is definitely worth trying your luck. From 11 am to 3 pm is the best time. Young fish will eagerly take a size 6 – 18 Parachute Adams, emerger pattern or a size 16 – 18 beadhead nymph swung across and down the current.

July

Water temperatures at their coldest in July and so fishing is relatively slow . Anglers need to  fish deep, lower water with deeply sunk nymphs, lures or spinners. Fish at optimum times, such as mid afternoon on sunny days with a rising barometer.

Fish activity starts to increase towards the end of July as days lengthen and water temperatures increase. Spawning fish drop back downstream to their usual lies and start to pick up condition again. Some fish will move to tidal waters where they can gorge on the smelt, whitebait and torrent fish moving into the rivers in spring.

More information

For more detail, see Richmond Sportpower's Monthly Reports.

With light angling pressure spread over a large number of rivers, the West Coast region is able to maintain winter trout fishing in its larger rivers and lakes.

Trout are on minimal rations over May and June during the spawning process and get hungry. Rations are few and far between at this time of year so trout forage far and wide for food and theoretically are therefore become eager to take artificial lures.

In July the majority of trout have completed spawning and returning to the main rivers and lakes there were many winter fishing opportunities in the region. River deltas where the trout enter lakes can hold good numbers of returning fish, as can the confluences of tributaries in the main stems of the larger rivers. The upper reaches and tributaries are still closed to protect those still spawning so consult the West Coast regulations for details on open waters.

Not all fish spawn and maiden or pre spawning fish are still present in lakes and rivers. Lower sections of rivers nearer to the mouths are especially good areas to target these fish, which may attain sizes up to 3 pounds. As preyfish, such as smelt, herring and whitebait, increase their runs through to the spring there is always the chance of hooking into one of the famous west coast sea-runners as well. The first fall in the river above the tidal influence is usually productive for the sea runners, especially so during the change of light.

Although a winter season is permitted on specific waters, winter fishing does not appear to be hugely popular during the colder months.

The 2008 winter season applies to the Waitaki, Rangitata, Opihi, and Ashburton Rivers downstream of State Higway 1 beginning on the 1st June , closing on the 31st August. Fishing methods are restricted to spinner and fly fishing only (bait fishing is prohibited during the winter season).

Please check the Central South Island regulations for the current regulations.