Fishing near Waikanae, Wellington

Waikanae sits on the Kāpiti Coast, flanked by the Tararua Range to the east and the Tasman Sea to the west. The area is known for clear, short-course rivers running straight off the ranges, productive surf beaches, and inshore saltwater fishing. The Waikanae River is the local trout stream, while the Ōtaki River is the standout freshwater fishery in the district. Offshore and from the beach, snapper, kahawai, gurnard, and trevally are the main targets, and the area has a local reputation for large paddle crabs.

Top waters to fish near Waikanae

Species & education

Learn what type of fish are in Waikanae, Wellington and what's needed to catch them.

Find which waters have the species you want to catch

Brown Trout

Salmo trutta

Climbing Galaxias

Galaxias brevipinnis

Common Smelt

Retropinna retropinna

Dwarf Galaxias

Galaxias divergens

New Zealand Longfin Eel

Anguilla dieffenbachii

Puye

Galaxias maculatus

Short-finned Eel

Anguilla australis

Shortjawed Kokopu

Galaxias postvectis

Barracouta

Thyrsites atun

Blue Cod

Parapercis colias

Blue Mackerel

Scomber australasicus

Blue Moki

Latridopsis ciliaris

Bluenose

Hyperoglyphe antarctica

Blue Shark

Prionace glauca

Blue Warehou

Seriolella brama

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