Northland Fish & Game Council's jurisdiction extends from a line north of Wellsford to Mangawhai Heads and continues right up through the region to Cape Reinga in the Far North.
New Zealand’s northernmost trout fishery is indeed a wonder of nature.
Fishing in Northland
Most fishing methods can be used with good success. The terrain encountered is varied and ranges from tree-lined clear bush rivers to kilometres of farmland fishing.
Three stocked man-made reservoirs in Whangarei and Kerikeri, provide still water options for anglers. The Northland fishery caters for everyone’s taste, ability, and technique with plenty of accessible water. Landowners are usually obliging and access to angling spots is generally good, but please check with them for permission to enter their land. There are hundreds of kilometres of fishable waters throughout the region, so try some exploring; check current regulations and enjoy one of Northland's best kept secrets.
Anglers are asked to apply the most current MPI Check Clean Dry guidelines to watercraft and gear to ensure that NO aquatic plants and golden clams are brought into the region’s waterways. Nuisance aquatic plants establish very easily in Northland, with the potential for an environmental disaster to occur. Golden clams are also now a major threat to the ecology of water ways and anglers are asked to play their part in preventing their spread into Northland.
Fish Stocks
Temperate climates and warm water temperatures play havoc with sports fish generally suited to living in colder, more oxygenated water. Early trout releases during the 60's and 70's paved the way for today’s fishery. The fish stocks of today are well adapted and found in good numbers throughout most of Northland.
Introductions involved two trout species, with rainbows more common. They appear to have a greater tolerance to the warmer conditions while browns tend to inhabit cooler wooded areas. Fish of good size can be found in most waterways when conditions are right.