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Fishing campsites New Zealand: 14 best angling spots

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Fishing campsites New Zealand: 14 best angling spots

15th July 2022•Camplify Team

Want to fish for snapper whilst camping by the beach? Or maybe you want to fly fish for trout whilst camping by the river? Whatever you want, you’ll find it on this list of the best campsites with fishing nearby in New Zealand!

Each campsite on this list offers awesome fishing opportunities and fantastic camping facilities. It has been organised by region, starting with the bottom of the South Island (predominantly freshwater fishing) and ending with the top of the North Island (predominantly coastal fishing). For each campsite, we’ve also included the address, price per night and the types of fish that you can catch nearby.

But before you cast a line, make sure that you understand and abide by the [fishing rules and regulations](https://www.mpi.govt.nz/fishing-aquaculture/recreational-fishing/fishing-rules/# :~:text=You%20do%20not%20need%20a,(in%20lakes%20and%20rivers).) in each region. Also, note that you need a licence to go freshwater fishing in New Zealand.

Want to go fishing in style and comfort? Use Camplify to find the perfect campervan hire in New Zealand !

Best campgrounds with fishing closeby in New Zealand: 14 spots to set up base

South Island

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1. Henry Creek Campsite - Fiordland National Park

Camp and fish on Lake Te Anau in Fiordland National Park.

Address: Te Anau Downs 9679 | Price per night: $15

Camp right on the edge of the pristine Lake Te Anau in Fiordland National Park. From the Henry Creek Campsite (DOC), you can throw in a line and try your hand at catching brown trout, rainbow trout or even a few landlocked salmon.

Facilities include non-flush toilets and stream water. Bookings are required through the DOC website.

2. Moke Lake - Near Queenstown

Fish for trout Moke Lake outside of Queenstown.

Address: Moke Lake Road, Ben Lomond 9371 | Price per night: $15

Located just 20-minutes west of Queenstown, the beautiful Moke Lake Campsite (DOC) provides waterside camping and fishing. There’s a healthy population of both brown trout and rainbow trout in the lake.

Facilities include tap water, a cooking shelter, drop toilets and a boat ramp. Bookings are not required (first come, first served).

3. Albert Town Campground - Wanaka

Camp on the mouth of the Clutha & Hawea Rivers near Wanaka.

Address: Lake Hawea Road, State highway 6, Wānaka 9382 | Price per night: from $7

The Albert Town Campground is located just outside of Wanaka on the banks of the Clutha & Hawea Rivers. From this campsite, you can enjoy world-class fly fishing for trout, chinook salmon and perch.

Facilities include toilets, running water and a rubbish skip. Bookings are only required at certain times of year (see website for details).

4. Cameron Flat Campsite - West Coast (South Island)

Fish for trout in the Makarora River on the West Coast.

Address: Haast Pass-Makarora Road, Haast 9382 | Price per night: $8

If you love fishing, you’re going to love the Cameron Flat Campsite (DOC) near the beautiful Makarora River. Within the river, you’ll find brown trout, rainbow trout and salmon.

Facilities include a drop toilet as well as a cooking shelter with a sink and tap. Bookings are required through the DOC website.

Discover more of the best camping spots in the Otago region.

5. Lake Wardell Rest Area - Twizel

The rivers and canals around Twizel produce some of the largest trout in the world.

Address: [Pukaki Canal Rd, Pukaki 7999](https://www.google.com/search?tbs=lf:1,lf_ui:1&tbm=lcl&sxsrf=APq-WBvVqfBoFZLHeC7L44ag-eDjkDN2Jw:1647273840739&q=Lake+Wardell+Rest+Area+Overnight+Campervan+Parking&rflfq=1&num=10# rlfi=hd:;si:3026682311273090528,l,CjJMYWtlIFdhcmRlbGwgUmVzdCBBcmVhIE92ZXJuaWdodCBDYW1wZXJ2YW4gUGFya2luZ0jDu-fT5YCAgAhaRhACEAMQBBAFEAYYABgBIjJsYWtlIHdhcmRlbGwgcmVzdCBhcmVhIG92ZXJuaWdodCBjYW1wZXJ2YW4gcGFya2luZyoCCAOSAQRsYWtlmgEjQ2haRFNVaE5NRzluUzBWSlEwRm5TVU5aTTA5dWFGSlJFQUWqAS0QASopIiVyZXN0IGFyZWEgb3Zlcm5pZ2h0IGNhbXBlcnZhbiBwYXJraW5nKAA,y,2tSW2mFGWdk;mv:[[-44.18529916329979,170.14783912712937],[-44.20237633728244,170.10410839135056],null,[-44.19383836887211,170.12597375923997],15]) | Price per night: Free

Less than a 10-minute drive from Twizel, the Lake Wardell Rest Area is a large and quiet camping ground positioned on the shore of a small lake. It’s one of the best campsites with fishing closeby!

Only a 1-minute walk away is the Twizel Canal, which is famous for producing some of the largest brown and rainbow trout in the world with many fish (anywhere from 4-13kg). Facilities include a drop toilet with toilet paper provided. Bookings are not required (first come, first served).

There are heaps of awesome fishing spots and campsites around Twizel.

