Lower North Lowdown Weekly Fishing Report - 22 October 2026

Long Weekend Fishing Bonanza

Not only is there a bonus day off this weekend, the weather and river conditions look fantastic for fishing!

This makes it a great opportunity to dust off your fishing gear if you haven't been out yet this season with plenty of angling options available.

Pictured above: Paul Larsen with a stunning early season brown from the Ruapehu region.

The day off on Monday could allow for a longer backcountry excursion over the weekend - the headwater fisheries haven't seen much angling pressure yet so the fishing could be red hot.

Closer to home, the lower river reaches have been fishing superbly too with good runs of whitebait pushing through. 

Ollie Mitchell with a cracker early season rainbow (Photo: Derek Mitchell).

There'll be plenty of chances to grab some photos while you're on the water this long weekend, so remember that you could win some great prizes by entering our photo competition for 2026-27... details below. 

We hope you make the most of the great weather to get out for a fish. Grab your Whole Season Licence now!

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 the weekend ahead... 

 

Hutt River

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

The Hutt River is low and clear and looking magnificent this morning despite the grey skies. The sun is forecast to break out tomorrow and last through to Monday so sight fishing should be good. Don't overlooked the edges or the shallow runs when trying to spot fish as Hutt trout are renowned to hold in these places. The Pakarutahi, Whakatikei and Akatarawa are all going to be great bets for the weekend too with excellent river and overhead conditions from tomorrow.    

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 rivers - Otaki, Waikanae and Ohau - are moderately low and flowing clear and cool. Conditions look excellent for Friday to Sunday, particularly in the lower reaches, with just a few clearing showers forecast on Monday. Rabbit and Silicon Smelt streamer flies are certainly worth a crack with the whitebait still running. Otherwise, the tried-and-tested Hare and Copper under an indicator will produce fish. 

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 pretty as a picture right from the headwaters to Lake Onoke - good flows but very clear. The Waiohine, Waingawa and Tauherenikau are also stunning and, with no rain in the forecast over the long weekend, there are some amazing angling opportunities in any of the Wairarapa rivers or streams. Get out and enjoy it! 

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

The Waiohine River at SH2 this morning (Photo: Hamish Carnachan)

 

Manawatu

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

The Manawatu and all its tributaries - including the Pohangina and Oroua rivers - are all low and clear. With fish still holding in the smaller streams there are boundless opportunities for anglers in this part of the Wellington Fish & Game region. The Mangatainoka also looks stunning and we've had reports of fish rising happily to dries on the warmer days this week.    

The Manawatu River at Weber Road this morning (Photo: Horizons)

 

Rangitikei

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

The Rangitikei River has a hint of colour through the middle at Mangaweka but there's a big clear edge that is well fishable for fly anglers. The colour could be coming in from the Kawhatau or Whakaurekau, so be prepared to move if these tribs aren't clear enough. Up at Pukeokahu the mainstem Rangitikei is low and crystal clear so there are good options for those wanting to fish higher up in the catchment. Meanwhile the Hautapu flow is low, so it should be fishable.         

 

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

 

Taranaki Ringplain

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

All ringplain streams and rivers had a minor to moderate fresh through them on October 15, which was much needed and has set them up well for angling over the next few weeks. The southerly blow following the front resulted in a good dump of snow on Taranaki Maunga, which has temporarily lowered water temperatures and helped support stream base-flows. All this means that with fine weather forecast for Labour Weekend it’s a great time to get out for a fish. Some lovely, well-conditioned trout have been caught so far this season! 

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

The Patea River at King Edward Park, Stratford, yesterday afternoon (Photo: Allen Stancliff)

 

Waimarino

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

It’s been a similar story for the Waimarino, with a fresh on October 15 and flows falling back towards their base flow. Likewise, a dump of snow on Mt. Ruapehu has cooled everything down, but the weather is looking great for Labour Weekend. The Manganuioteao River and the Mangawhero River between Tongariro National Park and Raetihi will be areas well worth a visit.

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

Manganuioteao River from Myer’s Bridge (Photo: Allen Stancliff)

 

Video Of The Week - Opening In The Rangitikei Region 

'Above Worry Level' filmed this short video of his angling exploits on a Rangitikei region high-country river over Opening this season. 

Click the screenshot above to watch.  

 

Recent Trout Releases In Taranaki

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

Releases of rainbow trout will also be made in November and early December into the Scout Den pool in the Patea River in Stratford’s King Edward Park. There will be no organised kids fishing day this year, so keep an eye of Taranaki Fish & Game’s Facebook page for the release dates.

There will also be the usual releases into the Hangatahua (Stony) River at Okato in November.

We’ve been fortunate that with no large floods, the Hangatahua has remained stable all year and is in great condition for fishing. Please note that there is a zero bag limit for brown trout in the Hangatahua (Stony) River, as there are still only a few browns present. If you do catch one, we’d appreciate a photo to confirm whether it is a hatchery or wild fish.

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

A well-conditioned ringplain brown trout caught early this season by Nik Hannam.

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.  

 

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.