Lower North Lowdown Weekly Fishing Report - 13 November 2025

Another Good Weekend Coming Our Way!  

Anglers finally got a period of settled weather in both the Wellington and Taranaki Fish & Game regions!

After a turbulent spring, the clear skies, warm temperatures and clean, stable river flows provided awesome fishing conditions last weekend.

It has been great to see plenty of anglers out making the most of the great angling on offer

Pictured - Paul Larsen made the most of the lovely fishing conditions last weekend and landed this spectacular rainbow in a Waimarino region river.  

Although the lower North Island received some rain last night which has seen rivers rise, there's time for these to fall before the weekend. 

Elsewhere, the river flows are looking really good - clean and clear. So with another weekend of fine weather (just the odd shower) on the cards, Saturday and Sunday should be firing again for anglers in both regions.

Brad Dannefaerd didn't have to travel far from home to get into this really chunky Taranaki brownie.

As we're seeing from the photos you're sending in, there are plenty of fish about and their in superb condition.

Don't forget that there's nothing wrong with taking the occasional fish home for the table (within approved bag limits). It's a great way to put some quality free-range protein on the table and help reduce the weekly food bill. 

Check out our recipe below for ideas on how to pre and cook your catch!     

Hope to see you out on the water again this weekend. 

Grab Your Licence Now!

Anglers have finally got the weather they've been waiting for!

Jump online and get your licence the easy way now - it only takes a minute. Click the image above to get started. 

We're On Facebook

Wellington and Taranaki Fish & Game are on Facebook!

To keep up to date with all the news and events from the two regions, be sure to check out our page and follow us.  

Here's the outlook this weekend...    

Hutt Valley

Click here for live updates and forecasts for the Hutt Valley.

The Hutt River is on the rise again after overnight rain but, with the worst of the weather having now pushed through, we're hoping it will have dropped back to be fishable by Saturday, if not Sunday. Staff recently conducted a drift dive to check on trout populations upstream and downstream of the the Riverlink project works. The good news is the fish numbers are great and there are plenty of really chunky browns about, with one specimen estimate to be around 7lb. Top tip - target the areas around the rock groynes. The Pakarutahi, Whakatikei and Akatarawa are all up, however, they should fall to fishable flows by Saturday.           

The Hutt River at Te Marua this morning (Photo: Al Markham)

Kapiti Coast

Click here for live updates and forecasts for the Kapiti Coast. 

The Otaki, Waikanae and Ohau are all holding moderate flow today with a hint of colour but are certainly fishable and will favour spinning or anglers using streamers. Otherwise heavy nymphs will be the order. Conditions are blustery and this will continue on and off until Sunday which is forecast to be more settled. Showers will keep rivers in similar state of flow but it will be improving over the weekend. 

 

The Otaki River at SH1 this morning (Photo: Phil Teal).  

 

Wairarapa

Click here for live updates and forecasts for the Wairarapa region.

The Ruamahanga River is flowing quite dirty at time of writing this morning and will unfortunately take some time to clear. The good news for Wairarapa anglers is the Waiohine, Waingawa and Tauherenikau, although high and coloured today, should be fishable by the weekend. Don't forget that the smaller streams like the Waipoua and eastern tributaries are holding good numbers of trout at the moment while the river flows and water temperatures are ideal.                                    

Check out the latest conditions for the lower Ruamahanga by calling this free-phone number - 083229069.             

The Mangatarere River off Valley Road this morning (Photo: Hamish Carnachan).

Manawatu

Click here for live updates and forecasts for the Manawatu region.

Localised overnight rain in the region is making this tough to call. The Manawatu River in Palmerston North is registering a rise in flow, likely coming from the Pohangina which has a good pulse of water moving through. The neighbouring Oroua, however, is clear and hardly showing any variation. Upstream of the gorge the Manawatu looks low and clear at Weber Road so, yet again, this upper section should continue to fish well - it has certainly been producing for anglers so far this season. The Mangatainoka is falling back very quickly from a minor fresh last night and will be fishing well come Saturday.   

 

Oroua River at Feilding this morning (Photo: Matt Kavermann).

Rangitikei

Click here for live updates and forecasts for the Rangitikei region.

The Rangitikei River is clear and fishable at Mangaweka at time of writing this morning. Looking at the Horizons flow forecast - which is based on forecast rainfall in the catchment - they expect the river to start rising from midday though. This should be short lived, however, as there's no real rain on the radar. Hopefully the river will be back to its current state by the time Saturday rolls around as it has fished well this week. The smaller tributaries are still all holding good flows and good trout numbers (as is the norm for spring), so make the most of these opportunities before the fish drop back with falling flows. 

The Rangitikei River at Mangaweka this morning (Photo: Horizons).           
 

