An Angler’s Guide to Salmon Fishing in Japan

 FLY FISHING

 LURE FISHING

 Salmon Fishing in Japan

 By Alan Bergman | Category: Outdoor Activities & Sporting Events

For most of Japan’s freshwater sportsmen, salmon are regarded as the ultimate catch. Until 1997 sport angling for this prized fish was prohibited in Japanese rivers, but now eleven streams in Hokkaido and Honshu allow limited recreational fishing for salmon.

River fishing for salmon is strictly regulated here. Anglers must apply for permission several months a head of the actual season. In most cases applications can be made by postcard or via the Internet. Only a limited number of permits are issued for each river, so it is best to apply as soon as the application period opens. Some Japanese skills are required as only Hokkaido’s Churui River has applications in English.

The target of Japan’s salmon anglers is the chum. It is the second largest of the Pacific salmon, and considered by many to be pound-for-pound the best fighter. In addition, Hokkaido offers some world-class fishing for the small but scrappy pink salmon. Both species can be caught on flies, lures, or bait.

Fly-fishing outfits for chum salmon should be 8 to 10 weight with a sinking tip line. Rods should be at least 9 feet long. Some anglers prefer 13 to 16 foot two-handed rods. These longer rods can give better line control and casting distance, but can be tiring to use. For pink salmon, use 6 to 8 weight tackle. Red is the fly color of choice in Japan, but depending upon the conditions, pink, purple, and black can also be effective.

For lure fishing, spinning or casting gear can work equally well. Rods should be 7 1/2 to 9 feet (230 – 276 cm.) long. The usual choice of line is around 16 pound test nylon or fluorocarbon monofilament. The overwhelming favorite lure is a spoon. For most situations, 17 to 21 gram spoons will get down to the fish. On larger, swifter rivers, spoons as heavy as 40 grams might be used. Blue and red are the most popular colors. All lures must have single hooks. Many anglers attach a pink or red plastic squid (tako bait) to the spoon as an added attraction.

In Japan, bait fishermen prefer long very soft-action rods. Many choose 4.5 to 6 meter-long spinning rods, which are typically used for porgy (kurodai). Others favor 8 meter or longer poles without reels that are employed for catching the little smelt-like river fish called ayu. The standard bait is a slice of saury (sanma), a fish readily available in any supermarket. To make their bait more enticing, some anglers spice up it by marinating the slices in grated garlic.

It was a over decade ago right after a salmon fishing trip to Alaska that I saw a notice in a Tokyo tackle shop announcing sport fishing for salmon in Hokkaido’s Churui River. Since that time, I have been able to catch one of my favorite game fish here in Japan. With a little advanced planning, you too can enjoy catching salmon in Japan.
General Rules for Salmon Fishing in Japan
Anglers must get a fishing permit in advance and register at the stream when they fish.
With the exception of the special section of the Churui River, catch and release is forbidden. This includes fish that have been foul hooked.
Anglers are required to report their catch. Catch and keep limits vary from place to place, so you need to know the regulations for the river that you are fishing.
Bait, lure, and fly-fishing are all allowed, but only with single hooks. The use of treble hooks


prohibited.
An angler may only use one rod at a time.
Gaffs are not allowed, but short-handle landing nets are permitted.
Salmon Fishing Rivers in Japan (based on 2008 data)

