Reel Life March 2024 - Northland

Late February and into March has seen the driest conditions in the region in the last couple of years.

The reservoir fisheries are seeing the effects of this, having been drawn down significantly due to the demand for water and low inflows.

Wilsons Dam has remained at 100% capacity throughout the summer due to the Marsden Point refinery no longer operating.

This has allowed the submerged vegetation to recover nicely after a couple of very hard years recently.

This should see the fishery in good form heading into autumn.

Surface water temperatures are warm in the reservoirs as well, which has forced the fish to seek refuge in the cooler water at depth.

Likewise for the rivers and streams in the region.

Many of the smaller waterways have dropped low and are running warm.

This has seen the fish seek refuge in deeper pools with cooler water.

They remain catchable, however, although in the clear water, a little more subtlety has been required.

Small dry flies with a small nymph on a dropper delicately presented is effective.

We are now starting to feel the chill in the evenings as autumn approaches – this will start to cool the streams and reservoirs as the season progresses, which will see the fish once again become more active.

Remember that the fishing regulations have been relaxed in the Northland region with all waters being open all year round for all legal methods of fishing.

This means that anglers can make the most of their licence purchase and fish whenever conditions suit them.

Whilst this will be the last Reel Life report for the season, there are still six months of fishing left to do on the 2023-2024 licence.

The reservoirs in particular fish well through the cooler months as the fish are more active, so don’t hang up the fishing gear.

Remember that there is a competition running for those who catch fish in the region.

Send us the length, weight, location and any fin clips that are visible and you will go in the draw to win a whole season licence for 2024-2025 to be drawn in September. Entries close 31 August 2024.

Tight lines

Northland Fish and Game Council