Franz Josef Wilderness Tours

Franz Josef Wilderness Tours invites you to join them on a scenic fishing tour on Lake Mapourika, just minutes from Franz Josef Glacier. The views of the mountains and glaciers are stunning as you troll and spin around the lake’s edge. You will enjoy the scenery that unfolds before you, taking in the lake, the glaciers, the rainforest, and the wildlife.

You will fish aboard the Hanna-K, which is a 24’ Orca Marine cruiser powered by two 60 HP Orca Hull Stabi-Craft engines. This cruiser has a fully enclosed cabin area, where you will be served with warm tea and coffee.

The boat will keep you dry in all weather conditions, even on the back deck while you’re trolling. There’s space on the back for 4 fishermen and there’s space for one person spinning up front.  The cabin area can seat up to 12 people comfortably, making it perfect for a getaway with friends and family. 

Lake Mapourika holds good stocks of Brown Trout and Quinnat Salmon. The Salmon are both stocked and sea-run, and are in season from October 1 to March 31 annually. Brown Trout are in season year-round and provide a perfect excuse to get on the water.

The crew will provide you with all the fishing gear and lures, and they can clean and fillet your catch at the end of the day for you to take home for a delicious meal. Your Fishing license will be included in the cost of the charter.

Join Franz Josef Wilderness Tours and spend the day fishing some of the most beautiful waters of New Zealand!



Select date to see available trips and rates:

  • Shared trip
    3 Hour Trip – Evening
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    3 Hour Trip, starts at 5:00 PM
    Seasonal trip Nov 1 - Mar 31
    US $237
    Spend 3 hours fishing the stunning Lake Mapourika in the evening. Fish for Brown Trout year-round, or Salmon from October 1 to March 31 annually.
    Types of fishing
    Lake Fishing
    Fishing techniques
    Light Tackle
    Fly Fishing
    Trolling
    Spinning
  • Shared trip
    3 Hour Trip (AM)
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    3 Hour Trip, starts at 9:00 AM
    US $237
    This trip will see you spend 3 hours fishing the stunning Lake Mapourika in the morning. You can fish for Brown Trout year-round, or Salmon from October 1 to March 31 annually.
    Types of fishing
    Lake Fishing
    Fishing techniques
    Trolling
    Spinning
  • Shared trip
    3 Hour Trip (PM)
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    3 Hour Trip, starts at 1:00 PM
    US $237
    3 hours of fishing on the stunning Lake Mapourika in the afternoon. Fish for Brown Trout year-round, or Salmon from October 1 to March 31 annually.
    Types of fishing
    Lake Fishing
    Fishing techniques
    Light Tackle
    Fly Fishing
    Trolling
    Spinning
There are 3 people looking at this charter.

FAQs about Franz Josef Wilderness Tours

Franz Josef Wilderness Tours offers the following trips to customers:
  • NZ $195 per person - 3 Hour Trip – Evening (3 hours)
  • NZ $195 per person - 3 Hour Trip (AM) (3 hours)
  • NZ $195 per person - 3 Hour Trip (PM) (3 hours)

When you book a trip with Franz Josef Wilderness Tours, you can expect the following amenities onboard:
  • Toilet
  • Fishfinder

Trips booked with Franz Josef Wilderness Tours include:
  • Rods, reels & tackle
  • Lures
  • Catch cleaning & filleting
  • Drinks

Franz Josef Wilderness Tours offers the following type of fishing:
  • Lake Fishing

Franz Josef Wilderness Tours offers the following fishing techniques:
  • Light Tackle
  • Trolling
  • Spinning

Top targeted fish species with Franz Josef Wilderness Tours include:
  • Brown Trout
  • Salmon (Chinook)

Meet the Captain

Dale Burrows
Franz Josef / Waiau, New Zealand
ID & license verified
8 Customer reviews
Response time 7 hours
Member since February 2017
Dale has been guiding for many years and since returning to New Zealand from his travels has started his own company which he runs with his wife Bronwyn. They are well versed in different guiding techniques and will happily share their knowledge of the region’s history, ecology, and glaciation.

