Category: Reel Life
Keep up to date with all the freshwater fishing action, news, events and comment from across New Zealand by signing up to 'Reel Life' - the official monthly newsletter from Fish & Game New Zealand.
Why not check out some recent editions of our 'Reel Life' newsletter here?
Fish & Game New Zealand believes that email is an important way to communicate regular news, important and timely updates and calls to action. Please help us ensure we can communicate directly with you by signing up for our newsletter(s) using the form below.
Privacy Policy: Your details will at all times be used only for the express purpose of Fish & Game New Zealand email communications and will never be disclosed to a third party.
Reel Life September 2023
Anglers throughout New Zealand are looking forward to the start of the season on Sunday, October 1 with an excited air of expectation.
Reel Life March 2023
Cooler mornings have indicated the start of autumn, and while few of us are actually looking forward to the cold of winter, it is a time when trout are in...
Reel Life February 2023
While we make every effort to focus the content of our monthly Reel Life on positive opportunities around the region, it’s impossible to ignore the difficulties faced currently on the...
Reel Life January 2023
The weather has finally started to play ball here in parts of the Eastern Region, and despite another batch of wet stuff after New Year, anglers have been able to...
Reel Life December 2022
Arggh – the weather! Rain by the Olympic swimming pool load has been testing everyone’s tolerance, especially those wanting to fish the streams and rivers of the region.
Reel Life November 2022
Classic spring weather in the Eastern region has dominated the scene for several weeks with waves of heavy rainfall.
Reel Life September 2022
With the new season just around the corner, anglers are keenly anticipating Saturday 1st October at 5.00 am!
Welcome to the first Reel Life issue of the 2022/23 fishing season
Your new season fishing licence will unlock the wonderful New Zealand rivers and lakes to you for a fishing season that is looking awesome.
Read more about 'Welcome to the first Reel Life issue of the 2022/23 fishing season'...
Reel Life April 2022
As I write this, long overdue rain in the Bay of Plenty is fair lashing the roof.
Reel Life March 2022
Showery rain during the second week of February and cooler overnight temperatures have cooled the surface of local lakes slightly but the stream mouth fishing remains excellent.
Reel Life February 2022
Summer heat is improving success rates for anglers fishing Lake Rotorua’s stream mouths.
Reel Life January 2022
Last month we reported stable lake surface water temperatures around 15 or 16 degrees Celsius.
Reel Life December 2021
Classic spring weather has dominated the last few weeks of fishing in the Eastern Region.
Reel Life November 2021
Opening day 2021 was, yet again, a fantastic time on lakes Rotoiti, Tarawera and Okataina, with the weather playing a role in making it one to remember.
Reel Life October 2021
With the new trout fishing season just around the corner, anglers all around the country are busy preparing for a big day out.
Reel Life September 2021
I think we can all agree, the countries excursion back into Covid lockdown tested our patience and sanity!
Reel Life April 2021
April and May signify the start of the winter spawning season for trout in the Eastern Fish & Game region.
Reel Life March 2021
Autumn seasonal change has brought about the need for anglers to adjust tactics to remain successful.
Reel Life January 2021
The effects of summer’s high temperatures are being felt around the region, producing predictable, quality trout fishing at many locations.
Reel Life December 2020
Warm, breezy conditions have hit the region (as predicted by NIWA) and this is already affecting fish behavior.
Reel Life November 2020
Lake Rotorua’s big browns are on the move into the tributary streams as spring conditions begin to warm the lake.
Reel Life October 2020
Fish & Game staff spoke to around 650 anglers fishing the Rotorua lakes on the opening day of the trout fishing season (1 October 2020).
Reel Life September 2020
The new season is now just around the corner and anticipation for opening day in the Eastern Region is building.
Reel Life August 2020
The new fishing season is only five weekends away and your new season fishing licence will unlock the full fishing potential of New Zealand for you to explore.
Eastern Reel Life January 2020
Last month I wrote about the weather being decidedly ‘spring-like’ and making assumptions that things would get back to normal soon.
