Freshwater fish of New Zealand
The Department of Conservation's 2023 assessment covered 78 freshwater fish species in New Zealand, 21 of them introduced. This section covers the two introduced sports fish most often targeted by anglers: brown trout and chinook salmon.
Both are managed as sports fish. You need a Fish & Game licence to fish for them, or a DOC licence in the Taupō area.
Questions
Do you need a licence to fish for trout or salmon in New Zealand?
Yes. Anglers of any age need a Fish & Game sports fishing licence, except in the Taupō area, which needs a separate DOC Taupō fishing licence. Sea-run salmon in Canterbury also need a Sea-Run Salmon Licence.
Are trout and salmon native to New Zealand?
No. Brown trout were brought from Europe (via Tasmania) in the late 1860s, and chinook salmon are native to the North Pacific. Both are now naturalised.
When is trout season in New Zealand?
Many waters open on 1 October and close on 30 April, but dates vary by region and by river or lake, and some waters are open all year. Check the Fish & Game regulations for the region you are fishing.