HomeNorthlandNorthland: Where to FishKerikeri Stream

Kerikeri Stream

The Kerikeri Stream offers a variety of fishing opportunities to anglers wishing to fish for a good population of rainbow trout.
Fish type Rainbow trout averaging around 1kg but with fish as high as 2.5kg occasionally
caught.
Situation The Kerikeri River rises on the eastern edge of the Puketi Kauri State Forest and flows east to enter the sea at the Kerikeri Inlet.
Maps

Access map

Check conditions View the MetService weather forecast.

View the stream's rainfall.

Description The Kerikeri River offers a wide variety of fishing opportunities in scenery ranging from virgin native forest to open farmland. Some areas of
the river are difficult to access and fish due to the abundant
bankside vegetation. There are plenty of stretches of unimpeded water access however. The river is generally easily wadeable.

The best fishing is in the upper and middle reaches above where State Highway 10 crosses the river. Fish numbers are good and angling pressure is reasonably low. Several sections of this river cross private land and owners' permission must be sought before fishing  any of these sections. Fish and Game
have marked a number of access points however for anglers.

During the warmer months the river flow can diminish quite dramatically although during times of low flow there is often good fishing in the very early morning and late evening when trout seem to rise freely.

Access Access to the lower reaches can be found at the end of Rainbow Falls Road that leads off SH10. Mostly however, the river is accessed on foot along designated tracks. There are a number of signposted anglers' access points. See the Kerikeri River access map.
Recommended tackle Due to the size of the Kerikeri River, it is advisable to use tackle that is as light as possible.
Fly rods in weight 5 or lower and spinning rods capable of casting lures 7 grams or lighter are preferred.
Recommended lures

Nymphs:
In the upper and middle reaches lightly weighted stoneflies and mayfly
patterns such as Pheasant Tail, Halfbacks and Hare and Copper in sizes 14 to 18.

Dry flies:
Popular patterns include Royal Wulff, Adams,
Blue Dun, Coch-y-Bondhu, green beetle patterns (during the early summer) and cicada
and cricket patterns late in the summer.

Wet flies / Streamers:
Small bully patterns such as Mrs Simpson and Hamill's
Killer during the day, and dark patterns such as Craig's
Night-time and Scotch
Poacher during the evening and at night. In the middle
and upper reaches use small (size 14 to 16) wee-wets such
as March Brown, Greenwell's Glory, Red Governor and Hardies Favourite during the evening rise when fish are often taking emerging insects just subsurface.

Spinners:

Black and gold Tobys and silver Tobys in the lower reaches, and small bladed spinners such as Mepps
or Veltic in the middle and upper reaches. As this is a predominantly rainbow
fishery, brighter colours such as gold and red tend to work well during the day.

Tributaries The Puketotara Stream is the major tributary.
Regulations
Applicable to Kerikeri River
Region Northland regulations
Season Oct 1-Apr
30
Methods Artificial fly, spinner.
Bag limit 2
Size limit (cm) Trout: 300mm minimum

Other fishing waters of the region



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