With this year’s freshwater fishing season having kicked off last Saturday, Fish and Game NZ [FGNZ] expects the region’s anglers will be catching beautifully conditioned fish in Wairarapa waters.
FGNZ senior field officer Dr Matt Kavermann told the Times-Age that all the region’s rivers are open, from the Ruamāhanga River through to the Tararua Ranges.
“One common theme from right across the area is the excellent condition of the fish. Clearly, they’ve benefited from a relatively stable winter with few major floods,” Kavermann said.
Popular freshwater fishing spots in the region include the Ruamāhanga River, Kōpuaranga River, Waipoua River, Tauweru River, Waiōhine River, Waiāwangawanga River, Tauherenīkau River, Henley Lake, and Kōurarau Dam.
Currently, Wairarapa has a healthy rainbow trout population in the Ruamāhanga as well as brown trout in the Waiōhine, according to Kavermann.
“Fishing is a wonderful way to get out with family and enjoy the outdoors. New Zealanders value outdoor recreation, and opening fishing is another chance to get out and enjoy it,” he said.
FGNZ chief executive Corina Jordan said it’s great to see an increase in angling activity following the lockdowns and noted that people have made the connection that outdoor pursuits help improve their wellbeing.
“Now, with inflationary pressure driving up food prices, going out and catching your own healthy free-range food makes sense from a financial perspective too.”
FGNZ expects to sell roughly 130,000 licences nationwide this season, of which about 10 per cent will be to non-residents.
“This is good news for the wider economy – research shows international anglers are big spenders, among the highest value tourists the country receives,” Jordan said.
“Many guides are also back to being well booked by overseas clients this season after several years of no tourism, which is great for their businesses and the flow-on economic effects for the regional communities where many are based.”
There are a couple of ways to buy a fishing license – online via the FGNZ website or in person at any regional FGNZ office or licence agent.
Each region has its own set of regulations, which are enforced alongside the broader national regulations.
The following are common costs for fishing licences covering the
whole season:
Adult [18+] – $153
Junior [12–17] – $31
Child [under 12 ]– Free [although a licence is still required]
Family – $198 – [includes two adults and up to four children or grandchildren under the age of 18; NZ residents only]
Local Area Adult – $122 [NZ residents only]
For a full list of fishing licences, visit the Fish and Game website: fishandgame.org.nz.
