Northland Reel Life February 2019

Fishing tipped to improve with cooler weather

The fishing should improve in Northland as we head towards autumn and hot summer temperatures start to ease.

Right: Happy angler with two trout from Kai Iwi Lakes.

Lake Manuwai north of Kerikeri.

Aside from the well-known Kai Iwi Lakes near Dargaville, there are man-made reservoirs in Whangarei and Kerikeri, that provide other options for anglers.

It means you don’t need to go far to sample some of Northland’s own angling spots that have a very different character and appeal to the trout fishing on offer further down the North Island.

Man-made Whau Valley Dam, which serves as Whangarei’s public water supply and varies in depth, is one such location.

Whau Valley Dam.

It provides the nearest fishing to Whangarei' s urban area. Angling is restricted to shore-based activity with a sinking line producing good results.

Rainbows are targeted but browns are also present from early releases and some natural spawning occurs. Fish size and quality varies according to environmental conditions and available food.

The lake edges can be fished when water levels are low enough, but it's generally only fished from the car park side of the reservoir. No boating is allowed.

Wilsons Dam is located offState Highway One, just north of Ruakaka on Prescott Road.

Wilson's Dam.

This dam was created as a water supply reservoir for the Ruakaka area in the early 2000's.

There is only shoreline fishing available to anglers as boats aren't allowed on the reservoir. For more details, click here

River fishing

For more of an away-from-it-all fishing experience, the Kerikeri and Waitangi rivers offer anglers easily accessible river fishing close to Kerikeri.

The Wairua River catchment offers a wide variety of streams and river fishing close to Whangarei.

The rivers and streams have been running high and coloured with all the rain, which will present some challenges.

But heading into summer, expect some different challenges as water levels fall. Staff say the rivers in summer are a good test of an angler’s stalking skills.

Northland Fish & Game reminds anglers they can buy their licence online here, at the Fish and Game office in Whangarei, or from one of a number of fishing and hunting stores.

Phone us if you have any questions about how and where to fish on 09-438 4135.

Anglers are reminded to check their boats and gear to ensure that NO aquatic plants are brought into the waterways.

Nuisance aquatic plants establish very easily in Northland, with the potential for an environmental disaster to occur.

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