Lower North Lowdown Weekly Fishing Report - 27 November 2025

Mixed Forecast Across The Regions 

It's been a stunning few weeks for angling in the lower North Island with summer-like conditions arriving particuarly early.

The weather has been beautiful, the temperatures warm, rivers clear and the trout hungry.

Pictured - Ben Ellison with a great Wairarapa small-stream brown taken last week. 

The fish are now feeding actively on terrestrial insects in both the Wellington and Taranaki Fish & Game regions.

Brown and green beetles are around in abundance, and there have even been reports of early-season cicadas around too. 

The insect activity certainly seems to be heating up quickly... earlier than usual for this time of year.

That said, we have got a band of heavy rain moving in from the Tasman Sea tomorrow morning, making forecasting a little tricky. 

It is only supposed to be brief, and appears to miss some parts of our regions, so it will be a matter of really checking the flow links we provide in these reports before you head out.     

That said, there looks to be angling opportunities for most parts, and given how hot the fishing has been running anglers will want to make the most of every chance they get! 

  

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Here's the outlook this weekend...    

Hutt Valley

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

The rivers in this part of the region are slightly elevated from a small fresh after last night's range in the rangers. The Hutt River is sitting at 20 cumecs at time of writing - down from it's peak of 42 - and continuing to fall. Unfortunately there's a band of heavier rain forecast to arrive mid-morning Friday. This will likely bring the mainstem, along with the Pakarutahi, Whakatikei and Akatarawa, back up again for most of the weekend. The Wairarapa side looks to be in the clear of the weather so perhaps poke your nose over the hill if you're after a fish.           

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

Kapiti Coast

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

The Otaki, Waikanae and Ohau are all carrying high flows with a decent fresh coming through last night. Prospects are sadly not looking good with showers forecast for the remainder of today, along with more rain tomorrow. With the weekend weather looking lovely, though, it could be worth scouting out some of the smaller side streams or small lakes/lagoons.

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 up and carrying colour after rain the ranges last night - this is coming into the mainstem from the major tributaries sourced in the Tararua Range - the Waiohine, Waingawa and Tauherenikau. With more rain in the mountains arriving tomorrow, these rivers are a long shot for fishing this weekend. The good news is the Waipoua looks stunning this morning and is not forecast to get any more flow over the weekend; same goes for the eastern streams. So there are still some good options for anglers in Wairarapa for Saturday and Sunday.                                      

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

The Waipoua River in Masterton this morning (Photo: Hamish Carnachan).

Manawatu

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

The Manawatu region looks to be the most stable in terms of weather and river flows for the lower North Island this weekend. The Manawatu River is low and clear right the way through, as are the Pohangina and Oroua. The Mangatainoka has had a small pulse of rain overnight but not enough to make any noticeable difference to flow or colour at time of writing this morning. With only showers and a little scattered rain forecast for tomorrow before fine weekend weather, conditions should be great for anglers in this part of the Wellington Fish & Game region.      

The Mangatainoka River at SH2 this morning (Photo: Horizons).

Rangitikei

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

The Rangitikei River looks absolutely beautiful this morning - clean and clear and we're able to see every boulder on the bottom from the webcam. This could change, though, depending on whether the rainband moving in from the Tasman tomorrow makes it into this catchment. If it does, it will only be brief, so higher up around Mangaohane or Springvale could well be fishable come Saturday or later in the weekend. Anglers will have to check the Hautapu flow closely after the weather has moved through tomorrow.    

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

Taranaki Ringplain

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

The weather has been settled lately across the Taranaki ringplain with only short rainfalls and small freshes moving through. Despite this, the mercury has definitely started to climb through the second half of November. Fish are now feeding freely off terrestrials so make sure you have a supply in your fly box! Showers and north-westerly winds are expected as we move into the weekend. Saturday should bring a fine spell with light westerlies, before conditions shift back to strong north-westerlies and possible showers on Sunday.

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

Waiwhakaiho River at Balsom Park (Photo: Jack Harland).

Waimarino

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

Weather conditions throughout the Waimarino area have also been good, with rivers remaining mostly settled throughout November. A few small freshes have passed through, but nothing significant enough to disrupt angling opportunities. There may be some brief showers carried over by north-westerly winds as we head into the weekend, though winds are expected to remain light and air temperatures warm. Saturday looks to be shaping up as a good window to get out for a fish.

To monitor flows and stay informed about regional river conditions, the Makotuku River at SH49A, and the Mangawhero River at Pakihi Road Bridge provide up-to date river flow data.

 

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

Photo Competition - Win A $300 Hunting & Fishing Voucher

Blake Murray caught and released this lovely Ruamahanga River rainbow on a cicada imitation last weekend.     

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 - Sharing The Water

With the run of fine weather and perfect fishing conditions we've had lately, many anglers have headed into the hills to prospect our amazing backcountry fisheries.

When numerous parties have the same idea, it can see anglers converging on the same stretch of water and, unfortunately, conflict can sometimes arise.       

This makes being courteous to your fellow fisher all the more important - a friendly wave and a quick chat to discuss splitting up the water can go a long way towards a positive experience for everyone involved.

Top tips for sharing water effectively include planning how much river you realistically need to enjoy your day and being prepared to compromise if opportunities are limited.

Best practices also include leaving intentions at your vehicle whenever possible and letting other anglers know your plans if you’re heading further up the river or valley.

For more on angling etiquette, read Nick King's excellent article by clicking the screenshot above...

 

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. 

Recent Fish Releases

 

Year 10 student Lachie Blundell helping to release rainbows into the Stony River while on work experience from Francis Douglas Memorial College.

We’ve had two fish releases recently in the Taranaki Fish & Game region. Last Thursday 100 rainbow trout were released into the Stony River, with great assistance from volunteers at the Hawera Hatchery.

The river was looking low and clean at the time of the release. While the July 3 flood has changed the lay of the river significantly, there are now some great looking pools in new locations!

On Tuesday the November 25 we released 150 eighteen-month-old brown trout into the lower Pātea River as part of our ongoing release schedule with Manawa Energy. These fish were in excellent condition, with some of the best browns to come out of the hatchery in recent years - several easily tipped the scales at over 2.5lb.

The lower Pātea was in prime shape during the release, with low flows and very clear water due to a lack of recent rain and no spills from the upstream dam.

Water temperatures were sitting around 21°C, which is warm for this time of year, so now is a great time to get out and fish while temperatures are still manageable and conditions remain favourable.

Hatchery team member Malcom Hurley with a healthy brown destined for the Lower Patea.

 

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! 

The 28th Annual Stratford Kids’ Trout Fishing Day will be held on Saturday, December 6.

As part of this event, more than 300 large rainbow trout will be released into the Scout Den Pool on the Pātea River within King Edward Park, right in the heart of Stratford.

Parents and caregivers can now book a 15-minute time slot for their children by visiting the Stratford i-SITE on Miranda Street or calling 0800 765 6708.

All fishing equipment will be provided, and children of all ages and experience levels are warmly welcomed to take part.

 

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.