Fishing Tales

Salmon fishing is a beloved pursuit across several continents, offering anglers a wide range of experiences depending on the region, species, and local fishing culture. While New Zealand is well known among anglers as a trout fishing destination, it is less known for its salmon fishing. However, many rivers — particularly on the east coast of the South Island — offer superb angling conditions and good fishing for New Zealand chinook or quinnat, a species of Pacific salmon.

New Zealand chinook do not grow as big as their North American counterparts, which commonly weigh in at 20 kg (45 lb) in Alaska, but a four-year-old New Zealand-caught chinook is more likely to average 7 kg (just under 16 lb). The difference in size is largely attributable to the fact that Alaskan salmon spend more years at sea, whereas New Zealand chinook return at three to four years of age.

New Zealand Salmon Season

The New Zealand salmon season runs from early October (spring) through to late April (autumn). Each summer — beginning in late December, peaking in February, and continuing until March — chinook salmon ascend the rivers of the South Island's eastern regions. The best-known salmon fishing rivers are the Rakaia, Rangitata and Waitaki rivers.

A few weeks later, the salmon runs peak in the South Island’s west coast rivers, including the Paringa, Taramakau, and Hokitika.

NZ Chinook or Quinnat Salmon

The chinook salmon — known in New Zealand as quinnat, king or spring salmon — is one of five species of Pacific salmon. It is New Zealand’s largest freshwater fish, and the largest species in the salmon family.

The breed was introduced into New Zealand rivers on the South Island’s east coast in Canterbury and Otago more than 100 years ago. While the chinook is now scarce along the Californian Pacific coast, it has thrived in New Zealand waters. Established spawning runs are found in the Rangitata, Opihi, Ashburton, Rakaia, Waimakariri, Hurunui and Waiau rivers.