Location    Application Period    Fishing    Cost    Daily Limit
Churuigawa (website)
Shibetsu,Hokkaido
Tel: 0153-82-2341    From the beginning of June to the beginning of October    From the beginning of August through the first week of November    1 day – Y3,500
3 day – Y8,000
Season – Y12,000    5 Chum or Pink Salmon, 2 in the catch
and release section
Charogawa (website)
Shiranuka, Hokkaido
Tel: 011007-2-2221    From the beginning of July to the middle of September    From the third week of August to the end of October    1 day – Y2,500
3 day – Y6,000    5 Chum or Pink Salmon
Hamamasugawa (website)
Ishikari, Hokkaido
Tel: 0133-79-2029    From the middle of June through
the beginning of September    From the end of August to the middle
of October    1 day – Y3,000
3 day – Y5,500    5 Chum Salmon
Oirasegawa (website)
Towada, Aomori
Tel: 0176-21-3625    From the beginning of
September     From the beginning of November
through the end of December    1 day – Y4,000
2 day – Y7,000
10 Day – Y30,000
Season – Y60,000    5 Chum Salmon
Sagaegawa (website)
Nishikawa Town, Yamagata
Tel: 0237-72-2274    From the beginning of July through
the end of August    From the middle of October through
the beginning of November     1 day – Y6,000
2 day – Y10,000    2 Chum Salmon
Gakkogawa (website)
Yuza Town, Yamagata
Tel: 0234-72-3311    From the beginning of July through
the end of August    From the first week of October
through the fourth week of October     1 day – Y6,000
2 day – Y10,000    2 Chum Salmon
Koizumigawa (website)
Motoyoshi, Miyagi
Tel: 0226-42-2600    From the beginning of August through
the third week of September     From the beginning of November
through the first week of December     1 day – Y5,000
2 day – Y8,000    3 Chum Salmon
Ukedogawa (website)
Namie Town, Fukushima
Tel: 0240-25-2205    From the second week of July through
the second week of August     From the third week of October
through the third week of November     1 day – Y6,000    2 Chum Salmon
Kidogawa (website)
Naranha Town, Fukushima
Tel: 0240-25-2205    From the second week of July through
the third week of August     From the second week of October through the second week of November    1 day – Y6,000    2 Chum Salmon
Arakawa (website)
Iwafune, Niigata
Tel: 02100-62-1125    From the beginning of September
through the end of September     From the fourth week of November
through the fourth week of December     1 day – Y6,000    2 Chum Salmon
Tedorigawa (website)
Shirayama, Ishikawa
Tel:076-278-8131    From the third week of August through the second week of September    From the end of October through the end of November    1 day – Y5,000
2 day – Y8,000    2 Chum Salmon

Other Japan Fishing Information

ANA Hokkaido Salmon Fishing Package
Teddy Saito – English speaking guide for salmon, trout, char, and taimen fishing in Hokkaido

This article was written by long-time Tokyo resident and life-long fishing fanatic, Alan Bergm

UP TROUT FISHING IN UPPER PENINSULAR MICHIGAN

Welcome To U.P. Trout Fishing, where we have dedicated this website to the sport of fishing for, and the preservation of habitat of, the Wild Trout and Salmon of the pristine rivers, streams, and small glacier lakes of the beautiful Upper

 Welcome To U.P. Trout Fishing, where we have dedicated this website to the sport of fishing for, and the preservation of habitat of, the Wild Trout and Salmon of the pristine rivers, streams, and small glacier lakes of 

Testament of A Fisherman: 

I fish because I love to; because I love the environs where trout are found, which are invariably beautiful, and hate the environs where crowds of people are found, which are invariably ugly; because of all the television commercials, cocktail parties, and assorted social posturing I thus escape; because, in a world where most men seem to spend their lives doing things they hate, my fishing is at once an endless source of delight and an act of small rebellion; because trout do not lie or cheat and cannot be bought or bribed or impressed by power, but respond only to quietude and humility and endless patience; because I suspect that men are going along this way for the last time, and I for one don't want to waste the trip; because mercifully there are no telephones on trout waters; because only in the woods can I find solitude without loneliness; because bourbon out of an old tin cup always tastes better out there; because maybe one day I ! will catch a mermaid; and, finally, not because I regard fishing as being so terribly important but because I suspect that so many of the other concerns of men are equally unimportant -
John Voelker (Robert Traver)

If you would like to come up fishing with us we offer guide service and packages that will make your visit unique and an enjoyable experience that you will always keep in the back of your mind as fond and wonderful memories of fishing in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and of meeting the residents that will offer a friendly smile and a handshake to make you feel welcome to our little corner of the world.

