West Coast > Fishing

If you catch a tagged fish, please contact the regional Fish & Game office

The West Coast Fish and Game Region extends from Kahurangi point, north of Karamea, to Awarua point south of Haast. In between lies some 2m hectares, much of it in wilderness. With the pressures of modern life, increasing numbers of anglers rate isolation, peace and solitude almost as highly as the opportunity to fish for wild trout.

It is for this reason that Fish & Game West Coast does not produce a detailed description of what are regarded as the more sensitive waters. A good topographic map and sense of adventure are important pre-requisites for discovering your preferred angling experience.

Brown trout occupy a diverse range of habitats between the mountains and the sea including lakes, rivers, spring fed river tributaries and estuaries. Barriers to access for anglers are, for the most part, dictated only by climate and terrain.

Many of the rivers mentioned in the West Coast web pages support trout populations that fluctuate depending on the time of year. The usual pattern is for the lower reaches of the major rivers to carry more fish in spring and early summer, after which trout move upstream to occupy mid-headwater habitats.

Smaller streams generally fish best early and late-season when water temperatures provide for longer feeding periods.

Lake fishing is generally consistent year-round, although at the height of summer deep water fishing is best during daylight hours.

We hope you enjoy your ‘Coast angling experience. Please do not take any more fish than you can use, and to preserve our waterways from didymo and other unwanted organisms, please check, clean and dry all angling equipment before leaving the river.