Reel Life April 2025 - Auckland/Waikato

Late season fishing

There are only 9 weeks left in the season, but reports have been excellent for both our hydro lake fisheries and late season stream fishing. Cyclone Tam should mark the beginning of winter fishing conditions with fish starting to spread out in the cooler water before they migrate into spawning streams. If you have been holding out to buy a reduced-price winter licence to take advantage of the spawning runs at Lake Arapuni and Karapiro, they are on sale now.

Our wild fish tagging team have been working hard in the Mangatutu and the Whanganui, so if you fish these areas, please bring your tape measure along and report the tag number as well as the length (to the fork in the tail) of any tagged fish.  As the spawning season approaches, staff would also like anglers to be on the lookout for any poaching. Staff have removed multiple nets and fish traps over the last year based on angler tip-offs.

Image above: Staff member Adam Daniel with a Whakapapa brown.

Arapuni Dam closure and detours

Mercury Energy has ongoing work on the Arapuni Dam, which will close at some point during the next six months. There is no schedule for closures at this point, but a detour will be in place, and the bridge will likely be open for fishing for most of the work. Please check the project website for updates on closures and detours.

Please report spawning fish

Auckland/Waikato Fish & Game need to identify trout spawning sites to ensure they are protected, and staff are starting a new project we need your help with. If you see spawning trout please or call the office at (07) 849-1666. There is now an online reporting page alongside our fish tag reporting page on the Fish & Game website.   

Brown trout spotted during 2024 spawning surveys.