Lower North Lowdown Weekly Fishing Report - 2 April 2026

Angling Treats For Easter Weekend 

Our final fishing report for the season and the news is all good...

It's a long weekend (with two bonus days to go fishing), the weather looks like it is going to play ball, and there are heaps of hungry trout in prime condition out there waiting for you!                  

Pictured - Jake Stuart (14), stoked, with an awesome brown trout he caught on his own fly he tied, fishing the southern Ruahines.

Rivers are in great shape and with generally sunny skies across much of the Wellington and Taranaki Fish & Game regions it is set up to be an Easter angling frenzy.   

Terry Ashburn has had a sensational season on the middle reaches of the Manawatu River.

Thanks for all your support this season, along with all the helpful feedback, fishing reports and photos you've mailed through. 

Be sure to make the most of your investment in an angling licence and get out over winter when the fishing can still be very productive in the lower North Island.   

We look forward to catching you again next season.  

Take A Mate Fishing This Long Weekend

With a long weekend ahead, some good weather, and loads of trout eager to bite, it's the perfect time to introduce a friend or family member to fishing!

What's even better, we've got some great pricing options available for them:

• Winter season $94 (valid through to September 30). 
• Short break - perfect for Easter Weekend, allowing three consecutive days fishing for just $56.
• Long break - Adult day licence, just $25. 

To check out all the options available, click here. 

You can jump online and get your mate a licence the easy way now - it only takes a minute and you'll be set to go this Easter weekend.

Have Your Say On The Future Of Fishing Regulations 

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.

A couple of very small freshes in the catchment last weekend and earlier this week has set the Hutt River up perfectly for the long weekend, with a little extra flow but water still clean and clear. The cooler temperatures should see trout active throughout the day and, combined with shorter days, they'll be into their migratory spawning runs up the Pakarutahi, Whakatikei and Akatarawa.

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

Kapiti Coast

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

The Kapiti Coast is forecast to have a mix of fine weather with the odd shower over Easter. With the Otaki, Waikanae and Ohau all running low and clear, fishing conditions over the weekend are going to remain ideal with trout continuing to feed well ahead of the spawning period. Along with the mainstem rivers, both the backcountry and smaller spawning tribs are options for anglers over the Easter break. Plenty of opportunities to get excited about. 

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

Wairarapa

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

Stunning conditions in Wairarapa this morning with the first real frost. The Ruamahanga River, Waiohine, Waingawa and Tauherenikau are all low and clean and clear and perfect for fishing. Several good trout were seen rising when the photo was taken early this morning. Some showers pass through on Sunday but shouldn't impact anglers. The Waipoua, Huangarua and Kopuaranga are going to see a pulse of spawning trout move in from now on.   

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

The Ruamahanga River at 'The Cliffs' this morning (Photo: Hamish Carnachan).

Manawatu

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

The Manawatu River is low and clear all the way through the system. With perfect conditions forecast over the entire Easter break, anglers have plenty of options. The Pohangina and Oroua should see fish pushing in from the mainstem for spawning now; meanwhile the Mangatainoka (lower-mid reaches) and Mangahao rivers will be top picks this long weekend.                            

The Manawatu River at Teachers College this morning (Photo: Horizons).

Rangitikei

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

The Rangitikei River is super low and clear and looking absolutely stunning this morning! The odd isolated shower on Saturday and Sunday is the only blight on an otherwise lovely forecast for the Central High Country this Easter weekend, and rivers are unlikely to change from their current flows. The mainstem Rangitikei will fish well right the way through the catchment, however, adventurous anglers will find great angling in the tribs - namely the Hautapu, Whakaurekou and Kawhatau - which are set up perfectly too.         

The Rangitikei River at Mangaweka (Photo: Awestone)

Taranaki Ringplain

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

After a minor fresh last Friday, rivers are dropping back to their summer lows and should remain that way for the Easter break. Brown trout are often cruising pools in a beat rather than stationed under flow lines with these low flows. It’s been great to see the whites of their mouths as they engulf floating morsels and then rise to take terrestrials. A quiet stalk of pools to find fish, establish their beat, cast out a dry fly or small nymph when they are well away and wait for them to come back can provide some exciting fishing. Other fish, particularly rainbows, will be holding in riffles and pocket water, or stationed under foam lines. Drifting a passion vine hopper or cicada or blowfly imitation through these areas will be well worthwhile.

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

The Waiwhakaiho River at Merrilands Domain this morning (Photo: Allen Stancliff)

Waimarino

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

It’s a similar story to the Ringplain in Waimarino, with two very small freshes late March and flows heading back towards their summer lows. The higher altitude means that water temperatures are hovering around 14-15degC, right in the range preferred by trout. The Manganuioteao would have to be a go-to spot at this time of year, with trout moving upstream from the Whanganui River and low flows giving good access to fish. Fly fishing will be the way to go in the riffles and bouldary runs, or drifting a fly in these areas under a bubble float. Spin and soft baiting should produce fish in the pools and deeper runs.

To keep an eye on regional flows, you can check these out here.

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

Photo Competition Winner! 

Big congrats to Max van Son who won our photo comp for the season!

Max has won a $300 voucher to spend in store at Wairarapa Hunting & Fishing for his pic of a fantastic small stream brownie taken close to Wellington.

Huge thanks to Greg and the Team at Wairarapa Hunting & Fishing for continuing to support the photo comp, and committing to it again next season. 

Stay snapping over winter and get your entries in when the comp kick starts next season. 

Great Fly Fishing Close To Wellington City

We all know how lucky Wellington anglers are to have world-class fly fishing right on their doorstep... This video of small-stream action and large browns illustrates that perfectly!  

Click the screenshot above to watch. 

Tip Of The Week - Beat The Fuel Pain 

Don't let the price of fuel hinder your angling options. 

In the lower North Island we've got amazing fishing, right on our doorsteps with many of our anglers fortunate to be able to walk, ride a bike or take public transport to quality water.

Dive into our access maps and scout for a spot close by. Click here or on the screenshot below to explore.

Our 'Park and Cast' webpages also have some handy hints on places to go.

Often these spots also have camping available too so you can stay overnight and get two days fishing to maximise your travel expense. 

Car-pooling with a bunch of angling mates is also a great way to reduce the travel cost burden.      

Options Aplenty On Taranaki Ringplain 

The beauty of the ringplain is there are up to 40 fishable streams running off Taranaki Maunga, so there are always waters close to home.

For those keen to travel a bit further, the lower Patea River between McColl’s Bridge and Patea Dam provides a backcountry experience relatively close to home.

Check out the flows on the Taranaki Regional Council website before going, but flows have been sitting near the consented minimum in recent days and water temperatures have now dropped to around 18degC, making it a good time to fish for large trout up to trophy size with softbaits and spinners.  

Adipose fin-clipped hatchery brown and rainbow trout have been released below the dam for several years now and we’d welcome photos of any fish you catch. Please email your pics to us. 

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 sessions:
* 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. 

Noticeboard

• Manawa Energy is going to lower the level of Lake Ratapiko after Easter for weed control and maintenance. The lake supports a good population of perch, as well as brown and rainbow trout, so now is the time to make the most of the fishing before the water ski (eastern) arm is de-watered. Check out the webcams courtesy of our local provider Primo Wireless - Camera one and camera two.     

• 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.
• 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 four 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.