Lower North Lowdown Weekly Fishing Report - 6 March 2025

Welcome Recharge For Regions' Rivers   

The southerly front that pushed through yesterday brought rain and significantly cooler temperatures which will recharge the rivers nicely!

This was the first decent rain in some time, and it's added quite a lot of flow to some of our waterways, particularly those in the Manawatu and Rangitikei catchments.        

Pictured - Dave Arnst with a very healthy Waimarino region fish.

While the two aforementioned river systems are going to take a few days to clear, the good news is the others are falling fast with some already clear and fishable.

Once again this means the fisheries will be set up beautifully for weekend angling with fine sunny conditions forecast for most parts of the Wellington and Taranaki Fish & Game regions.

We've had reports of trout being lethargic and sometimes not feeding too actively before the southerly brought respite from the heat; the fresh we've had will certainly hit the reset button so expect some great action this weekend.              

Jump online if you haven't got a licence yet and get into the awesome fishing ahead. 

Here's the outlook this weekend...    

 

Hutt Valley

Click here for live updates and forecasts for the Hutt Valley.

The Hutt River received another small fresh yesterday but is already back at fishable flow. There's a very faint hint of colour which could be conducive for swinging streamers across and downstream. Recent drift dives resulted in over 800 trout tallied in our five transects between Birchville and Melling! That's an extraordinary number of fish so they're certainly there for the taking. Still plenty of cicadas around so lob some big terrestrial imitations into likely runs and under willows when the weather warms again. Note: A rod has been found in the Whakatikei River - if you think it is your please see the noticeboard below.      

The Hutt River at Totara Park this morning (Photo: Al Markham)

 

Kapiti Coast

Click here for live updates and forecasts for the Kapiti Coast. 

A nice little pulse of water is running through the Otaki, Waikanae and Ohau after yesterday's rain but they look to be clear enough to fish today. While there's still some algae around on the streambeds the cooler water will get fish back on the bite and could even trigger some trout to start moving towards their spawning territory. Drift dives on the Ohau late last week revealed good numbers of fish for the third year in a row, with some sizable specimens spotted too.       

The Otaki River at SH1 this morning (Credit: Phil Teal).  

 

Wairarapa

Click here for live updates and forecasts for the Wairarapa region.

Once again the fishing in Wairarapa should be superb this weekend with the Ruamahanga River and main tributaries - the Waiohine, Waingawa and Tauherenikau - all dropping back from a small fresh. The mainstem Ruamahanga has a hint of colour but a clear edge and is fishable already. A few showers on Saturday won't have any impact and these make way for sunny skies on Sunday.                                              

Check out the latest conditions for the lower Ruamahanga by calling this free-phone number - 083229069.             

The Ruamahanga River at The Cliffs this morning (Photo: Hamish Carnachan).

Manawatu

Click here for live updates and forecasts for the Manawatu region.

Eyes on the ground this morning report the Manawatu River is running dirty in the town section, likely impacted by the Pohangina and Oroua which are carrying a small flood. This may render the lower river out of commission for several days. Upstream of the gorge, however, the Manawatu looks to have a clear edge and should be fishable by Saturday. The Mangatainoka is dropping quickly and, like the Mangahoa, could be good options for what is expected to be a sunny weekend.          

The Manawatu River at Weber Road this morning (Photo: Horizons).

Rangitikei

Click here for live updates and forecasts for the Rangitikei region.

The Rangitikei or Hautapu rivers are currently running dirty although they aren't particularly high, which means they could be fishable on Saturday or later in the weekend. Failing that, look to the smaller tributary streams or head higher up into the catchment - Springvale and Mangaohane on the Rangitikei could be worth a shot but please check the latest flows before trekking out that way.    

The Rangitikei River at Mangweka this morning (Photo: Horizons).           
 

Taranaki Ringplain

Click here for live updates and forecasts for the Taranaki Ringplain region.

High temperatures and low flows have continued from February into the first week of March for the Taranaki Ringplain. We have finally had some rainfall throughout the region after a cold front pushed up the North Island bringing wind and patchy rainfall throughout Tuesday. This front has produced lower daily highs and a corresponding drop in water temperatures for local streams and rivers. Heading out for a fish on the leeward side of these cooler temperatures and rainfall may be productive as trout that have been lethargic due to summer high water temperatures may feed harder in response to the cooler water. The weather is forecast to settle as we head into the weekend, with warm and fine periods returning, so this is a great opportunity to get into some fish.

Check out the up-to-date data on rainfall and river flows. 

The Waingongoro River at Normanby Road yesterday afternoon (Photo: Jack Harland).

Waimarino

Click here for live updates and forecasts for the Waimarino region.

