Lower North Lowdown Weekly Fishing Report 2 October 2025

New Season Is Underway!

The 2025-26 fishing season is underway with a somewhat indifferent start weather wise.

Rangers found a few anglers out and about on Wednesday for Opening, with most reporting some fish landed. 

We've had a pulse of rain push through yesterday evening which has brought some rivers up, but the lower North Island and Taranaki Ringplain streams look like they should be okay for the coming weekend if you're yet to venture out. 

If you find your local larger waterways are still high, target the smaller streams and tributaries which, given the current forecasts, should hopefully be clear and still holding fish post spawning.

Pictured - Lachie Anderson (14 years old) caught this stunning 6lb rainbow in a tributary of the Rangitikei River this week. This was his first trout caught in a river, taken on a nymph he tied himself (Photo: Chris Higgie).

Remember that spinning and soft baits are a great option early season when spring flows are high and there's a little bit of colour in the water.

For the dedicated fly anglers, don't forget to add a bit of split shot if you need to get down a bit deeper with these spring flows.

Spring weather can be temperamental but the good news is there will be options for anglers looking to get out for the first time this season over the coming weekend. 

     

Greg Smith with one of a handful of Hutt brownies he got into earlier this week..

Don't forget to keep snapping and sending in those photos to enter our competition - see details below. 

We hope to see you out on the water soon. 

Grab Your Licence And Get Into The Action!

Get yourself in on the action!

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

Here's the outlook this weekend...    

Hutt Valley

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

The Hutt River is running at 15 cumecs this morning so it does have a tinge of colour but it is fishable. The weather forecast for the weekend doesn't have too much rain at this stage so it should continue to drop further. Swinging streamers will take fish, and spinning and softbaiting will also be effective in these conditions. The Pakarutahi, Whakatikei and Akatarawa should all be holding good numbers of trout early in the season and will likely be a bit clearer than the mainstem, so fly anglers will find some good fishing in these smaller tribs.  

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

Kapiti Coast

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

The Otaki is carrying moderate flows this morning and is only slightly discoloured with overcast conditions and light winds on the Kapiti Coast. The Waikanae and Ohau are currently fishable, however, there is some rain forecast for Friday afternoon so it’ll be a matter of taking advantage of conditions while they are good and watching the weather forecast.

Note that vehicle access to Otaki Forks has been reinstated for the first time in about five years - making access to some of the upper waters much easier!

 

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

 

Wairarapa

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

The Ruamahanga River and tributaries - the Waiohine, Waingawa and Tauherenikau - are slightly elevated after a small fresh yesterday but are currently fishable. Weather conditions across the region don't look too bad with a mixture of passing showers and fine spells. With little rain forecast and falling river flows there should be ample scope for anglers to get out on the water this weekend. While there should be backcountry opportunities, there are whitebait running in the lower reaches and some great trout and perch are being taken down there.                 

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

The Waiohine River at SH2 this morning (Photo: Ben Ellison).

Manawatu

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

The Manawatu River is flowing chocolate brown through town but the Pohangina and Oroua are dropping flow from yesterday's rain very quickly. Another day or so could see these waterways return to fishable. Likewise, the Mangahao River looks to be settling back nicely and could be a great option if the water is clear enough this weekend - check the flow before heading out. Many of the smaller Manawatu tribs might be a chance but it'll depend on how much more rain falls in the catchment tomorrow.              

The Mangatainoka at Putara on Tuesday (Photo: Matt Kavermann).

Rangitikei

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

The Rangitikei River is very high and carrying lots of colour unfortunately. The webcam at Pukeokahu is out so we can't gauge the river conditions in the mid-upper reaches - anglers will have to chance their arm if heading to Springvale or Mangaohane. The Hautapu is well up too so anglers around the Taihape region might want to look for fishable water up on the Central Plateau where streams will clear a lot faster.          

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

Taranaki Ringplain

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

Across the Taranaki Ringplain conditions are looking encouraging for anglers keen to get out on the water this weekend. While some rivers are running slightly elevated, flows remain generally clean and very fishable. Using paddle tails, curly-tail softbaits, or spinners (where permitted) can work well when fishing elevated flows, just ensure you are fishing them at the appropriate depth. Another solid option is to head to one of the regions stillwater fisheries like Lake Ratapiko or Lake Mangamahoe (for the fly angler). Both lakes have recently been topped up with trout from our Hawera hatchery.

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

 

The Kaiauai Stream yesterday afternoon (Photo: Jack Harland).

Waimarino

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

The Mangwhero River is carrying extra flow and just a hint of colour in Ohakune. The rain has cleared at time of writing and it is certainly fishable. Given there was heavy rain on Ruapehu last night, rivers lower down on the slopes may still be up a bit, including the Manganuiateoa, so the higher up you can get the better your chances of finding fishable water. Sattlers Dam near Raetihi is also a good fall-back option and will be fishing well with these cooler temperatures.  

For more info on fishing opportunities in the Ruapehu region, click here. 

The Mangawhero River at Ohakune this morning (Photo: Hamish Carnachan).

 

Regs Changes For 2025-26

Wellington Fish & Game Region: NO changes for the new season. 

Taranaki Fish & Game Region: 

There have been three small changes for the new season - 

• Return to a 2-fish limit and the use of all methods (fly, spin, and bait fishing) for the Waiaua River and Opunake Lake. Opunake Lake is not currently fishable, but we are hopeful that it will be when the hydro scheme gets up and running again.
• A new clause (1.5) has been added to Note 1: Scented artificial lures may be used in all waters other than fly fishing only waters, when actively fished to imitate a bait fish. Scented soft baits can now be used in fly and spin only waters (e.g. Hangatahua [Stony], Kaiauai and Kapuni) when actively fished as a spinner. These days it’s hard to tell the difference between scented and unscented soft baits and so this is a change for practical reasons.
• And another new clause (1.6) has been added to Note 1: No licence holder shall use as bait any fish taken from any water other than where the fishing is occurring. This is a biosecurity measure to reduce the risk of disease or organism spread (e.g. gold clam).

For the full regulations, click here.  

Video of The Week  

This short video shows how lucky we are to have amazingly accessible fishing in the lower North island - shot on a small stream just under State Highway 1.  

Click the screenshot above to watch.  

 

Photo Competition - Win A $300 Hunting & Fishing Voucher

Lachie Anderson into a solid Rangitikei tributary rainbow (Photo: Chris Higgie).

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 - Elevate Your Spin Fishing

Spin fishing is an awesome option for early season conditions when rivers and streams are higher and carrying a little colour. 

If you want to elevate your spin fishing options and potentially boost your chances of catching trout this season, click the screenshot above to download our brochure on Advance Spin Fishing techniques.   

 

Wellington and Taranaki Access Maps  

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

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

 

Check, Clean Dry - Help Protect Our Lakes and Rivers

With summer fast approaching and the days getting longer, now is the perfect time to familiarise yourselves with the North Island Check Clean Dry procedures. 

Rowing legend Mahe Drysdale has come on board as a CCD ambassador for Biosecurity NZ features in this video - Click here to watch. 

 

Noticeboard

• Check out Greater Wellington Regional Council's latest schedule of flood protection operations here.
• Access to Otaki Forks in Tararua Forest Park has been reinstated making access to the upper reaches of the Otaki River much easier.
• Moawhango Flushing Flows - Proposed dates are as follows:

• 
• 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.