MOTUEKA RIVERFISHING ACCESSGUIDE

A guide to fishing the Motueka:access points to the lower, middleand upper reaches - including theWangapeka and Motupiko

Brought to you by Nelson Marlborough Fish & Game

Open all year round (from the Peninsula Bridgedownstream), and with bait fishing permitted, thelower reach has got it all. From clear pools, runsand riffles, to tidal water, this stretch of water hasplenty of variation for all anglers.

LOWER REACHSea to Peninsula Bridge

Towards the sea is a top spot for flinging lures to hungry trout which dine on baitfish - especially in Spring and over the winter months. There are some fantasticripples and willow edges to suit the consummate fly anglers also.

This reach generally holds good numbers of fish, but be prepared to walk as fish distribution can be more patchy here, depending on the time of year and river conditions.

'True right' or 'trueleft' refers to theside of the river

when you are facingdownstream.

1. SH 60 BridgeAccess available on both sides of bridge. Vehicle access on west bank up and down streamon the true left side of river. Foot access from parking area on true right.

4. West Bank Road Follow West Bank Road upstream 0.3kmfrom Gum Tree Corner.

3

1

4

5

7

6

8

9

10

11

3. West Bank Road “Gum Tree Corner”Approximately 5km from SH 60 off West Bank Road trueleft side of river. Parking on side of road.

5. Whakarewa Street MotuekaVehicle access to road end gate with footaccess up and down true right of river.

6. Hurley RoadVehicle access off Motueka ValleyHighway and follow gravel roadthrough gate over stop bank toparking area. Foot access up anddown river.

7. West Bank Road7.7 km upstream from Gum Tree Corner. Park atAnnes Picnic Area below Rocky River Bridge.Follow track to river or downstream access over'rock stile'.

8. Alexander Bluff BridgeBest foot access via West Bank Road from car park belowbridge on true left of river. 4WD access downstream ofbridge off Motueka Valley Highway.

9. West Bank RoadApproximately 3.0km upstream of Alexander Bridge at HerringStream confluence. Further access to river upstream by walkingalong road and cutting to river.

10. Bluff off Motueka Valley Highway4.0km upstream from Alexander Bridge on true right of river. Upstreamaccess over stile at car park. Follow road verge to stile over fence fordownstream access.

11. West Bank RoadApproximately 2km upstream from Herring Stream bridge.

SPIN FISHING TIPThe 'Mot" is an excellent spin fishing option, particularly inthe early part of the season from October to December.Concentrate on fairly fast moving knee to chest deep water,but also remember to fish your feet, cast upstream on theriver edges, as well as across. Fishing after a fresh when thewater is a green tinge will see your catch rate improve.

O P E N A L LY E A R

A L L M E T H O D SP E R M I T T E D

1

2

2. Douglas RoadPark at designated car park at end of Douglas Road. Walk over styleand follow track markers to river.

Photo: Jacob Lucas

This stretch is the Motueka River at its finest. Afamous section of the river, with the highest fishdensity and endless water to suit all anglers.There are stacks of angler access points too - onboth sides of the river.

MIDDLE REACHPeninsula Bridge to Wangapeka

The river is willow-lined for nearly this entire reach, making it perfect habitat fortrout, many of which enjoy the hydraulic diversity that 'willow bays' provide, andwhere trout can be easily found intercepting nymphs and floating morsels. Thereare some classy ripples here too, which generally hold good numbers of fish -particularly during normal to low flows.

The river is popular with locals over summer, but don't let swimmers and raftersput you off from going fishing. The trout are used to it and will return feedingvery soon after being spooked.

13. Motueka Valley Highway1.8km upstream from Peninsula Bridge. Park at access sign and follow track to river.

14. Motueka Valley Highway1.5km upstream from access 14. Vehicle access through double gates to river.

15. West Bank Road/Graham StreamVehicle access to river through picnic area below Graham Stream Bridge.

18. West Bank RoadApproximately 1km upstream from Pearse River bridge. Vehicleaccess to river.

16. Motueka Valley HighwayOpposite Pearse River confluence. Park through gate.

22. Motueka Valley Highway/Stanley BrookPark on roadside. Short walk to riverimmediately below Stanley Brookconfluence.

17. West Bank Road/Pearse RiverPark at Pearse River Bridge.

19. Woodstock BridgeParking and foot access from both sides of bridge.

20. Motueka Valley Highway2.5 km upstream from Woodstock Bridge opposite BatonRiver confluence. Vehicle access to river.

21. Motueka Valley Highway/Macleans ReserveVehicle access along gravel track through picnicand campground area.

TACKLE TIPFly anglers - have your leader at least 12 foot

long; small flies work well - basics nymphs such

as weighted pheasant tail, hare & copper (#14-

18) will catch 90% of the fish and dries like

parachute adams & dad's favourite work well. In

March the passionvine hopper is abundant and

trout dine royally on them!

WHEN TO FISH?

Sunny days best for fly fishing. Cloudy, cold days

are generally tough going - you want the water

to warm up to spark increased insect life

THE MOTUEKA FISHERYThe Motueka River supports one of New Zealand’shighest trout populations. Drift dives undertaken in recentyears in the Motueka River downstream of theWangapeka River indicate populations of between 200 –500 trout (>20cm) per kilometre!

The angling methods permitted are productive withwater types to suit everyone. Water quality and clarity isexcellent, wading is often safe and low summer flows canfacilitate river crossings in middle and upper reaches. Insome areas riparian vegetation limits access but providesideal trout habit.

Many of the feeder streams such as the Baton, Graham,Motupiko and Wangapeka also provide good fishing. TheMotueka enjoys some of New Zealand’s best weather,offers pleasant and variable scenery and is less than onehour’s drive from Nelson.

edges!ripples!

