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Nelson / Marlborough > Fishing Regulations
Angling regulations are updated annually. Each region has specific regulations for individual rivers and lakes within the framework of national angling regulations.
CONTACT
Office: 66-74 Champion Road, Richmond
Postal Address: P.O Box 2173, Stoke, Nelson 7041
Phone and Fax: (03) 544-6382 Fax: (03) 544-4058
Email: nelsonmarlborough@fishandgame.org.nz
Administration: Karen Crook
Manager: Neil Deans
Field Officers: Lawson Davey, Rhys Barrier (Nelson)
Vaughan Lynn (Blenheim)
Blenheim office: Grovetown Park
Phone and Fax: (03) 578-8421
Fish & Game New Zealand’s Nelson/Marlborough region offers some of the best, most easily accessible brown trout fishing in the country. In fact many of New Zealand’s fishing guides who specialise in sighted brown trout fishing, work in this region. There is wonderful diversity reflected in the waters of Nelson-Marlborough. Rivers in the Golden Bay area are crystal clear in normal flows and dark brown in freshes from tannic acid leaching out of the native bush catchments. Waimea basin catchments rise in the steep beech clad Richmond and Arthur ranges before flowing through intensely farmed lands growing pine trees, applies, kiwi fruit and hops. The Murchison district offers everything from small feeder streams to the impressive Buller River. The Buller is New Zealand’s fifth largest river, originating from the alps in the Nelson Lakes National Park. The run off and snow melt from these mountains flow 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. Marlborough rivers are a total contrast to the western Nelson rivers, often being blue coloured from glacial silt and wide, braided and undergoing extremes of flow. Molesworth Station is New Zealand’s largest farm. 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 Kaikoura’s. The lower Clarence and the Awatere Rivers flowing northeast from Molesworth are heavily silt laden for much of the year. 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.
ACCESS PAMPHLETS
Access pamphlets providing detailed maps and instructions of access points and fishing information are available for Golden Bay and the Buller, Motueka, Pelorus and Wairau catchments. Pamphlets are available at no cost from most licence agents and information centres or the Nelson Fish & Game office. Access pamphlets are also available on www.fishandgame.org.nz.
COARSE FISH
Recently perch and tench, along with koi carp and gambusia, have been illegally released into the Nelson Marlborough region. It is Fish and Game policy that no anglers should benefit from illegal releases of sports fish. Therefore fishing for coarse fish in the region is still illegal and any angler found targeting coarse fish will be prosecuted.
DIDYMO
Didymo is now present in several Nelson/Marlborough Rivers and anglers are reminded that they need to clean, dry or disinfect their gear when moving between all rivers to minimise the risks of spreading didymo.
FIN-CLIPPED FISH & TROUT HEADS
Anglers are asked to keep an eye out for adipose fin-clipped trout in the Motueka & Wairau catchments - (Tags located either under the skin next to the dorsal fin or inserted in the abdominal cavity).
If an angler catches an adipose fin-clipped trout, they are asked to contact F&G with date, location caught and length & weight data, along with the tag (if kept). F&G would also like to receive the heads (and details), of any trout (not just tagged fish) kept in the region –for otolith anaylsis.
REGULATIONS
Reference to Description: New Zealand Gazette, No. 83, 24 May 1990, page 1861
1. DEFINITIONS
See First Schedule.
