Reel Life December 2025 - Wellington

Summer Angling Prospects Look Exceptional

The past month has been exceptional for trout anglers across the Wellington Fish & Game region.

Image above: Justin Smith with a whopping Wellington Fish & Game region rainbow

After a turbulent spring, marked by intermittent rain and fluctuating river levels, November and early December has seen a shift to stable weather. Clear skies and hot (summery) temperatures have dominated, creating ideal conditions for targeting what are plentiful browns and rainbows, in exceptional condition, throughout all the region’s waterways this season.

Our early prospects predicted that 2026 was going to be a fishing season for the ages, and we picked this would be “the year of the trophy trout” for the Wellington Fish & Game region. We weren’t wrong – we’ve had our first 10lb fish reported.

Justin Smith landed a stunning Rangitikei rainbow that would be any angler’s dream fish. With the season not long started, and the best fishing yet to come, we hope to see more whoppers and more stoked anglers!

Don’t miss out on the action – grab you licence online now.

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Big Bugs On The Menu!

The summer-like weather we’ve been experiencing has seen the insects burst to life.

Summer brings prolific insect activity, with beetles currently on the wing and cicadas starting to be heard too, which is quite early.

These hatches create thrilling dry-fly opportunities across the region – this is one of the most exciting times of the season.

Large terrestrials like cicadas and grasshoppers will be on the trout menu during the day, with a switch to caddis, mayfly and beetles on dusk and at night. Match these patterns and you’ll be in with a good shot.

Summer Angling Opportunities

As we move into summer, the Wellington region offers an extraordinary range of trout fishing experiences – from urban rivers to remote backcountry streams.

Here are some key opportunities:

• Hutt River System: The Hutt provides accessible fishing close to Wellington city. Dry fly and nymph rigs dominate in summer, with beetle patterns early and cicada imitations in the new year. Spinning and wet fly tactics also work well, especially in the lower reaches. Tributaries such as the Akatarawa, Pakarutahi, and Mangaroa offer clear, swift flows and good numbers of fish for those seeking solitude but the trout drop back to the mainstem when water temps climb and flows fall.
• Wairarapa Rivers: The Ruamahanga and its tributaries provide a mix of classic wilderness and lowland fishing amid native bush and grassy flats. There are good rises during beetle and cicada hatches, and mayflies can come off any time of day. These rivers are ideal for anglers seeking a backcountry experience without venturing far from urban centres.

Blake Murray with one of several for fish he's caught in the Ruamahanga River this season

• Manawatu and Rangitikei Rivers: Both rivers offer mixed brown and rainbow trout fisheries. The Rangitikei headwaters, in particular, are renowned for trophy rainbows and spectacular scenery, making them a bucket-list destination for summer fly fishers. However, there are plenty of very solid fish around the easily accessible reaches of both rivers this season.

Ben Ellison with a great Manawatu River brown.

Find Your Fishing Spot

There's no better resource to help you plan your fishing missions this season than our new online interactive access maps.

Click here to start planning your weekend angling outing!

This system is the on-stop shop, NZ Fish & Game Council-approved access map platform for the organisation.

Beware of other maps being promoted as these contain inaccurate data such as incorrect regulations and inaccurate access points.

Final Thoughts

With rivers settling and trout in prime condition, the Wellington Fish & Game region is poised for an outstanding summer season.

Whether you’re chasing trophy browns in the Wainuiomata, exploring the Hutt’s amazing urban fishery, or venturing into the remote Rangitikei headwaters, now is the time to grab your licence and make the most of these world-class angling opportunities.