Reel Life February 2025 - Auckland Waikato
- Auckland/Waikato
- 24/02/2025
Highest drift dive counts since the 90’s
There have been some incredible drift dive counts with some of the highest counts of fish over 40 cm since the 90’s. We are not going to spot burn the locations but would encourage anglers to take advantage of one of the best summers of fishing on record. Water temperatures are hot so if you plan to catch and release, please remember:
- Don’t fish in water above 19°.
- If you don’t have a thermometer, consider fishing just the morning.
- Keep your fish in the water.
- If you take a photo, be prepared and make it fast.
Proposed Regulation changes
The Auckland/Waikato Fish and Game Council has voted to change the sports fish regulations for the 2025/26 season. The proposed changes will include a two fish limit for all waterbodies and the fly fishing only area on the Whakapapa will be extended to 1 km upstream of the Ohinetonga Road Bridge. Auckland/Waikato streams have been divided into four levels of protection with closed waters (a small number of critical spawning streams), sensitive fisheries (fly fishing only closed for the spawning season), controlled fisheries (fly and spin waters open year-round), and all other waters (fly, spin and bait open year-round). A standardised bag limit and season length has reduced the number of specific regulations from over 90 listed streams to about 30. The proposed regulations are not final until they are approved by the Minister for Hunting and Fishing.
|
Stream |
Reach |
Open |
Method |
Limit |
|
Awakino |
upstream of Mahoenui Bridge |
1 Oct - 30 Jun |
F |
2 |
|
Kaniwhaniwha |
upstream of Quarry Road |
1 Oct - 30 Jun |
F |
2 |
|
Mangatutu |
upstream of Lethbridge Road |
1 Oct - 30 Jun |
F |
2 |
|
Ngakoaohia |
upstream of Ormsby Road |
1 Oct - 30 Jun |
F |
2 |
|
Whakapapa |
upstream of 1 km upstream of Ohinetonga Road |
1 Oct - 30 Jun |
F |
2 |
|
Whakapapa |
downstream of 1 km upstream of Ohinetonga Road |
1 Oct - 30 Jun |
FS |
2 |
|
Kakahu |
|
All year |
FS |
2 |
|
Kaniwhaniwha |
Downstream of Quarry Road |
All year |
FS |
2 |
|
Little Waipa Stream |
Upstream of Horahora Road Bridge |
All year |
FS |
2 |
|
Mangaohae |
|
All year |
FS |
2 |
|
Mangatepopo |
|
All year |
FS |
2 |
|
Mangatutu |
downstream of Lethbridge Road |
All year |
FS |
2 |
|
Mangawhio Stream |
|
All year |
FS |
2 |
|
Maramataha |
|
All year |
FS |
2 |
|
Moakurarua |
upstream of Honikiwi Road |
All year |
FS |
2 |
|
Okauaka |
|
All year |
FS |
2 |
|
Ongarue |
upstream of Waimiha Stream confluence |
All year |
FS |
2 |
|
Piopiotea |
|
All year |
FS |
2 |
|
Pokaiwhenua Stream |
|
All year |
FS |
2 |
|
Puniu |
upstream of Seafund Road Bridge |
All year |
FS |
2 |
|
Tawarau |
Above power station intake |
All year |
FS |
2 |
|
Tumai Stream |
|
All year |
FS |
2 |
|
Waione |
|
All year |
FS |
2 |
|
Waipa |
upstream of State Highway 3 Bridge |
All year |
FS |
2 |
|
Waipapa River |
above lower falls |
All year |
FS |
2 |
|
Waitawheta |
upstream of end of Franklin Road |
All year |
FS |
2 |
|
Whakapapa-iti |
|
All year |
FS |
2 |
|
Whakapapa-nui |
|
All year |
FS |
2 |
|
Whanganui |
upstream of Whakapapa River confluence |
All year |
FS |
2 |
|
All other rivers & lakes |
|
All year |
FSB |
2 |
