Fiordland & Southland Waters
The Southern waters at a glance
We are surrounded by numerous rivers, streams and lakes in the bucolic Southland and the Fiordland wilderness regions.
The Mighty Waiau River
The Waiau runs between the greater Southland Region and the vast Fiordland wilderness. It is our home river and we know it well. Whether drift fishing the upper Waiau River near Te Anau or floating the Lower Waiau between Manapouri and Te Waewae Bay, this majestic river is best fished from watercraft due to it’s larger size and limited foot access. The Waiau drainage contains wild Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout and a small run of Chinook Salmon.
Lowland Rivers
Southland’s bucolic landscape is incised by several large river systems. The Aparima, Oreti and Mataura Rivers provide a diverse range of angling opportunities for wild Brown Trout with easy access. The Waiau River tributaries, like the Mararora River and Eglinton River, hold good populations of Rainbow and Brown trout.
The lowland rivers provide some of the most reliable fishing in our region in terms of fish density and accessibility.
Streams
Ranging from large streams right through to tiny “twig water” our region has a lifetime of fishing options available to the angler seeking the pursuit of trout in more confined environments. These lesser known waters often hold surprises in terms of fish numbers and size. Some of the smaller streams are best fished early in the season, before the low flows of summer prompt fish to migrate downstream into the larger systems.
Fiordland Wilderness and Backcountry
Fiordlands’ backcountry streams and remoter west coast rivers symbolise the untamed angling experience many anglers think of when they imagine fly fishing in New Zealand. These streams hold low to moderate numbers of wild trout but they are no place for the faint hearted or the novice angler. Between the most savage sandflies in the country and the physical demands of traversing these streams, many anglers are humbled by this breathtaking part of Aotearoa. There are a handful of streams that can be accessed by vehicle but the majority of these fisheries are best accessed by boat, helicopter or plane.
Lakes
Our often overlooked lakes and still water fisheries can provide some great fishing year round along with an alternative fishing option at times when high rainfall may result in blown out rivers and streams. There are options to fish these lakes with bank access or via watercraft, depending on the location and time of year.
Estuaries and Tidal Fisheries
Migratory Sea Trout and resident Slobs are present in the lower reaches and estuaries of Southland and Fiordland rivers. Often referred to as the “Nomads of the tide”, they can provide some exhilarating streamer and spin fishing when the annual whitebait and smelt runs occur between August and November. These coastal fisheries can also provide more traditional dry fly and nymph fishing year round.