Reel Life October 2026 - Southland

The Season is Underway – and Things are Looking Up!

The wet spring seems to be behind us, and river levels have come down to provide some great fishing conditions across Southland. If you’ve been waiting for the weather to settle before heading out, now’s a good time to dust off the gear and get amongst it.

There’s more to look forward to, too. Our rainbow trout fisheries in the Waiau catchment open on 1 November, significantly widening the options and variety available to anglers.

We’ve also heard reports of mice turning up in trout stomach contents in the upper Waiau, along with sightings from our in-house runner on the Kepler Track. While it’s still early days, these are encouraging signs that the anticipated mouse population may be building, potentially setting the scene for some exciting mouse fishing action.

We’re also hearing reports of smelt runs in our lower rivers, and anglers are enjoying targeting trout that are chasing these smelt. If you want to give it a go, there is a lot of easy access on the lower sections of the Oreti, Aparima, Mataura and Waiau Rivers. For best results, try and time your visit to coincide with an incoming tide. The incoming tide often brings smelt runs into our lower rivers which can really put the fish on the bite.    

Also, as our water temperatures rise the perch activity follows. To target this delicious table fish, look for deep water and target weed edges. Perch are on the bottom, so you need to bounce your offering along the riverbed and we recommend bright coloured soft-baits as they stand out in deeper water.

Using a bright yellow soft-bait may feel counterintuitive when compared to what is actually on a perch’s diet, however, they work! This nice perch was taken on the lower Oreti river near Camp Road. 

Getting more people fishing

This month, Southland Fish & Game staff helped the St Peter’s College Fly Fishing Club broaden their fishing repertoire, introducing students to soft-bait fishing. They learnt about the equipment required, how to rig up soft baits and how to fish them successfully. Unfortunately, the students didn’t manage to hook up on the day, but their teacher landed the only success – confirming his status as the teacher! If you want to learn what the students learnt, check out this instructional video from the Fish & Game Knowledge Hub.

We also enjoyed a great day alongside Southland Rural Support Trust and Upper Mataura Fishing Connect at a recent Fishing for Farmers event. Sitting alongside initiatives such as Surfing for Farmers and Skiing for Farmers, the event provides a welcome opportunity for rural people to get off the farm and enjoy some time unwinding next to the river with a fishing rod.

A bluebird day for Fishing For Farmers. A welcome contrast to a very wet spring!

Labour Weekend fishing competitions – plus a chance to upskill

Labour Weekend is nearly here, bringing two much-loved fishing events back to the Te Anau area.

The Stabicraft Te Anau Manapouri Fishing Classic is underway again, with a Stabi 1850 Supercab up for grabs. It’s a great opportunity to get out on the water, enjoy the competition and perhaps land that fish (and boat!) you’ve been dreaming about.

Meanwhile, Cruise Milford Take a Kid Fishing returns to McGregor Pond, giving youngsters the chance to experience the excitement of catching a fish. Southland Fish & Game staff have several hundred salmon ready to release into the pond ahead of the event. These fish should provide some relatively easy fishing and, more importantly, put a big smile on a few young anglers’ faces.

For entries and further information on the competitions, visit:
https://www.teanauevents.co.nz/our-events/

With plenty of anglers descending on Te Anau for the competitions, we’re also running a soft-bait fishing clinic in conjunction with Lance Gill from Composite Developments. This clinic will help attendees sharpen their soft baiting skills. Whether you’re new to soft-baiting or looking to improve your technique, it’s a chance to pick up a few tips and put them into practice.

Didymo Discovered in a Remote Fiordland River

It’s disappointing news that didymo has been found in the remote Kaipo River in Fiordland. The discovery is a timely reminder that aquatic pests can reach even our most isolated waterways, and that every backcountry user has a part to play in preventing their spread.

Whether you’re fishing, hunting, tramping or packrafting, please Check, Clean, Dry all gear that comes into contact with freshwater before moving between catchments. Pay particular attention to waders, boots, nets, footwear and other equipment that can carry microscopic cells.

A little care at the end of one trip can make a big difference to the next river you visit.

Listen to Te Anau-based Senior Fish & Game Field Officer Josh Tabak discuss the discovery on RNZ’s Nine to Noon:
https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/ninetonoon/audio/2019055215/didymo-found-in-fiordland-river

Your Southland Fishing Toolkit

We’ve spent considerable time improving our Southland Access Map over winter, bringing together the essentials for planning a fishing trip in one place.

Find access points and directions, view regulations alongside individual waterways, and check Environment Southland’s live river flows, water temperatures and webcams. Less time switching between websites means better planning for your next fishing adventure.

Give it a try, and add a shortcut to your phone for quick access when you’re out and about.

The Fishing Knowledge Hub

Want to improve your fishing? The Fish & Game Fishing Knowledge Hub is packed with practical advice, from getting started to refining your techniques.

Much of the content features local input from Southland Fish & Game staff, with videos filmed on our own rivers and lakes. Pick up some tips before your next trip – it might make all the difference!

 

If you have any photos or fishy stories you think other anglers would enjoy, we’d love to hear from you. Email [email protected] for a chance to feature in a future edition of Reel Life.

All the best, and tight lines!

From the team at Southland Fish & Game