Reel Life November 2022

The persistent large rainfall events have made fishing in our river systems challenging.

There have been very few fishing days available recently.

Hopefully, more settled weather will eventuate going into the summer months.

Lake Manuwai

Northland Fish and Game staff conducted a trout survey in Lake Manuwai recently to check the growth rates of the stocked trout.

Three age classes were caught, with the biggest fish weighing around 2kg.

The fish were caught on the margins of the lake near reed beds and underwater structures.

Non-motorised watercraft are able to be used on the lake, so this makes it ideal for kayak fishing.

Lake Maunwai is a large man-made reservoir within 10 minutes of Kerikeri Township.

The deepest part of the lake is around 18m.

Rainbows are released annually and can grow in excess of 2.5kg.

This is a great place to take children fishing. All methods are permitted.

Black and zebra tobys work well if you are spinning.

The use of bait in summer is useful when the fish are down deep due to warmer water.

For those fly-fishing, cicada and green beetle patterns work well in summer, and wet flies such as Woolly Bugger, Mrs Simpson, Red Setter, and Parson's Glory are reliable performers.

Tight Lines

Graham Gallaghan, Northland Fish & Game.