Winter fishing in Nelson and Marlborough means quiet waters and good chances.

Waters listed below are open all year unless a specific winter season is noted alongside the entry.

 

Key
  • F = Fly fishing
  • S = Spin fishing
  • B = Bait fishing
  • FSB = Fly, Spin, and Bait fishing permitted
  • FS = Fly and Spin fishing permitted only
  • Bag limit = maximum number of fish that may be taken or killed in one day

 

Bag limits

Note: No coarse fishing. No minimum size limit for trout or salmon. Only one fish over 500mm per daily bag of two. Only child anglers may bait fish (except listed bait waters).

Waters

Key

Bag Limit

Argyle Pond and lower hydro canals

FSB

2 sports fish

Awatere River

FSB

2

Buller River – downstream of Gowan Bridge

FSB

2

Clarence River – downstream of Acheron confluence

FSB

2 trout, 1 salmon

Cobb Reservoir

FSB

4

Conway River – downstream of State Highway 1 Bridge

FSB

2

Lake Rotoiti, Nelson Lakes

FSB

2

Lake Rotoroa

FSB

2

Lyell Creek / Kaikoura – downstream of State Highway 1

FSB

2 trout, 1 salmon

Maitai River – downstream of Lower Nile Street Bridge

FS

2

Maruia River – downstream of Maruia Falls

FSB

2

Matakitaki River – downstream of State Highway 6 Bridge

FSB

2

Middle Creek / Kaikoura – downstream of State Highway 1

FSB

2

Motueka River – downstream of Baton Bridge at Woodstock

FSB

2

Oaro River

FSB

2

Opaoa River – downstream of State Highway 1 Bridge

FSB

2

Pelorus River – downstream of Rai River confluence

FSB

2

Rai River – downstream of Carluke Bridge

FSB

2

Takaka River – downstream of Waingaro River confluence

FSB

2

Taylor Dam

FS

2

Taylor River – downstream of New Renwick Road Bridge

FSB

2

Taylor River Family Fishery – Hutchinson Street Bridge to Opaoa Loop confluence

FSB

1

Waimea River Park Junior Fishing Ponds – Junior fishery

FSB

1 sports fish

Waimea River Park Family/Adult Fishing Pond

FSB

1 sports fish

Wairau River – downstream of Wash Bridge incl. Diversion and Southern Valleys Irrigation Intake Pond

FSB

2 trout, 1 salmon

Wairoa / Waimea River Nelson – downstream of Lee River confluence

FSB

2