This is one of the region’s most popular fishing rivers and also has a Water Conservation Order protecting its values. It is less than 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 2-5lb.

The Motueka generally always has a good population of fish, however there are fluctuations from year to year, depending on the magnitude and frequency of flood events.

There are some fantastic tributary waters that can provide great fishing, including well-known rivers such as the Wangapeka, Baton and Motupiko.

For access information and tips about catching fish in this unique fishery, check out the Motueka Access pamphlet.

  • Motueka River Access Guide
    9.3 MB Adobe Acrobat PDF file