Fishing and Hunting
CALL OF THE WILD
The perfect mix of vast, remote wilderness terrain – forests, hills, mountains, lakes and rivers — and thriving populations of introduced fish and wild game means the West Coast is stacked with great fishing and hunting grounds. A bewildering choice!
So, where are the best places to go? There’s no substitute for local knowledge and the West Coast has plenty of expert guides who can take you to their favourite spots.
Fishing the West Coast
Fishing tales are legendary around the West Coast. With 600 kms of wild coastline and a multitude of pristine wilderness lakes and rivers, there is an endless menu of superb locations for salt and freshwater fishing expeditions. Trophy-sized brown and rainbow trout, lake and sea-run salmon lure keen international fly fishers and anglers, while the ocean is a plentiful source of fish, shellfish and crayfish (lobster) from around the rocky shores, and seasonal whitebait.
Hunting on the West Coast
New Zealand has some of the world’s best wild game hunting and the West Coast has Aotearoa’s most extensive wilderness hunting grounds for red deer, Himalayan Tahr, alpine Chamois, feral pigs and goats. These introduced species proliferate in the forests and on the steep alpine slopes of the inland West Coast. Most guided hunting expeditions start with a helicopter flight into the otherwise inaccessible areas where hunting is permitted. If you just want to spot these magnificent species in the wild, then a scenic helicopter flight is your best chance.
FISHING AND HUNTING INFORMATION
Fishing grounds are usually subject to local fishing regulations and permits are required.
Hunting anywhere in New Zealand requires the permission of the landowner. On public conservation land, this permission is obtained by requesting a hunting permit from the Department of Conservation (DOC).
DOC lists more than 80 areas on the West Coast where hunting is permitted. Access into these remote areas is mostly via helicopter with experienced heli hunting operators.
DOC: West Coast fishing locations
Operators
South Westland Salmon Farm and Café
Salmon Farm licensed café specializing in fresh and smoked salmon products.
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$1520
Haast Heli
The stunning Haast World Heritage Area is one of New Zealand's top attractions. Haast Heli specialises in scenic flights over this spectacular alpine scenery. One of the most breathtaking ways to make the most of your visit here is by helicopter.
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$225 - $1195 per person
Greenstone Helicopters
South Westland's wild and undisturbed landscape is deemed to have natural and cultural features of such world significance, it is now protected in the 2.6 million hectare, South Westland World Heritage Area.
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$280 - $495
Glacier Country Helicopters Ltd.
Glacier Country Helicopters is a local, family owned and operated company in Franz Josef offering scenic glacier flights and much more in our incredible backyard.
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$400
Precision Helicopters Hokitika
Precision Helicopters Hokitika is based at the Gateway to the southern Alps, adjacent to the Hokitika Gorge. Climb aboard to view glaciers, west coast Native bush, alpine terrain, historic huts and more.
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$675 - full day. $350 - 1/2 day. $200 - 2 hours.
Moana Trout Fishing Safari
Guided fishing tours lakes, rivers and streams. Try your luck at sight casting to wild browns.
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1000
Western Rivers Lodge - Fly Fishing
Highest quality guided fly fishing and hosted accommodation in the spectacular Maruia Valley, South Island. Fish for wild brown trout in small streams or back country rivers averaging 5 pounds.
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