Take advantage of prime winter fishing across Southland’s waterways.

Waters listed below are open all year unless a specific winter season is noted alongside the entry.

 

Key
  • F = Fly fishing
  • S = Spin fishing
  • B = Bait fishing
  • FSB = Fly, Spin, and Bait fishing permitted
  • FS = Fly and Spin fishing permitted only
  • FSB* = Fly, Spin, and Bait fishing permitted (*junior fishery*)
  • Bag limit = maximum number of fish that may be taken or killed in one day

 

Bag limits

Note: No coarse fishing. No minimum or maximum lengths. Maximum 4 sports fish and 1 salmon per day. No salmon fishing in April or May. Molluscs may be used as bait in bait fishing waters.

Waters

Key

Bag Limit

All rivers and lakes draining to Tasman Sea and Foveaux Strait west of Waiau River

FSB

2 trout

Aparima River – Thornbury Bridge to sea

FSB

2 trout

Lake Fergus

FSB

2 trout

Lake Gunn

FSB

2 trout

Lake Hankinson

FSB

2 trout

Lake Hauroko

FSB

2 trout

Lake Henry – Junior fishery

FSB*

2 trout

Lake Manapouri including Waiau Arm

FSB

2 trout

Lake Mavora North

FSB

2 trout

Lake Mavora South

FSB

2 trout (no motorised boats)

Lake Monowai

FSB

2 trout

Lake Poteriteri

FSB

2 trout

Lake Te Anau

FSB

2 trout

Lake Thomas

FSB

2 trout (no motorised boats)

Makarewa River – downstream of Riverton–Invercargill Highway

FSB

2 trout

Mataura River – Mataura Island Bridge to the sea

FSB

2 trout (excluding 3 and 4 May 2026)

Oreti River – Riverton–Invercargill Highway to sea

FSB

2 trout

Pourakino River – downstream of Waipango Bridge

FSB

2 trout

Rakatu / Redcliff wetland complex

FSB

2 trout

Titiroa Stream – downstream of The Locks

FSB

2 trout

Waiau River – Tuatapere to sea including Waiau Lagoon

FSB

2 trout

Waihopai River – downstream of Queens Drive

FSB

2 trout

Waikawa River – downstream of Niagara Bridge

FSB

2 trout

Waikiwi Stream – downstream of North Road Bridge

FSB

2 trout

Waimatuku Stream – downstream of bridge on Rance Road

FSB

2 trout