Taranaki Ringplain

Click here for live updates and forecasts for the Taranaki Ringplain region.

West to southwest winds are expected into the weekend. While the region may see the odd isolated shower, the forecast remains generally fine with warm temperatures and a mix of sun and cloud. Overall, there are plenty of opportunities to get out on the water. The Stony (Hangatahua) River has been particularly clean and at a good fishable level lately. Sight fishing is possible on these clearer days - small, weighted nymphs and light tippets are recommended.

Check out the up-to-date data on rainfall and river flows. 

Upper Patea River at Swansea Road (Photo: Jack Harland).

Waimarino

Click here for live updates and forecasts for the Waimarino region.

Rivers across Waimarino are currently sitting at typical low November flows. With minimal rain forecast and any isolated showers likely to pass through quickly on westerlies, conditions are expected to remain very fishable. This is an ideal window for those planning to target local waters before summer temperatures begin to increase. Rivers such as the Mangawhero (Pakihi Road and above) have been clear and stable lately; nymphing the deeper pockets during the brighter parts of the day is advised as fish hold in these areas. The Manganuioteao is another great option when fished with small natural nymph patterns and lightly presented dries.

The Mangawhero River is a good reference for regional flow levels (information found here). For more info on fishing opportunities in the Ruapehu region, click here. 

The Mangawhero River at SH4 this morning (Photo: Horizons).

Photo Competition - Win A $300 Hunting & Fishing Voucher

Terry Ashburn with one of several nice rainbows caught on the Manawatu River last weekend.   

Send in your favourite fishing photos from this season and you could be in to win a $300 voucher to spend in store at Wairarapa Hunting & Fishing.

We won't blow your secret spot, just include the name of the angler(s), photographer's details, and general location in the Wellington-Taranaki Fish & Game region.

• Click here to submit your entry.

You can send us as many fishing photos as you like. By submitting images to enter the competition you acknowledge that Wellington Fish & Game can publish and use the photos for publicity material.

Entries must be in by 5pm Sunday, March 29, 2026. The winner will be announced in the Lower North Lowdown report on Thursday, April 2, 2026. 

Tip Of The Week - Take One For The Table

A prime eating fish from the Ruamahanga River caught by Ben Ellison last weekend.

We've been going on about how good the condition of the trout are this season - the photos coming in are sure proof of that!

With the rising cost of food in the country, particularly protein, there's no better way to help offset the grocery bill than taking the occasional fish for the table. What's more, this prime, free-range meat is a readily available resource for licensed anglers.   

While some purists prefer to put everything they catch back, remember that Fish & Game specifically sets bag limits to ensure sustainable harvest that doesn't impact local trout populations. That's the primary purpose of the thorough and extensive population monitoring work we carry out each season.

We've developed a range of resources to help anglers make the most of the fish they take home. From advice on how to prepare the catch, to gutting and cooking - check out the tips here.   

You'll find delicious recipes that the whole family will enjoy, including these mouthwatering ways to cook your catch: Thai Steam Trout, Smoked Trout, Trout Tian and Trout Tacos to name just a few...       

 

Video Of The Week - NI Backcountry Heaven!

Click the screenshot above to whet your appetite for some Central North Island backcountry angling!

Important Reminder 

Unwanted pests can have a serious impact on our amazing freshwater fisheries. 

Please do your bit to prevent their spread. Check, clean and dry all your equipment!

For a refresher on how to properly clean your gear, click here.  

 

Stratford Kids' Fishing Day! 

Taranaki Fish & Game is holding the Stratford Kids' Fishing Day on Saturday, December 6. 

The booking sheet for this event is now at the Stratford i-Site in Miranda Street and parents and caregivers can book a 15-minute time slot for their kids by visiting or ringing them on 0800 765 6708.

 

Wellington and Taranaki Access Maps  

There's no better resource to help you plan your fishing missions this season than our new online interactive access maps.

Click the map below to start planning your weekend angling outing!

 

Noticeboard

• Check out Greater Wellington Regional Council's latest schedule of flood protection operations here.
• Access to Otaki Forks in Tararua Forest Park - Another slip just 50m from the completed Blue Bluff works sites has again closed the access. Repairs are expected to take around one month. Check the 'Road Updates' section on this webpage for the latest details.  
• Moawhango Flushing Flows - Confirmed dates are as follows:

December 09/10, 2025
January 20/21, 2026
February 17/18, 2026
March 17/18, 2026

• Access to Lake Namunamu, near Hunterville, is closed as the access road is upgraded in preparation for the logging of Ngaruru Forest over the next three to five years.

If you have any angling-related information you'd like posted to this noticeboard, including upcoming angling club meetings and outings, please get in touch with us.  

*This report was accurate at time of writing. For your safety, please ensure you check the latest weather and river flow information before you head out on the water.