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South Island Fishing Trips
Fishing is an addictive sport that combines the best of the outdoors with the challenge of a trophy catch. In New Zealand you'll find some of the best fishing in the world - our rivers, streams and lakes are internationally famous among anglers. This is especially true of the South Island, where good stocks of trophy salmon, brown trout and rainbow trout are fair game during open season.
There's a South Island fishing experience to suit all tastes and budgets. You could tent by the water and fish in solitude, or share a back-country fishing hut with a group of friends. Or you might prefer to stay at a luxury lodge and engage a professional fishing guide. Whatever fishing holiday you want, you'll find a perfect South Island spot to match.
The Rakaia River in Canterbury is famous for its salmon, but you can also hook sea-run brown trout or rainbow trout. There's plenty of accommodation available from the head of the river down to the coast. Only a few miles south of the Rakaia are the Rangitata and Ashburton rivers, also popular for salmon and trout fishing.
Otago anglers have a choice of many rivers and lakes suitable both for beginners and for those who prefer a challenge. The Clutha River is large and fast flowing, with good catch rates and large numbers of trout to match its size. The glacial Lake Wanaka and Lake Wakitipu provide great fishing and incredible scenery, as well as being home to the premium tourist attractions of Wanaka township and Queenstown.
Of course these are just a few of the many lakes and rivers renowned for good fishing in the South Island. Don't forget to visit the Motueka River in Nelson/Marlborough, or the Buller and Grey rivers on the West Coast. And when you really want to get away from it all, remember the remote and beautiful Hollyford River near Milford Sound.
To get right off the beaten track and into the river, try drift fishing. You can fly or spin fish from a boat on some of the many beautiful rivers around Wanaka and throughout the South Island.
If you feel more like a taste of salt, head for the coast and try your hand at surf casting or deep sea fishing. The rich waters running along the Kaikoura coastline are perfect for catching groper, blue cod and albacore tuna. When you've caught enough for the day, treat yourself to more of the sea with a Whale Watch boat trip. Don't miss out on a meal of crayfish in Kaikoura township, but of course nothing beats serving up your own fresh fish to family and friends.
So get your license and tackle, load up the hire car and catch yourself a great South Island fishing getaway!