Southland Region

Southland offers great hunting for waterfowl, with vast areas of pastoral-based agriculture producing a large population of ducks. As a consequence the region has the most consistent mallard hunting in New Zealand.

The Southland Plains are bisected by four major rivers, the Aparima, Waiau, Oreti and Mataura. However, these represent just the starting point in a huge variety of fishing opportunities throughout the province. When you consider the dozens of smaller rivers and streams, as well as the lakes, it’s not too surprising that Southland has the highest participation in angling per capita of any region in New Zealand.

These pages will keep you up to date with important and timely information about fishing and hunting in the Southland region. Use the menu links on the right to navigate around between Southland pages.

Southland News


Southland Reel Life Apr 2013

Come May 1st the opportunities for anglers in Southland become a bit restricted. But rivers still open from that date provide very good, and generally reliable fishing.

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Southland Both Barrels Apr 2013

There’s not many days on the Southland sporting calendar that are more eagerly anticipated than the opening of duck hunting, with it soon down to single digit sleeps!

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Southland Reel Life Mar 2013

The dry weather we have had is a disaster for farmers and its not too flash for anglers and trout either.

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Changes proposed for Southland fishing

The Southland Fish & Game Council has resolved to advertise the following proposed changes to its Angler’s Notice which controls the taking of sports fish within its region.

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Southland Map

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