Nelson / Marlborough > Fisheries

AORERE CATCHMENT

As the largest river in Golden Bay, this river offers the angler many miles of back country fishing for large brown trout in scenic surroundings. The water is often a brownish colour but in the upper reaches is extremely clear and deep. The upper river is part of the Tasman Wilderness section of Kahurangi National Park.

Here the going is difficult but the keen angler is often rewarded with large and challenging fish. The main river features several impressive gorges with accessible reaches between. The lower river provides productive angling for searun trout and Kahawai.

AWATERE CATCHMENT

This river receives little angling attention due to its extremes in flows, steep descent and poor water clarity. Despite this when the river is clearish local spin anglers do catch some nice trout mainly at the mouth or middle to upper sections in the pools with good bed structure. The fly angler will find some interesting sport in the larger side streams.

BULLER CATCHMENT

Important enough to warrant a National Water Conservation Order, this outstanding fishery attracts many anglers. Access to most reaches is easy with roads close by and agreeable landowners who grant access permission upon request. The Buller and tributaries give the angler many choices of fishing location and trout size, numbers and catchability. All angling methods work with flyfishing being the most productive in clear water.

CLARENCE CATCHMENT

The lower and middle sections of this river are silt laden for much of the year but do clear at times in the summer or mid winter. The salmon run in the Clarence is small but consistent with fish size averaging 12 lb. Most are caught at the mouth were angling pressure is light. The middle section of the Clarence can be accessed with difficulty by jet boat or 4wd through the Bluff Station with their permission, and through Remuera Station with the permission of Ainslee Green. Most angling occurs from the Acheron River confluence upstream where there is good road access.

This section of river is often clear and holds plenty of small to medium sized trout that love dry flies and spinners. The occasional large trout and salmon are caught. Lake Tennyson holds good numbers of medium sized trout with high numbers of small trout in the first 2km of the Clarence River below the lakes outlet. The Acheron River and its tributaries hold larger trout with miles of rivers to explore. Foot access is available all summer and vehicle access along the Acheron only when the Molesworth road is open to the public in December and January.

MOTUEKA CATCHMENT

This is the region’s most popular fishing river and also has a Water Conservation Order pending. It is only one hour’s drive from Nelson and has an abundance of easy access to the main river and all tributaries. This catchment offers excellent angling for brown trout of 2-4lb. During the late 1980’s and early 1990’s trout numbers in the Motueka were some of the highest in New Zealand. Recently however numbers have declined, but as a result trout size has increased. All angling methods can be used successfully with small artificial lures and flies working best.

NELSON LAKES NATIONAL PARK

Lakes Rotoiti, Rotoroa and the Travers, Sabine and D’Urville Rivers provide superb wilderness fishing. DoC have provided good tracks, bridges and huts that anglers can utilize as well as water taxi services on both lakes. Trout numbers are good with flyfishing being the most productive in the clear waters. Trolling works well on the lakes at times.

PELORUS CATCHMENT

A beautiful river with wild rugged headwaters and gentle lowland reaches. Populated by 70% brown trout of 1-7 lb and 30% rainbow of small to 3lb size. A great river for the less experienced angler and for winter angling.

TAKAKA CATCHMENT

A popular Golden Bay river with unusual flow patterns caused by variable flows from an upstream power station and water flowing underground to feed the Pupu Springs, the largest and clearest in the Southern Hemisphere. The Cobb Reservoir in the headwaters holds lots of small rainbows and some browns.

The upper Takaka is rugged but well serviced with the hydro road, this section and major tributaries the Anatoki and Waingaro hold low numbers of good strong brown trout. The section of the Takaka River from Lindsay’s Bridge to the Waingaro confluence is often dry. Pupu Springs are always clear and holds huge brown trout and some salmon that escape from farms on the upper end by the actual spring.

WAIMEA CATCHMENT

Popular with Nelson anglers due to its proximity to town this river features large resident and searun trout with very high water clarity providing good stalking conditions. The lower section is modified to control floods but still produces large fish, the upper reaches and tributaries are gorgy in places with most trout being 5 lb in top condition and exciting to catch. River levels do rise quickly in heavy rain but fall and clear just as quickly. During a hot summer with low flows fishing can be best at night. Fishing for searun trout in the tidal zone during October to December is popular.

WAIRAU CATCHMENT

Rising in the Raglan and Spenser ranges this large, sometimes blue coloured river flows north to Blenheim. The upper reaches are stable, swift and single channelled, until emerging into the main valley where the riverbed can be 1km wide. Here it is braided with many side channels and islands. From Renwick to the sea it is once again confined to a single channel. Fishing for resident and sea run brown trout is surprisingly productive. Good spotting conditions are common once the snow is gone. Large trout are often caught with all methods being successful. Quinnat salmon are usually 6-20lb, trout 2-7lb with larger trophies caught each season.

Winter angling

Our region has 22 winter fishing waters. Winter fishing can be quite productive and enjoyable. Fishing does slow down a little in the cold months of July and August but the rest of the time if water conditions are good then all fishing methods permitted will catch fish, especially those big searun trout in the lower reaches. Midday hatches are always possible on the main rivers on warm sunny days.

Access pamphlets

Fish & Game New Zealand’s Nelson-Marlborough Region has produced detailed maps of access points and fishing information on the Motueka, Wairau, Buller and Pelorus catchments. A further access pamphlet is being produced for the Golden Bay area, with riverbank signage already in place. Access pamphlets are available for $2 each from most licence agents and information centres or the Nelson office – ph (03) 544 6382.

Why have a slot limit ? (Where the bag limit is two, but only one fish may exceed 500mm in length)

Most headwater and smaller tributary fisheries contain low numbers of large adult trout. These fish represent a high proportion of the breeding stock in that particular catchment. The slot limit helps to maintain these fish stocks for future breeding and to provide angling opportunities in these popular waters throughout the season.

Fishing information

Fish & Game New Zealand’s Nelson-Marlborough Region provides a weekly river report with fishing tips. Read the Friday issue of the Nelson Evening Mail, the Saturday issue of the Marlborough Express. Sports stores selling licences are happy to provide you with updated information, advice and the right equipment. Angling clubs are always pleased to assist locals and visitors alike.