Hawke's Bay > Fisheries > Ngaruroro

Ngaruroro

The Ngaruroro River and its major tributaries flow down from the Kaimanawa, Kaweka and Ruahine Ranges into the sea midway between Napier and Hastings. This large river system provides over 100kms of fishable water, ranging from the deep single channeled section near the mouth, up through the vast open braided middle reaches right into the depths of nature, where the water is clear, fish are big and people are few and far between.

‘A Ngaruroro trophy!!’

The pristine backcountry fishing is a major attraction of this river and good access through Crown land ensures its availability to the eager angler. Access can be obtained via walking tracks, through the crown land to these remote areas but rotary and fixed winged aircraft can also be used.

The middle and lower reaches can be quite braided and with a gravel bed are wadable, however the normal river flow is such that it often makes crossing difficult and sometimes dangerous. There are other means of access to sections of this river. These include rafting and jet boating. Road end access for vehicles is good throughout the river providing plentiful opportunity to experience all aspects of fishing the Ngaruroro.

‘Action on the Ngaruroro!’

All methods from spinning to nymph fishing are successful on this river but with big depths and strong currents throughout much of the river, nymphing with heavy traces is generally the most productive.