Whirinaki River

Whirinaki River, in Bay of Plenty, New Zealand, is a river where current dictates almost everything. Rocks, undercut banks, and fallen timber are the obvious targets, but the productive water at Whirinaki River is often the seam between two current speeds — that's where fish wait for food to drift past. Match the size of your bait or lure to whatever insects, baitfish, or crayfish you can see in the water.

Location

-38.4620, 176.7297 · View on OpenStreetMap →

Species at This Spot

Rainbow troutBrown trout

Fishing Techniques

• 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 Brown trout

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

Recommended Gear

Tackle commonly used to target the species at Whirinaki River.

Plan Your Trip

Anglers heading to Whirinaki River should sort licences and confirm seasonal regulations for Bay of Plenty before the trip. A quick weather check the morning of helps too — wind direction in particular can make or break a session at a spot like Whirinaki River.

Nearby Spots in Bay of Plenty

See all fishing spots in Bay of Plenty →

Other Fishing Regions in New Zealand