2. OPEN SEASON, METHOD RESTRICTIONS AND BAG LIMITS
Note
Any water not mentioned in the chart, season length will be 1 October – 30 April, Artificial Fly or Spinner, Bag Limit 2
Open Season for Salmon: 1 October – 30 April in all waters, except Closed Salmon Waters indicated by #
B – Brown Trout R – Rainbow Trout S – Salmon
1+ means 2 sports fish where only one may exceed 500mm in length
* Child Licence Holder May Bait Fish
√ means this column applies
|
WATER |
FISHING
SEASONS |
FISHING METHODS |
SPECIES OPEN FOR FISHING |
BAG LIMIT |
|
|
All Year Except Salmon Refer Notes |
1 Oct – 30 Apr |
All Legal Methods Incl Baits |
Artificial Fly or Spinner |
|
|
|
Acheron River downstream of its confluence with the Severn River |
|
√ |
|
√ |
B # |
2 |
|
Acheron River upstream of its confluence with the Severn River |
|
√ |
|
√ |
B # |
1+ |
|
Alma River |
|
√ |
|
√ |
B # |
1+ |
|
Anatoki River |
|
√ |
|
√ |
B S |
2 |
|
Aorere River downstream from the Salisbury Road Bridge |
√ |
|
√ |
|
B S |
2 |
|
Aorere River upstream from the Salisbury Road Bridge |
|
√ |
|
√ |
B S |
2 |
|
Argyle Pond and lower hydro canals downstream to its confluence with the Wairau River |
√ |
|
√ |
|
B R |
2 |
|
Awatere River |
√ |
|
√ |
|
B |
2 |
|
Bartletts Creek |
|
√ |
|
√ |
B |
2 |
|
Baton River |
|
√ |
|
√ |
B |
1+ |
|
Bowscale Tarn |
|
√ |
|
√ |
B |
2 |
|
Branch River |
|
√ |
|
√ |
B R |
1+ |
|
Buller River downstream of the Gowan Bridge |
√ |
|
√ |
|
B |
2 |
|
Buller River upstream of the Gowan Bridge |
|
√ |
|
√ |
B |
2 |
|
Clarence River downstream from the Acheron confluence |
√ |
|
√ |
|
B S |
2 |
|
Clarence River upstream from the Acheron confluence |
|
√ |
|
√ |
B # |
2 |
|
Cobb Reservoir |
√ |
|
√ |
|
B R |
4 |
|
Cobb River |
|
√ |
|
√ |
B R |
2 |
|
Conway River |
√ |
|
√ |
|
B |
2 |
|
D’Urville River |
|
√ |
|
√ |
B R |
1+ |
|
Daniells Lake |
|
√ |
|
√ |
B R |
2 |
|
Deepdale River |
|
√ |
|
√ |
B |
1+ |
|
Dove River |
|
√ |
|
√ |
B |
2 |
|
Fish Lake |
|
√ |
|
√ |
B |
2 |
|
Fyfe River |
|
√ |
|
√ |
B |
1+ |
|
Gibsons Creek |
|
√ |
|
√ |
B |
2 |
|
Glenroy River |
|
√ |
|
√ |
B |
1+ |
|
Goulter River |
|
√ |
|
√ |
B |
1+ |
|
Gowan River |
|
√ |
|
√ |
B R |
2 |
|
Graham River |
|
√ |
|
√ |
B |
2 |
|
Grovetown Lagoon |
|
√ |
|
√ |
B |
2 |
|
Hope River |
|
√ |
|
√ |
B |
2 |
|
Howard River |
|
√ |
|
√ |
B |
2 |
|
Island Lake |
|
√ |
|
√ |
B |
2 |
|
Kahutara River |
|
√ |
|
√ |
B |
2 |
|
Kaituna River (Marlborough) |
|
√ |
|
√ |
B |
2 |
|
Leatham River |
|
√ |
|
√ |
B R |
1+ |
|
Lee River |
|
√ |
|
√ |
B |
2 |
|
Lyell Creek (Kaikoura) downstream from State Highway 1 |
√ |
|
√ |
|
B |
2 |
|
Lyell Creek (Kaikoura) upstream from State Highway 1 |
|
√ |
|
√ |
B |
2 |
|
Maitai River above Lower Nile Street Bridge |
|
√ |
|
√ |
B |
2 |
|
