Fiordland West Coast NZ fishing forecast
Fiordland West Coast NZ is a saltwater fishing spot in Southland NZ, New Zealand. Anglers here target Pacific Albacore, Pacific Salmon, Patagonian Toothfish. The most productive months are typically November, December, January, February, March, April.
Today’s verdict
Ranks #376 of 437 spots FishRadar scored worldwide today
Trending up — 12 points above this spot’s 7-day average
Score confidence ±4 points, from 8 live signals
The statistical model disagrees with the physics model here today — treat this score with extra caution.
Current conditions
| Sea surface temp | 12.3 °C |
|---|---|
| Wind | 31 km/h from SW, gusting 39 km/h |
| Wave height | 2.1 m at 8 s |
| Current | 0.08 m/s toward SW |
| Pressure | 1010 hPa |
| Depth | 744 m |
| Cloud cover | 56% |
| Chlorophyll | 0.49 mg/m³ |
| Salinity | 35.0 PSU |
| Mixed-layer depth | 27 m |
| UV index | 3 |
| Wind sea | 0.1 m at 2 s |
| Ground swell | 2.0 m at 8 s from WSW |
| Current shear (surface vs 50 m) | 0.08 → 0.00 m/s |
The water here is 2.2 °C warmer than the September average of 10.1 °C. Warmer-than-normal water pushes cool-water species deeper and brings warm-water species in earlier than the calendar suggests. The water is mixed to about 160.6 m, so surface temperature carries well down the water column.
Updated 1 h ago.
What the score means at Fiordland West Coast NZ
Fiordland West Coast NZ currently scores 55 out of 100 (Good). Water temperature is 12.3 °C. 8 forecast signals are active in this score.
- Water temperature +25.0
- how close the water is to this species mix’s comfort band
- Chlorophyll +18.0
- plankton density — the base of the food chain
- Current +8.2
- moving water concentrates bait
- Waves +5.2
- swell energy stirring the water column
- Barometric pressure +3.3
- falling pressure often triggers feeding
- Current shear +3.0
- surface vs depth current difference
What’s biting now
The model expects today: hapuka, bluenose-warehou, australian-salmon, silver-trevally, snapper-australasian
Bite windows
Best months for Fiordland West Coast NZ:
Score history at this spot
30 days tracked at this exact location
Best recent day: 2026-08-10, 59/100
+11 points vs the same day last week
About this spot
Channels concentrate moving water and strong tidal flow. The bite often picks up at slack water and through the first hour of the flood or ebb.
Approximate bottom depth: 744 m
Access & shore
Fishable from shore · offshore-only
What you can catch
-
Thunnus alalunga
-
Oncorhynchus spp.
-
Dissostichus eleginoides
Best months by species at Fiordland West Coast NZ
| Pacific AlbacoreThunnus alalunga | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pacific SalmonOncorhynchus spp. | ||||||||||||
| Patagonian ToothfishDissostichus eleginoides |
Typical months; local seasons and closures apply.
Local regulations
Licensing:
- saltwater-recreational — residents No licence required for recreational sea fishing in New Zealand coastal marine area., non-residents No licence required.
Some rules may have changed since our last verification — always confirm with the authority before you fish.
FishRadar regulations are summaries for informational purposes only. NZ fishing rules vary by Quota Management Area (QMA). Always verify with MPI at mpi.govt.nz before fishing.
Check Fiordland West Coast NZ before you go
Live scores update through the day. Get the full forecast, bite windows, and your own saved spots in the FishRadar app.
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Nearby spots
Explore 10 more fishing spots within 1173 km of Fiordland West Coast NZ.
-
Fiordland Sounds
Kaikoura Canyon
Kaikoura Coast NZ
Nelson Tasman Sea
Whanganui River NZ
Tongariro River NZ
Lake Taupo New Zealand
Lake Rotorua New Zealand
Gisborne East Cape
Whitianga Coromandel
Frequently asked questions
What fish can you catch at Fiordland West Coast NZ?
Anglers at Fiordland West Coast NZ target Pacific Albacore, Pacific Salmon and Patagonian Toothfish.
When is the best time to fish Fiordland West Coast NZ?
The most productive months at Fiordland West Coast NZ are typically November, December, January, February, March, April.
What is the fishing forecast for Fiordland West Coast NZ right now?
Fiordland West Coast NZ currently scores 55 out of 100, based on live ocean and weather conditions — see the full breakdown on this page.
Can you fish Fiordland West Coast NZ from shore?
Yes — Fiordland West Coast NZ is fishable from shore (offshore-only).
Is the thermocline set up at Fiordland West Coast NZ right now?
Not strongly right now — the water column is fairly mixed, so fish are less depth-locked.
How deep is the water at Fiordland West Coast NZ?
The scored point sits over roughly 744 m of water. Depth shapes which species hold here and how the thermocline forms.
Fishing guides for this spot
- How to Catch Albacore: Chasing the Speedsters Along the Temperature BreakHow to Catch Salmon: Kings, Coho, and SockeyeHow to Read Tides for Fishing
Forecasts, not guarantees — check local rules before you fish.