From Ironwood to Sault Ste. Marine and from Copper Harbor to Menominee this Peninsula has been shaped and carved out of the Canadian Shield of Granite Rock formations and Boreal forests of Spruce, White Birch, Cedar and many species of hardwood. In addition to the Trout and Salmon of the Rivers and Streams the forests are home to Moose, Black Bear, White Tailed Deer, Timber Wolf, Bobcat, Porcupine, Loons, Eagles, and several other species of birds and mammals. Much of the central part of the UP is up to 600 feet higher in elevation than the surrounding great lakes of Superior, Michigan, and Huron and thus streams and rivers carry the snow and moisture run-offs as tributaries to them.

It is impossible to mention all of the rivers and streams and small lakes but you might of already heard of the Two-Hearted of Ernest Hemingway fame, St. Mary's River and the Atlantic Salmon, the Rock River, Laughing Whitefish, Chocolay, Carp, Little Garlic, Iron, Salmon Trout, Huron, Slate, and Black Rivers. they are all excellent places to fish and enjoy a day in the wilds of the beautiful and untamed Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

 

Spring Steelhead in the Rivers

Our Tributary Rivers here in the Lake Superior watershed open for fishing on the last Saturday in April and are very good fishing up until about Memorial Day when the runoff starts to slow and the Steelhead have spawned and migrated back out into the lake.

We have three primary rivers in the Marquette area that are excellent Steelhead spawing rivers and in which are very accessible for fishing. The Carp, Chocolay, and Little Garlic rivers are are favorites in this area. We also use the Iron, Huron, and Falls rivers which are within about an hours drive away.

We have everything you need for this outing including rods, reels, lures, or flies, nets, and waders. Our guides are there to assist and teach you in the techniques of catching the Steelhead which is notable as the best fishing fish in the Great Lakes region.

If you haven't done this type of fishing before and would like to learn. No Problem, thats what we are here for. Many folks have started with us on the streams and rivers and are now enjoying this sport and have become very good at it.

Our Spring Steelhead in the rivers package includes:
2 days fishing and 2 days lodging
All equipment and supplies
$699.00 for 2 fishermen

For more information or to schedule a trip with us please call us toll free at 877-228-5447

Salmon Fishing in Michigan

Salmon fishing in MI surrounds the big four lakes of Lake Erie, Lake Huron, Lake Michigan and Lake Superior. The rivers feeding into these lakes are migration routes for salmon spawning and during the spawn may contain large numbers of salmon.

The Michigan state record atlantic salmon was taken from Lake Michigan and the state record chinook (king) salmon came out of the Grand River. The Platte River gave up the state record coho salmon. For kokanee salmon the record came from the Clinton River.
Chinook Salmon
Oncorhynchus tshawytscha

The largest of the Pacific Salmon, the chinook lives for 5 to 7 years and reaches a size well over 100 pounds.

Chum Salmon
Oncorhynchus keta

One of the smaller of the group the chum lives 3 to 5 years and seldom exceeds 10 pounds.

Pink Salmon
Oncorhynchus gorbuscha

The smallest of the Pacific Salmon the pink seldom tops 5 pounds and lives only 2 years.

Sockeye Salmon
Oncorhynchus nerka

The sockeye lives 4 or 5 years and top weights seldom get to 8 pounds.

Coho Salmon
Oncorhynchus kisutch

Growing to a size in the 15 pound range, the coho salmon lives for three years in their journey to continue the propagation of their species. Average catch is in the 8 to 12 pound range.

Michigan Fishing Map

Michigan Map – Find The Best Fishing Locations in MI
The state of Michigan has abundant fishing opportunities. Try your luck at some of these major Lakes and impoundments.

Black Lake is at the northern tip of the main section of the state, at Waverly, MI.

Brevoort Lake is in the eastern part of the upper peninsula, at Brevort, MI.

 located in the northern tip of the main section of the state, at Burt, MI.

Crystal Lake is in the north-west part of the main section of the state, at Beulah, MI.

Elk Lake is in the nortn-west part of the main section of the state, at Elk Rapids, MI.

Fletcher Pond is in the north-east part of the main section of the state, at Hillman, MI.

