Anatoki Salmon, 242 McCallum Road, Takaka
You catch it, they’ll smoke it at Anatoki Salmon. We spotted Matty McLean and friends fishing for their lunch – success. The use of fishing gear is free, you pay per kg for the salmon you catch. In November the price was $15 a kilo, from what we saw expect to pay about $22 per fish (includes cleaning and smoking).

Fishing success

I wasn’t keen to give it a go, it seemed a bit like going to the zoo to hunt wild game to me, but I was happy to have salmon sushi in the cafe and watch everyone else catch their own. The cafe’s licensed so you can have a glass of wine or beer with lunch.

Salmon croquettes & salmon sushi for lunch

You fish for salmon in what we assume is a man made lake, salmon are raised in smaller ponds next door. There are around 35,000 smolt salmon in pond 1, arrive at feeding time and see them leaping for their lunch.

35,000 smolt salmon in this pond

Anatoki Salmon is open 7 days (closed Christmas Day, open from 1pm on Anzac Day (25 April). Entry and use of fishing gear is free, you only pay for what you catch, don’t throw any fish back though or you’ll be charged $50 for funeral costs.