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Taranaki > Fishing Regulations
Angling regulations are updated annually. Each region has specific regulations for individual rivers and lakes within the framework of national angling regulations.
Most Taranaki trout fisheries have their source within the Egmont or Tongariro National Parks and provide a high quality angling experience in a scenic and un-crowded environment. More than 40 small to medium sized trout streams radiate from the base of Mt Egmont/Taranaki and few places offer such a diversity of angling opportunity. These streams provide quality ‘sight fishing’ for large brown trout, while rainbow trout fishing is also available in several lakes and the Waingongoro River between Eltham and the sea. Wanganui has a number of lakes that provide fishing for rainbow trout and perch within a few minutes of the city. Many anglers travel some distance from Wanganui to fish without realising the opportunities that are so close at hand. Ruapehu district rivers are some of the most productive in the Taranaki region. They include the Manganuioteao River, which is a nationally important brown and rainbow trout fishery offering a quality backcountry angling experience. There is little fishing pressure in the region and anglers appreciate the peace and solitude that comes with the fishing.
ACCESS PAMPHLETS
Information pamphlets on Taranaki ring plain, Waingongoro River, Wanganui and Ruapehu fisheries can be obtained from most sports shops and information centres within the region or from the Wanganui and New Plymouth offices of Fish and Game NZ. North and South Island Angler Access guides are also available.
DIDYMO
Please do your bit to keep didymo out of the North Island and Taranaki. Check, clean and dry your fishing gear, clothing, waders and other equipment before fishing in Taranaki and before moving from one waterway to another. Confine your fishing to one waterway per day if possible and clean your gear after leaving the water. If you must move between waterways, thoroughly spray your fishing gear (lines, reels, rods, flies, nets, waders, boots etc.) and any clothing that has been in contact with water with an approved cleaner, such as a 5% solution of household detergent. Please leave your felt-soled waders at home, as they have been identified as a high risk vector for the spread of didymo.
When fishing in the Taranaki region, please ensure you are aware of and adhere to local regulations at all times.
2008/2009 regulations for the Taranaki region
Reference to description: New ZealandGazette, No. 83, 24 May 1990, page 1861
1. DEFINITIONS
See First Schedule.
2. OPEN SEASON, PERMITTED METHODS AND BAG LIMITS
|
Lakes / Rivers |
Open Season |
Permitted Methods |
Daily Bag Limit |
|
All unlisted waters west of the Whanganui River |
1 Oct – 30 Apr |
All legal lures/baits |
2 |
|
All unlisted waters east of the Whanganui River |
1 Oct – 30 Jun |
All legal lures/baits |
4 |
|
Huatoki Stream upstream from Brois Street Bridge |
1 Oct – 30 Apr |
All legal lures/baits |
2 |
|
Huatoki Stream downstream from Brois Street Bridge |
1 Oct – 30 Sep |
All legal lures/baits |
2 |
|
Kahouri Stream |
1 Oct – 30 Apr |
