New Zealand has 15,811 km (9824 miles) of coastline, which means great saltwater fishing. The country is also criss-crossed with rivers and lakes, making for the best fresh water fishing in the world.
Anglers come from all over the world, too, to try their luck in the crystal-clear waters. New Zealand has the best trout fishing in the world, from the volcanic Taupo-Rotorua region in the central North Island, to the glacial-formed lakes of west Otago and Fiordland.
Lake Taupo, alive with brown and rainbow trout, is probably the best freshwater fishing in New Zealand. Sea fishing offers almost guaranteed fish too, with strict regulations on daily allowable catch ensuring sustainable resources.
Sea fishing runs the gamut from fishing off wharves to big game fishing in the Bay of Islands.
Types of fish found in New Zealand waters
Saltwater Fish Species
Barracouta; bass; blue cod; blue maomao; blue moki; blue mackerel; bluenose warehou; grey mullet; gurnard; hapuku; jack mackerel; john dory; kahawai; red cod; snapper; tarakihi; trumpeter; yellowtail kingfish; warehou; trevally; parore
Bill Fish
Black, blue and striped marlin; broadbill swordfish
Tuna
Albacore: skipjack; yellowfin; bigeye; Southern bluefin
Sharks
Blue; mako; bronze whaler; hammerhead; spotted dogfish; tope (school shark); white; thresher
Freshwater Fish Species
Brown, rainbow and brook trout; perch; rudd; tench
Source: Tourism New Zealand