Fishing near New Plymouth, Taranaki

New Plymouth sits on the Taranaki coast of the North Island, flanked by the volcanic slopes of Te Papakura o Taranaki (Egmont National Park) and the Tasman Sea. The region is known for large inshore snapper — fish of 9 kg are common, and 13 kg-plus has become the benchmark for a truly big one — alongside productive freshwater trout fishing on the ringplain rivers that drain the maunga. Port Taranaki, the Sugar Loaf Islands, and the stretch of coast from Mokau in the north to Hawera in the south are the marquee saltwater grounds, while the Waingongoro River and Lakes Mangamahoe and Ratapiko are standout freshwater destinations.