Reel Life December 2025 - Taranaki

Summer has most definitely arrived here in Taranaki with long stretches of sunshine and warm temperatures settling our rivers into their December low flows, with cicadas now nice and vocal throughout the hottest parts of the day. While water temperatures are starting to climb in the afternoons, the mornings and evenings remain comfortably within that ideal low-teens bracket. Anglers willing to work those cooler periods are being rewarded with active fish and reliable surface activity. With conditions so stable, it’s also a good time to explore new water or revisit spots that can fish particularly well under low, clear flows.

In the Waimarino, the Mangawhero and surrounding rivers are currently showing those pronounced daily temperature swings that often spur trout into feeding more aggressively. With warmer days ahead, anglers would do well to consider water temperatures when deciding where to concentrate efforts. For example, pushing higher into catchments and fishing more towards headwaters where the altitude keeps temperatures down, or focusing on spring-fed streams that hold consistently cool flows throughout the year. These cooler refuges can fish exceptionally well as the summer heat intensifies!

To check on Taranaki ringplain river flows, click here.

Flow information for a selection of Ruapehu district rivers, including the Whanganui, Makotuku and Mangawhero, can be found here.

For more information on the wider Taranaki Region’s fishing opportunities, you can see these here.

Stratford Kids Fishing Event

The 28th annual Stratford Kids Fishing Event provided plenty of excitement with some quality trout landed (including fish topping 3lb+). For some kids it was their first time catching or even seeing some trout for themselves. There have been reports over the past several days of healthy numbers still being caught at King Edward Park, if you haven’t yet sorted your licence, now’s a great time to do so and then head down to the Patea River at to make the most of the action.

Electric fishing survey

We’ve just wrapped up a Central North Island electric-fishing survey across a selection of headwater streams near Mount Ruapehu, which took the team into some pretty rugged country. Surveying these upper catchment sites is incredibly valuable for understanding the health and dynamics of our trout fisheries, as these smaller streams often play a vital role in recruitment and spawning success.

The results of the survey were very encouraging. We found healthy trout numbers across most sites, with most of these sites not previously surveyed for trout presence. Data from the survey will be fed into ongoing habitat mapping work and will help to inform future management decisions.

A big thank you to Wellington Fish & Game and Earnslaw One for their support and assistance throughout the survey.

Check, Clean, Dry

With the recent discovery of gold clam (Corbicula fluminea) at Lake Rotomanu, it’s more important than ever for all recreational water users to Check, Clean, and Dry any gear that comes into contact with the water. Following these steps every time you move between waterways is one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of unwanted aquatic pests:

• Check gear and equipment for any visible plant matter, mud, or debris.
• Clean thoroughly using hot water (60°C or higher), a bleach solution, or an approved decontamination solution. For slow to dry items, freezing these until solid is a proven solution.
• Dry completely for at least 48 hours, ensuring no moisture remains before using gear in another waterway.

If you come across suspicious shellfish or freshwater organisms in a waterway where you suspect they shouldn’t be, do not move them, take a photo and record the location, and report immediately to MPI via 0800 80 99 66.