Reel Life September 2026 - Auckland/Waikato

Opening Day is Nearly Here!

The new fishing season kicks off on 1^st October, so don’t forget to purchase your new season fishing licence!

The days are starting to lengthen as we approach the opening. Stream temperatures will remain cool until the true ambient summer heat starts to kick in and fish will be spread out early in the season, so cover the water to find where the fish are holding. Remember, the trout have just gone through spawning so expect the older fish to be in poorer condition and recovering.   

Due to the unpredictable weather that normally accompanies spring time, it is always a good idea to have a backup stream option such as one of our great spring creeks.

Check out the Fishing Access Maps for some ideas of areas and access points to visit this season. Select here to go to instructions how to install as a app on your phone.

If you are heading out to fish the Mangatutu, Whakapapa or Whanganui please carry a measuring tape as there are tagged fish present.  These are part of a long-term sports fish tagging programme. If you should catch a tagged fish from Auckland/Waikato waters please contact [email protected] to report the tag number along with the length (to the fork in the tail) of any tagged fish, and where you were fishing and the date. 

Effects of Flooding over Autumn 2026

Last autumn our region suffered significant flooding through the Pirongia and Waitomo areas. Our staff have been out undertaking access work and monitoring. The stream beds and banks of the Kaniwhaniwha and Ngakoaohia in particular have been altered particularly in lower stream sections. Trout are still present, though populations have been reduced in these waters. The invertebrate supply (instream insects) have bounced back quickly which is a great sign and given the connectivity with the greater Waipa River system, trout will migrate from the main Waipa River over the summer as temperatures rise to bolster the numbers.

There was also major flooding to the Awakino River back in December 2025. Given the scale of this flood, there were some concerns for how the trout population had fared. However, pre and post flood monitoring showed that the trout population came through very well.

The winter period has been fairly settled with occasional relatively moderate rainfall events, so trout spawning should have been successful across the majority of the region’s rivers.

Auckland/Waikato staff monitoring the Kaniwhaniwha Stream in September 2026

Lower Waikato River Fishing Competition

You don’t have to wait for opening day to enjoy great fishing. The Waikato River has been fishing well, and the Waikato River Fishing Competition starts October 8th to 11th (Thursday to Sunday). The competition provides a great opportunity to get the family into an outdoor activity over the second week of school holidays. The contest is held in the lower Waikato River from Karapiro Dam to Port Waikato.  For official contest information and entry forms please go to the contest website. Please note a cut-off time for entries is the 7^th of October.

Perch Fishing Opportunities

European Perch are an under-utilised sportfish in the Waikato region. Not only will they readily monster a lure they are also damn fine eating. Numerous populations of perch can be found in the Waikato region including Hamilton Lake, Lake Puketerini and the mainstem Waikato River. In early 2025 an angler confirmed their suspected presence in Lake Karapiro and a follow up netting survey by F&G staff in November 2025 in association with further angler reports indicates that an established perch population now exists.

The generally large size of the perch captured and reported suggests the fish are growing rapidly.  In many other waterbodies in NZ also containing trout, the establishment of perch has resulted in a negative impact on trout growth (such as occurred in Lake Rototoa (Ototoa) and Lake Pupuke). Interestingly in Europe the ability to maintain fish condition of other predatory fish and predator-prey balance in lakes, involves specific management of perch whereby large perch (>32cm FL) are protected and where harvest pressure is encouraged particularly on medium sized fish (22-32cm TL). In addition, the protection of other large predatory fish in the system is also encouraged.

In part this rationale stems from knowledge that removing large perch from the population (which are typically females) results in other female perch attaining maturity and reproducing at a much smaller size. Ultimately following the early rapid growth establishment phase, removal of large individuals can cause the population to become very abundant and stunted. Invariably this then has flow-on effects for other predators in the system where competition for food ramps up. So, a potential argument could be made to implement slot limits for this new incursion and to encourage focus on angler harvest on medium sized perch to maintain population balance.     

Five perch and one adult rudd captured at Lake Karapiro by F&G staff in November 2025. Size range 250-336mmFL

Lake Karapiro Fishing Competition

Keep your eye out for the Karapiro Fishing Competition, due to be held at Lake Karapiro on Saturday the 21^st of November with weigh in at the Karapiro Domain at 2pm. Fish & Game are hosting this primarily to target perch but will have a prize category for trout and spot prizes.

How to Install the Fishing Access Map on your Phone

Apple – iPhone / iPad	Android
1. Open the map full screen in Safari.	1. Open the map full screen in Google Chrome.
2. Tap the Share button.	2. Tap the ⋮ menu in the top-right corner.
3. Scroll down and tap Add to Home Screen.	3. Tap Install app.
4. Make sure Open as Web App is turned on.	4. Tap Install to confirm.
5. Select Add.	5. The map will appear on your Home Screen or in your app list.

Fish Release to Quarry Lake

Two-year-old rainbow trout are being released into Quarry Lake, adjacent to Lake Pupuke in the lead up to the school holidays. A reminder that kids under 12 can get a free licence online.

Access and regulation information for Quarry Lake is available on our Fishing Access Map

Stop Aquatic Intruders

A reminder for everybody (all users of our waterways) how hugely important it is to keep to the Check/ Clean/ Dry standards. The Golden Clam isn’t going anywhere (at least not without human assistance) so let’s do everything possible to stop it in its tracks.

Controlled Area Notices are still in force for the Waikato River from below Whakamaru Dam to Port Waikato and for the Rotorua lakes and Lake Okataina. These documents dictate how vessels and gear that have been in contact with waterways in the controlled areas may move, launch and require specific cleaning protocols before redeployment in other areas.

The MPI ‘CAN’ orders can be found here;

Rules to stop the spread of Corbicula | NZ Government

If we all do everything we can to follow the MPI Controlled Area Notice (CAN order) and Check Clean, Dry guidelines, we can stop other aquatic pest weeds and noxious fish from spreading too. Protect your waterways and protect your sport.

Golden Clam’s

Report Poaching Activities

If you see any set nets/ fish barriers/ or other activity that doesn’t look right - please contact the Auckland/Waikato Fish and Game Office on 07 849 1666. Every report we receive even after the fact helps us to paint a picture of where things are happening and when so that we may take action.