Lower North Lowdown Weekly Fishing Report - 19 February 2026

Flood Recedes, Fine Weekend Ahead   

It was quite some weather event over the weekend and into Monday, with a large swathe of the lower North Island taking a pasting and all the major rivers flooding. 

What a difference a few days and clear sunny skies make, though!

Pictured - Max Van Son with a cracker small stream Wellington brownie, caught surprisingly close to a main population centre. See his short video below.      

While the rivers in the Manawatu and Rangitikei will take a little longer to clear, elsewhere in the Wellington and Taranaki Fish & Game regions there'll be opportunities aplenty to get out on the water. 

It just goes to show how resilient our rivers are...

While there were some very high flows, we're not expecting any major impact on the local trout population; the fish know how to survive such events. 

Indeed, the trout should be back on the bite in a frenzy of activity after several days of riding out the rough conditions.         

The bugs are still out in abundance, the sun is going to be shining - get out and enjoy what should be a cracker weekend to be fishing.   

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

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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.

A reasonably significant flood pushed through the Hutt River early in the week. It peaked at around 230 cumecs which is fairly heaving! At time of writing this morning, though, it's back around 15 cumecs (it's been sitting at around 5 cumecs base flow this summer) and is continuing to fall fast. There's some colour through the water column but it is clear enough for spinning; come Saturday it should be firing for the fly angler with the cicadas out after the bad weather. The Pakarutahi, Whakatikei and Akatarawa are also carrying flow and a tinge of colour but will fish well to flies from tomorrow onwards. 

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. 

Work below the SH1 bridges continues on the Otaki River, with gravel removal in the dry not affecting the water. The best fishing opportunities remain upstream to Otaki Forks. Water levels in the Otaki, Waikanae and Ohau are returning to normal flows very quickly after last weekend‘s storm. The waters are currently running clear and providing good opportunities for all fishing techniques.  

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 still carry flow and bit of colour from the storm on Monday but, judging by the fine weather forecast and tributaries, it should be back and firing come Saturday. The Waiohine, Waingawa and Tauherenikau only have a faint hint of colour this morning and are looking amazing - good to go for all fishing methods from today.    

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

The Waiohine River at SH2 this morning (Photo: Hamish Carnachan).

Manawatu

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

The Manawatu River has fallen off a solid flood and still has quite a lot of flow to clear before it becomes fishable. A lot of the colour and extra water has come in off the Pohangina, Oroua and Mangatainoka - the former two are almost back to normal fishable levels but the latter has some way to go yet. For anglers in this part of the Wellington Fish & Game region, it'll be a case of scouting around some of the smaller waterways this weekend which should be running clear come Saturday.                       

The Manawatu River at Weber Road this morning (Photo: Horizons).

Rangitikei

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

Despite a fine weather forecast, the aftermath of the heavy rain that battered the Ruahines and Central Plateau still lingers in the Rangitikei region with rivers still swollen and plenty of water to push through before they are fishable. The Rangitikei River, like the Whakaurekau, Kawhatau and Hautapu are all up and dirty. Anglers should scout about some of the streams coming off Mount Ruapehu, as these will be clear come Saturday - see our Waimarino report below.                    

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

Taranaki Ringplain

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

Conditions are shaping up nicely for the weekend, with a settled and warm outlook. South-westerlies on Friday will ease to gentle westerlies by Sunday, providing good conditions for anglers. Regional and ringplain waterways have now been sitting at consistent low flows for an extended period. While clarity remains great, prolonged low water has seen some rivers warm considerably through the middle of the day. With these temperature swings in mind, anglers are encouraged to focus efforts during the cooler parts of the day. Early mornings and late evenings will provide the most favourable conditions for active fish and reduce stress on trout during warmer periods.

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

 

The Waiwhakaiho River at Audrey Gale Reserve this morning (Photo: Jack Harland)

Waimarino

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

A few showers are forecast for Friday, clearing to fine on Saturday with light west-south-westerly winds. A shift to lower pressure on Sunday may bring some rain and slightly cooler air temperatures. Significant rainfall earlier this week lifted river levels across the district; however, flows have been steadily receding and should be at an optimal level heading into the weekend. As flows drop and temperatures gradually settle back within an optimal range for trout, conditions are aligning well. Targeting the higher reaches of regional rivers could prove particularly productive, with clean gravels, improved clarity, and cooling water creating ideal summer angling.

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

Ruby (11) got a fly rod for Christmas and has had plenty of success since, including this Manawatu River rainbow. (Photo: Des Parker Munn)         

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. 

Video Of The Week

Small stream, big fish! Click the screenshot to watch a short angling adventure close to the capital.   

Women On The Fly Events In Wellington

Summer Sunday Fly Fishing Sessions for 2026 - open to all female anglers.

Save the dates for the next three sessions:
* Sunday, March 8 - Introduction to Fly Fishing Gear: Rods, reels, lines, leaders, flies, rigs, and knots.
* Sunday April 12 - Onstream Day, Ōtaki River: Presentation, setting up a drift, mending, line management.
* Sunday May 10 - More Advanced Casting : Achieving distance, double haul casting.

Join the 'Women on the Fly NZ' private Facebook group for more information and to register for each event. Or contact Cheryl 021 040 2211 or Gordon 027 494 6487. 

 

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:

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.