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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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.
View these and more Fishing images from the Tourism New Zealand's Image Library. All images are available to download.
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
Such a great post and well written. Salmon can be found in the tributaries of the Great Lakes virtually all year long. Learn more about different types of salmon in Michigan Salmon Fishing.
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