2009-2010 Northland Fishing Regulations

Angling regulations are updated annually. Each region has specific regulations for individual rivers and lakes within the framework of national angling regulations.

CONTACT

Office: 116 Robert Street, Whangarei
Postal Address: PO Box 1099, Whangarei 0140
Phone and Fax: (09) 438-4135
Email: northlandf.g@clear.net.nz

Administration: Fay Stodart
Manager: Rudi Hoetjes
Field Officer: Graham White

Northland has a temperate climate with summer water temperatures often above the optimum range preferred by trout. As a result freshwater fishing is to some extent limited compared to other regions. The Northland Fish and Game Council have liberal regulations providing maximum fishing opportunity for different types of angling experience. The region has numerous small river and stream fisheries that hold rainbow and brown trout. Rainbows are inclined to be the dominant species as they are able to tolerate the warmer water temperatures. Fly and spin fishing are the only methods allowed in Northland’s river fisheries. The rivers have an open season from 1st October to 30th April each year, except for the Wairua River which is open to fishing all year round.

Many of the headwater streams in the region are heavily wooded along the banks which keeps the water cooler in the summer months. Angler pressure on these streams is low, offering a semi-wilderness experience. Angler access to most rivers in Northland requires permission from the individual landowner before you can cross their properties. Landowners are only too willing to grant approval providing you seek prior permission, shut the gates and do not disturb stock.

Early spring, late autumn and the winter offers the best freshwater angling in Northland’s lakes and reservoirs when the trout become more energetic in the cooler surface waters. Northland Fish and Game undertakes an annual stocking programme of hatchery reared trout into two natural lakes and three artificial reservoirs to provide further angling opportunities. Bait fishing and trolling are allowed in the lakes and reservoirs which are open to angling for 12 months.

Several angler access guides are available through the Council office and on the regions webpage www.fishandgame.org.nz .

REGULATIONS

Reference to Description: New Zealand Gazette, No. 83, 24 May 1990, page 1861

1. DEFINITIONS

See First Schedule.

2. OPEN SEASON

2.1 All lakes and reservoirs in region All year

2.2 Wairua River (excluding tributaries) downstream from the confluence of the Waiotu and Whakapara Rivers All year

2.3 All rivers and streams in region 1 October to 30 April

3. CLOSED WATERS

No restrictions.

4. AUTHORISED TACKLE

See First Schedule.

5. FLY FISHING ONLY WATERS

No restrictions.

6. BAIT FISHING WATERS

6.1 Bait fishing (as defined in the First Schedule) is permitted in all lakes and reservoirs.

6.2 Bait fishing is permitted in the Waitangi River only when fishing for tench.

7. COARSE FISHING WATERS

7.1 The only public coarse fishing water in the Northland Region is the Waitangi River and its tributaries.

8. USE OF BOATS

8.1 Anglers trolling from boats must stay at least 50m from any anglers fishing from the shore.

9. DAILY BAG LIMITS

9.1 All rivers and streams except the Waipapa, Mangapa and Victoria Rivers

9.1.1 No licence holder shall on any one day kill more than two trout.

9.1.2 There is no daily bag limit for tench or perch.

9.2 Waipapa, Mangapa and Victoria Rivers and any tributaries of these rivers.

9.2.1 No licence holder shall on any one day kill more than one trout.

9.3 All Lakes and Reservoirs

No licence holder shall on any one day kill more than three trout. There is no daily bag limit for tench or perch.

