Lower North Lowdown Weekly Fishing Report - 15 October 2026

Sunday's The Day To Head Out

A complex weather system looks set to plunge us back into winter-like conditions over the next few days before clearing as we head into Saturday. 

Temperatures are set to plummet with a low moving across the North Island dragging a cold southerly airstream up over the country. This will bring periods of rain and showers, which may see rivers rise briefly before falling back on Sunday.  

Pictured above: Jack Knightbridge got his season off to a great start with a mix of solid rainbows and browns in some of the small streams around Manawatu. 

So, it’s looking like Sunday will be the best day for fishing.

That said, with many fish still happily holding in their spawning streams, the smaller waterways could be well worth a look as these will clear the extra flow a lot faster than the mainstem rivers. 

Anglers prepared to don a few extra layers and do a bit of scouting could find some exciting fishing on Saturday.  

We've been blessed with fantastic conditions for the start of the season - this weather glitch will pass quickly and there'll still be some good opportunities over the coming weekend.   

Grab your Whole Season Licence and get out there! 

 

Follow Us On Facebook This Season

Wellington and Taranaki Fish & Game are on Facebook!

To keep up to date with all the news and events from the two regions, be sure to check out our page and follow us.  

Here's the outlook for Opening Day and the weekend ahead... 

 

Hutt River

Click here for live updates and forecasts for the Hutt Valley.

The Hutt River came up quite large overnight, before dropping quickly, but was rising again at time of writing. With more scattered rain over the next 24 hours, it will likely be carrying high flow most of the weeked, though spin fishing and softbaiting could be a good option on Sunday with a bit of colour in the water. The Pakarutahi, Whakatikei and Akatarawa are good bets for Saturday when the southerly has pushed through as they will fall faster.  

The Hutt River at Totara Park this morning (Photo: Al Markham)

 

Kapiti Coast

Click here for live updates and forecasts for the Kapiti Coast. 

The Kapiti river - the Otaki, Waikanae and Ohau - are carrying moderately high flows with a fair amount of colour in them after yesterdays rain. The rivers will return to normal flows quickly and sediment will also dissipate relatively quickly in the next couple of days, though, with the forecast being for light, isolated showers. Wet flies and spinners should produce well with whitebait currently running in the lower reaches. Anglers are reporting excellent fishing in these lower reaches - look to fish around the rock groynes. 

The Otaki River at SH1 this morning (Photo: Phil Teal)

 

Wairarapa

Click here for live updates and forecasts for the Wairarapa region.

The Ruamahanga River is high, with some colour running through it, but it is falling. The Waiohine, Waingawa and Tauherenikau are also dropping their extra flow and the Waingawa was still clear enough to fish this morning when checked. Keep an eye on how much rain arrives with the southerly tomorrow - if it doesn't come to much then all Wairarapa rivers could be good to go for the weekend. The Waipoua was a little higher this morning but still crystal clear with a couple of good fish spotted in the town reaches.              

Check out the latest conditions for the lower Ruamahanga by calling this free-phone number - 083229069.

The Waipoua River at Masterton this morning (Photo: Hamish Carnachan)

 

Manawatu

Click here for live updates and forecasts for the Manawatu region.

The Manawatu is looking clear through the reaches in Palmy but the live graph is showing a slight increase in flow. Further upstream, around Weber Road, it is still falling, suggesting any rain effect from last night was localised. The Pohangina and Oroua rivers are also low and clear at time of writing, while there's a minor increase in flow for the Mangatainoka registering at Pahiatua. With only showers forecast for the next few days, local anglers should find plenty of options available over the weekend.   

The Manawatu River at the Pohangina confluence this morning (Photo: Josh Murray)

 

Rangitikei

Click here for live updates and forecasts for the Rangitikei region.

It's a grey drizzly day in this part of the region. Despite the rain yesterday, the Rangitikei River is still running clear and hasn't registered any extra flow. The Hautapu is in similar shape and continuing to drop after last Sunday's weather. The coming southerly is going to throw a curve ball, however, so it's a matter of wait and watch to see how the river flows react after it has pushed through. With snow forecast to 500m overnight Friday, and early Saturday morning, Central High Country anglers will definitely need the waders and a few extra layers!         

The Rangitikei River at Pukeokahu this morning (Photo: Horizons)

 

Taranaki Ringplain

Click here for live updates and forecasts for the Taranaki Ringplain region.

While there have been a couple of very minor pulses in flow so far this week, the overall trend is still downwards. However, with some rain today and another pulse on Friday in south Taranaki streams, we should get flows high enough to freshen up waterways. With the increase in flows, spin fishing using the usual Tobies, Veltics and paddle-tail soft baits will be worthwhile.

Check out the up-to-date data on rainfall and river flows. 

Mangaoraka Stream at Corbett Road yesterday afternoon (Photo: Allen Stancliff)

 

Waimarino

Click here for live updates and forecasts for the Waimarino region.

