Lower North Lowdown Weekly Fishing Report - 20 November 2025

Stunning Weekend To Be On The Water! 

Get your gear sorted, hatch a plan, and be ready to hit the water this weekend because it's going to be a cracker across both the Wellington and Taranaki Fish & Game regions. 

A large high pressure system is parked out in the Tasman Sea and, although there might be a bit of breeze in some parts, we can expect mainly sunny skies and clear rivers.   

Pictured - Blake Murray has been having a fantastic season - here he's pictured with another bar of Hutt River gold!   

We know the lowland and easy accessible waterways have been fishing superbly so far this season, so now could be a good chance to get into the more isolated backcountry fisheries with this favourable weather forecast.  

This good sized rainbow from the city reaches of the Manawatu River was destined for the dinner table (Photo: Steve Haslett).

Also exciting is the emergence of terrestrial insects that are starting to appear courtesy of the warmer, more summer-like temperatures. 

There have been plagues of brown beetles in some of the lower and middle river reaches, with green manuka beetles and caddis also hitting the water and prompting the trout to rise. 

It won't be long now until cicadas and hoppers are added to the smorgasbord of food being delivered to very active trout too. 

If you're not a fly fisher, you can still cash in on the insect feeding-frenzy by employing some of the methods outlined in our 'Advanced Spin Fishing' how-to guide (see our tip of the week below).     

Don't miss the action this weekend - grab you licence and get out on the water 'cause it's going to be a cracker!  

Grab Your Licence Now!

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

Click the image above to get started. 

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 had a very small pulse of water go through last night but it's still running at just 9cumecs which is very fishable. If anything, the minor fresh will only make the angling even better as the Hutt has been fishing superbly this season. The smaller tribs - the Pakarutahi, Whakatikei and Akatarawa - are low and clear. The trout could be a little more finicky now as the flow starts to fall in these feeders streams so be prepared to drop down in fly size and tippet strength.         The Hutt River at Heretaunga this morning (Photo: Al Markham)

Kapiti Coast

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

Light rain in the ranges yesterday sees the Otaki, Waikanae and Ohau starting to rise a little at time of writing this morning but they are still low and clear and fishable. The forecast for Friday and the weekend is pretty settled so with no more precipitation on the cards we can expect the rivers in this part of the region to quickly fall back to normal spring flows. Note that the slip which closed the road up to the Otaki Forks (again) has been cleared, stabilised and is now officially open again.          

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

 

Wairarapa

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

Conditions are absolutely stunning in Wairarapa this morning - sunny, warm and no wind. If you can't get away from work for a fish today, don't worry because the weekend weather looks just as good! The Ruamahanga River is pretty as a picture and half a dozen good trout were seen when the photo below was taken. The Waiohine, Waingawa and Tauherenikau are set up perfectly. Get amongst it this weekend!                                    

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 at time of writing but the flow graph shows a slight rise from overnight rain in the hills. This is forecast to drop out very quickly though so anglers should have the entire river length to choose from for their weekend adventures. The Pohangina and Oroua are showing signs of some minor rain pushing through but we expect these to fishable. Reports from several anglers suggest the Mangatainoka is starting to fire again so there are options galore for Manawatu anglers this weekend.    

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

Rangitikei

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

Some rain in the Central High Country yesterday afternoon has resulted int the Rangitikei and Hautapu rivers coming up quite quickly. The good news is the weather forecast for the next few days and into the weekend looks fine and settled so there's time for the fresh to flush through. For the mainstem, anglers will find clearer water higher up in the catchment or in some of the smaller tributaries come Saturday.   

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

Taranaki Ringplain

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

We’ve enjoyed a run of warm, settled spring weather recently across Taranaki. Another small front pushed through this week but the minor fresh will pass quickly and anglers can expect clearer, more stable conditions to return heading into the weekend. Dry fly indicator rigs are working well at present in the region, with creeper, cicada, beetles, and blowfly imitations all worth a cast down a foam line. The forecast for Taranaki is looking promising, with light westerlies, plenty of sunshine, and warm temperatures making ideal conditions to get out on the water this weekend. 

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

Waiwhakaiho River at the Meeting Of The Waters Reserve (Photo: Allen Stancliff).

Waimarino

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

The fishing in Waimarino region is shaping up beautifully for the weekend with sun, high cloud and light winds forecast. A small fresh moved through on Wednesday night but rivers are already receding and should be back around their typical November flow levels by the weekend. The Mangawhero River is a reliable gauge of flow conditions across the region (data found here). For those seeking more detailed information or broader opportunities around Ruapehu, you can see these here.

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

Photo Competition - Win A $300 Hunting & Fishing Voucher

Hamish Jarvie caught this good-sized Hutt brown on a trout imitation soft bait.    

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 - Fly Fishing With Spinning Gear? Oh Yeah!  

The most common form of spin fishing – or threadlining – is casting metal spoon wobblers, Mepps and Veltic lures, or
Rapala-style imitations. It’s a method many of us grew up with. 

These traditional techniques work, and that’s why they have endured through the ages. But threadline fishing can be so
much more.

Relatively ‘new’ styles of lures such as soft baits, now specifically designed for freshwater species, are very effective and have opened up a world of opportunities.

But what about using artificial flies on spin-fishing tackle?

When done properly, this can outperform traditional fly angling – imagine being able to punch flies into strong winds with ease, cast more often and cover more water, and reach fish in the trickiest lies without drag.

Our Advanced Spin Fishing guide aims to teach you the basics of these non-traditional methods, and introduce you to the most versatile means there is of targeting trout in New Zealand. 

Click the cover image above to link to our resources page, then scroll down to the 'brochures' section to download a copy.   

 

Video Of The Week - Getting Your Flies Into The Right Places

This great short video will teach you how to read river currents to locate trout while nymphing.

As well as how to identify key water features like riffles, runs, and pockets (crucial for successful fishing) it demonstrates how to master depth control using heavy flies or split shot to present your lure naturally in the strike zone.

Click the screenshot above to check it out. 

 

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.  

 

Stratford Kids' Fishing Day! 

Taranaki Fish & Game is holding the Stratford Kids' Fishing Day on Saturday, December 6. 

The booking sheet for this event is now at the Stratford i-Site in Miranda Street and parents and caregivers can book a 15-minute time slot for their kids by visiting or ringing them on 0800 765 6708.

 

Wellington and Taranaki Access Maps  

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

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

 

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:

December 09/10, 2025
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.