Lower North Lowdown Weekly Fishing Report - 23 October 2025

Opportunities Around Despite the Weather

We may not have the long weekend conditions anglers were hoping for but there should still be opportunities to get out on the water. 

The mainstem rivers in the lower North Island are going to be marginal, however, smaller streams may present a chance to flick a fly - or at least a spinner or softbait - after the weather pushes through today. 

Pictured - Kason Koboski with a good Taranaki Ringplain rainbow caught last week. 

Taranaki-based anglers look like they will avoid the worst of it and staff are confident that there will be clear water to fish.   

This region is also blessed with numerous stillwater fisheries too, so don't discount the quality angling these small lakes and dams offer - check out our angler access maps for locations.

For Wairarapa anglers, Kourarau Dam access is open again, and Henley Lake fishes well at this time of year before the water gets too warm.    

In Manawatu, those looking for small stillwater fishing options can explore Hokowhitu Lagoon right in Palmerston North or Marton Reservoir (access at Tutaenui Reserve).          

Don't forget to send in some photos of your angling exploits - you'll go into the draw to win a $300 voucher from Wairarapa Hunting & Fishing (see details below). 

We hope to see you out on the water soon. 

Grab Your Licence And Get Set For The Action!

Get set for when the weather and river flows improve!

Jump online and get your licence the easy way now - 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 high with colour but has a fishable edge this morning, however, there's a heavy rain watch for the Tararua Range which will see the river rise rapidly - caution is advised. The Pakarutahi, Whakatikei and Akatarawa are all up too. Depending on how much rain falls in their respective catchments in the Remutakas, the Pakarutahi and Mangaroa might be outside chances for a fish later this long weekend.        

The Hutt River at Totara Park yesterday afternoon (Photo: Al Markham)

Kapiti Coast

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

The Otaki, Waikanae and Ohau are carrying moderately high flows with some colour in the water column but they still suitable for spin fishing at time of writing (note that the wind is strong this morning). As with the Hutt catchment, caution is advised as there is a heavy rain watch for the ranges so the large rivers will rise again. Smaller streams that are sourced in the foothills will be holding fish post spawning so these could be a chance later in the weekend when the fresh has pushed through.      

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 had another significant flood go through this week. As a result it is still very high and dirty. While the Waiohine, Waingawa and Tauherenikau are not looking too bad, with a clear fishable edge, more heavy rain in the ranges today will see these rise quickly again. After this front rolls through the rain eases off until returning on Labour day, but the wind will persist. Smaller streams flowing into the Ruamahanga from the eastern hills may present an opportunity for anglers on Saturday and Sunday. Watch the weather conditions closely.                             

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.

While the Manawatu River is running bank-to-bank in Palmy, up around Weber Road it is actually at a reasonable flow and dropping quickly (though there is still some colour in the water). The Pohangina and Oroua are also falling fast and currently fishable, however, anglers who brave the weather will have quite some wind to contend with. Friday and Saturday look fine;  hopefully this will give some of the smaller streams upstream of the gorge a chance to clear and anglers the opportunity to scout out some fishable water.   

The Pohangina River at Totara Reserve this morning (Photo: Matt Kavermann).

Rangitikei

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

Just when the Rangitikei River was finally looking like it was going to be clear enough for fishing, heavy rain today is likely going to ruin the party. As with its parent river, the Hautapu is falling quickly but that should change as this rain band moves across the Central High Country. We know forecasts can change, or in some cases be quite wrong, so keep checking the live flows because tomorrow and the first few days of the long weekend don't look too bad, which could give rivers a chance to drop enough flow and colour for fishing.                    

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

Taranaki Ringplain

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

River flow recorders for both the Manganui and Waiwhakaiho have shown stable levels for several days now, which bodes well for good fishing conditions heading into the weekend. Looking ahead, there may be showers passing through Thursday
evening, but Friday and Saturday are shaping up nicely with a mix of sun, cloud and light westerly winds turning northerly on Sunday. The weather closes in on Labour Day, Monday, but there may still be opportunities in the smaller streams as well as our still water fisheries in the region. Note that we have also released some rainbows into the lower Patea - for more details see below.  

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

Patea River yesterday afternoon (Photo: Jack Harland).

Waimarino

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

Showers are expected on Thursday night, clearing to fine conditions on Friday. A weather band moving up the South Island may reach the region on Saturday, though this may disperse before it hits the Waimarino region. While Thursday’s rain could cause a
minor rise in river levels, flows are expected to stabilise in time for the weekend. Spots such as the Manganuioteao at Ruatiti Domain, the Upper Mangawhero or Sattlers Dam are well worth a visit.

The Mangawhero River is a good reference for regional flow levels (information found here). For more info on fishing opportunities in the Ruapehu region, click here. 

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

Video of The Week - Small Stream Action

Often when the bigger water is blown out by spring weather, the smaller streams can be fishable and offer exciting angling opportunities.  