About this listing

Targeted species

Brown Trout Brown Trout
Salmon (Chinook) Chinook Salmon

Boat specs

Orca Marine (Cruiser) originally built in 2005. Powered by 2 60HP Orca Hull Stabi-Craft engines.

Length
24 ft
Capacity
8 persons

Types of fishing

Lake Fishing

Fishing techniques

Light Tackle
Trolling
Spinning

Amenities

Toilet
Fishfinder

Trip includes

Rods, reels & tackle
Lures
Catch cleaning & filleting
Drinks

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation up to 3 days prior to trip

You can cancel or modify your booking up to 3 days before the trip date, free of charge. If you cancel or modify your booking later, or fail to show up, you'll forfeit 100% of what you've paid.

Listing policies

Pickup included in price
Transfer from hotels or jetties in Franz Josef / Waiau to departure site is available and included in trip rates.
Child Friendly
No Smoking
You Keep Catch
Catch and Release Allowed

Payment

Book with 20% deposit, pay rest to captain

When the captain confirms your trip, FishingBooker charges your credit card a 20% deposit to guarantee your reservation.

The remaining balance is to be paid directly to the charter operator on or prior to your trip date in one of the following payment methods:

Cash
Visa
Mastercard
American Express
Bank Transfer

Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
4.8 / 5
out of 5 stars from 8 reviews
Boat
Excellent
4.8 / 5
Crew
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (8)
Awesome trip with Capt Dale
Awesome trip with Capt Dale
Awesome trip with Capt Dale
+5
Angler rating
7
1
0
0
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
86%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
100%
Appropriate for children
100%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Caught fish
75%
Sort by:
Featured  
Showing:
5 of 8 reviews
Sam R.
Very good
4.0 / 5
Experience:
Very good
4.0 / 5
Boat
Very good
4.0 / 5
Crew
Very good
4.0 / 5
Overall

Rainy, no fish, but kinda fun

VERIFIED   NEW  3 Hour Trip (PM) on March 12, 2024
Don’t expect too much in the successful fishing department if the weather isn’t good.
Sam R. recommends Franz Josef Wilderness Tours
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Sam R. recommends Franz Josef Wilderness Tours
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Dillon K.
Christchurch, New Zealand
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Awesome trip with Capt Dale

VERIFIED   3 Hour Trip – Evening on February 14, 2023
3hour fishing trip with my wife and 4 other guests. Captain Dale was friendly and informative, eagerly sharing knowledge and...
Dillon K. recommends Franz Josef Wilderness Tours
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Dillon K. recommends Franz Josef Wilderness Tours
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Roseanne G.
Christchurch, New Zealand
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

3 hour trip with Captain Dale!!

VERIFIED   3 Hour Trip (AM) on October 5, 2022
Great trip, relaxed, informative and I caught some fish - 6 salmon hubby caught 3 salmon. Dale was friendly, professional...
Roseanne G. recommends Franz Josef Wilderness Tours
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  Dale Burrows Captain replied

Mike B.
Nelson, New Zealand
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

A great morning on the water with Captain Dale

3 Hour Trip (AM) on March 30, 2017
What a great way to start the day. My partner and I signed up, along with another man and his 7 year old son. My partner wasn’t...
Mike B. recommends Franz Josef Wilderness Tours
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2 persons find this review helpful
You and 2 people found this review helpful
Mike B. recommends Franz Josef Wilderness Tours
Mark review as helpful
2 persons find this review helpful
You and 2 people found this review helpful

Leonie C.
Brisbane, Queensland
Excellent
4.7 / 5
Experience:
Very good
4.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Honeymoon Adventure - Half Day Trip

VERIFIED   3 Hour Trip (PM) on April 19, 2019
Relaxing afternoon spent cruising the lake, trolling, spinning and casting. We only landed two salmon so not everyone caught...
Leonie C. recommends Franz Josef Wilderness Tours
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1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful
  Dale Burrows Captain replied