Fishing Overview for New Zealand

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• Auckland

  In Auckland, recreational fishing is centred on the sheltered waters of the Hauraki Gulf, nearby estuaries and the rugged west coast, offering easy shore and boat opportunities as well as charter and kayak trips; the region is best known for abundant snapper, schooling kahawai, powerful kingfish and hard-fighting trevally inshore, while offshore trips target tuna and sport marlin; inland waters and small lakes also give good angling for brown trout and rainbow trout, and common methods include reef fishing, surfcasting, and jigging from boats.

• Bay of Plenty

  The Bay of Plenty in New Zealand is a productive recreational fishing region where anglers catch a variety of species from harbours, reefs and offshore grounds; top targets include snapper, kingfish, trevally, kahawai, gurnard and john dory, while further offshore you can find marlin and albacore/tuna and occasional hapuka (groper). Popular launch points such as Tauranga Harbour, Whakatāne and Ōpōtiki give easy access to estuaries, rocky reefs and deep-water structure, and anglers use a mix of boat fishing, shore fishing, jigging, trolling, live bait and softbaits depending on species and conditions.

• Canterbury

  Canterbury in New Zealand is a great spot for recreational fishing, with clear braided rivers and high-country lakes offering excellent trout and salmon opportunities; popular targets include brown trout, rainbow trout and Chinook (King) salmon in rivers such as the Rakaia, Waimakariri and Hurunui and lakes like Tekapo and Pukaki. Along the coast and around Banks Peninsula you can enjoy boat, kayak or surf fishing for species such as kahawai, trevally, tarakihi, hapuku (groper) and blue cod, while many anglers favour fly fishing and light-spin methods for the freshwater runs.

• Chatham Islands

  The remote Chatham Islands offer anglers excellent inshore and offshore opportunities, with productive coastal reefs and deepwater grounds reachable from small boats; key targets include blue cod, tarakihi, hapuku (groper), ling and coastal kingfish, while further offshore anglers can find albacore and yellowfin tuna as well as other pelagics; popular methods are bottom fishing for groper and tarakihi, jigging and trolling for tuna and kingfish, plus productive shore fishing and rock fishing around headlands and reefs for blue cod and mixed reef species.

• Gisborne

  Gisborne on New Zealand’s east coast is a great spot for recreational fishing, offering productive inshore and offshore opportunities. From shore and rock platforms you can surfcast for snapper, trevally and kahawai, while boats score well for snapper, kingfish and john dory on reefs and pinnacles. Offshore anglers can target seasonal marlin and yellowfin tuna on the current lines, and estuaries and inland waterways provide good brown trout fishing for light-tackle anglers. Most fishing is done by boat, surfcasting, trolling or estuary and river methods, making Gisborne a versatile destination for recreational fishers.

• Hawke's Bay Region

  Hawke's Bay on New Zealand's east coast offers varied recreational fishing from sandy beaches, rocky headlands and estuaries to inshore and offshore waters. Anglers commonly target snapper, kingfish, trevally and school kahawai close to shore, with tasty bottom fish like gurnard, tarakihi and flounder found around reefs and gravel. Popular methods include surfcasting, rock fishing, boat fishing, bottom fishing and light tackle, while adventurous anglers can head offshore for tuna and occasional marlin. Freshwater enthusiasts can fish local rivers and lakes for brown trout and rainbow trout, making Hawke's Bay a diverse destination for shore, boat and freshwater recreational anglers.

• Manawatu-Wanganui

  Manawatu-Wanganui offers varied recreational fishing across its rivers, lakes and coastline, with great options for both freshwater and coastal anglers; famed rivers like the Rangitikei River and Whanganui River and local lakes produce excellent trout fishing, especially brown trout and rainbow trout, popular with fly fishing and spin anglers. On the coast and in estuaries you can expect good catches of snapper, kahawai, kingfish, tarakihi and gurnard, plus schooling species like trevally and summer surfcasting opportunities from beaches and rock points. The region’s mix of clear rivers, tidal estuaries and nearshore reefs makes it easy to switch between relaxed boat fishing, shore casting and technical freshwater angling in one trip.

• Marlborough

  In Marlborough, New Zealand, recreational fishing is centred on the sheltered inlets and channels of the Marlborough Sounds and the region’s rivers and estuaries. Anglers commonly target coastal species like snapper, kingfish, tarakihi, gurnard and blue cod from boats or rocky shorelines, while fast, surface-feeding kahawai offer exciting light-tackle action. Inland waters deliver good trout and seasonal salmon fishing, often pursued by fly anglers or from small boats, and local charters make reefs and channels accessible for bait, jigging, spin and fly techniques.