This video shows the sort of action anglers in the Wellington and Taranaki Fish & Game regions can find if they're prepared to scout around...

Click the screenshot above to watch.  

Photo Competition - Win A $300 Hunting & Fishing Voucher

Keith Bradley managed several good Manawatu rainbows and a brown despite high flows.  

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. 

Patea River Fish Release

Hatchery volunteer Craig Mischefski about to release a Hawera hatchery rainbow into the lower Patea River.

This week, 100 hatchery-raised rainbows (some up to 2lb), were released into the lower Pātea River below the Pātea Dam, thanks to support from Manawa Energy.

The landowner has permitted anglers to access the river via Maben Road, however, please remember this is private farmland and dogs are not allowed.

Flows below the dam peaked at 143m³/s last week but have since dropped and stabilised (keep an eye on flows here).

River levels and water temperatures will be great for fishing the lower Pātea this Labour Weekend, with the river running at around 8.2m³/s and temperatures sitting between 14–15°C.

Springtime in the lower Pātea can offer great river conditions for the angler, and there’s always the chance of encountering a double-figure fish at this time of year, as trout have packed on condition over winter via food that has concentrated through the dam outlet.

This fish release is the first of two scheduled for the lower Pātea this season (rainbows now, browns later). Brown and rainbow trout have been stocked here since 2017, initially as yearlings, but now as larger 17–18 month-old fish.

It’s well worth a visit for those looking to explore a productive and scenic stretch of water. 

Tip of The Week - Tackling Windy Conditions

Click the image above to watch a short instructional video on how to cast in different wind conditions.  

If it isn't the rain, it's the wind thwarting attempts to get out on the water... It looks like it is just going to be one of those starts to the season.

Don't let the conditions get you down though. You don't need to hide inside or make lengthy treks across the island to find somewhere to fish. Keep the following tips in mind whenever you’re faced with blustery conditions, and it’ll ensure you spend more time on the water this season rather than time at home doing odds jobs or sitting in a car travelling to calmer fishing spots:

• Go up in line weight - Even if you're fishing small water, your big lake rod or Taupo gear can often punch through the wind. It won't be pretty, but it'll get a fly on or in the water and often the ruffled surface will disguise a less-than-delicate presentation.
• Consider the spin option - Short rods and heavy spinning lures or softbaits are infinitely better when it's blowing, no question. You can even rig up a bubble float and flies to use with your spin-fishing outfit. 
• Seek shelter - Some stretches of river will be more sheltered than others, making it much easier to cast a fly. Target sections that have high banks or high trees lining the river's edge as these will break up the wind and reduce its velocity.
• Go heavy - If your heart is set on the so-called purist pursuit (fly fishing), think about using heavy nymphs. These will unfurl the leader much better than a lighter pattern or a large wind-catching terrestrial dry fly.
• Don't cast - Rather than trying to cast into a headwind, put on a stream fly and roll cast or strip line out downstream i.e. let the current do the work. Streamers work well at this time of year in certain lowland reaches too as there are an abundance of migratory bait fish around.

Think outside the square, mix things up, and you'll always get a shot at a fish no matter what the conditions throw at you.

 

Lake Rotomanu Kids' Fishing Day 

We’re pleased to confirm that this year’s Lake Rotomanu Kids' Fishing Event will take place on Saturday, November 8, 8am to 1pm.

To keep anglers busy in the meantime, 120 healthy rainbows were released into Lake Rotomanu this week, with many of these fish exceeding the 2lb mark.

Anglers are encouraged to make the most of this latest release by grabbing a licence and heading out for a fish before the next scheduled stocking in the first week of November.

For more information on this event and your options for free registration, check out the Facebook event here.

Kids Fish-Out Days - Lower North Island

• Otaki Kids Fishing Day - Saturday 1 and Sunday 2, November. Winstone Lakes. Phone Otaki Hunting & Fishing to book a spot - (06)364-8969.  
• Capital Trout Centre - Sunday, November 2. Happy Valley, Wellington Central. Tickets available at Capital Fishing, Ghuznee Street and Hunting & Fishing, Petone.   
  
  

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.

• Saturday, October 25 is the date set for the Pahiatua Trout Carnival. The Pahiatua Information Centre is taking entries. They are open 10-2pm weekdays and entries must be in by 2pm on Friday, October 24. There will be spot prizes for any registered anglers that pop into the weigh-ins, fish or no fish.

• Taranaki Fish & Game is holding the Stratford Kids' Fishing Day on Saturday, December 6. We'll bring your more details in the coming weeks. 

• Access to Otaki Forks in Tararua Forest Park - Another slip just 50m from the completed Blue Bluff works sites has again closed the access. Repairs are expected to take around one month. Check the 'Road Updates' section on this webpage for the latest details.  
• 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.