Fishing Tours & Charters in New Zealand

Whether it's salt or freshwater, New Zealand is a fisherman's paradise, offering some of the best opportunities for fishing in beautiful, isolated and pristine locations.  Offshore there's deep sea big game fishing while inland fishing on our uncrowded rivers and lakes will see you discover exciting opportunities for trout fishing. 

Salt Water Fishing
Legendary American writer Zane Grey fist put New Zealand on the big-game fishing map after he visited in the 1920's.  Offshore from the East Coast of the North Island to as far south as Whakatane, excellent deep sea big game fishing including tuna, blue and striped marlin, yellowtail kingfish and shark can be found, with an adrenaline pumping fight being inevitable as the catch is reeled in!

From the land you can try surfcasting and rock fishing.  From the comfort of a charter boat the ocean is your oyster during a deepwater, saltwater fly or game fishing expedition.  In places like the Marlborough Sounds, Auckland, Doubtless Bay, the Bay of Plenty the Bay of Islands and Southland, there are keen locals ready to take you to their favourite coastal fishing spots.  In the north, you’re aiming to catch a nice snapper, kingfish or tarakihi for your dinner.  In the far south, blue cod, trumpeter and grouper are the hot prospects.

Each year from December until June, marlin and other types of billfish swarm along the North Island’s eastern coast from North Cape to East Cape.  Yellowfin tuna, sharks and kingfish are other game fishing targets.  From game fishing bases in Whangaroa, Russell, Tutukaka and Tauranga, you can hook into a day of high excitement on the high seas.


Fresh Water Fishing
New Zealand has no native salmon or trout, but our crystal clear rivers and lakes have opened their arms to rainbows, browns and trophy-sized salmon.  Rainbow trout from California were introduced in the early 1880s.  They inhabit most rivers and lakes in both the North and South islands, typically growing to an average of 3-4 lb (1.5-2 kg).  In some waters monster fish up to 15 lb (7 kg) are caught every year.

Brown trout arrived in the 1860s from the United Kingdom via Tasmania. Like the rainbows, they’re found in most lakes and rivers throughout the country.  In rivers and streams, browns average 2-4 lb (1-3 kg).  In lakes they’re noticeably bigger.  Double figure fish are common enough to keep your hopes up.

Chinook salmon were successfully introduced to South Canterbury in the early 1900s. Canterbury remains New Zealand’s premier salmon fishing destination. The Rakaia, Waimakariri, Hurunui and Waiau rivers offer excellent sea-run salmon fishing between November and March.


And for the more adventurous angler, wilderness fishing, which sees you travelling to remote fishing lakes or rivers by boat, 4WD or helicopter, has become a popular choice in recent years.