Reel Life September 2025 - West Coast

2025/26 Sports Fishing Season Fast Approaching!

Although the weather may be a bit unsettled at the moment, it’s setting the stage for some fantastic fishing opportunities!

Photo above: Young angler Milla Anisy is making the most of the winter fishing options on the West Coast.

Recent rain has really energised our fisheries, creating excellent feeding conditions. While water clarity may have reduced, catchability actually increases during these periods. During a flood, highly discoloured water can make feeding difficult for trout— but as rivers begin to clear, food becomes abundant and trout feed heavily. Their caution drops significantly, meaning anglers have the odds tipped in their favour.

Reminder: You will need a 2025/26 sports fishing license starting October 1st to enjoy our fantastic fishing resources. If you haven't secured your new licence yet, you can easily grab it online here.

Explore Your Options

As a visiting or new angler, knowing where to fish can feel daunting. To combat this, we’ve been actively expanding our locations displaying angler access signs and now provide an online access map, It has never been easier to get a line in the water and a fish in the net! The West Coast is fortunate to have an abundance of fantastic fisheries with great access—now you know just where to look!

Come opening day, while many will flock to newly opened locations, don’t forget about the fisheries that have remained open throughout the winter! Anglers are already reporting great catches in the lower reaches of our rivers. River mouths are particularly popular fishing spots in spring, offering good early-season opportunities and the chance to catch a personal best.

The lower reaches offer good, easily accessible fishing — a great spot to take the kids for a cast.

Estuarine trout can grow quite large due to their diet of mullet, crabs, bullies, and smelt, providing them with a protein-rich menu. When targeting the lower reaches, use tackle that mimics these food sources—a silvery soft bait or crab pattern works wonders. Focus your efforts in areas where crabs are present, especially around high tide, and you might just find a trout visiting their favourite feeding grounds! For more tips on estuarine trout fishing check out our video West Coast Estuarine Trout Fishing.

Regulation Changes for 2025/256

There are no changes to regulations for the West Coast Fish & Game region for the 2025/26 season.

Last season, we carried out our regular three-yearly regulation review, and we really appreciate everyone who took the time to complete the survey and share their feedback. After reviewing the current regulations and considering all the input received, the West Coast Fish & Game Council decided not to make any changes for this season.

Thanks again to everyone who got involved.

For the complete West Coast Sports Fishing Regulations 2025/26, click here.

Salmon Management Update

Since early 2024, a shift to El Niño conditions has brought cooler, nutrient-rich waters to the Tasman Sea, helping salmon growth and survival. This positive change was reflected at Paringa, where we saw more and larger sea-run salmon spawning. While some areas like Lake Mapourika and the braided rivers still have work to do, the outlook is encouraging. With continued monitoring and efforts underway, we’re hopeful for further improvements in the seasons ahead.

Spawning salmon were observed in the Hokitika and Taramakau rivers, which will bode well with the locals.

Keeping in mind the important role that lake resident salmon play in our fishery. If you a fishing on the South Westland lakes, please ensure you are complying with the size restriction that salmon must be greater than 450mm. Please also ensure you are handling and returning the undersize salmon with the utmost care. Proper handling of the lake resident salmon keeps them healthy, allowing them the chance to go to sea and attain their full potential or sustain the population when sea conditions are unfavourable.

Field Work Update

Our team has been busy this winter with compliance checks, spawning surveys, completing some fishery enhancements and improving access. It has been great to see anglers enjoying our winter fishing opportunities! Access signs have been refreshed, and new sites have been added. If you encounter any access issues, please reach out to us, your feedback helps us address issues!

Best of Luck!

We wish you all the best for the 2025/26 fishing season. As always, we’re eager to receive your photos and reports, so don’t hesitate to send us an email.

 

We hope to see you out there!

Baylee Kersten

West Coast Fish & Game Officer