Bay of Islands
Northland, North Island, New Zealand · Island-studded inshore and blue water
New Zealand's most famous inshore fishery: clear water over sand and reef, snapper in the shallows, kingfish on the pins, and striped marlin over the canyons in summer.
Fishing Bay of Islands
Bay of Islands sits in Northland, North Island and fishes as island-studded inshore and blue water. The headline species are Snapper, Yellowtail Kingfish, Marlin, Trevally, John Dory, and the productive window is gamefish jan–apr; snapper and kingfish year-round.
Access: Launch from Paihia, Russell or Tutukaka. 144 islands give sheltered options in almost any wind, with game fishing grounds a short run outside. If you are travelling to fish here, build flexibility into the trip — weather, water clarity and run timing move around every season, and the anglers who do best plan around conditions rather than dates.
Local tactics
- ▸Fish the wash around island points on a rising tide for kingfish on stickbaits.
- ▸Straylining lightly weighted pilchards over kelp edges out-fishes ledger rigs in shallow water.
- ▸Tutukaka is the jumping-off point for the Poor Knights and marlin grounds.
Licences and rules
No recreational saltwater licence is required in New Zealand, but daily bag and size limits apply and are enforced. Seasons, bag limits and closures change through the year, so confirm the current rules with Fisheries New Zealand before you fish Bay of Islands.
Frequently asked questions
What fish can you catch at Bay of Islands?
Bay of Islands holds Snapper, Yellowtail Kingfish, Marlin, Trevally, John Dory. New Zealand's most famous inshore fishery: clear water over sand and reef, snapper in the shallows, kingfish on the pins, and striped marlin over the canyons in summer.
When is the best time to fish Bay of Islands?
Gamefish Jan–Apr; snapper and kingfish year-round. As everywhere, the hours either side of first light, last light and a moving tide or current change produce the most fish.
How do you get to Bay of Islands?
Launch from Paihia, Russell or Tutukaka. 144 islands give sheltered options in almost any wind, with game fishing grounds a short run outside.
Do you need a fishing licence at Bay of Islands?
No recreational saltwater licence is required in New Zealand, but daily bag and size limits apply and are enforced. Confirm the current position with Fisheries New Zealand before you fish.
Get the free weekly bite report
Tides, moon phase and the species firing around Australia this week — plus early access to new spots and Pro offers. Free, unsubscribe any time.