Te Anau Fishing is not just about the big kids . The same weekend we also have the Cruise Milford Take a Kid Fishing competition.
The Cruise Milford Take a Kid Fishing competition is held every Labour weekend
This is a separate event from the main Te Anau Manapouri Fishing Classic, specifically for children 11 years and under. Held at McGregor Pond, it gives kids the chance to try fishing and maybe even land the big one! Families must register their children separately from the main event.
Each year, McGregor Pond is topped up with 300 fish. Reared by Bill Jarvie of Te Anau Fish & Game for 10 months to pan-size before release prior to the competition.
At the pond experienced anglers will be on hand to show techniques for fishing. Event sponsor Cruise Milford will be there handing out some spot prizes
Take A Kid Fishing Rules
While Take A Kid Fishing is run under the Stabicraft Te Anau Manapouri Fishing Classic event, it is a separate competition and has its own rules and prize giving.
Cruise Milford Take a Kid Fishing
Rules and Conditions 2026
While Take A Kid Fishing is run under the Stabicraft Te Anau Manapouri Fishing Classic event, it is a separate competition and has its own rules and prize giving.
This event will take place between 7.30am and 6pm on Saturday 24 October 2026 at Mcgregors Pond.
All entrants must enter prior to beginning fishing.
Only children aged 11 years and under as at the 1st of October 2026 are eligible to enter this section of the Tournament.
Participants must have a current fishing licence. Licences for Children (under 12 years on Oct 1) paper copies avaiable from Fiordland Frontier
All children entering this event must have a parent or guardian accompany them during the event. This event is not to be treated as a baby-sitting service.
A number of experienced fishermen will be on hand to advise and assist.
Only 1 fish per entrant is to weighed in.
Fish are to be gutted but NOT beheaded
Any child that lands 2 fish, kept or not, must retire as per the Fish & Game regulations for McGregor Pond.
While we will be encouraging “Catch & Release”, no injured fish are to be returned to the water.
Weigh in will be available at McGregors Pond between 9am and 6pm on Saturday 24 October.
No fish caught in the Take A Kid Fishing competition may be entered in the Te Anau Manapouri Fishing Classic competition.
Prizegiving will be held at the Te Anau Rugby Club at 2.00pm Sunday 25th October.
Weigh in cards will be collected from Mcgregors Pond
If you don’t catch a fish, take your weigh in card to the weigh in desk (McGregor Pond) or in the bucket at prize giving to be in the hard luck prize draw.
Children are encouraged to pre enter on our website before midnight Friday 23rd of October or on Saturday 24th of October at McGregor Pond between 9am and 4pm (unless sold out)
Any dispute regarding the interpretation of these rules shall be decided by the organising committee whose decision shall be final and no correspondence shall be entered into.
