Reel Life April 2026 - Taranaki

After a settled February and March 2026 that resulted in an extended period of low river flow, we’ve has a series of minor freshes in April that have restored baseflows and got the rivers in good condition for trout spawning.  While the main fishing season is now drawing to a close to accommodate for trout spawning, there is still plenty of Taranaki water open year round. Check out the table below or your regulation guide to learn more.

The mainstem of the Manganuioteao River (downstream of the Makatote confluence and excluding tributaries) remains open until June 30 and is a productive place to fish as trout move upstream in readiness for spawning. Follow the link here to the Manganuioteao angling information and download the access map to find out which landowner to contact for access.

Photo above: Hooked up on the Manganuioteao

A chunky Manganuioteao brown

On the Taranaki ringplain, the Hangatahua (Stony) River remains open and is a great option having fished well this summer and so far remaining clear of headwater erosion.

The Hangatahua (Stony) River at SH45

The Manganui River remains open year-round below the Bristol Road Bridge, with some nice pools in Everett Park offering an accessible fishing location for all angling techniques.

Taranaki perch fisheries such as Lakes Rotokare and Rotorangi east of Eltham and Lake Wiritoa near Whanganui are worth a visit at this time of year. Lake Rotomanu in New Plymouth also provides fishing for perch but owing to the presence of the invasive gold clam please take extra check, clean, dry precautions including freezing gear solid overnight before visiting any other waterway. If you would like to explore more opportunities for targeting perch in the Taranaki region, we’ve compiled some help information here.

For the flyfisher, Lake Mangamahoe is currently providing good fishing for hatchery rainbow trout and the occasional wily brown. A casting platform provides good access to deeper water for cruising fish.

Sattler’s dam rainbow trout release

Thanks to the generosity of DOC’s Tongariro National Trout Centre, 70 good-sized rainbows were released into Sattler’s dam near Raetihi on 10th February. To get to Sattler’s dam, head west on Seddon Street through Raetihi onto the Pipiriki - Raetihi road. Turn right onto Mangaeturoa North Road. Follow the gravel road for about 5.5km and the dam is on your right. You can park right next to the dam away from the road. We advise people to take care on Mangaeturoa North Road as it can be used by logging trucks and has several narrow stretches and blind corners. Rangers will be checking the dam regularly, so make sure you have your fishing license on hand.

Taranaki Region Winter Season Angling Waters

Rivers and Lakes	Open From	Brown Trout	Rainbow    Trout	Perch	Area Open
Taranaki Ringplain
Lake Mangamahoe	1 Oct-30 Sept	*	*		Excluding inlet & tributaries.  Fly fishing only with fly rod, fly reel and fly line
Lake Rotomanu	1 Oct-30 Sept	*	*	*
Lake Ngangana	1 Oct-30 Sept		*	*
Opunake Lake	1 Oct-30 Sept	*	*		Currently unfishable
Waitara River	1 Oct-30 Sept	*			Below Manganui River confluence
Waiwhakaiho River	1 Oct-30 Sept	*	*		Sea to landmark pole at the end of gravel track at the right-hand end of Rimu St. extension.
Huatoki Stream	1 Oct-30 Sept	*			Below Brois St. Bridge
Manganui River	1 Oct-30 Sept	*			Below Bristol Road Bridge
Mangaoraka Stream	1 Oct-30 Sept	*			Below Devon Road SH3 Bridge
Waiongana Stream	1 Oct-30 Sept	*			Below Devon Road SH3 Bridge
Patea River	1 Oct-30 Sept	*	*	*	Below Patea Dam
Waingongoro River	1 Oct-30 Sept	*	*		Below SH45 Bridge
Waiaua River	1 Oct-30 Sept	*	*		Below SH45 Bridge
Kapuni Stream	1 Oct-30 Sept	*	*		Below SH45 Bridge
Kaupokonui Stream	1 Oct-30 Sept	*	*		Below SH45 Bridge
Hangatahua (Stony) River	1 Oct-30 Sept	*	*		Entire river
Teikaparua (Warea) River	1 Oct-30 Sept	*			Below SH45 Bridge
Lake Ratapiko	1 Jun-30 Sept	*	*	*	Except inlet race
Lake Rotorangi	1 Oct-30 Sept	*	*	*	Dam face to Mangamingi Bridge
Whanganui
Lake Wiritoa	1 Oct-30 Sept			*
Lake Kohata	1 Oct-30 Sept			*
Whanganui River	1 Oct-30 Sept	*	*		Below Ohura River confluence, excluding tributaries
Waimarino
Manganuioteao River	1 Oct-30 June	*	*		Below Makatote River confluence. Excluding tributaries
Manganuioteao River	1 Oct-30 Sept	*	*		Downstream of Ruatiti Road Bridge. Excluding tributaries
Mangawhero River	1 Oct-30 Sept	*			Downstream of the Ohakune - Raetihi Road “golf course” Bridge
Tokiahuru Stream	1 Oct-30 Sept	*	*		Downstream of SH49 Bridge
Waitaiki Stream	1 Oct-30 Sept	*	*		Downstream of SH49 Bridge
Retaruke River	1 Oct-30 Sept	*	*		Downstream of Oio Road Bridge
Sattlers Dam	1 Oct-30 Sept		*

Winter Season Licence

If you haven’t purchased a fishing licence this season, you can still get into some wonderful winter fishing through to September 30 with a Winter Fishing Licence Winter - Resident for $94 for an adult aged 18 and over on 01/04/2026.

https://fishandgame.eslltd.co.nz/shop

Other Locations

At this time of year Taranaki anglers often make a day trip up to the Awakino River just over the boundary in the Auckland / Waikato Region. The whole of the Awakino River is open until June 30, with the river upstream of the Mahoenui SH3 Bridge restricted to fly fishing only and the river downstream to fly and spin fishing (which includes the use of scented soft-baits if they are actively fished). The Awakino contains some great rainbow trout and also a few nice browns.

As your fishing licence enables fishing everywhere in NZ, except the Taupo fishery, Taranaki licence holders also head to the Rotorua lakes, which offer fantastic winter fishing. Check out the regional fishing information here.