September: First signs of spring with New Zealand at its greenest. September 21 is the first day of Spring. North Island fishing improving and opening of fishing season on in South Westland and Fiordland for sea-run trout. Good trolling begins for trophy trout on North Island's Lake Taupo and Rotorua . Uncrowded.
October: Spring weather throughout New Zealand. Opening of fishing season in most lakes, streams and rivers. The last runs of fresh spawning fish in the Tongaririo River. Excellent trolling on Lake Taupo, Lake Rotorua. Lake Tarawera season opens for huge trophy rainbows by fly fishing spinning or trolling. Uncrowded.
November: The start of summer weather. Some good dry fly hatches, particularly in the South Island waters. Excellent fly fishing and trolling on most North Island Lakes. Flowers in bloom and beautiful. Uncrowded
December: Summer begins December 21, the longest day of the year. One of the least crowded months for foreign visitors though a lot of New Zealand businesses close during the December 15 - January 15 period for summer vacations and there are a great many New Zealanders out and about during this period. Very good fishing on all lakes, streams and rivers. Excellent dry fly and nymph fishing period. Spring flowers still available. Salt Water: Striped Marlin. Yellowtail. Kahawai.
January: Stream fishing on both islands excellent both dry and wet. Some good wet fly and streamer fishing continuing at stream mouths. South Island streams fish well on dry and nymph. Popular time for visiting anglers. Salt Water: Striped Marlin prime. Yellowtail. Kahawai.
February: Usually the hottest month of the year. Weather very settled for fishing in mountain streams. Still water fishing excellent. Great time for helicopter fishing in remote rivers. Popular time for visiting anglers. Salt Water: Striped Marlin prime. Yellowtail. Kahawai.
March: Weather still warm and settled. Last month for good mountain fishing and dry fly fishing. All waters fishing well. A less crowded month and a great time to go. Salt Water: Striped Marlin prime. Yellowtail. Kahawai.
April: Autumn begins April 21. Last month of fishing seasons in most district. Trout get very active as weather cools and a great time to fish. Start of spawning run in Taupo area. Uncrowded and a great time to go. Salt Water: Striped Marlin. Yellowtail. Kahawai.
May: This month and the next two are the best time for catching huge double figured trophy trout in the Rotorua Area. These fish often exceed 12 pounds and can be taken trolling and fly fishing. Taupo runs of rainbows (originally steelhead stocks from Fishing International's neighboring streams) increasing. Uncrowded.
June: The shortest day of the year and the beginning of winter is June 21. Fishing pretty much confined to the Lake Taupo and Lake Rotorua districts and a few lakes on the South Island. Lake Taupo steelhead/rainbow runs in full swing. Lake Rotorua is open but Tarawera and other lakes close June through September. Uncrowded.
July: For the hardy angler, the Taupo district stream fishing for steelhead/rainbow runs are at their zenith. Deep trrolling in the lakes Taupo and Rotorua. Uncrowded. (The Tongariro River a tributary to Lake Taupo can be crowded this month with local anglers. )
August: The quietest month of the year for fishing. Taupo spawners still available and Lake Rotorua fishes well deep trolling. Uncrowded.
- Entomology and Patterns for the New Zealand-Bound Flyfisher
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