Fishing near Hokitika, West Coast

Hokitika sits on the West Coast of the South Island, where the Southern Alps funnel a network of rivers down to the Tasman Sea. The area is best known for freshwater fishing — particularly trout in the Hokitika River and its tributaries, whitebaiting along the lower reaches, and salmon runs that push upriver in summer. Lake Kaniere, a short drive inland, rounds out the local options with brown trout and perch fishing in calmer water.