Northland Fishing News Aug 11

The last month has seen continued positive comments and reports coming from anglers who have been fishing at the Kai Iwi lakes following the July Trout Fishing Competition. Regular takes of trout over 2.0kg are being caught. These fish are coming in close to shore for spawning and setting up territories.

The lakes and reservoirs throughout the region are well stocked fisheries and will continue to fish well over the next couple of months as the late winter and early spring weather keeps the surface waters at the various locations cooler.

The winter rains has also raised the water tables and filled the reservoirs making the shoreline and littoral areas highly productive for insect and small fish life producing an ideal opportunity for anglers to target cruising fish.

Access to the lakes is very easy with much of the Kai Iwi lakes being wade able in thigh and body waders.

The region three stocked reservoirs, the Whau Valley Dam, in Whangarei, Wilsons Dam near Ruakaka and Lake Manuwai off State highway 10 north of Kerikeri all have reasonable access points that provide anglers with foot access to the water’s edge. Parts of all three reservoirs are wade able but people must exercise due caution as the edges drop away quickly.

Non-motorised craft are allowed on Lake Manuwai and jigging for trout is a sure way to catch trout up to 1.5 kg. On the Whau Valley Dam and Wilson’s Dam however only shore base angling is permitted.

The river currently open to anglers until the 1st October is the Wairua River from the confluence of the Whakapara and Waiotu Rivers downstream. The Wairua River although not running clear is an excellent place to catch a rainbow or occasional brown trout using thread line equipment. The pools are deep, the runs are long and with the aquatic plants currently at their lowest due to the colder water temperatures it’s a great time to fish the river.

There are many kilometres of angling opportunity along the marginal strip of the river which for the most part is low vegetation made up of reeds and grasses.

The Northland Regional office and the Fish and Game website have good brochure information about angling opportunities available to the angling public, and the staff are only too willing to provide further assistance if you require it.

Remember if you don’t have your licence you can purchase it online either directly yourself or through any of our licence agents.

Enjoy the fishing

The Team from Northland Fish and Game