Saltwater Fishing
Big game fishing in New Zealand is world renowned. Excellent salt-water game is best found off the East Coast of the North Island. There are many centres from which to base a big game fishing holiday, such as the Bay of Islands, Whangaroa, Tutukaka and the Bay of Plenty. If you are planning a fishing trip the best time for most species is between January and March when you are likely to catch marlin, swordfish, shark, tuna and kingfish.

Fishing New Zealand saltwater you will find the following:

• Striped Marlin are abundant on the top half of the North Island in the summer months.  This is probably NZs most recognised game fish and with the ideal conditions fishing can be phenomenal.  Hot spots are the Bay of Plenty, the coastal area between the North Cape and Tutakaka and the Three Kings Islands.
• Blue Marlin are best caught in a small window around February anywhere between the Three Kings islands and Tutakaka on the east coast
• Black Marlin  are more often found in closer to the coast than other species through out the summer months.  The better spots to catch them are in the Bay of Plenty waters including Mayor Island, Whale Island and White Island.
• Broadbill Swordfish can be caught all year round off the Northland Coast and three kings.
• Yellowfin Tuna come to the Northland coastline in significant numbers during the summer and are often caught by trolling or life bait methods depending on the time of season.  They are particulary common in the Bay of Plenty.
• Bluefin and Bigeye Tuna can be caught all year round off the entire coatline of New Zealand, although they are often found in deeper waters offshore.  There are consistently good numbers of them in the summer months off the southwest coast of the South Island.
• Albacore Tuna are found in big schools during the summer months off the north eastern coastline and the entire length of the west coast but are present to some degree all year round.
• Yellowtail Kingfish are plentiful and easy to target but a bit more difficult to land.  They are caught year round but are more common in summer, especially throughout the top half of the North Island.
• Snapper can be found on almost every reef, harbour and channel throughout the North Island and can be caught from shore as well as from a boat.
• Mako Sharks can be found year round where there is reasonably warm water and plenty of food.  They are normally caught by trolling in the summer months.

Saltwater Fishing Charters 

• Serendipity ..... A 46 foot Lidgard design sportfisher, powered by 350HP CAT motors with a cruising speed of 15 knots.  The boat is fully equipped. Available for day or overnight charters in and around the Bay of Islands.
• Addiction Charters ..... Modern 41 ft. Don Senior accommodate 6 anglers. Full day, Half day and Extended Charters from Bay of Islands to Three Kings.
• Major Tom II ..... 39ft. Don Senior, designed for the full range of fishing options in the Bay of Islands.
• Radar Blue ..... A 62 foot Salthouse ® Sovereign designed luxury yacht that offers all range of charters from game fishing to corporate functions.
• Pacific Jemm ..... A unique lady providing that special nautical New Zealand experience, she's a 24 metre luxurious motor yacht, fully crewed, with superb cuisine and full of toys.

Freshwater Fishing 

Inland New Zealand has  fresh crystal clear waters and uncrowded rivers and lakes making the chance of catching trout and salmon an absolute possibility. New Zealand is abundant with wild trout and a ‘catch and release’ approach is promoted to conserve resources.  Fishing liscences are required and can be brought at the regions tourist information centre.

• Trout can be found in almost every freshwater location through out New Zealand and the fish are large by world standards.  In the North Island Rainbow trout are more common and popular place to fish are the Tongariro river, Lake Taupo, Lake Rotorua and Rangitikei River.  The best time for fishing is October to June.  In the South Island brown trout is predominant and found in the majority of rivers and lakes.  The entire South Island is a Mecca for trout fishermen but Nelson, Fiordland and the West Coast are favoured.  The best fishing is October to April.
• Salmon are particularly common in South Canterbury especially in the rivers Waimakari, Rakaia and Rangitata with the best fishing time being January to March.  

 Freshwater Fishing - Lodges and Guides

• Clearwater  ..... during your stay at Clearwater there is a professional fly fishing teacher & fishing guide available to introduce you to Clearwaters lakes and streams in Christchurch.
• Ika Fishing Lodge ..... Set on the Tongariro River, the Ika Fishing Lodge offers a friendly homestay atmosphere and guided fly fishing guides
• Anglers Retreat .....a Trout Fly Fishing Lodge situated at Lake Taupo, New Zealand. Providing superb accommodation and a premier guided fly fishing experience.
• Treetops Luxury Lodge ..... offers daily guided fishing adventures with experienced, professional guides, at competitive rates located in the Rotorua region.

To view activities listed by regions please click on the one of the regions below.

Regions:	Cape Reinga / Bay of Islands	Auckland / Coromandel	Rotorua / Taupo / Napier
	Wellington / Marlborough / Nelson	Christchurch / Mt. Cook / West Coast	Dunedin / Queenstown / Fiordland

New Zealand: Home | Accommodation | Activities | Tours & Transport