6.Lake Alexandrina Campground - Tekapo

Lake Tekapo also produces great trout.

Address: 217 Lake Alexandrina Road South, Tekapo 7999 | Price per night: $20

Camp near the edge of Lake Tekapo at the Lake Alexandrina Campground, enjoying scenic views and some of the best trout fishing in the world. The Lake and the nearby canal system are known for producing some of the largest fish in New Zealand, including trout and salmon.

Facilities at the campsite include a toilet. Bookings are not required (first come, first served).

7. Kerr Bay Campsite - Nelson Lakes National Park

Camp and fish on Lake Rotoiti in Nelson Lakes National Park.

Address: Kerr Bay Road, St Arnaud 7072 | Price per night: $20

Stay at the Kerr Bay Campsite (DOC) on the edge of Lake Rotoiti in the iconic Nelson Lakes National Park. This deep lake is home to a massive population of large-sized brown and rainbow trout.

Facilities at the campsite include hot showers, toilets, tap water, a cooking shelter, an electric stove, a dump station and boat launching. Bookings are required through the DOC website.

North Island

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8. Glenfalls Campsite - Hawkes Bay

The Mohaka River is great for trout fishing near Hawkes Bay.

Address: Waitara Road, Te Haroto 4182 | Price per night: Free

Situated on the edge of the Mohaka River in the Hawkes Bay region, the Glenfalls Campsite (DOC) offers premier fishing. The Mohaka is recognised as one of New Zealand’s most outstanding and scenic fisheries, producing both brown and rainbow trout.

Facilities at the campsite include non-flush toilets and stream water. Bookings are not required (first come, first served).

9. All Seasons Holiday Park - Rotorua

Smoke your own trout on the edge of Lake Rotorua.

Address: 50/58 Lee Road, Hannahs Bay, Rotorua 3010 | Price per night: From $27 (powered site)

The All Seasons Holiday Park Rotorua is one of the most unique campsites with fishing nearby on the North Island. Situated on the edge of Lake Rotorua, you’ll have no trouble landing both brown and rainbow trout. The park even hosts its own fishing competitions and has a fish smoker on-site.

Discover more of the best holiday parks on North Island.

10.Mount Maunganui Beachside Holiday Park - Tauranga

Camp and fish the Bay of Plenty from Tauranga.

Address: 1 Adams Avenue, Mount Maunganui 3116, New Zealand | Price per night: From $51 (powered site)

Camp along the beachfront at Mount Maunganui Beachside Holiday Park on the beautiful Bay of Plenty. Fish off of the beach or head to the town harbour or the surrounding estuaries. Alternatively, join a charter or launch your boat and go off-shore reef or game fishing.

Within the Bay of Plenty, you’ll find a wide variety of fish including snapper, kingfish, tarakihi, kahawai and flounder. This Holiday Park also has a boat ramp and BBQs so you can cook your catch.

11. Waikawau Campsite - Coromandel Peninsula

Catch kingfish on the Coromandel Peninsula.

Address: 96 Waikawau Beach Road, Waikawau 3584 | Price per night: From $15

Camp on the northern tip of the Coromandel Peninsula at Waikawau Campsite (DOC). From your campsite, you can throw your line into Waikawau Bay or join a fishing charter and go after kingfish and snapper in the Coromandel coastal waters.

Facilities include cold showers, drop-toilets and tap water. Bookings are required through the DOC website.

12. Uretiti Beach Campsite - Whangarei

Fish for snapper from Uretiti Beach near Whangarei.

Address: 3149, State Highway 1, Waipu 0582 | Price per night: from $15 (powered site)

The scenic Uretiti Beach Campsite (DOC) is located about a 25-minute drive south of Whangarei. Set up your camp behind the dunes of the sandy surf beach and start fishing for snapper, kingfish, gurnard, john dory and kahawai.

Facilities include coin-operated hot showers, non-flush toilets, a cooking shelter, tap water and recycling facilities. Bookings are required through the DOC website.

13. Matauri Bay Holiday Park - Bay of Islands

Go camping near the Bay of Islands at Matauri Bay.

Address: Matauri Bay Road, Matauri Bay 0478 | Price per night: From $24 (powered site in low season)

The Matauri Bay Holiday Park sits on the edge of Matauri Bay, not far from the Bay of Islands. Fish from the shore or launch your boat and chase kingfish, snapper, porae and branded wrasse. Alternatively, join a charter in the Bay of Islands and fish for sea giants such as marlin and yellowfin tuna.

Facilities at the park include a fishing station, general store, petrol and diesel pumps, a communal bathroom block, kitchen, takeaway, BBQ area and laundry.

14. Spirits Bay Kapowairua Campsite - Cape Reinga

Camp and fish on the northern tip at Spirits Bay.

Address: Spirits Bay Rd, Cape Reinga 0484 | Price per night: From $15

Near the northernmost tip of New Zealand is Spirits Bay Kapowairua Campsite, a beachfront campsite that offers some of the best fishing in the country. Launch your boat or fish from the shore and go after snapper, kingfish, trevally and kahawai.

Facilities at the campsite include cold showers, non-flush toilets and tap water. Bookings are required through the DOC website. Worth it though - this is one of our favourite campsites with fishing nearby!

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