Cold Gold: South Island Winter Fishing

Pivoting to the Freshwater

Thankfully, we are incredibly lucky down here in the South Island. We have an abundance of freshwater systems right on our doorstep, ranging from massive lakes and rivers to streams and estuaries. While many of these waters close for the winter sports season, a vast number of waterways remain open and accessible to flick a line. In fact, some of my absolute best trout fishing happens over these colder months.

When the saltwater slows down, I head inland to target tasty silver rainbow trout in our large, snow-fed lakes. The plummeting temperatures actually work in our favour by extending the bite times. The fish stay active longer during the day, which often produces some truly exceptional days of fishing.

Keeping it Clean and Ethical on the Ice

Because bringing home a feed is my number one priority on most of my expeditions, keeping it clean and dispatching the fish ethically is deeply important to me. I focus heavily on limiting bycatch; there is no sense in catching, releasing, and potentially damaging fish you do not want to take home.

To avoid the chaos of winter sharks and dogfish, I shift my tactics away from fishy baits and swap to shellfish instead. This tactic massively reduces dogfish catches while still attracting prime table fish. Alternatively, switching to lures is a great option that cuts down bycatch and lets you explore new water, though pesky barracouta can make it a costly exercise if they bite you off.

When a keeper hits the deck, the dispatch is fast and clean. I put a knife straight to the brain, followed by a quick cut behind the gill membrane to bleed them out. I used to only bleed oily pelagics like kahawai, but lately, I have started bleeding everything from trout to gurnard. It improves the eating quality across the board and has become a nice ritual for respecting the table harvest. Normally, you would throw these fish straight onto ice, but during the dark depths of winter, there is often no need. After a day in the chilly bin, the catch is already cold as ice anyway. This is especially true on the lakes, where daytime temperatures often never crawl above one or two degrees.

My Winter Tackle Box Staples

My go-to gear does not drastically change with the seasons, but a few specific Black Magic Tackle items are absolute staples in my year-round lineup. KLT Hooks in a size 3/0 are my absolute number one choice. They come in every size I need and have never let me down. Almost all of my fish can be attributed to them, particularly the smaller 3/0 size. Smaller hooks provide a greater number of hook-ups, open up opportunities for different species, and can still land absolute thumpers. In winter, fish are more sluggish on the bite, less inclined to eat large baits, and harder to hook. Shifting to smaller hooks solves these problems perfectly.

For saltwater work, micro flipper jigs are my ultimate favourite lure. Even though they are designed with movement in mind, I have found they fish just as well when left sitting completely still in the rod holder. They are absolute dynamite for pulling up blue cod and gurnard while minimising encounters with pesky spiny dogfish.

When I am out on the boat chasing freshwater silvers, the Spinmax is one of my top choices for lake trolling. The heavy vibrational effect of the spinning blade gets lake fish incredibly interested and is lethal when pulled behind the boat. My personal favourite colours include the Aztec Orange and the classic Gold Rush. Alongside that, the 7g Candy Floss Enticer lure has accounted for a massive amount of beautiful rainbow trout and landlocked chinook salmon. The combination of its enticing spin and bright colour is incredibly lethal. The rest of my terminal setup—from the mainline and leader to the swivels and rigs—is entirely Black Magic. It is reliable gear that has earned its spotlight on countless trips.

‍

‍

‍

Shifting the Mindset

The most important adjustment you can make in freezing water is mental. Rather than expecting massive fish and heavy catches, I start treating winter fishing as an excuse to simply get out into nature. With limited daylight and harsher weather, it forces you outside when it is easy to stay indoors. You must target what is actually around. There is no sense in using summer techniques for species that have completely vanished. Changing your target can help you become more successful. Finally, you have to go prepared. Having the right gear to protect you from the freezing elements keeps you safe and makes life on the water much more enjoyable.

‍