All legal lures/baits |
2 |
|
Kaiauai Stream |
1 Oct – 30 Apr |
Spinner/artificial fly |
1 |
|
Kapuni Stream upstream from Skeet Road Bridge |
1 Oct – 30 Apr |
Spinner/artificial fly |
1 |
|
Kapuni Stream downstream from Skeet Road Bridge |
1 Oct – 30 Apr |
All legal lures/baits |
2 |
|
Kaupokonui Stream upstream of State Highway 45 Bridge |
1 Oct – 30 Apr |
All legal lures/baits |
2 |
|
Kaupokonui Stream downstream of State Highway 45 Bridge |
1 Oct – 30 Sep |
All legal lures/baits |
2 |
|
Kohata, Lake |
1 Oct – 20 Apr and
10 Jul – 30 Sep |
All legal lures/baits |
2 |
|
Lahar, Lake |
1 Oct – 30 Sep |
All legal lures/baits |
2 |
|
Makatote River |
1 Oct – 30 Jun |
All legal lures/baits |
3 |
|
Maketawa Stream |
1 Oct – 30 Apr |
All legal lures/baits |
2 |
|
Makotuku Stream |
1 Oct – 30 Jun |
All legal lures/baits |
4 |
|
Makuri Stream |
1 Oct – 30 Apr |
All legal lures/baits |
2 |
|
Mangamahoe, Lake, excluding the Waiwhakaiho inlet and tributaries |
1 Oct – 30 Sep |
Fly fishing only |
2 |
|
Mangamahoe, Lake – Waiwhakaiho inlet |
1 Oct – 30 Apr |
Fly fishing only |
2 |
|
Manganuioteao River upstream of Orautoha Stream confluence |
1 Oct – 30 Jun |
All legal lures/baits |
3 |
|
Manganuioteao River downstream of Orautoha Stream confluence |
1 Oct – 30 Sep |
All legal lures/baits |
3 |
|
Manganui River |
1 Oct – 30 Apr |
All legal lures/baits |
2 |
|
Mangaoraka Stream |
1 Oct – 30 Apr |
All legal lures/baits |
2 |
|
Mangatoki Stream |
1 Oct – 30 Apr |
All legal lures/baits |
2 |
|
Mangawhero Stream (Kaupokonui tributary) |
1 Oct – 30 Apr |
All legal lures/baits |
2 |
|
Mangawhero River upstream of State Highway 49 “golf course” Bridge |
1 Oct – 30 Apr |
All legal lures/baits |
4 |
|
Mangawhero River downstream of State Highway 49 “golf course” Bridge |
1 Oct – 30 Sep |
All legal lures/baits |
4 |
|
Mangorei Stream |
1 Oct – 30 Apr |
All legal lures/baits |
2 |
|
Namunamu, Lake |
1 Oct – 30 Sep |
All legal lures/baits |
2 |
|
Ngangana, Lake |
1 Oct – 30 Sep |
All legal lures/baits |
2 |
|
Ngatoro Stream |
1 Oct – 30 Apr |
All legal lures/baits |
2 |
|
Oakura River |
1 Oct – 30 Apr |
All legal lures/baits |
2 |
|
Okahu Stream |
1 Oct – 30 Apr |
All legal lures/baits |
2 |
|
Opunake, Lake |
1 Oct – 30 Sep |
All legal lures/baits |
2 |
|
Orautoha Stream |
1 Oct – 30 Apr |
All legal lures/baits |
4 |
|
Otakeho Stream |
1 Oct – 30 Apr |
All legal lures/baits |
2 |
|
Patea River upstream from Mangamingi Bridge |
1 Oct – 30 Apr |
All legal lures/baits |
2 |
|
Patea River downstream from Patea Dam |
1 Oct – 30 Sep |
All legal lures/baits |
2 |
|
Pauri, Lake |
1 Oct – 20 Apr and
10 Jul – 30 Sep |
All legal lures/baits |
2 |
|
Piakau Stream |
1 Oct – 30 Apr |
All legal lures/baits |
2 |
|
Raetihi Hydro Dam |
1 Oct – 30 Jun |
All legal lures/baits |
2 |
|
Ratapiko, Lake |
1 Oct – 30 Apr and
1 Jun – 30 Sep |
All legal lures/baits |
2 |
|
Retaruke River upstream from Oio Road Bridge |
1 Oct – 30 Apr |
All legal lures/baits |
4 |
|
Retaruke River and tributaries downstream from Oio Road Bridge |
1 Oct – 30 Sep |
All legal lures/baits |
4 |
|
Rotomanu, Lake |
1 Oct – 30 Sep |
All legal lures/baits |
2 |
|
Rotorangi Lake downstream from Mangamingi Bridge |
1 Oct – 30 Apr and
