Stewart Island (Rakiura)
Southland, New Zealand · Remote southern inshore and reef
New Zealand's third island and its most untouched inshore fishery. Blue cod are thick on the reefs and the surrounding southern ocean holds trumpeter and groper in genuine wilderness.
Fishing Stewart Island (Rakiura)
Stewart Island (Rakiura) sits in Southland and fishes as remote southern inshore and reef. The headline species are Blue Cod, Groper (Hāpuku), Trumpeter, Crayfish (Rock Lobster), and the productive window is year-round, weather permitting.
Access: Ferry or flight from Bluff to Oban, then charter boats into Port Adventure, Paterson Inlet and the outer coast. 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
- ▸Blue cod fishing is heavily regulated here with a daily limit and closed season — check current rules.
- ▸The outer coast needs settled weather and local knowledge; take a charter first trip.
- ▸Crayfish are plentiful but limits are low and paua rules apply too.
Licences and rules
No saltwater licence required; Stewart Island has specific blue cod rules that differ from the mainland. Seasons, bag limits and closures change through the year, so confirm the current rules with Fisheries New Zealand before you fish Stewart Island (Rakiura).
Frequently asked questions
What fish can you catch at Stewart Island (Rakiura)?
Stewart Island (Rakiura) holds Blue Cod, Groper (Hāpuku), Trumpeter, Crayfish (Rock Lobster). New Zealand's third island and its most untouched inshore fishery. Blue cod are thick on the reefs and the surrounding southern ocean holds trumpeter and groper in genuine wilderness.
When is the best time to fish Stewart Island (Rakiura)?
Year-round, weather permitting. 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 Stewart Island (Rakiura)?
Ferry or flight from Bluff to Oban, then charter boats into Port Adventure, Paterson Inlet and the outer coast.
Do you need a fishing licence at Stewart Island (Rakiura)?
No saltwater licence required; Stewart Island has specific blue cod rules that differ from the mainland. Confirm the current position with Fisheries New Zealand before you fish.
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