10. FISH LENGTH

10.1 The minimum length for trout 300mm

10.2 The minimum length for tench or perch No limit

2009-2010 Auckland-Waikato Fishing Regulations

CONTACT

Office: 156 Brymer Rd, RD9, Hamilton 3289
Phone and Fax: (07) 849 1666 Fax (07) 849 1648
Email: admin@awfg.org.nz

Administration: Robyn Lingard
Chief Executive: Doug Emmett
Nthn Wildlife Manager: John Dyer
Fisheries Manager: Ben Wilson
Sthn Game Bird Manager: David Klee

The Auckland/Waikato Region offers a wide diversity of fishing opportunities with many lake and river fisheries. Four lakes within one hour of Auckland City are regularly stocked with trout, and wild trout are present in the Mangatawhiri and Mangatangi reservoirs. There is also good trout fishing in the Coromandel Ranges with most rivers having easy access and high scenic values. Further south there are numerous spring-fed trout streams in the South Waikato, and many backcountry fisheries throughout the King Country including the headwaters of the Waipa, Whanganui, Whakapapa, and Awakino Rivers. The Waikato River has an abundant brown trout population, and the hydro-lakes provide excellent lake fishing. Coarse fisheries are present in most lakes north of Hamilton, including Lake Pupuke and Hamilton Lake. Good coarse fishing is also available in the lower Waikato and Whangamarino Rivers.

The following pamphlets are available from Auckland/Waikato Fish & Game:

• Trout fishing in the Auckland/Waikato Region
• Fishing in the lakes of the Auckland/Waikato Region
• Trout fishing in the southern waters of the Auckland/Waikato Region
• Trout fishing in the Coromandel Ranges
• Trout fishing in South Waikato spring creeks
• Coarse fishing in the Auckland/Waikato Region
• Getting started in freshwater fishing.
• Waitomo and Kawhia Trout Fishing
• Trout Fishing on the Mighty Waipa
• Trout Fishing on the Waikato River

REGULATIONS

Reference to Description: New Zealand Gazette, No. 83, 24 May 1990, page 1861, as amended by New Zealand Gazette, No. 129, 29 August 1991, page 2786

1. DEFINITIONS

See First Schedule.

2. OPEN SEASON, PERMITTED METHODS AND TROUT BAG LIMITS

All other streams flowing into Lake Waipapa, Lake Arapuni and Lake Karapiro are closed
(refer to Section 3)

3. CLOSED WATERS

3.1 No licence holder shall take (or attempt to take) sports fish from all rivers, streams and their tributaries which flow into but not including Lake Arapuni, Lake Waipapa and Lake Karapiro, and that part of the Waikato River downstream from the Maraetai Dam to above the Karapiro Dam.

3.2 The closed waters restrictions in Section 3.1 do not apply to the waters specified in Section 2.2 of this Schedule.

4. AUTHORISED TACKLE

Refer to Section 2.

5. FLY FISHING ONLY WATERS

Refer to Section 2.

6. BAIT FISHING WATERS

No licence holder when fishing in bait fishing waters shall use as bait any fish taken from any water other than where the fishing is occurring.

7. COARSE FISHING WATERS

7.1 The following waters are designated as coarse fishing waters:

• Mangatawhiri River from the bridge on State Highway 2 to its confluence with the Waikato River.
• Whangamarino River.
• All lakes and ponds, excluding the Mangatangi Reservoir, Mangatawhiri Reservoir and any lake specified in Section 2 of this part of the Schedule.

7.2 There are no restrictions on the numbers of rods and running lines that a licence holder fishing for perch, tench or rudd may have provided only one of which shall be used for fishing at any one time.

7.3 A roach pole may be used to fish for perch, tench and rudd.

7.4 It is an offence to kill on any day more than five tench. There is no limit for perch or rudd.

8. USE OF BOATS

No licence holder shall fish for sports fish from any vessel in the upper reaches of Lake Karapiro (upstream from the white marker post, situated 200m below the Huihuitaha Stream mouth) unless the vessel is securely anchored.

9. HOURS OF FISHING

There are no restrictions on the hours of fishing in the Auckland/ Waikato Region.

10. FISH LENGTH

10.1 There are no length restrictions in the Waimakariri Stream and Waihou River upstream from Okoroire and their tributaries, except that no licence holder shall take more than 2 trout exceeding 30cm in length.

10.2 In all other waters the minimum length is 30cm.