Grand Lake is located in the north-east corner of the main section of the state, at Kralow, MI.

Hamlin Lake is in the north-west part of the main section of the state, at Hamlin, MI.

Higgins Lake is in the north-east part of the main section of the state, at Higgins Lake, MI.

Houghton Lake is in the north-east part of the main section of the state, at Houghton Lake, MI.

Hubbard Lake is located in the north-east part of the main section of the state, at Caledonia, MI.

Indian Lake is in the south-center part of the upper peninsula, at Manistique, MI.

Lake Erie is on the border at the south-east corner of Michigan.

Lake Gogebic is in the western part of the upper peninsula, at Bergland, MI.

Lake Huron covers most of the eastern border of Michigan.

Lake Michigamme is in the central part of the upper peninsula, at Michigamme, MI.

Lake Michigan runs along half the southern perimeter of the upper peninsula and the western border of the main body of Michigan.

Lake Superior runs along the northern border of the upper peninsula of Michigan.

Long Lake is located in the north-east corner of the main section of the state, at 5 miles north of Alpena, MI.

Manistique Lake is in the eastern part of the upper peninsula, at Lakefield, MI.

Mullett Lake is in the northern tip of the main section of the state, at Mullett, MI.

Sanford Lake is located in the north-east part of the main section of the state, at Sanford, MI.

Torch Lake is in the north-west part of the main section of the state, at Torch Lake, MI.

Wixom Lake is located in the north-east part of the main section of the state, at Edenville, MI.

The purpose of this map is to help you locate major fishing waters in the state of Michigan along with travel routes. If you have an MI lake you would like to see added, we would enjoy hearing from you. We will consider adding a page for a map of a specific Michigan lake or stream solely at our discretion. If you have a fishing related business you would like to promote we will consider ways to include mention of same as long as it provides benefit to our visitors. If you offer a guide service please visit our Michigan fishing guides page and send us the details.

Visit again soon as we plan to continually update information and Michigan map details as we receive them.

Michigan Fishing home.





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Michigan Directory Of Fishing Articles Covering Salmon, Bass, Smallmouth, Largemouth, Trout & Others

Learn the tips, trick and secrets to successful fishing in Michigan. See fishing photos from around Michigan. Share some of your insights to MI fishing with articles and photos.

Tippy Pond Smallies
By L.T Miller

I had just got done setting up my pop-up camper at the local campground and wanted nothing more than to plop my boat into the water. I was already running a little late and after setting up my campsite it was already around 3:00 p.m. I had driven all the way to Manistee from Oscoda to fish. I wasn’t about to waste an evening in my camper. I scoped out my area map and noticed there was a boat launch Tippy Dam Pond right around the corner.

When I arrived at the launch I noticed the water was a little choppy, but not too bad so I dumped my little 12’ boat in the water. I knew nothing of this 1,330 acre pond and was a little intimidated by its size. Before leaving the dock I peered out over the water looking for any noticeable structure that may hold some fish. I noticed lot’s of logs peppering the shoreline so I figured I would start by fishing those. I started my day out by slipping on a Bass Assassin plastic minnow. This bait has worked for me on every lake that I had ever fished, especially for game fish. With the noticeable amount of logs and stumps, for structure, I figured the lake would have a good population of bass and pike.

I saw that there was a stump poking out of the water right near the launch and decided that would be a good spot to start throwing my bait. My minnow hit the water within an inch of the log and I was only able to give it one twitch before something nailed it, leaving me with a broken line. Pike have a tendency to do that to 8 pound test, but I was excited anyhow because that one bite told me that the fish were biting on this day. I re-rigged and tried getting that mystery fish to bite again with no avail, so I decided to just cruise the shoreline and see what else I could get to bite. After just a couple casts a nice smallmouth bass engulfed my minnow and leaped out of the water.

