Reel Life October 2025 - Auckland Waikato

Opening day success

Rangers ran into plenty of happy anglers on opening day. Our rangers covered the King Country, South Waikato and Pirongia with very little noncompliance. However, there was some evidence of spin fishing on the upper Kaniwhaniwha. If you do see an angler not following the rules and you don’t feel comfortable giving them a polite reminder, please report it to Fish & Game 07 849 1666. Please keep in mind that the rules have changed in the Auckland/Waikato region for the 2025/26 season so please check the regs booklet before you fish.

Photo above: Jim Reti on the Kaniwhaniwha opening day.

Awakino floods

The south Waikato had significant flooding on the 14^th of October with substantial flows in the Awakino and Mokau Rivers. The October 14th flood exceeded the range of the Awakino River monitoring gauge at 380 m³ but likely exceeded 400 m³. The largest flood on record was in 1988 when the Awakino hit 420 m³. Large floods that occur during the spawning and rearing season (June-October) can wipe out young fish. It is highly likely that the recent flooding has devastated the Awakino River trout population.  Staff would like to ask that anglers take a precautionary approach and voluntarily consider the river closed until a proper assessment of the trout population can be done. After previous large floods the river has been closed for up to two years to allow the trout population to recover.

Angler on the Awakino River.

Waikato time

If the Lower Waikato River Competition is anything to go by it is time to fish the Waikato River. Over 50 brown trout averaging 1.2 kg were entered in the competition that were caught from Karapiro to Mercery. If you want to catch trout in the Waikato River, then soft baits are by far the most effective lure. But if you want to catch big fish both fly fishing and spinners outperform soft baits in terms of the average size of fish. Time is limited as the trout will return to their summer habitat by mid-October so get out there.

New Whakapapa River rules

It is legal to spin and fly fish from the mouth of the Whakapapa River to a point one kilometre above the Ohinetonga Road Bridge (42 Traverse) from this point upstream the river is fly only. The point the river transitions to fly fishing only is signposted on the track as you walk upstream.  The fly fishing only area has been extended by 8.5 km downstream. The change was made to reflect the lack of access in the upper river causing additional fishing pressure near Owhango.  If you are concerned about the lack of access in the upper river, please consider donating to our Angler Access Fund as the fund was started to purchase access for future generations to enjoy river like the Whakapapa.

Whakapapa River showing fly fishing only area in orange and the spin and fly area in green.