Wills River

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

Location

-44.0500, 169.3830 · View on OpenStreetMap →

Species Reported in West Coast

These species are commonly caught at fishing spots across West Coast. Conditions at Wills 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 Wills 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 Wills River — confirm them ahead of time.

Nearby Spots in West Coast

See all fishing spots in West Coast →

Other Fishing Regions in New Zealand