After two very minor pulses in flow on Sunday and Wednesday, rain today and showers on Friday will likely produce a larger fresh in the Waimarino rivers, along with a period of cool southerlies. Spin and bait fishing will be worth a go on Saturday, but Sunday will be the best day to get out on the water. Those streams and rivers higher up in the catchment area will clear faster and could still be worth a look on Saturday.

To keep an eye on regional flows, you can check these out here.

The Mangawhero River at SH4 this morning (Photo: Horizons)

 

Recognition For Wellington Angler

Andrew Harding with Wellington Fish & Game chairman Paul Dewar (Photo: Hamish Carnachan)

This week, local angler Andrew Harding was recognised by Wellington Fish & Game Council for his outstanding contribution to promoting angling opportunities in the Wellington region.

His portfolio of work is extensive and impressive, featuring exceptional photography that showcases the angling opportunities offered by the Hutt River (right on the doorstep of urban Wellington) and many of the other exceptional fisheries in the lower North Island.

His work has inspired many anglers to explore and experience world-class urban and wilderness fisheries, sharing these opportunities through film and high-quality angling articles in national and international magazines.

Wellington Fish & Game Council sincerely thanks Andrew for his dedication and generously acknowledges his selfless contribution to promoting angling and showcasing the region’s outstanding fisheries.

Feel free to send Andrew a congratulatory messge via our Facebook.  

 

Kids' Fishing Event

Looking for something fun to do with the kids? Kapiti Fly Fishing Club is hosting its Take A kid Fishing Event at Winstone Lakes, Otaki. 

The event will be held on Saturday October 31 and Sunday November 1.

This free event is a great opportunity for kids to have a go at fishing and enjoy the outdoors. 

Sessions need to be booked in advanced. Click here for more. 

 

Win A $300 Hunting & Fishing Voucher Plus More

Ben Ellison with a great early-season rainbow taken on a dry fly in October!

Our photo competition is back again for 2026-27 with an even bigger prize pack on offer.  

Send in your favourite fishing photos from this season and you could be in to win a $300 voucher to spend in store at Wairarapa Hunting & Fishing.

We won't blow your secret spot, just include the name of the angler(s), photographer's details and general location in the Wellington-Taranaki Fish & Game region.

• Click here to submit your entry.

You can send us as many fishing photos as you like. By submitting images to enter the competition you acknowledge that Wellington Fish & Game and Wairarapa Hunting & Fishing can publish and use the photos for publicity material.

Entries must be in by 5pm Sunday, March 28, 2027. The winner will be announced in the final Lower North Lowdown report for the season on Thursday, April 1, 2027.

 

More Epic Prizes To Be Won!

Want 2 Catch More Trout has put up three awesome prizes to add into the mix for this year's photo competition!

Up for grabs:

1st Prize - 30 flies, plus a branded T-shirt.
2nd Prize - 12 flies, plus a branded T-shirt.
3rd Prize - 12 flies. 

The collection of flies can be tailored to what each successful individual would like from the current range. Click the logo above to see the full range.

• Click here to submit your entry.

The same Terms & Conditions of entry apply as above. 

 

Attention Rangitikei 'Designated Water' Anglers

The Game Animal Council and Sika Foundation, along with contractors, are carrying out thermally-assisted aerial deer management in the Southern Kaimanawa area.  

The deer management operation will be taking place in the Kaimanawa Remote Experience Zone between October 20 and November 20. 

The Rangitikei River 'Designated Waters' fishery is within the operational area. 

For more information, see the Q&A sheet here.  

 

Taranaki Fish Releases

Good-sized Hāwera hatchery rainbow trout have recently been released into Lake Mangamahoe (September 29) and into the lower Patea River, below Patea Dam (October 13).

Please not that Lake Mangamahoe is restricted to fly fishing only.

The lower Patea release is part of year three of five years of releases funded by the power scheme owner Contact Energy.

 

Noticeboard

• Greater Wellington Regional Council's latest schedule of river works can be found here.
• Horizons Regional Council's latest schedule of river works can be found here (scroll down to 'Planned Works').   
• Moawhango Flushing Flows - Proposed dates are as follows:

12/13 December 2026
26/27 January 2027
16/17 February 2027
16/17 March 2027
27/28 April 2027 (potential)

• Kapiti Kids Fish Out Weekend will be held Saturday October 31 and Sunday November 1, 2026. For more information, click here. 
• Lake Namumanu: Same as last season - access is currently closed for the logging of the surrounding Ngaruru Forest by Ernslaw One Ltd.

If you have any angling-related information you'd like posted to this noticeboard, including upcoming angling club meetings and outings, please get in touch with us.  

*This report was accurate at time of writing. For your safety, please ensure you check the latest weather and river flow information before you head out on the water.