When I lipped this bass and snapped a picture, I had a feeling that it was going to be a good day of fishing. It was May 1st and the weather was still somewhat chilly, so I knew the bass wouldn’t be spawning for another week. More than likely they were in pre-spawn mode. When bass are pre-spawn they can be found close to the area in which they plan to construct their beds. Which I figured would be around or near the various logs. This time of year they can be easy to catch because they will eat almost anything that gets between them and their bedding areas, and my rubber minnows seemed to be just what they were looking for. I also tied on spinner-baits as well as Rapala X-Raps and did just as good on those. In fact this was the first year I had ever tried the X-Rap, on bass, and found them to be dynamite.

I’m sure some of you are thinking, “If this was May 1st you were illegal if you were casting for bass,” but that is wrong. This was May 1st of 2008 and as of that year the Michigan Department of Natural resources, MDNR, opened up a catch and immediate release bass season from the last Saturday in April-Friday before Memorial Day on all Lower Peninsula inland lakes. I believe this season is a great idea, as long as the fisherman are gentle with the bass and make sure they immediately release their catch. Catching bass this time of year can be a blast, especially once they hit the beds. A lot of fishermen disagree with catching the bass off the beds, but as long as you quickly release the bass it will swim right back to its bed and no harm is done. This can actually be a great time to get children into fishing, because anything casted on a bass bed will be quickly grabbed. Once a child has caught his or her first big bass they are going to be hooked for the rest of their life. And because you have to throw the fish back, it can be a good time to teach your child the values of catch and release fishing.

When Manistee comes to mind most people think about salmon fishing on Lake Michigan, or the awesome trout and steelhead fishing to be had at Tippy Dam. You never hear of what lies on the other side of Tippy Dam in the backwaters, but I’m here to tell you the fishing can be amazing. It seemed like every other cast thrown involved something at least rolling at my bait. May 1st last year I managed to catch 19 smallmouth bass between two and five pounds in only three hours, and lost quite a few fish. I’d say that’s a pretty good day. They seemed to hit on almost anything I would throw but I had the best luck on the rainbow trout colored X-Rap, and silver colored Bass Assassins. When throwing the X-Rap or the Bass Assassin, I would reel them in the same way. I would give three or four quick snaps of the rod tip, and pause for just a few seconds before giving a few more snaps. More often than not the bass would nail the bait during that short pause.

That was the only day that I got to fish the pond last year. The wind was nasty during the three other days of staying at the campground. During those windy days I still managed to have a blast fishing steelhead in the Manistee River, and catching brook trout in Pine Creek. If your like me and enjoy a good variety of fish, Manistee County is the place for you. Manistee County has every kind of big game-fish available, as well as some nice panfish. I’m planning on camping at the same campground this year, though I plan on focusing more on catching walleye and bass on both Tippy Dam pond, and Manistee Lake.





Michigan Fishing Articles & Photos –
Articles About Fishing in MI

Alaska Red Salmon (Sockeye)

Red Salmon (sockeye ) The Kenai river has one of the most incredible red salmon runs I have ever seen. The red run in the Kenai has size and numbers this strain of red salmon average 7 to 12 lbs and enter in the river by the tens of thousands. The Kenai has 2 different runs of reds the first run will enter the river in the middle of May and will run thru June. The majority of the first run will be heading for the Russian river about 60 miles from the mouth of the Kenai. The red salmon on the first run will average 6 to 9 lbs and this run will be around 30,000 to 70,000 strong on different years.

 The Kasilof river, which is located about 20 miles south of the Kenai, has a run of red salmon that enter it about the same time frame as the Kenai river. The reds in the Kasilof are about 300,000 strong every year and can be fished from the shore from the middle of June until the middle of July when the run tappers off. The Kenai River will have its second run of reds that will enter the river about the 10th of July and run thru the middle of August. Both sports fisherman and commercial fisherman heavily target the second run of red salmon that enter the Kenai and Kasilof. The second run of red salmon will average 7 to 12 lbs and will be about 700,000 to 1,000,000 strong in the river.

If you don’t like fishing around crowds you might want to fish for this run of reds in the first part of August. This is when the crowds have thinned out and the red salmon are still plentiful in the middle river. Many people love this fish for how hard it fights and for its rich taste. The red salmon has the most amount of omega 3 oils of any salmon species...

