Reel Life February 2023

Autumn Fishing Opportunities

Autumn is a fantastic period to get out fishing with good opportunities to target all our sports fish species.

Salmon fishing is very popular in March, with this being your best opportunity before the South Westland lakes close to salmon fishing on the 31st of March.

To increase your odds, especially in warm years like this one, your time is best spent fishing after rain and at change of light.

Salmon catch reports have been limited so far but with conditions so warm, we could receive some late runs when we receive rain.

As for the trout fishing, exceptional fishing continues to occur in our larger rivers.

With the reduced flows, the fishing is fantastic.

Trout are often in their prime at this time of year after feeding up over the summer preparing for their upcoming spawn.

Lastly perch, especially while the lakes are still warm, the fishing is fantastic.

Reports have been regularly coming in of them not only being plentiful but some impressive ones also being caught.

Lake Mahinapua has been the most productive but some great fishing has also been occuring in Kaniere recently.

New Signs Across the Coast

Signs are being put up at pressure sensitive fisheries to look after both the fisheries but also improve angling experiences.

The following ethics are on the signs, and can be applied to most fisheries although our focus is on pressure sensitive fisheries:

• Avoid fishing areas where other anglers are present.
• Consider leaving a note on your vehicle with your intentions for the day.
• If an angler is already present when you arrive, allow a day worth of fishing for them, and access the river from another location.
• Always spread your angling pressure by avoiding fishing the same reach on subsequent days.
• Limit catch and release to no more than six trout per day.
• It is common practice to fish upstream so please avoid fishing downstream towards other access points.
• Avoid camping at access points, it confuses other anglers and increases conflict.

Fishing Competitions

Luken Bisley with a tasty perch taken recently in Lake Mahinapua.

The Lions Club of South Westland Salmon Fishing Competition will be held on March 4th & 5th 2023.

The Lions Club of South Westland would like make participants aware of the following:

The Lions Club of South Westland will no longer be providing alcohol at our Annual Salmon Fishing Competition.

The increase in participants bringing their own refreshments, rigmarole we have to go to to get a liquor licence and the liability of the Lions’ Club should there be an alcohol related accident have all made this decision regretfully inevitable.

The Ahaura Hunting and Fishing Competition will be held during the Easter break, Thursday 6th - Sunday 9th April.

Both competitions are good community-based events with an emphasis on getting young anglers involved.

Hope to see you out there!

Baylee Kersten, West Coast Fish & Game Officer