The Nelson Marlborough Fish and Game Region has three Designated Waters fisheries. Anglers wishing to fish these Designated Waters must first hold a valid Designated Waters Licence in addition to their whole-season Fishing Licence.
Please select here to buy a Designated Waters Licence.
Travers River Designated Waters Fishery
Map: Please select here
Reach: The Travers River and its tributaries – upstream of Lake Rotoiti
Open Season: 1 October – 30 April
Method: Fly and Spin
Bag limit: 2 trout (only 1 may exceed 500m)
Upper Wairau River Designated Waters Fishery
Map: Please select here
Reach: The Upper Wairau River and its tributaries (but excluding Fish Lake) upstream from Six Mile Creek (upstream of Rainbow Ski Field bottom carpark).
Open Season: 1 October – 30 April
Method: Fly and Spin
Bag limit: 2 trout (only 1 may exceed 500m)
Upper Wairau beat system
A voluntary beat system is in place for the Upper Wairau from No Catchem Stream to the Molesworth Boundary.
Indicate which beat you have chosen by parking next to the appropriate sign.
Leave your intentions on your vehicle dashboard indicating whether you have gone upstream or downstream.
BEATS:
No Catchem Stream to Woolshed Stream (no map)
Woolshed Stream to Six Mile creek (no map)
Six Mile Creek to St Ronans Stream
St Ronans Stream to Hamilton River
Hamilton River to Irishmans Flat
Irishmans Flat to Shroders Creek (Old Rainbow Homestead)
Shroders Creek to Connors Creek
Coldwater Creek to Molesworth Boundary
Note: No beat system for Rainbow River and upstream of the Molesworth Boundary, normal courtesy applies.
You may fish an occupied beat behind other anglers.
Please respect this system which is designed to minimise angler contacts, otherwise future access to this fishery may be restricted.
Upper Matakitaki River Designated Waters Fishery
Map: Please select here
Reach: The Matakitaki River and its tributaries – upstream from Horse Terrace Bridge
Open Season: 1 Oct - 30 Apr
Methods: Fly and Spin
Bag limit: 2 trout (only 1 may exceed 500m)
Note: there is private land adjacent to the river in the lower section of the Designated Waters fishery, so normal permission is required by the landowner if access to private land is required.
Compliance
Fish and Game will have a strong presence in these rivers this season. Non-compliance with the new regulations is an offence under the Conservation Act and subject to a maximum fine of NZ$5,000.00.
Monitoring
It is expected a short web-based questionnaire will be sent to all Designated Waters licence holders to evaluate their Designated Waters experience. Please be sure you have provided your correct email address. Your email address will be confidential and is strictly for Fish and Game survey purposes only. Nelson Marlborough Fish and Game look forward to the co-operation of all anglers and your assistance to help manage this unique fishery for current and future licence holders.
Etiquette for Designated Waters Anglers
Respect fellow anglers and remember they arrived at the river with the same expectations as you.
Never ever cut in front of other anglers regardless of how desperate you are to get to the water.
If fishing solo, invite an angler you meet to fish with you or share the available water. You may both learn something.
Use a quality line which strikes a balance between strength and visibility so that fish can be landed smartly. Do not play fish excessively
When releasing fish, do so with great care and try to keep the fish in the water as much as possible.
For further information contact us