Lower North Lowdown Weekly Fishing Report - 8 October 2026

Season Off To Cracking Start!

The season is off to a flying start with stunning weather and some spectacular fish being caught right across the lower North Island.

Anglers are reporting good numbers of trout and many have remarked on the excellent condition of the fish.       

Pictured above: Ben Ellison with one of three cracking fish he managed on Opening Morning.  

Weatherwise, it looks like Friday and Saturday are going to be the best days to be on the water, with a band of showers and possible rain affecting most parts of the Wellington and Taranaki Fish & Game regions on Sunday.

So grab your Whole Season Licence and get into it while the weather holds - the fishing is going off! 

 

Grab Your Licence And Get Into The Action 

The season is off to an awesome start so get your licence online - it only takes a few minutes - and get into the action.   

If you've already bought your licence, we'd like to sincerely thank you. Not only is it your passport to adventure this season, you're making a direct contribution to the freshwater angling resource and investing in the future of the pursuit you love.

 

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 is low and clear and has been fishing well over the past week. The Pakarutahi, Whakatikei and Akatarawa are the spots to target for the more adventurous angler though - these waters have just opened for the season and are holding good numbers of trout. 

The Hutt River at Gibbons Street yesterday afternoon (Photo: Al Markham)

 

Kapiti Coast

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

The Otaki, Waikanae and Ohau rivers are all in excellent condition for angling: clear, moderate flows with cool temperatures and sunny skies overhead. Whitebait are currently running, making it definitely worth a look downstream of the SH1 bridges. 

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

 

Wairarapa

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

The whole Ruamahanga River catchment is looking fantastic for fishing over the next few days. Like the mainstem, the Waiohine, Waingawa and Tauherenikau are all low and clear and will fish well through to Sunday when a band of rain may see flows come up.         

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

The Mangatarere Stream at Belvedere Bridge this morning (Photo: Ben Ellison)

 

Manawatu

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

After a period of stable weather conditions the Manawatu is fishable right the way through. The Pohangina looks stunning this morning and could be worth a scout higher up; the Oroua river is also low and clear. The Mangatainoka has reportedly fished very well since Opening, with good numbers of medium sized rainbows through the lower and middle reaches. 

The Pohangina River at Totara Reserve this morning (Photo: Josh Murray)

 

Rangitikei

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

The Rangitikei River is finally clear right through the system, so there'll be plenty of angling opportunities for Friday and Saturday before the rain arrives on Sunday. The Hautapu is still holding a bit of extra water but it is dropping. With clear river flow on the Rangitikei at Mangaweka, this would suggest the Kawhatau and Whakaurekau Rivers are running clean so these could offer some excellent early-season angling.       

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

 

Taranaki Ringplain

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

River flows have continued to decrease towards their summer low flows, providing good conditions for spotting trout on their feeding lies or cruising a beat in the pools and running a nymph through likely looking water. Anglers have reported seeing plenty of trout since Opening Day, but they have been pretty discerning, and a stealthy approach is required.

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

The Lower Waiwhakaiho at Merrilands Domain this morning (Photo: Allen Stancliff)

 

Waimarino

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

River flows are also continuing to fall towards their summer lows in the Waimarino region, making rivers like the Manganuioteao well worth a visit. Fish & Game Rangers checking anglers on the Manganuioteao on Opening Day reported good numbers of solid fish being caught, with the majority released to fight another day.

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

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

 

School Up Before You Head Out

Our new online fishing knowledge hub provides free resources to help anglers at all experience levels have greater success.

The comprehensive collection of downloadable guides and how-to resources covers everything from equipment selection, the different techniques, how-to guides, places to target and plenty more.

The resources can be downloaded and taken to the river or lake, or read whenever you like, on your phone, wherever you are. Click the screenshot above and dive into it!  

 

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

Rob Zorab had a cracking Opening Day in Wairarapa, landing several good fish including this stunning 6lber.

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. 

 

All The Latest Angling News, Tips and Information

The latest issue of Fish & Game NZ magazine is out now. 

If you purchased a licence last year, you should have received a copy in the mail.

Those who didn't fish last year can still catch up on all the action and get primed for the awesome season ahead by reading the magazine online - just click on the cover above.    

 

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 Mangamahoe: New Plymouth District Council is currently installing new water supply intakes at Lake Mangamahoe and traffic management arrangements have the western access road closed on weekdays until October 12. However, anglers and the general public can still use the first carpark on the right past the toilet block and walking access from there is unrestricted.
• 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.