Maitai River below Lower Nile Street Bridge* |
√ |
|
|
√ |
B |
2 |
|
Mangles River |
|
√ |
|
√ |
B |
1+ |
|
Marahau River |
|
√ |
|
√ |
B |
2 |
|
Maruia River upstream of Maruia Falls |
|
√ |
|
√ |
B R |
2 |
|
Maruia River downstream of Maruia Falls |
√ |
|
√ |
|
B R |
2 |
|
Matakitaki River downstream from State Highway 6 Bridge |
√ |
|
√ |
|
B |
2 |
|
Matakitaki River downstream from the Glenroy River to the State Highway 6 Bridge |
|
√ |
|
√ |
B |
2 |
|
Matakitaki River upsteam of its confluence with the Glenroy River |
|
√ |
|
√ |
B |
1+ |
|
Matiri River |
|
√ |
|
√ |
B |
2 |
|
Middle Creek Kaikoura downstream from State Highway 1 |
√ |
|
√ |
|
B |
2 |
|
Middle Creek Kaikoura upstream from SH1 |
|
√ |
|
√ |
B |
2 |
|
Motueka River downstream from the Peninsula Road Bridge at Ngatimoti |
√ |
|
√ |
|
B |
2 |
|
Motueka River downstream of its confluence with the Wangapeka River to the Peninsula Road Bridge |
|
√ |
|
√ |
B |
2 |
|
Motueka River upstream of its confluence with the Wangapeka River |
|
√ |
|
√ |
B |
1+ |
|
Motupiko River |
|
√ |
|
√ |
B |
1+ |
|
Moutere River |
|
√ |
|
√ |
B |
2 |
|
Oaro River |
√ |
|
√ |
|
B |
2 |
|
Omaka River |
|
√ |
|
√ |
B |
2 |
|
Opawa River upstream from State Highway 1 Bridge |
|
√ |
|
√ |
B |
2 |
|
Opawa River downstream from State Highway 1 Bridge (including Roses Overflow) |
√ |
|
√ |
|
B |
2 |
|
Opouri River |
|
√ |
|
√ |
B R |
1+ |
|
Orinoco River |
|
√ |
|
√ |
B |
2 |
|
Owen River |
|
√ |
|
√ |
B |
1+ |
|
Paturau River |
|
√ |
|
√ |
B |
2 |
|
Pearse River |
|
√ |
|
√ |
B |
1+ |
|
Pelorus River downstream from its confluence with the Rai River |
√ |
|
√ |
|
B R S |
2 |
|
Pelorus River upstream of its confluence with the Rai River |
|
√ |
|
√ |
B R |
1+ |
|
Rahu River |
|
√ |
|
√ |
B |
1+ |
|
Rai River |
|
√ |
|
√ |
B R S |
2 |
|
Rainbow River |
|
√ |
|
√ |
B # |
1+ |
|
Rainy River |
|
√ |
|
√ |
B |
1+ |
|
Riwaka River including North and South Branches |
|
√ |
|
√ |
B |
1+ |
|
Roding River |
|
√ |
|
√ |
B |
2 |
|
Rolling River |
|
√ |
|
√ |
B |
1+ |
|
Ronga River |
|
√ |
|
√ |
B R |
1+ |
|
Rotoiti Lake except for closed areas – see below |
√ |
|
√ |
|
B |
4 |
|
Rotoroa Lake except for closed areas – see below |
√ |
|
√ |
|
B R |
4 |
|
Sabine River |
|
√ |
|
√ |
B R |
1+ |
|
Sedgemere |
|
√ |
|
√ |
B |
2 |
|
Severn River |
|
√ |
|
|
B # |
1+ |
|
Speargrass Creek |
|
√ |
|
√ |
B |
2 |
|
Spey Stream |
|
√ |
|
√ |
B |
2 |
|
Spring Creek |
|
√ |
|
√ |
B R |
1+ |
|
Station Creek |
|
√ |
|
√ |
B |
2 |
|
Tadmor River |
|
√ |
|
√ |
B |
2 |
|
Takaka River downstream from its confluence with the Waingaro River |
√ |
|
√ |
|
B S |
2 |
|
Takaka River upstream with its confluence with the Waingaro River |
|
√ |
|
√ |
B |
2 |
|
Taylor River downstream from the New Renwick Road Bridge |
√ |
|
√ |
|
B |
2 |
|
