New Zealand's Top Fishing Locations for Trout Fishermen and Salmon Anglers

Fish New Zealand Charming Creek Adventures West Coast New Zealand

Where To Go

For Trout: Mataura, Tongariro and South Island West Coast are hard to beat!
For Salmon: South Island East Coast Rivers and South Island West Coast!
For Kahawai: All around the New Zealand coastline!
West Coast Region: If you want it all, the West Coast is your place!

This river is full of trout!

For Trout
Without a doubt New Zealand is an anglers' Mecca, with thousands of lakes, spring creeks and rivers that hold trout, some of them rarely seeing an angler. New Zealand combines this abundant choice of fishing waters with clear air and water, majestic scenery and on top of all that trout that are large by world standards. You can guess what is waiting for you!

New Zealand has become one of the world's most highly praised trout fishing regions. Ask one hundred fishermen "which are the best rivers?" and you will probably get one hundred different answers.

Caught in a top West Coast river

In our opinion hard to beat are:

the Tongariro River in the North Island for winter fishing (mostly Rainbow Trout),
the Mataura River on the South Island for summer fishing (only Brown Trout),
many South Island West Coast rivers for their combination of top fishing for mainly Brown Trout and spectacular scenery.

The fishing in the Tongariro and Mataura rivers is mainly based on blind fishing, but the number of fish present in these rivers does compensate for the missing excitement of sight fishing. However if you want the true experience of spotting your prize and casting to it, the West Coast should be your pick!

The Fish Are Waiting!

For Salmon
Salmon fishing is best in rivers located on the East Coast of the South Island. Top spots are the Rakaia, Rangitata, Waimakariri and Waitaki rivers. Some West Coast rivers also produce good Salmon runs. Popular are the Grey, Taramakau and Okarito rivers, as well as Lake Paringa.

For Kahawai
Kahawai can be caught in river estuaries and at sea all around the New Zealand coastline. The incoming tide is best!

West Coast Region
The West Coast is recognized the world over for its top fishing and scenery. You will be delighted at the sheer beauty of the pristine rivers running through valleys of native rainforest, all framed by rugged mountain ranges. One look at these locations and you can't help feeling you have arrived in trout heaven. This is why "The Coast" is one of the favourite locations of Kiwi fisherman, who come here on holiday to do their fishing. It is superb fishing in real New Zealand!.

The region is a wild and sparsely populated coastal strip, which runs parallel to the majestic Southern Alps, encompassing some of the most dramatic scenery in New Zealand. It is a rugged and primeval region of contrasting features, high snow-capped mountains, dramatic limestone landscapes, impressive glaciers surrounded by rain forests, hundreds of river valleys and a magnificent coastline that stretches for 600 kilometers. This scenic wonderland is where natural heritage has been preserved in five National Parks and a World Heritage area.

Carole came to the West Coast and loved it!

With its huge variety of waters, ranging from tidal estuaries to gentle bush streams, spring creeks to braided rivers, lakes and the ocean, you can choose a different location each day and fish in the environment you most enjoy.

The Coast has it all - the one area of New Zealand you shouldn’t miss!

Where do you find most of the fish? Between the head and the tail!

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© Charming Creek Adventures Fly Fishing Tours, Rowan Cottage, 10 Scarborough Tce, Hanmer Springs, New Zealand
Enquiries to: Mobile: 021 211 3462 Phone: 03 315 7668 / 03 782 1889 Fax: 03 315 7668 Email: serge@fishnewzealand.com