Reel Life September 2026 - Wellington

Promising Season Ahead - The Countdown Is On!

Opening Day is just around the corner – and if last season is anything to go by, anglers have plenty to look forward to.

Image above: Alex Mitchell with a beautifully conditioned Wellington region rainbow

The 2025–26 season was one many anglers across the lower North Island will remember for all the right reasons. Rivers held their flows well through summer, trout were reported in excellent condition, and plenty of anglers enjoyed some of the best fishing they had experienced in years.

So, what can we expect when the new season opens on October 1?

There are certainly some encouraging signs. The winter and early spring have delivered regular snowfall to the Tararua and Ruahine ranges. While snow might seem a long way removed from your favourite trout stream, it can be important for the fishery, helping store water in the mountains and contributing to river flows as temperatures rise over the warmer months.

Last season also benefited from the absence of major winter floods in many lower North Island catchments. That provided good conditions for spawning and allowed trout to recover and regain condition quickly.

A hefty Wairarapa brownie caught and released by Cam Carter last season

Early spring is an exciting time to be on the water. Trout are hungry after winter and are actively feeding to rebuild condition, while spring insect activity is beginning to increase. River levels are often higher and water temperatures favourable, creating some excellent opportunities for both spin and fly anglers.

Of course, no two seasons are the same, and weather and river conditions will ultimately determine how the fishing unfolds. But with a strong season behind us, healthy fish and encouraging water supplies heading into summer, October 1 can't come soon enough.

Get your licence sorted , check your gear, study our access maps – and start planning your first mission of the new season.

The trout are waiting!

We’re Simplifying Our Angling Regs 

Wellington Fish & Game Council is joining other regions around the country with a move to consolidate and simplify angling regulations.

We want to reduce an identified barrier to participation and make it easier for Kiwis to enjoy the pursuit, while still retaining management tools to protect sensitive fisheries.

At its June meeting, the Council agreed to the following resolutions:

1. All waters in the Wellington Fish & Game region will be opened to all legal fishing methods (fly, spin and bait fishing), except for Designated Fishing Waters (which will remain status quo - fly and spin fishing only).
2. There be a universal two-fish daily bag limit for sports fish (excluding perch and tench) for all waterways in the Wellington Fish & Game region.
3. Size limits remain in place for the Rangitikei Designated Fishing Water; there are no size restrictions for all other waterways in the Wellington Fish & Game region.