Reel Life October 2026 - Eastern

New Season off to a Cracking Start

The new trout fishing season got off to an absolutely cracking start at Rotorua with many anglers saying it was the best opening they could remember.

Blessed with perfect weather the whole day, many boaties on Rotoiti, Tarawera and Okataina made the most of the conditions and stayed the whole weekend.

The fishing was spectacular also, with both size and catch rate living up to the usual high Rotorua Lakes standard, and Tarawera excelling with exceptional size and condition.

First light was around 5.20am, however many reported the fishing was slow until sunrise just before 7.00am.

Jigging and softbaiting were popular but shallow trolling always catches fish early on the lakes with trout hunting smelt in shallow water for several hours before they go to depth. Downrigging, Jigging and softbaiting all provided high catch rates on opening.

Tarawera fish averaged 2.28kg, Rotoiti 1.65kg and Okataina 1.91kg. An impressive 4.2kg fish was weighed on Tarawera, it was a 2.5 year old hatchery liberated fish.

Reports from river and streams around the region were also good, again, with the weather playing a major role in a successful opening. Most catchments of the region are low and clear and still, warm weather during the first half of October has water temperatures rising steadily.

Regulation Changes for the Eastern Fish & Game Region

Streams in the Rangitaiki catchment have had their lower reaches opened to year-round fishing. The Whirinaki River, Horomanga Stream, Mangamako Stream, Waikokopu Stream, and Waihua Stream below their respective Troutbeck Road and/or Galatea Road bridges are now open all year. Upstream of the respective bridges, the fishing season remains 1 October to 30 June.

A new Winter Shoreline Fishing Area has been established on Lake Rotoiti, adjacent to the Okere Falls Store. The 130 m section from the Okere Falls control gates to the public jetty opposite the store is now open year-round to fly and spin fishing.

Soft-bait lures have been more clearly defined. A ‘soft-bait’ is now a soft-plastic, silicone-style lure that imitates a baitfish, invertebrate, or kōura. Mouldable putty-style baits are now prohibited, except in bait-fishing waters. Anglers are also prohibited from applying aftermarket scent or chemical additives to soft-baits, except in bait-fishing waters.

Click here to view the new regulations
Or Click Here to view regulations for all NZ regions

Cleaning fish

We are sometimes asked about cleaning fish on the lake or river. The Freshwater Fisheries Regulations 1983 state, ‘No person shall leave any fish, or any cleanings or offal from fish, lying unburied on the bank or margin of any waters’.

It’s worth considering the ‘littering’ aspect of leaving fish offal at popular locations, so just let common sense prevail and make sure anything you leave isn’t visible to the next party to that location.

New Rules Around Lifejackets

Be aware this summer, Maritime NZ rules have changed. If you are aboard a recreational craft 6 metres or under, you need a lifejacket on the whole time you are underway. It doesn’t matter what you are in – small motorboats, sailboats, yacht tenders, dinghies, kayaks, paddleboards and jetskis are all covered if they are under this size.

Get Your New Season Licence!

New season licence are available here. We have a multitude of options available. By purchasing the right licence you’ll be able to get something that suits your specific needs at the best possible price. Purchase the Whole Season Adult Licence now and the cost per day, for example works out at well under 50c per day. Senior or Local Area licences also save you! 

New Mapping – Get the Spot Easier!

Our new mapping system has been updated. Click here for access mapping    

Don’t forget to CCD!

The new season is a good time to remind everyone of our need to Check, Clean and Dry gear between waterways. Pest organisms are sadly on the increase and the precious resource we all love is at risk. Please remember to CCD between your fishing trips, follow the instructions of the Regional Councils and MPI.

Datawatch Tagged Trout

Tagged trout can now be entered online. Entries go into the draw to win one of 10 free whole-season fishing licences: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/QCH5ZR6

Eastern Region Fishing Diaries – All lakes and streams

Fill in your fishing diaries here to help us manage the Eastern Fish & Game region. Participants go in the draw to win a $100 voucher from Kilwell: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/QRSD7D3