West Coast > Fishing Regulations

Angling regulations are updated annually. Each region has specific regulations for individual rivers and lakes within the framework of national angling regulations.

Fish & Game New Zealand’s West Coast region extends from Kahurangi Point, north of Karamea, to Awarua Point south of Haast. In between lies some 2m hectares, much of it wilderness and with more rivers and lakes than many people would fish in a lifetime. Increasing numbers of anglers rate isolation, peace and solitude almost as highly as the opportunity to fish for wild trout. On the ‘Coast these attributes exist in abundance along with a surprising range of angling opportunity. Brown trout occupy a diverse range of habitats between the mountains and the sea including lakes and spring fed river tributaries. The more popular sea-run salmon fisheries are centred on South Westland lakes – which also contain resident lake stocks – and from January until April salmon can be expected around most major river mouths south of the Taramakau. Barriers to access for anglers are, for the most part, dictated only by climate and terrain. All that we ask is that you respect West Coast waters, leave no litter and return fish that you cannot use. Remember also that the invasive algae Didymo is established in the Buller River and has been detected at Haast. When moving between any of our waterways please check, clean and dry all gear, paying particular attention to felt-soled wading boots.

When fishing in the West Coast region, please ensure you are aware of and adhere to local regulations at all times.

2008/2009 regulations for the West Coast region

Reference to Description: New ZealandGazette, No. 83, 24 May 1990, page 1861

1. DEFINITIONS

For interpretation of terms, refer to the First Schedule of this notice or the Freshwater Fisheries Regulations 1983.

2. OPEN SEASON

2. OPEN SEASON

2.1 Open season for trout and perch

The season duration for trout and perch in the following waters and their estuaries (excluding tributaries) shall be all year:

The season duration for trout and perch in all other waters shall be 1 October – 30 April (incl.)

2.2 Open season for salmon:

The open season for salmon in Lakes Mapourika, Paringa

(including Windbag Stream) and Lake Moeraki shall be 1 October – 31 March (incl.)

All other waters 1 October – 30 April (incl.)

3. CLOSED WATERS

McDonalds Creek at Lake Mapourika is closed to fishing at all times.

4. AUTHORISED TACKLE

All legal methods as described in the First Schedule to this notice are permitted in all waters.

5. FLY FISHING ONLY WATERS

There are no fly fishing only waters in the West Coast Region.

6. BAIT FISHING

Permitted in all waters.

7. COARSE FISHING WATERS

There are no special conditions relating to coarse fishing other than those provided for in the First Schedule to this notice.

8. USE OF BOATS

There are no special conditions relating to the use of boats for angling.

9. DAILY BAG LIMITS

9.1 No licence holder shall on any day take, kill or be in possession of more than 2 sports fish from the following waters:

Big River

Bruce Stream

Crooked River

Deep Creek

Duck Creek

Harris Creek

Haupiri River

Karamea River and tributaries (above cableway at mouth of lower gorge)

Larrys Creek

Mokihinui River and tributaries (upstream of Welcome Creek)

Molloy Creek

Moonlight River

Murray Creek

Ohikanui River

Orangipuku River

Rough River

Stony Creek

Waitahu River and tributaries.

9.2 In all other waters, except in the case of perch for which there is no daily limit, no licence holder shall on any day take, kill or be in possession of more than:

4 brown trout

2 rainbow trout

2 salmon

10. FISH LENGTH

10.1 The minimum length for trout and salmon in the following waters shall be 250mm:

Lake Ellery

Lake Mapourika

Lake Moeraki

Lake Paringa

In all other waters there shall be no minimum length.

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