Call Today 1-888-283-4002

   

ALASKA TROPHY TROUT - SALMON

Alaska trophy trout is a fishery that is highly sought after by many fisherman including nonresident and resident fisherman. This State has many different places to fish for these brightly colored and acrobatic fish, but none of these places hold the size and numbers that the Kenai River does.

The Kenai River is a fly fisherman’s paradise with an affordable price to help you get there. The State of Alaska has rivers in the bush that will produce trophy trout but many people can’t afford to pay 5,000 to 7,000 for a week worth of fishing. We offer the same kind of fishing for less then 2,000 the Kenai river produces several trophy trout over 30”every year and some over 35”each year.

The experience and knowledge that our guides have, produce anywhere from 20 to 40 trout a day for many clients. We have out preformed many other outfitters and guide services day after day with our experience on where and how to catch these magnificent trout. The best times of the year to fish for these trout is when the salmon are spawning and the trout are chasing them and eating on their spawn.

We have had our best luck for the big trout in August September and October when the majority of the salmon are spawning. The silver salmon will still be running at that time of the year so we like to throw a trout and silver salmon combo together to give you some meat to take home.

Alaska Fish On Guide Service provides fishing enthusiasts, as well as first timers, a great advantage on the Kenai River. If you want to fish for rainbow trout, dolly varden or any other species of salmon you have picked the right guide service, our referral letters show it.

Try some Kenai River trophy rainbow trout fishing for some exciting fast action fall trout fishing in Alaska.
Alaska Fish On (Alaska Salmon Fishing Guide Service) with Gary Kernan
P.O. Box 642
Kenai, Alaska 99611
Local Number  907-283-4002
Call Us Toll Free @ 1-888-283-4002

ALASKA BIG SALMON FISHING (CHINOOK)

The Kenai Peninsula has many rivers that have thousands of king salmon entering them every year with the Kenai River being rated # 1 for size. The Kenai River holds 8 out of the top 10 record king salmon in the world with the world record being 97.4 lbs caught in 1985 May 17th by Les Anderson. I have always said world records are meant to be broke and many people have come close to doing so and did not succeed by losing the fish or coming up a little short of the weight.

KING SALMON (CHINOOK)

Every year it is not uncommon to catch fish weighing between 60 & 80 lbs with the majority of the fish averaging 30 to 50 lbs. The Kenai king salmon are some of the hardest fighting kings that I have ever hooked. Plan on fighting one of these massive fish anywhere from a half hour up to an hour when we are in the tidal waters and the fish are just coming out of the saltwater.

Our guides fish mostly down in the lower part of the river so you stand a chance of getting a fish that has high quality meat and outstanding power when it just enters the river from the ocean. The methods that we use for fishing these mighty fish are back trolling and back bouncing. Both of these methods are vary effective in catching these monster fish and are easy to learn with your patient guide.

The king salmon will have 2 different times that they will enter the Kenai River. The first run will enter the river in the beginning of May and finish in the end of June. The second run of king s will enter the Kenai in the first part of July and run through the middle of August. The Alaska Department of Fish & Game will close the season down for king salmon on the last day of July and sometimes gives us an extension until the 10 of August if the run is strong. This extension will not be know until they see how strong the run is so it is not possible to book for it but is worth being here for if they extend it.


When you are fishing for the massive king salmon always keep one thing in mind the guide that you will be with deals with these fish every day and most likely knows what that fish is going to do before you do. It is always good to listen to everything that the guide has to tell you when he gives you instructions. I have had these fish wrap my fishing poles around my motor more then once when they decide they want to run and you are standing on the opposite side of the boat. Our records are outstanding for getting the fish in the boat after being hooked and staying on the line for more then 2 minutes.

Don’t miss out on the chance of hooking into and landing one of the last breeds of this strain of king salmon found nowhere else in the World.

Call Today 1-888-283-4002

Now these Ladies know how to fish! 3 nice kings in 3 hours.

