Reel Life September 2025 - Northland

Whau Valley trout fishing day

The Whau valley trout fishing day is on 18 October. Come meet the team and potentially catch a Northland trout. The Whau valley dam is our most accessible trout fishery being right in the middle of Whangārei. The dam carpark is within a couple of steps of the best fishing spot on the grassy area.  The dam is stocked annually with rainbows and is considered a put take fishery. Brown trout we stocked earlier in the year and should be a legal size by Christmas.

Photo above: Nice rainbow caught in the Waipapa River, Puketi Forest

River and stream conditions

Heavy rains over the winter made fishing challenging. The were periods of low flows and the anglers who got out there during this period were successful. Spring is the best time to fish Northlands waterways, when water temperatures are still low and fish are actively feeding.

Regulation Changes

No changes to the regulations this season. All our waters are open year round to all permitted methods.

All river and streams, methods - FSB, Limit - 2 fish

Stocked reservoirs, methods - FSB , Limit - 3 fish

We need your help!!

If you catch a trout in Northland can you please weigh and measure the fish. Then email that information along with the location and fin clips (if any) to northland@fishandgame.org.nz This will give us useful information on the health of the fishery. Don’t worry we will keep your prized spot secret. Any fish catch data submitted will go into the draw for a whole season licence for the 2026-2027 season.

Take the Family Fishing

The new season commenced on Saturday 1st October 2025. The family licence is by far the best value for money licence on offer. A family licence can be made up of two parents or grandparents and up to four of their children or grandchildren under the age of 18. This licence can also be used anywhere in NZ, except the Lake Taupo fishery.

For more information about the new seasons licences check out our website