Nelson / Marlborough > Fishing Access

Nelson/Marlborough region encompasses a diverse range of landscapes and climates. It stretches from Kahurangi Point in the northwest, south to Springs Junction and east to the Conway River catchment near Kaikoura. The region contains 3 National Parks, 1 Forest Park, Marlborough Sounds Maritime Park, 9 major and 12 lesser water Catchments and 10 lakes, tarns and reservoirs. Department of Conservation estate encompasses 40% of the region. Check out our access pamphlets.

The climate varies considerably from mild coastal to cold alpine conditions, and rainfalls between 3700mm (Bainham) to 570mm (Grassmere) are experienced. The underlying geology is also varied and this affects river form and flows, from limestone and marble, clay bound gravels and various granites in Nelson and schist, limestone and greywacke in Marlborough.

This wonderful diversity is reflected in the waters of Nelson-Marlborough. Most rivers in the Golden Bay area are clear in normal flows and dark brown in freshes from tannic acid leaching out of the native bush catchments.

These rivers flow over large rounded white and yellow boulders that contrast with the evergreen native forests. Waimea basin catchments rise in the steep beech clad Richmond and Arthur ranges before flowing through intensely farmed lands growing pine trees, apples, kiwifruit and hops. Upper catchment rivers like the Wairoa, Upper Motueka, Wangapeka, Baton and Pearce are noted for their water clarity.

The Murchison district offers everything from small feeder streams to the huge impressive Buller River. The Buller River is NZ’s fifth largest, and in flood, the largest – rising over 30 vertical metres at Hawks Crag near Westport. The Buller Valley still shows signs of the massive 1929 earthquake that has dammed the river in the gorge section, forming a slowly moving lake. The Buller’s main source is within the Nelson Lakes National Park. Mountain peaks here rise to 2339m and are snow topped 6 months of the year. The run off and snow melt flows into Lakes Rotoiti and Rotoroa. The two lake outlets form the upper Buller River until it is joined by the Matakitaki, Mangles, Matiri and Maruia at the ‘four rivers plain’ near Murchison.

Most of the larger Marlborough rivers are a total contrast to the western Nelson rivers, often being blue coloured from glacial silt – wide, braided with extremes of flow. Rivers in the Marlborough high country carry some of the largest volumes of gravel in the world.

Molesworth Station is New Zealand’s largest farm (180,476 ha) supporting 10,000 cattle. This huge trackless area features many small alpine tarns and lakes and its western and southern boundary is the Clarence River – one of New Zealand’s longest and more remote catchments that drain the Inland and Seaward Kaikouras. The lower Clarence and the Awatere rivers flowing northeast from Molesworth are heavily silt laden for much of the year. The Wairau River is one of the areas best trout fisheries producing large searun and resident fish as well as a few salmon. Close to Blenheim spring creeks like the Taylor, Opawa and Spring Creek offer classic fishing in very clear water.

Completing the circle of the region we finish in the Marlborough Sounds’ main catchment, the Pelorus Valley. Beginning in the Richmond ranges between Nelson and Marlborough, this river gouges its way through steep native bush covered mountains to slow down to a gentle pace in lush dairy farm land before entering the sea at Havelock.

The brown trout is king of Nelson – Marlborough waters, found in all but a few places unsuitable or not accessible to trout. All populations are wild and self-sustaining. Brown trout not only survive in the many types of water found in Nelson – Marlborough but thrive. They are very adaptable fish tolerating high and low water temperatures and water flows. Brown trout size, colour and physical features differ from catchment to catchment. One thing about brown trout that is consistent is their ability to avoid capture by anglers, (before and after being hooked)!

Rainbow trout have not fared as well here, although the three productive rainbow fisheries provide excellent sport for 1-3lb fish. These are: Lake Daniells, upper Maruia valley; Cobb Reservoir, upper Takaka Valley; Pelorus and Rai rivers. An additional population of rainbows can also be found in Lake Rotoroa and its feeder rivers.

Quinnat or Chinook salmon run into the Clarence River, Lyell Creek (Kaikoura) and Wairau River near Blenheim in low numbers. Escaped salmon from sea cages occasionally find their way into other rivers such as the Pelorus and Takaka.

Nelson Marlborough Access Pamphlets