Lower North Lowdown Weekly Fishing Report - 5 November 2026

Opportunities Despite Mixed Weather Forecast

The North Island is currently squeezed between a low in the Tasman and a high in the Pacific, creating a northerly airflow. 

This is forecast to drag some warm, moist air down across the region tomorrow and Saturday, meaning periods of brief rain. At this stage, though, it doesn't look too sinister!    

Pictured above: Joe Mckay proudly holding the cracking brownie his dad James landed from a small Tararua stream. 

It's still one of those weather patterns that makes predicting fishing and fishable rivers a tough ask... So, as you'll hopefully be aware, we include links to the live flows for the major rivers in each part of the region; be sure to check these before heading out over the next few days.

There should still be some opportunities for most anglers this weekend, which is encouraging because the fishing has been awesome.

A lovely Manawatu brown in the net for Stephen Phillips.

Trout were going nuts taking dries on the Ruamahanga yesterday, and we've heard there's already surface activity in other parts of Wellington and Taranaki too. 

While this might take a pause with higher flows following some rain, soft baiting and spin fishing will be excellent methods this weekend if there's a little colour in the water.

Also, there are good still-water options available - this week we released trout into Sattlers Dam (Raetihi) as well as Marton Reservoir and Hokowhitu Lagoon (Palmerston North).           

Keep an eye on the weather and river flows, pick your spot, and get into the action this weekend!

Grab your Whole Season Licence now!

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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 running at spring levels - good flow but nice and clear. While many anglers have taken the opportunity of the new season to get into the tributaries, we've had reports of some excellent fish being caught in the mainstem so don't overlook the close-to-home option. There are some rainy patches forecast for tomorrow and Saturday, but the Hutt catchment doesn't usually get too badly impacted by moderate northerly systems, so there'll hopefully be options over the weekend. If the rivers do come up for a period, the Pakarutahi, Whakatikei and Akatarawa should clear quickly.     

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 running crystal clear at time of writing this morning, and have moderately low flows. There are good prospects with fish lurking in the braided channels downstream of the SH1 bridges. Pulse of rain are predicted on Saturday and these will provide a fresh and probably add a bit of colour. This will only be temporary and the rivers are expected to clear quickly considering the current weather forecast. 

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

Wairarapa

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

Another stunning day in Wairarapa and rivers throughout the catchment are looking stunning! The Ruamahanga River is fishing really well and there were trout actively taking surface flies yesterday in the middle of the day. The mainstem may see a pulse of extra flow and colour with patchy rain in the forecast, but this should be a brief fresh.

Expect the Waiohine, Waingawa and Tauherenikau to clear more quickly and potentially be fishable for Sunday. The Waipoua might not be affected by the weather and is holding good numbers of fish in the lower and mid sections. 

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

The Ruamahanga River at 'The Cliffs' this morning (Photo: Hamish Carnachan)

Manawatu

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

The Manawatu is running really low and clear right the way through. Similar conditions in the Pohangina and Oroua rivers as well. The weather forecast is a mixed bag - anglers can expect these rivers to come up briefly but hopefully clear in time for Sunday. Otherwise tributaries feeding the Manawatu mainstem from the east may be worth a look. The Mangatainoka has fished well again this week - the section between the confluence with the Manawatu and Pahiatua is reportedly holding excellent numbers of trout. The northerly could see this come up briefly so keep an eye on the latest river flows before making your plan.

Fish Releases - This week we put several hundred good-sized trout into Marton Reservoir and Hokowhitu Lagoon (Palmerston North). These are both great stillwater opitons if the rivers are too coloured up. And the trout will be hungry and eager to bite!          

The Oroua River at Apiti Road Bridge this morning (Photo: Josh Murray)

Rangitikei

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

The Rangitikei River is stunning this morning - running low and crystal clear right the way through the system. As with other parts of the Wellington Fish & Game region, however, there's a bit of weather forecast to come through with short bouts of heavy rain and showers, and some thunderstorms in the Central High Country. So, it's going to be a matter of watching the river flows using the links we've provided here before planning your weekend mission. Any rain is likely to see the Whakaurekou and Kawahatu colour up so fishing upstream of where these tribs come into the Rangitikei is going to be the best bet.   

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

Taranaki Ringplain

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

Ringplain streams have had some very minor pulses in flow since a fresh on October 28 and all waters are currently fishable. With showers forecast for Friday and Saturday, Sunday might be the better day for fishing, with slightly elevated flows likely to favour spin and soft baiting or the use of weighted nymphs. Lake Mangamahoe and Ratapiko are always an option.

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

The Waiwhakaiho River at Peters Road yesterday afternoon (Photo: Allen Stancliff)

Waimarino

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

All waters in the Waimarino region are currently at low flow and fishable. Showers are forecast for the weekend but are not likely to affect river flows too much. Sunday is looking like the best day to be on the Manganuioteao and Mangawhero rivers.

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

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

Win A $300 Hunting & Fishing Voucher Plus More

Greg Smith with a beautifully marked brown trout from a Hutt River tributary.. 

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. 

Sattlers Dam Rainbow Trout Release

Taranaki Fish & Game has just made another release of some solid rainbow trout into Sattlers Dam west of Raetihi, courtesy of DOC’s Tongariro National Trout Centre.

The dam was looking good on the day of release, with great water clarity, small established weed beds, and plenty of bank margin for casting and retrieving. About 130 lively rainbows were released, with these fish ranging in size up to 1kg or more.

An excellent option for targeting trout at Sattlers is to fish a worm or nymph suspended under a bubble float – cast towards the middle and let the breeze push your float around, just make sure to stay in contact with it!

Soft baiting or spinning is another great option but be mindful of how long lures are left to sink to avoid potential snags on the bottom.

The surrounding vegetation will mean lots of insects will end up on the water’s surface, and fish will become accustomed to targeting these – terrestrial dries in the morning and evening could make for some exciting angling. 

To access Sattlers Dam, head west from Raetihi along the Pipiriki-Raetihi Road before turning right into Mangaeturoa North Road. Follow this road up into the gorge for approximately 6km until Sattlers Dam appears on the right.

Mangaeturoa North Road is a winding and narrow-metalled road. We understand it may not currently be used by logging trucks but there is plenty of other traffic, so please take care, keep left, follow the speed restrictions and expect oncoming traffic on blind corners.

It's a great place to introduce kids to fishing so grab your fishing licence here (free to under 12-year-olds).

More information on fishing Sattlers Dam is available here.

All the best and let us know how you get on – Photos of happy kids fishing and with fish would be great.

Kapiti Kids Fish-Out A Great Success! 

Last weekend saw an amazing event of fishing fun for kids, hosted by the Kapiti Fly Fishing club.

Huge thanks from Wellington Fish & Game to all the club members and volunteers who gave up their weekend for this awesome annual event!

A very happy participant from last weekend's Kapiti Kids Fishing event.

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)

• 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.