Reel Life April 2025 - West Coast

Winter Fishing Season Kicks Off

Winter fishing kicks off on May 1st, and trust us—there’s still some awesome fishing to be had. Don’t let the colder weather or fewer open spots put you off. What’s out there is well worth the effort.

Image above: Lake Brunner, a fantastic winter fishery.

A bunch of the bigger West Coast lakes stay open, and the cooler water temps get trout feeding harder—and fighting harder too. Same goes for the lower and middle sections of most rivers. The fish are still there, and they’re hungry.

Winter on the Coast often brings calm weather and minimal snowmelt, which keeps rivers running low and clear—perfect conditions for spotting fish. With less angling pressure, trout tend to be more willing to take a well-presented fly or lure.

Before heading out, make sure to check the fishing regulations for your chosen location. That way, if you do run into a ranger, the only thing you’ll be swapping is a bit of friendly advice and maybe a good fishing story.

To check the regulations, click here.

A Few Tips for Winter Fishing

1. Pick the right spot. Not every where’s open year-round, so double-check before you go.
2. Be bold. Bright flies like glo bugs, beaded nymphs, and flashy lures or soft baits often do the trick in winter.
3. Stay on the move. With some trout off spawning, they can be spread out. Keep covering water to find the active ones.
4. Fish with your eyes. Clear, calm conditions are ideal for sight fishing. Spot them before they spot you.
5. Go deep. Trout usually hang lower in the water when it's cold and food is scarce—adjust your depth accordingly.
6. Dress for success. If you're not warm and comfortable, you won’t fish well. Layer up so you can stay focused and stay out longer.
7. Find the confluences. Trout often gather where smaller streams flow into larger rivers or lakes—especially during spawning runs.
8. Chase the warmth. Trout feed more when their metabolism’s up, so aim for warmer times and places—afternoons, after rain, or near warm-water inflows.

Lake Lanthe salmon release

Salmon being released into Ianthe 2025

Lake Lanthe received another salmon boost at the end of March, continuing the successful work done over recent years. A total of 2,000 one-year-old salmon smolt were released into the lake to help control the rudd population and support a put-and-take fishery.

Previous releases have proven effective, with plenty of salmon being caught—and most of them full of rudd, which is exactly the goal. While the salmon season is now closed, anglers can look forward to targeting them again when the 2025–26 season opens in October.

A quick reminder: the minimum size limit for salmon in Lake Ianthe is 450mm. This gives the fish time to grow to their full potential and finish their job of consuming pest fish.

Field work update

Insert photo: Russel Hoffman releasing a South Westland salmon. (Photo Barbara Hoffman)

Staff have been busying doing salmon compliance, and we’re happy to report that all anglers have been compliant. We have also been very pleased to see anglers practicing catch and release on the salmon front and limiting their harvest to assist in the recovery of salmon numbers.

If you catch a salmon, please notify us at West Coast Fish & Game. Your harvest data and combined with our spawning counts are vital for making informed management decisions to ensure the sustainability of the fishery.