Lower North Lowdown Weekly Fishing Report - 16 November 2023

Hutt River and Tributaries

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The Hutt River and tribs - the Akatarawa, Whakatikei and Pakarutahi - are in fine shape this morning. Anglers wanting to hit the Hutt should do so today because there is a heavy rain warning for the Tararua Range will certainly bring a fresh through. Being sourced in the Remutaka Range, though, the Pakarutahi and Mangaroa might escape the rain but be sure to check flows before your outing. It is supposed to be a brief pulse of weather so Sunday could be fishable.                        

The Hutt River at Gibbons Street this morning (Credit: Al Markham).

Kapiti Coast 

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With heavy rain forecast for the Tararuas tomorrow, the situation for the Kapiti Coast rivers is much the same as the Hutt catchment. The Waikanae, Ohau and Otaki are looking great today so get in ahead of the weather, otherwise look to the smaller streams or put your outing off until Sunday, by which time the fresh should hopefully have pushed through.              

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

Wairarapa 

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The Ruamahanga and it's main tributaries - the Waiohine, Waingawa and Tauherenikau - are stunning again today but that won't last with the weather hitting the ranges tomorrow. If the Tararuas hold the rain off, however, the eastern feeder streams cold be worth a shot - look at the Huangarua, Kopuaranga and Tauweru which are running clear at time of writing.             

The Mangatarere River below the gorge this morning (Credit: Hamish Carnachan).

Manawatu

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All the Manawatu catchment rivers are running clear and fishable this morning. Seldom this season have the riverbeds in the Oroua and Pohangina been visible but today they're looking pretty good. We're still awaiting details on how these fisheries have fared after the cyclone last season so if you've scouted them out we'd love to hear how you got on. Rain in the Tararuas will make angling in the Mangatainoka and Mangahoa tough until at least Sunday - a shame because reports suggest they've fished well.                                             

The Pohangina River at Mais Reach this morning (Credit: Horizons).

Rangitikei 

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The Rangitikei River is finally fishable in the middle reaches. It still has high flow and a hint of colour at Mangaweka but should fish very well for spin anglers under these conditions. The Hautapu River has been looking great too. Anglers are going to have to get in today or early tomorrow before the front arrives Friday. However, Wellington Fish & Game has a big fish release going into the Marton reservoir so there will be plenty of hungry trout to catch there over the weekend if you feel like wetting a line (see details below).

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

Taranaki Ringplain

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All streams and rivers are currently at low flow, but they may not stay that way, with rain on Friday and rain or showers for much of the weekend. Conditions may still be suitable for spin and bait fishing – a worm suspended under a float in a backwater can often produce a fish when flows are elevated and discoloured where bait fishing is permitted. If the rivers are too high, the Taranaki region has some great still water fishing available - see our Tip Of The Week below. Check out the latest live flow data for Ringplain rivers before heading out.

The Waingongoro River this morning (Credit: Allen Stancliff).

Waimarino

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All rivers and streams are at low flow and in great condition for angling at time of writing. However, like the ringplain fisheries there is some rain forecast for Friday and occasional showers through the weekend. It may not be enough to produce a fresh, so rivers like the Mangawhero River and Manganuioteao may still be worth a visit if you are up that way, just check the latest flows before making a big trek.      

The Mangawhero River at Pakihi Road this morning (Credit: Horizons).

Don't get an unwelcome surprise by Greater Wellington Regional Council's river bulldozing impacting your day on the river.

The weekly activity schedule can be found here.

Notice Board

• Moawhango Flushing Flow dates for 2024 have been confirmed:

  • 12/13 Dec, 21:00-06:00
  • 23/24 Jan, 21:00-02:00
  • 13/14 Feb, 21:00-02:00
  • 12/13 Mar, 21:00-02:00
  • 30/01 Apr, 21:00-02:00

• Deer culling operations in the Rangitikei Remote Experience Zone - The Sika Foundation will be undertaking another series of aerial deer operations in this area, including thermal assisted aerial hind focused management, for the last two weeks of November 2023. For more information, check out the foundation's latest Facebook post.  
  
  
• Baring Head carpark and track closure - Through November contractors will start constructing firebreaks in the Wainuiomata River Valley. This may result in temporary closure to carparks and tracks impacting those using the lower river reaches. Please contact Greater Wellington Regional Council for more details.     

• Lake Ngangana at Waitara is temporarily closed to fishing owing to an algal bloom. We'll keep you updated about conditions and when it opens again.
   
• Lake Namunamu will be closed to public access from early November 2023 for logging operations. Access to the lake is likely to be restricted for at least three years, however, Earnslaw-One has promised to let us know if there are opportunities to access the lake during breaks in harvest.

 If you have any information you'd like to have considered for addition to the notice board, 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.