Ugly River

As a river in West Coast, New Zealand, Ugly River fishes best when the flow is steady and the water is clear enough to see a foot or two down. Anglers who do well at Ugly River pay attention to small things: the angle of the current, the colour of the water, what's hatching, where the wading birds are working. Fly anglers can match local insect activity; spin anglers can run small spinners or soft plastics through the same lies.

Location

-41.1084, 172.3023 · View on OpenStreetMap →

Species Reported in West Coast

These species are commonly caught at fishing spots across West Coast. Conditions at Ugly River may vary.

Brown troutRainbow troutEastern Australian salmonAustralasian snapperRed codlingYellow-eye mullet

Fishing Techniques

• For Brown trout

  When fishing streams, focus on seams and current breaks, where trout hold to ambush prey.

• For Rainbow trout

  Vary your retrieve speed when using spinners to find what triggers a strike; sometimes a slow, steady retrieve works best, while other times a faster, erratic retrieve is more effective.

• For Eastern Australian salmon

  Eastern Australian salmon often school, so if you catch one, keep fishing the same area; they are aggressive feeders and readily strike at moving targets.

Recommended Gear

Tackle commonly used to target the species reported in West Coast.

Plan Your Trip

Planning a trip to Ugly River? Check current conditions before you go: water level, recent weather, and any local closures. New Zealand regulations on licences, seasons, and bag limits apply at Ugly River — confirm them ahead of time.

Nearby Spots in West Coast

See all fishing spots in West Coast →

Other Fishing Regions in New Zealand