Eastern Reel Life December 2019
Although we are technically in summer, we’ve had a full range of ‘spring-like’ weather patterns here in the Eastern Fish & Game region over the last couple of weeks.
Eastern Reel Life November 2019
Conditions are proving to be ideal for river anglers in the Eastern Fish & Game region currently with moderate flows and warming temperatures putting fish into a feeding mood.
Eastern Reel Life October 2019
The traditional season opening on the Rotorua lakes didn’t disappoint for hundreds of keen fishers who braved the conditions.
Eastern Reel Life September 2019
The new season opening is now just days away, anglers are being reminded that a little preparation and planning goes a long way toward the day being enjoyable and hassle free.
Eastern Reel Life August 2019
As we await the beginning of spring, and the new trout season commencing at the beginning of October, there are a number of locations still open that can provide excellent fishing.
Eastern Reel Life January 2019
An extended period of fine hot weather has seen an influx of trout into the stream mouths of Lake Rotorua.
Eastern Reel Life December 2018
Changeable conditions over the last month, including some heavy rains and cooler periods, have slowed the lakes’ natural summer warming.
Eastern Reel Life November 2018
Relatively warm, dry conditions as we head into summer have local lakes warming up and surface smelting activity on the increase.
Eastern Reel Life October 2018
The grand opening on October 1 at lakes Rotoiti, Okataina and Tarawera went off with the usual fanfare.
Eastern Reel Life September 2018
The region’s anglers are looking forward to the opening on October 1 with a keen air of expectation.
Eastern Reel Life August 2018
Signs of seasonal change are evident around the region and we are hoping for warmer, drier weather as the new season nears.
Reel Life May 2018
We’ve got a simple message as May rolls into June and the start of winter…there is still some terrific fishing out there!
Eastern Reel Life April 2018
As mentioned last month, pre-spawning trout are in prime condition at this time of year.
Eastern Reel Life March 2018
Autumn's in the air here in the central North Island and there are lots of trout fishing opportunities for anglers to make the most of.
Eastern Reel Life February 2018
Rotorua stream mouth fishing has produced some promising periods with excellent catch rates at times, but anglers have needed to move between locations to make the most of sometimes fickle conditions.
Eastern Reel Life January 2018
Unseasonal cool blustery conditions have dominated the Rotorua lakes scene in recent weeks resulting in decreasing surface temperatures.
Eastern Reel Life December 2017
It’s amazing how much difference a month can make to conditions, and the effects on the trout fishing here at the Rotorua lakes.
Eastern Reel Life November 2017
For many, the beginning of December defines the start of summer, and for keen trout fishers its a time when early season trips are made.
Eastern Reel Life October 2017
The Ruakituri River that rises in Te Urewera National Park has been living up to its reputation for some world class fishing.
Eastern Reel Life September 2017
If you’re reading this on or just after October 1, Rotorua’s terrific trophy lakes are open and fishable again.
Eastern Reel Life August 2017
Seasonal changes are upon us and we can finally hope for some warmer and drier weather a little more conducive to trout fishing pursuits!
Eastern Reel Life May 2017
We reported the effects of Ngongotaha flood damage in last month’s Reel life; the stream continues to run with color every time we have rain however the fish are in...
Eastern Reel Life Apr 2017
Cooler weather conditions have kicked in very suddenly in the central North Island with overnight temperatures getting down to just three degrees this week.
Wellington Reel Life Mar 2017
Okay, the weather has been crazy, and at least in some rivers that normally fire the fish have been fickle...
Auckland / Waikato Reel Life Mar 2017
An ambitious tagging program has been started on the Whanganui River by Fish & Game councillor Nigel Juby.
Hawke's Bay Reel Life Mar 2017
After another hot dry summer, it was refreshing to get some decent rain in early March to give the rivers a flush out and add some volume to their flows.
Taranaki Reel Life Mar 2017
With only one significant fresh in the last month, Taranaki ringplain streams and rivers have been very fishable – and there’s even been a nice period of settled weather to...