There may be one or two isolated showers heading into the weekend, particularly on Saturday evening/Sunday morning, but otherwise the forecast is looking fine for the Waimarino. Much like Taranaki, heading out after the recent southerly system moves through may bump your chances of encountering more actively feeding fish. The Manganui-o-te-ao and Mangawhero have been fishing well lately with reports of healthy trout in a variety of size classes being caught. As both waterways are open to all legal methods, there are a variety of ways to target trout for anglers of all abilities. Proven approaches include flicking softbaits and small Tobys into the heads of deeper pools, drifting dry flies with suspended nymphs through pocket water and faster, oxygenated runs, or drifting live worms through pools to entice a bite on more weary fish.

Click here to keep track of water temperatures and flow data within the Waimarino.

The Mangawhero River at SH4 this morning (Photo: Horizons).

 

Photo Competition - Win A $300 Hunting & Fishing Voucher

Isaiah Noakes with another goodie from the Hutt River.

Send in your favourite fishing photos from this season and you could be in to win a $300 voucher to spend in store at Wairarapa Hunting & Fishing.

We won't blow your secret spot, just include the name of the angler(s), photographer's details, and general location in the Wellington-Taranaki Fish & Game region.

• Click here to submit your entry.

You can send us as many fishing photos as you like. By submitting images to enter the competition you acknowledge that Wellington Fish & Game can publish and use the photos for publicity material.

Entries must be in by 5pm Tuesday, April 2, 2025. The winner will be announced in the Lower North Lowdown report on Thursday, April 4, 2025.

Tip of the Week - Fishing in Other's Footsteps

Bumping into other anglers on the river doesn't mean your day is ruined (Photo: Nick King)

The fantastic run of weather we've had since the New Year has seen an increase in anglers out and about, including in our backcountry river reaches. 

This can sometimes create tensions between fishing parties but encountering others on the river doesn't have to ruin your day. 

If you do bump into other anglers on the same stretch of river, here are some tips to help avoid conflict: 

• Remember, angling etiquette dictates the party that is on the water first has 'right of way'.
• Never sneak up ahead of a party and drop in on them - this will certainly lead to confrontation and there's nothing like a streamside barney to ruin a day on the water.
• Agree to giving the other party a section of river you won't fish and then start at an agreed distance upstream so they're not fishing 'second-hand water'.
• Change you plans and try another access point.
• If you're in the backcountry and have limited options on alternative places to fish, work you way up behind them from the opposite bank.
• Ask the other angler if you can fish with them... Who knows, you could end up becoming good fishing buddies.
• Consider fishing downstream with streamers or spinning gear.          

Just remember that most anglers are decent people who are there for the same reason as you - to have an enjoyable outing in peaceful surrounds.

Having a friendly conversation will, most of the time, go a long way. Talk to each other about your intentions and try to come up with a compromise.

Sattler's Dam Fish Release

Sattler's Dam is a picturesque stillwater fishery close to the towns of Ohakune and Raetihi (Photo: Hamish Carnachan).  

For those interested in getting out for a spin or bait fish, we have recently re-stocked Sattler’s Dam with some solid rainbow trout, with help from the Tongariro National Trout Centre hatchery and staff from Wellington Fish & Game.

The fish are in awesome condition and will offer plenty of fight. 

Sattler's Dam is a lovely little still water body close to Raetihi and offers open and safe casting areas so is a great place to introduce kids to fishing. 

To get to Sattler’s dam, head west on Seddon Street through Raetihi onto Pipiriki-Raetihi Road. Turn right onto Mangaeturoa North Road. Follow the gravel road for about 5.5km, and the dam is on your right. You can park right next to the dam, away from the road. The dam is a great spot for families to go for a day’s fishing while taking a picnic basket.

However, we advise people to be extremely careful on Mangaeturoa North Road as it is frequently used by logging trucks and has several narrow stretches and blind corners.

Evenings after work and weekends will likely be safest.

Rangers will be checking the dam regularly, so make sure you have your fishing license on hand.

 

Catch and Release - Top Tips From Fish & Game

When releasing a fish there are a few simple steps that you can do to ensure the fish has the best chance of survival.

Click the screenshot above to watch this short video by Fish & Game NZ.

 

Check, Clean Dry - Help Protect Waterways

Now is the perfect time to familiarise yourselves with the NEW North Island Check Clean Dry procedures. Click here to watch. 

 

Noticeboard

• Fishing Rod Found: A rod has been found by an angler up the Whakatikei River. Please contact Joe if it is yours and you can explain where and how it was lost.  
• Wellington Region River Works: Don't let bulldozers in the river ruin your fishing plans. Click here to download a schedule of Greater Wellington Regional Council's latest planned river engineering works.
• Manawatu Flood and Drainage Works: Anglers can access Horizons Regional Council's latest schedule of flood and drainage river works here.   
• Access to Lake Namunamu, near Hunterville, is closed as the access road is upgraded in preparation for the logging of Ngaruru Forest over the next three to five years.

If you have any angling-related information you'd like posted to this noticeboard, including upcoming angling club meetings and outings, please get in touch with us.  

*This report was accurate at time of writing. For your safety, please ensure you check the latest weather and river flow information before you head out on the water.