Reel Life November 2025 - West Coast

Surge in Angling Activity as Summer Arrives

With settled weather and summer just around the corner, anglers are heading back to rivers and lakes to take advantage of prime conditions. After a wet spring, rivers have dropped and lake temperatures are sitting around 15–17 °C, creating ideal conditions for trout feeding, while perch activity is also picking up.

Image above: Kevin Bennett travelled all the way from Tasmania, and a catch like this West Coast trout shows why he keeps coming back. Photo Marie Bennett

Recent reports indicate a big increase in anglers getting out during November, with many reporting excellent catches. Electric fishing surveys on the Mawheraiti research streams confirm that young-of-the-year trout counts are holding steady this season. Despite spring floods, fish counts were consistent with the seven-year November average, providing reassurance for the coming seasons.

Juvenile trout captured from O’Malley Creek as part of our monitoring program.

If 1-gram juvenile trout can survive the spring floods, it bodes well for the adult population and what anglers can expect this summer. For those anglers who left the river last season with a ‘big one that got away’ story, that trout is probably back and now is the perfect time to go another round.

For those starting close to home, the lower reaches of the Buller, Grey, and Hokitika Rivers offer excellent opportunities right on the doorstep of our main centres. West Coasters are fortunate to have such high-quality trout fisheries nearby, especially when anglers in other regions often have to travel an hour just to reach theirs. These lower reaches support high trout densities and the occasional larger fish, keeping anglers on their toes and offering plenty of chances for personal bests.

Anglers exploring flooded margins around Lake Brunner at the end of last month.

With whitebait season over, these areas are now quieter. Trout chasing smelt or foraging on crabs provide exciting fishing action and excellent table fish. Many popular river spots received very little angling pressure in October, leaving plenty of hungry, naïve trout waiting.

Conditions are ideal, but as water levels drop and summer warms up, fishing can become more challenging in some spots. Now is the perfect time to get out and enjoy the rivers and lakes while trout are feeding actively. Anglers should also ensure they have a 2025/26 fishing licence before heading out on the water.

New Access Map Available!

Thanks to some fantastic work completed by staff, we now have a new tool to help anglers get out exploring this summer. While the West Coast map doesn’t yet have all the features of the upper North Island map, it already offers some useful tools for anglers.

A few highlights now available in our region:

• Public access overlay – know where you can legally fish and when you might need to contact a local landowner.
• High-quality aerial imagery – ideal for spotting new fishing spots and exploring new areas.
• Directions to angler access points – get step-by-step directions straight to the access point via Google Maps.

Check out the map here: Explore Angler Access Points – West Coast

Upcoming Events

The Annual Lake Brunner Fishing Competition is back for 2025!

Friday, 28 Nov – Sunday, 30 Nov

Family-friendly competition with categories for trawling, spinning, fly fishing, and juniors. Prizegiving at Hotel Lake Brunner, 12 pm Sunday.

For more information, check out their poster below.

Fishing Skills and Information Session

When: Saturday, 29th November at 2:00 pm

Where: Moana Boat Ramp

This event is for any angler who wants to increase their success but especially new anglers and younger anglers (that must be accompanied by an adult).

All fishing methods will be discussed, and advice will be given as well as the opportunity to ask a local Fish & Game officer about other spots in the region.

Please register your interest on our Facebook event by clicking on this link or email bkersten@fishandgame.org.nz to be kept updated.

Can’t make it? Check out our Lake Brunner Fishing Secrets Video for some handy tips.

A great day on the water with Glynn Smith at Lake Brunner

Basics of Fly Fishing Courses

We’re running two fly fishing courses this year, perfect for beginners wanting to learn all the essential, from casting and fishing techniques to rod setup and recommended beginner fishing locations.

1. Greymouth/Hokitika Event – Taramakau River, SH6 Bridge (South Side Access)
   When: Sunday, 7th December, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
2. South Westland Event – Otto/MacDonalds Campsite, Lake Mapourika, Franz Josef
   When: Sunday, 14th December, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Courses will be led by West Coast Field Officer Baylee Kersten, with possible assistance from other experienced anglers if attendance is high.

Please bring a packed lunch, a deck chair, and your fly fishing gear.

Please note events are weather dependent, so check for postponements the day before.

Register your interest via our Facebook events – Greymouth/Hokitika Event  and South Westland Event  or email bkersten@fishandgame.org.nz to stay updated.