Taylor River upstream from the New Renwick Road Bridge |
|
√ |
|
√ |
B |
2 |
|
Tennyson Lake |
|
√ |
√ |
|
B |
4 |
|
The Brook Stream |
|
√ |
|
√ |
B |
2 |
|
Timms Stream |
|
√ |
|
√ |
B |
2 |
|
Tinline River |
|
√ |
|
√ |
B R |
1+ |
|
Top Valley Stream |
|
√ |
|
√ |
B |
2 |
|
Travers River |
|
√ |
|
√ |
B |
1+ |
|
Tuamarina River |
|
√ |
|
√ |
B |
2 |
|
Tunakino River |
|
√ |
|
√ |
B R |
1+ |
|
Tutaki River |
|
√ |
|
√ |
B |
2 |
|
Waihopai River |
|
√ |
|
√ |
B |
2 |
|
Wai-iti River |
|
√ |
|
√ |
B |
2 |
|
Waikakaho River |
|
√ |
|
√ |
B |
2 |
|
Waikoropupu River |
|
√ |
|
√ |
B S |
1+ |
|
Waingaro River |
|
√ |
|
√ |
B |
2 |
|
Wairau River downstream from the Wash Bridge including the Diversion and the Southern Valley Irrigation Intake Pond |
√ |
|
√ |
|
B R S |
2 |
|
Wairau River upstream of the Wash Bridge |
|
√ |
|
√ |
B # |
2 |
|
Wairoa River upstream of the confluence with the Lee River |
|
√ |
|
√ |
B |
2 |
|
Wairoa River / Waimea River downstream of the confluence with the Lee River |
√ |
|
√ |
|
B |
2 |
|
Wakamarina River |
|
√ |
|
√ |
B R |
2 |
|
Wakapuaka River |
|
√ |
|
√ |
B |
1+ |
|
Wangapeka River |
|
√ |
|
√ |
B |
1+ |
|
Warwick River |
|
√ |
|
√ |
B |
1+ |
|
Woolley River |
|
√ |
|
√ |
B |
1+ |
3. CLOSED WATERS
No licence holder shall take sports fish from Lake Rotoiti or Lake Rotoroa between 1 May and
30 September, within 100m from the centre of the meeting line with the lakes, of the following rivers and streams:
Lake Rotoiti:
(a) Travers River
(b) Coldwater Stream
(c) Black Valley Stream
(d) Buller River
Lake Rotoroa:
(a) Sabine River
(b) D’Urville River
(c) Gowan River
4. AUTHORISED TACKLE
4.1 Refer to Section 2.
4.2 Down riggers are permitted when lake fishing.
5. FLY FISHING ONLY WATERS
There are no “fly fishing only” waters in the Nelson/Marlborough Region.
6. BAIT FISHING WATERS
Refer to Section 2.
7. COARSE FISHING WATERS
Fishing for coarse fish in all waters in the Nelson/Marlborough Region is prohibited.
8. USE OF BOATS
No licence holder shall fish for sports fish from any boat in those parts of Lake Rotoiti and Lake Rotoroa within a radius of 100m from the centre of the meeting lines of those rivers and streams listed below:
Lake Rotoiti:
(a) Travers River
(b) Coldwater Stream
(c) Black Valley Stream
(d) Buller River
Lake Rotoroa:
(a) Sabine River
(b) D’Urville River
(c) Gowan River
9. DAILY LIMIT BAGS
9.1 No licence holder shall on any day take, kill or be in possession of more than the bag limits specified in Sections 2 and 9.2.
9.2 No licence holder shall on any day take, kill or be in possession of more than two salmon.
10. FISH LENGTH
There is no minimum size limit for trout or salmon taken in the Nelson/Marlborough Fish and Game Region.
All North Island Regulations / All South Island Regulations | 