1 Jun – 30 Sep |
All legal lures/baits |
2 |
|
Ruatiti Stream |
1 Oct – 30 Apr |
All legal lures/baits |
4 |
|
Stony River |
1 Oct – 30 Sep |
Spinner/artificial fly |
2* |
|
Taonui Stream |
1 Oct – 30 Apr |
All legal lures/baits |
4 |
|
Taungatara Stream |
1 Oct – 30 Apr |
All legal lures/baits |
2 |
|
Tawhiti Stream |
1 Oct – 30 Apr |
All legal lures/baits |
2 |
|
Te Henui Stream |
1 Oct – 30 Apr |
All legal lures/baits |
2 |
|
Timaru Stream |
1 Oct – 30 Apr |
All legal lures/baits |
2 |
|
Tokiahuru Stream upstream from State Highway 49 Bridge |
1 Oct – 30 Jun |
All legal lures/baits |
4 |
|
Tokiahuru Stream downstream from State Highway 49 Bridge |
1 Oct – 30 Sep |
All legal lures/baits |
4 |
|
Waiaua River upstream from State Highway 45 Bridge |
1 Oct – 30 Apr |
All legal lures/baits |
2 |
|
Waiaua River downstream from State Highway 45 Bridge |
1 Oct – 30 Sep |
All legal lures/baits |
2 |
|
Waimarino Stream |
1 Oct – 30 Apr |
All legal lures/baits |
3 |
|
Waingongoro River upstream from Eltham Road Bridge |
1 Oct – 30 Apr |
All legal lures/baits |
2 |
|
Waingongoro River between Eltham Road and State Highway 45 Bridges |
1 Oct – 30 Apr |
All legal lures/baits |
4 |
|
Waingongoro River downstream from State Highway 45 Bridge |
1 Oct – 30 Sep |
All legal lures/baits |
4 |
|
Waiongana Stream |
1 Oct – 30 Apr |
All legal lures/baits |
2 |
|
Waitaiki Stream upstream from State Highway 49 Bridge |
1 Oct – 30 Jun |
All legal lures/baits |
4 |
|
Waitaiki Stream downstream from State Highway 49 Bridge |
1 Oct – 30 Sep |
All legal lures/baits |
4 |
|
Waitara River downstream from Manganui River confluence |
1 Oct – 30 Sep |
All legal lures/baits |
2 |
|
Waiwhakaiho River upstream from the end of Rimu Street extension |
1 Oct – 30 Apr |
All legal lures/baits |
2 |
|
Waiwhakaiho River downstream from the end of Rimu Street extension |
1 Oct – 30 Sep |
All legal lures/baits |
2 |
|
Warea River upstream from State Highway 45 Bridge |
1 Oct – 30 Apr |
All legal lures/baits |
2 |
|
Warea River downstream from State Highway 45 Bridge |
1 Oct – 30 Sep |
All legal lures/baits |
2 |
|
Whanganui River excluding tributaries |
1 Oct – 30 Sep |
All legal lures/baits |
4 |
|
Wiritoa, Lake |
1 Oct – 30 Sep |
All legal lures/baits |
2 |
Bag limits denoted by 2* mean that no licence holder shall kill more than one (1) brown trout within
a daily bag limit of 2 trout.
3. CLOSED WATERS
No restriction.
4. COARSE FISHING WATERS
There are no defined coarse fishing waters in the Taranaki Fish and Game Region.
5. USE OF BOATS
No licence holder shall fish for sports fish from a boat in Lake Mangamahoe, including the Waiwhakaiho inlet.
6. DAILY LIMIT BAG
In addition to the daily bag limits described in Section 2, there shall be no limit on the number of perch killed by a licence holder.
7. FISH LENGTH
There is no length limit for sports fish caught in the Taranaki Fish and Game Region.
8. HOURS OF FISHING
There is no restriction on the hours of fishing in the Taranaki Fish and Game Region
To see the latest regulations for all of the North Island (excluding Taupo where fishing is administered by DOC) and South Island, please download the PDFs below.
North Island / South Island | 
