Fishing News index> July 2008

Mid –Winter Fishing Opportunities
Dean Kelly – Fish & Game Officer

With the majority of trout having completed spawning and now returning to the main rivers and lakes there is a plethora of winter fishing opportunities in the West Coast region. Trout, who have been on minimal rations over the previous couple of months during the spawning process, will be hungry. Rations are few and far between at this time of year so trout will be foraging far and wide for a ready supply of food and theoretically will therefore be eager to take artificial lures. River deltas where they enter lakes should hold good numbers of returning fish as will as confluences of tributaries in the main stems of the larger rivers so pay specific attention here. The upper reaches and tributaries are still closed to protect those still spawning so consult your regulation guide for details on open waters.

Not all fish spawn and maiden or pre spawning fish will still be present in lakes and rivers. Lower sections of rivers nearer to the mouths are especially good areas to target for these fish, which may attain sizes up to 3 pounds. As preyfish, such as smelt, herring and whitebait, runs increase 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.

With light angling pressure spread over a large number of rivers the West Coast region can sustainably maintain a winter trout fishing season in its larger rivers and lakes.  So get out there and make the most of it, of course the other bonus to winter fishing is that you will almost certainly have the section of water to yourself!

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