Lower North Lowdown Weekly Fishing Report - 15 January 2026

Much-Needed Rain Ahead of Fine Weekend  

We're back on board and have our first full fishing report for you for 2026. 

There has been some amazing fishing over the Christmas-New Year break (see our round-up below) and we're excited for what's in store with the best part of the season about to kick off!  

Pictured - Mark Shaw and his mate Nathan Maclean are clearly rapt with this lovely Rangitikei River rainbow (Photo: Bailey Maclean)   

Most rivers across the Wellington and Taranaki Fish & Game regions have been running really low and clear so the pulse of rain we're going to get today isn't a bad thing - a good fresh will scour some of the rivers and provide much-needed cooler flow, reinvigorating the trout. 

Wellington region anglers have a bonus day to go fishing on Monday with anniversary weekend, so things are going to be set up pretty well for some more epic angling.        

Rob Zohrab shot this lovely image of a stunning Waimarino river over the Christmas break.      

We expect some of the larger rivers to be carrying extra flow and some colour on Saturday, however, into Sunday and Monday conditions should be great.

Smaller, steeper catchments - like the Ringplain and some Waimarino fisheries - are likely to clear quickly so check the flow data to pick you spot for the start of the weekend.     

Don't forget to load up your fly box with cicadas patterns too, as these guys are out in force in many parts of both regions.  

Tight lines and we'll see you on the water soon!

Grab Your Licence Now!

Jump online and get your licence the easy way now - it only takes a minute.

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 currently low - sitting around 5.5cumecs - and fishable but that will change throughout the day as heavy rain comes in. The weather moves off midday tomorrow to become settled for the duration of Wellington Anniversary though. The mainstem Hutt will be carrying quite a lot of flow so the smaller local streams - like the Pakarutahi, Whakatikei and Akatarawa - might be a better option until later in the long weekend.  

The Hutt River at Totara Park Bridge this morning (Photo: Al Markham).  

Kapiti Coast

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

The Otaki, Waikanae and Ohau are starting to rise quickly and will continue to come up until the rain stops this evening. Hopefully a day of better weather tomorrow should allow conditions to improve, though it may take until later Saturday for the larger rivers to come right. Check the Waikanae as your first port of call as the catchment is smaller and recent drift dive results showed encouraging numbers of fish.  

 

Wairarapa

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

The Ruamahanga River and western tributaries - the Waiohine, Waingawa and Tauherenikau - are very low and clear at time of writing. We are noticing an increase in flows at time of writing and they will continue to come up throughout the day until the front passes over later today. Thereafter there's a mix of fine and showery conditions which will provide time for rivers to recede and allow anglers out for a fish this long weekend. 
Check out the latest conditions for the lower Ruamahanga by calling this free-phone number - 083229069.             

The Ruamahanga River at Ponatahi Bridge this morning (Photo: Hamish Carnachan).

Manawatu

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

The Manawatu River, along with the Pohangina and Oroua are, starting to colour up after overnight rain. More rain today will see these rise further before starting to drop later tomorrow. The eastern Manawatu tribs could be the best bet on Saturday with more options into the long weekend as other waterways fall to normal flows.         

The Kahutarawa Stream at Linton this morning (Photo: Matt Kavermann).

Rangitikei

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

The Rangitikei River is clear at Mangaweka but registering a rise in flow at time of writing this morning. The Whakaurekau, Kawhatau and Hautapu are also likely to start coming up after overnight rain, and more forecast for today. The rain radar shows the front moving past early tomorrow morning so there's time for rivers to clear for some long weekend fishing adventures.           

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

Taranaki Ringplain

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

A front moving in from the west is forecast to hit the region on Thursday, which will bring rain and freshen up waterways. Aside from that, high day and night air temperatures remain, with winds switching south easterly come the weekend bringing a mix of sun and cloud so there should be plenty of opportunities to get out for a fish.

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

The Waiwhakaiho River at Audrey Gale Reserve yesterday (Photo: Jack Harland).

Waimarino

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

Thursday’s front will bring rain to the Waimarino region, and brief showers may move through during the weekend. Given the elevation of the rivers in this catchment, the flows should drop quickly and provide plenty of opportunities to head out for a cast. There have been plagues of cicadas and other large terrestrials around the Central Plateau so make sure you've got plenty of imitations in your fly box!   

To keep an eye on regional river flows, check here.

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

Photo Competition - Win A $300 Hunting & Fishing Voucher

Daniel Lash and his dad had a great day on the Waingororo River in Taranaki over the Christmas holidays, landing this lovely brownie along with several others.       

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. 

Christmas Round-Up And Into Summer

Lower North Island summer fishing at its finest - shorts, bare-feet and big fish! (Photo: Connor McNaughton) 

Over the Christmas and New Year period conditions across the Wellington and Taranaki Fish & Game regions were mixed but generally favourable for fishing.

While we saw a few unsettled days, including periods of gusty winds and heavier showers around New Year’s Eve, there were plenty of calm, warm windows that made for some great angling conditions on both rivers and still water fisheries.

River flows have been lower than typical for this time of year, with many systems sitting low and clear for extended periods of time.

Terrestrials like cicadas, hoppers, beetles, and assorted attractor patterns will see consistent interest from trout at this time of year, particularly into the late afternoon window when insect activity peaks.

With regards to soft baiting and spinning, in Taranaki Lake Ratapiko has been fishing well for perch and trout, particularly when lures are given time to find the bottom after casting. A slower, meaningful retrieve will work well, enabling the lures action to do the work of enticing fish.

In the Wellington region spin and soft-bait options have still be taking fish in the lower river reaches, particularly the lower Ruamahanga and Otaki. 

For the fly angler, with consistent lower flows and clear water, fly presentation becomes especially important, alongside achieving a natural drift.

Thick tippets may be visible to fish, and any unnatural movement or drag of the fly is likely to discourage a take.

When this is combined with fish being picky due to an abundance of natural food available at this time of year, this reinforces the need for close attention to every detail of your approach and fly presentation.

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.  

Noticeboard

• Check out Greater Wellington Regional Council's latest schedule of flood protection operations here.
• Access to Otaki Forks in Tararua Forest Park is now open.  
• Moawhango Flushing Flows - Confirmed dates are as follows:

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.