Nelson Marlborough Reel Life Mar 2017
Trout flying bright green streamers were released into the Riuwaka River during a day long operation in mid-March.
West Coast Reel Life Mar 2017
Conditions have certainly come right recently, with great fishing available.
Both opportunities for salmon and trout fishing have been excellent this month, as the weather has settled down and the river flows have stabilised.
North Canterbury Reel Life Mar 2017
Late March and early April often brings settled weather to the Canterbury region.
Central South Island Reel Life Mar 2017
April is the last month of the ‘summer’ fishing season.
Read more about 'Central South Island Reel Life Mar 2017'...
Southland Reel Life Mar 2017
Finally, in a clear patch of weather Southland staff were able to get out and undertake drift diving surveys as part of their annual trout monitoring program.
Northland Reel Life Mar 2017
Autumn has arrived – with the mornings noticeably cooler and some heavy dews happening.
Eastern Reel Life Mar 2017
Autumn has rolled around quickly and seasonal changes are evident in the Eastern Fish & Game region.
North Canterbury Reel Life FEB 2017
High hopes for March fishing
Nelson / Marlborough Reel Life FEB 2017
'exhilarating' cicada season in full swing
Read more about 'Nelson / Marlborough Reel Life FEB 2017'...
Northland Reel Life Feb 2017
With warm temperatures and a “medium adverse event” declared in Northland, water levels have been getting very low.
Taranaki Reel Life Feb 2017
At last...after a long period of westerly conditions bringing cool winds and lots of rain, we've finally enjoyed some settled summer weather in Taranaki, not a moment too soon!
Eastern Reel Life Feb 2017
Lake Rotoiti has been one of the top performers so far this summer, serving up some “solid” catches.
Auckland / Waikato Reel Life Feb 2017
The weather has been less than ideal recently but the heat has brought out the cicadas – and the trout that feed on them.
Northland Reel Life Jan 2017
We hope everyone has had a good summer break...or are still enjoying your holidays.
Eastern Reel Life Jan 2017
Lake Rotorua’s shoreline fishery has been slow to get underway this summer due to cooler and windier than normal conditions.
Central South Island Reel Life JAN 2017
It has been a fickle summer weather-wise, with welcome small but regular rainfall events occurring across the region.
Read more about 'Central South Island Reel Life JAN 2017'...
West Coast Reel Life Jan 2017
Large numbers of hunters turned out in the West Coast Region for Opening Weekend this year, both local hunters and many from other regions.
Nelson/Marlborough Reel Life JAN 2017
The Taylor River fishery is in good shape after a 50 medium to large brown trout were released before Christmas.
Wellington Reel Life Jan 2017
Spring and now 'summer' continue to be a real mixed bag when it comes to weather and fishing prospects.
Taranaki Reel Life Jan 2017
Regular freshes, persistent westerly winds and even an early dump of snow have conspired to provide great conditions for the trout, but not so flash for the anglers.
Hawke’s Bay Reel Life Jan 2017
December and early January have seen many of the rivers running low and clear as we progress through the hot summer months here in the Hawke’s Bay.
Categories
Archive
- November 2023
- October 2023
- September 2023
- August 2023
- April 2023
- March 2023
- February 2023
- January 2023
- December 2022
- November 2022
- October 2022
- September 2022
- August 2022
- March 2022
- February 2022
- January 2022
- December 2021
- November 2021
- October 2021
- August 2021
- April 2021
- March 2021
- February 2021
- January 2021
- December 2020
- November 2020
- October 2020
- September 2020
- August 2020
- March 2020
- January 2020
- December 2019
- November 2019
- October 2019
- September 2019
- August 2019
- January 2019
- December 2018
- November 2018
- October 2018
- September 2018
- August 2018
- May 2018
- April 2018
- March 2018
- February 2018
- January 2018
- December 2017
- November 2017
- October 2017
- September 2017
- August 2017
- May 2017
- March 2017
- February 2017
- January 2017