Big River

Flowing through Southland, New Zealand, Big River is a river that suits anglers willing to walk a bank. Most fish at Big River hold in identifiable lies — the same eddies, drop-offs, and shaded undercuts produce trip after trip. After heavy rain, Big River can colour up and rise quickly; that's often when bigger predators come out to feed, but wading conditions get dangerous.

Location

-46.1107, 166.9391 · View on OpenStreetMap →

Species Reported in Southland

These species are commonly caught at fishing spots across Southland. Conditions at Big River may vary.

Brown troutRainbow troutEuropean perchEastern Australian salmonChinook salmonAustralasian snapper

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 European perch

  Vary your retrieve speed and lure depth until you find what the perch are responding to on that day, and use light line.

Recommended Gear

Tackle commonly used to target the species reported in Southland.

Plan Your Trip

Before fishing Big River, make sure your licence covers Southland, New Zealand and that any species-specific seasons are open. Local regulations change year to year, so check the current rules rather than going from memory.

Nearby Spots in Southland

See all fishing spots in Southland →

Other Fishing Regions in New Zealand