• Nelson Region

  The Nelson Region offers sheltered bays, rocky coastlines and clear rivers and lakes that make it a top spot for recreational fishing; inshore anglers target abundant snapper, hard-fighting kingfish, schooling kahawai, tasty blue cod, tarakihi, gurnard and various reef and flatfish, while freshwater fishers chase brown trout, rainbow trout and occasional sea-run salmon in rivers and lakes. Popular areas include Tasman Bay, Golden Bay and the sheltered coves around the Abel Tasman coast, and the region fishes well from both boat and shore. Common techniques are bait fishing and surfcasting for shore anglers, light-tackle jigging and trolling from boats for pelagic and reef species, and fly fishing or spin fishing for trout in rivers and lakes.

• Northland

  In Northland, New Zealand, fishing is excellent year-round across sheltered bays, estuaries, rocky reefs, sandy beaches and nearby offshore grounds. Popular targets are inshore favourites like snapper, kingfish, trevally and kahawai, while deeper water and pelagic trips often produce hapuku, tuna and seasonal marlin. You can fish from shore, kayak or boat using bait, light-tackle jigging and trolling, making Northland a versatile region for both casual and experienced anglers.

• Otago

  Otago offers diverse recreational fishing from braided rivers and clear alpine lakes to productive coastal waters. In freshwater, anglers target wild brown trout, rainbow trout and seasonal Chinook salmon on rivers like the Clutha and lakes Wanaka and Wakatipu, with many opportunities for fly fishing and spin fishing. Estuaries and surf produce schooling kahawai and sea-run trout, while boat and reef fishing off the Otago Peninsula and the Catlins yield tarakihi, gurnard, blue cod and deep-water southern blue whiting. Gear ranges from light tippets and dry flies to heavy jigging and bait rigs, so anglers can enjoy a wide variety of freshwater and saltwater fishing styles across the region.

• Southland

  Southland offers varied recreational fishing across clear rivers, deep lakes and rugged coastline around Fiordland and Stewart Island. Freshwater anglers can expect strong runs of brown trout, rainbow trout and seasonal Chinook salmon, commonly pursued by fly fishing and spin casting. Inshore and coastal waters, including Foveaux Strait and the Bluff area, are good for blue cod, tarakihi, gurnard and schooly kahawai, taken from boats or the shore with baits and light tackle. Popular spots like the Mataura and Oreti rivers and lakes such as Te Anau provide scenic day trips and reliable angling action.

• Taranaki Region

  In New Zealand's Taranaki Region the coastline and offshore grounds offer productive recreational fishing. Close inshore areas and reefs hold good numbers of snapper, kingfish, kahawai and trevally, while sandy-bottom spots produce tarakihi, john dory and gurnard. Anglers can enjoy surfcasting, rock fishing, estuary and boat fishing for a mix of fast action and table-quality catches, with deeper water trips reaching offshore species and larger gamefish. Targeting structure near reefs and heads with fresh baits or lures usually brings the best results.

• Tasman District

  In New Zealand's Tasman District recreational fishing covers sheltered bays, estuaries and nearby offshore grounds, offering a mix of shore, boat and kayak opportunities. Key species in the area include snapper, kingfish, kahawai, trevally, gurnard and tarakihi, while deeper trips can find larger pelagic fish. The region's rivers and small lakes also provide good freshwater angling for rainbow trout and brown trout, with reef structure, estuary flats and rocky headlands that concentrate fish.

• Waikato Region

  In New Zealand’s Waikato Region, anglers can enjoy both freshwater and coastal fishing; on rivers and lakes such as the Waikato River and Lake Taupō the main targets are brown trout and rainbow trout using fly fishing or spin fishing, while along the Hauraki Gulf, estuaries and surf breaks common species from shore and boat include snapper, kingfish, kahawai, gurnard and trevally; estuaries and shallow bays also hold flounder and small reef fish, making Waikato a versatile recreational fishing destination year‑round.

• Wellington Region

  The Wellington Region offers varied recreational fishing from beaches, estuaries and rocky shorelines to boat trips in Cook Strait and the harbour; common saltwater targets include snapper, kahawai, kingfish, tarakihi, trevally and gurnard, while in some areas anglers also catch blue cod; freshwater rivers and lakes hold brown trout and rainbow trout, making the region good for surfcasting, rock and boat fishing.

• West Coast

  The West Coast of New Zealand offers rugged, remote fishing with strong freshwater and coastal options, from clear rivers and small lakes to exposed surf beaches and rocky inshore grounds; inland anglers chase brown trout, rainbow trout and sea‑run trout by fly fishing or spin methods, while coastal trips and surfcasting commonly target kahawai, gurnard and hapuku (groper), with seasonal whitebait runs in estuaries and occasional inshore sharks and other reef species for boat anglers.