    

SALMON FISHING IN NEW ZEALAND

14.JANUARI 2011  :  01.28AM   FRIDAY


While New Zealand is well known among anglers as a trout fishing destination, it is less known for its salmon fishing.

However, many rivers - particularly on the east coast of the South Island - offer superb angling conditions and good fishing for New Zealand chinook or quinnat, a species of Pacific salmon.

New Zealand chinook do not grow as big as the North American counterpart which commonly weighs in at 20kg (45lb) in Alaska, but a four-year-old New Zealand-caught chinook is more likely to average 7kg (just under 16lb).

The difference in size is largely attributable to the fact that Alaskan salmon spend more years at sea, whereas New Zealand chinook return at three to four years of age.

New Zealand salmon season
The New Zealand salmon season runs from early October (spring) through to late April (autumn).

Each summer - beginning in late December, peaking in February, and continuing until March - chinook salmon ascend the rivers of the South Island's eastern regions. The best known salmon fishing rivers are the Rakaia, Rangitata and Waitaki rivers.

A few weeks later, the salmon runs peak in the South Island’s west coast rivers, including the Paringa, Taramakau, and Hokitika.

Salmon fishing gear
Spinning or bait casting gear using a 9kg (20lb) breaking strain line and a metal ticer lure is recommended for New Zealand salmon fishing. Some innovative anglers catch salmon using deep sinking fly line and a fly lure.

Fishing guides operate mainly on the Rakaia, Rangitata and Waitaki rivers, in the South Island, but can be found operating in other regions.

Guides provide all fishing gear and equipment, and will often use jet boats to gain access to pools where salmon may have paused.

NZ chinook or quinnat salmon
The chinook salmon - known in New Zealand as quinnat, king or spring salmon - is one of five species of Pacific salmon. It is New Zealand’s largest freshwater fish, and the largest species in the salmon family.

The breed was introduced into New Zealand rivers on the South Island’s east coast in Canterbury and Otago more than 100 years ago.

The ocean-swelling chinook salmon swim up the rivers to spawn, offering a prized catch for anglers.

While the chinnook is now scarce along the Californian Pacific coast, it has thrived in New Zealand waters. Established spawning runs are found in the Rangitata, Opihi, Ashburton, Rakaia, Waimakariri, Hurunui and Waiau river

 

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        Fishing

In a country with such a vast coastline and hundreds of rivers and lakes, it is little wonder that fishing is a popular pastime for New Zealanders. Anglers come from all over the world, too, to try their luck in the crystal-clear waters. New Zealand has the best trout fishing in the world, from the volcanic Taupo-Rotorua region in the central North Island, to the glacial-formed lakes of west Otago and Fiordland. Lake Taupo, alive with brown and rainbow trout, is probably the best freshwater fishing in New Zealand. Sea fishing offers almost guaranteed fish too, with strict regulations on daily allowable catch ensuring sustainable resources. Sea fishing runs the gamut from fishing off wharves to big game fishing in the Bay of Islands.


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The seaside village of Russell is a charming mixture of quaint colonial buildings, excellent restaurants and interesting shops. Yachts and game boats gently rock on their moorings, while locals and visitors dangle lines off the wharf. A sport fishing trip is easy to arrange – you can target snapper or kingfish, with all gear provided. Big game anglers can target marlin, shark and yellowfin tuna.

Photo credit: Kieren Scott



Lake Rotoaira, next to Tongariro National Park, is ideal for wading or kayak fishing for rainbow trout. It's a beautiful setting with extensive weedbeds, and you can enjoy a chorus of native birds while you fish. Rotoaira rainbows are not quite as big as Lake Taupo trout, but they're very pink fleshed (from their snail diet) – excellent eating!

Photo credit: Bob McCree

       
The resort town of Mount Maunganui, named for the extinct volcano that dominates the landscape, offers a choice of fishing experiences. The long surf beach is great for surfcasting, the harbour provides line fishing and 35 kilometres offshore is Mayor Island, a gamefishing destination known for marlin, tuna, shark and kingfish.

Photo credit: Legend Photography