Anglers seeking access to the MotuekaRiver and tributaries other than areasidentified in this pamphlet may need togain landowners’ permission first. Thosewho make this effort are rarely refusedand often gain easy access to less fishedand productive waters.

For public access information, visitwams.org.nz

^A classic "Mot" fish location> Perfect blind fishing water

WATER CONSERVATION ORDERDid you know the Motueka River is anationally outstanding waterway andwild brown trout fishery, which is whyit is protected by a National WaterConservation Order!

13 12

14

15

1617

18

19

20

21

22

WHERE TO LOOKWillow edges, ripples, rock structure - these are allareas trout love to be. In summer, fish will moveinto shallow, fast ripples which act as a conveyorbelt for food. You can fish ripples blind, or on asunny day you might see a shadow workingvigorously in the current intercepting nymphs with

gusto. Trout will often be found around the manybedrock formations which provide shelter andcurrent lines delivering food to waiting fish.

12. Peninsula BridgeBest parking at TDC Reserve true left upstream of bridge off Peninsula Road,through gate beside Bowling Club..

*Photos & design by Jacob Lucas

Photo: Jacob Lucas - Fish & Game

Photo: Jacob Lucas - Fish & Game

UPPER MOTUEKA &MOTUPIKOThe Upper Motueka & Motupiko Rivers provide acompletely different fishing experience. The arearuns from the Red Hills through a mixture ofnative, pines and farmland, with much of thelower reaches of both rivers willow lined.

This part of the catchment is prone to flooding as well as low flows, andtherefore trout numbers tend to be more variable.

The Motupiko provides a 'small stream' experience, but can hold somefantastic fish, especially in the early season.

The Upper Motueka, from the Wangapeka confluence to Kohatu, can besusceptible to low, warms flows over summer, and fish often drop down tothe cooler waters of the Wangapeka where they can be found in very goodnumbers.

2324

25

26

2

273

28

29

30

3231

4

6

5

23. Wangapeka River ConfluenceVehicle access via Tapawera along Tapawera Baton Road.Turn right onto Pikimai Road. Park on corner and followtrack markers to river.

24. Tapawera –Baton Road6km downstream from Tapawera Road Bridge. Park atsign.

2. State Highway 6/Quinney's BushPermission required from landowner first. PhoneMark Quinney 03 522 4249.

1

1

1. SH6 Bridge at Kohatu Drive over bridge on Western side. Access on leftapproximately 200m past bridge.

3. State Highway 6 (Long Gully)Vehicle access down gravel road to river.

4. Korere Tophouse Road BridgePark on east side downstream on true right ofriver.

5. Korere Tophouse Road4 km upstream from Korere Bridge. Park onleft side of road away from gates. Footaccess through private property.

6. Rainy River Road BridgePark on west bank true left upstream sideof bridge.

MOTUPIKO RIVER

The Motupiko is a small but very

important river. Its head-water

streams are some of the most

important spawning areas in the

Motueka catchment. The river fishes

well early in the season as adult fish

remain after spawning but can drop

out if the river gets low. Long leaders

and a stealthy approach are key to

fishing this river.

25. Tapawera Bridge off SH61Vehicle access to river on true right downstream ofbridge.

26. State Highway 6/Kohatu BridgeVehicle access to Motupiko confluence and accessto true left of Motueka.

27. Valley RoadTake North Road at junction of State Highway6 and turn left onto Valley Road. Drive 200msouth to access sign/gravel track. Goodvehicle access to river upstream.

29. Valley RoadDownstream from Golden DownsGun Club on true right. Follow trackand park. Foot accessapproximately 500 m to river.

30. Gordon Creek BridgePark 200m upstream of bridge andfollow track 200m to river.

31. Janson BridgePark downstream side on eastbank of bridge true right of river.

28. Opposite Gold PineTurn off Valley Road 3 km south ofaccess point 27. Drive 200 m to river.

32. Motueka GorgeTurn left after crossing JansonBridge (Blue Glen Road) andfollow gravel track to MotuekaGorge at end of road.

MOTUPIKO RIVER

UPPER MOTUEKAThe Upper Motueka changes considerably

upstream of the Wangapeka, and in fact,

contribtes less water than the Wangapeka.

From here up the river is on a wider shingle

riverbed before becoming more confined

further up. The trout population through this

reach is far lower than the middle Motueka

(at around 10-20 fish/km). The water clarity

is excellent, and there are some very nice

specimens to tempt the angler.

^ A typical Motueka brown trout< Kaiva Paaka with a nice fish

WHERE TO LOOKAs well as willow edges, trout need protection from predators(including humans!) and floods. Rock structures provide thisrefuge - they also provide diversity in water current. Remember,brown trout are programmed to maximise food for their efforts,and that is why you will also often find them residing in slowerwater adjacent to faster moving water.

Photo: Weesang Paaka

Photo: Jacob Lucas - Fish & Game

To find more information about fishing in the NelsonMarlborough region, or to see a more detailed mapof fishing locations via Google Maps, visit:https://fishandgame.org.nz/nelson

WANGAPEKA RIVERFrom the lowland surrounded by farming, to pristinenative forest headwaters, the Wangapeka is a beautifulriver made up of a number of very clear pools, runs andriffles, with plenty of structure and bedrock providingcover in numerous places.

The Wangapeka holds good numbers of fish that onaverage are larger than the mainstem Motueka,though you have to bring your 'A' game - these fishcan be tough to catch and will be unforgiving withpoor casts, or a clumsy approach. In its headwaters,'backpack' fishing is an option as the Wangapekatrack winds its way alongside the river, offering theangler a truly backcountry experience.

4

2. Tapawera Baton Road1.5km upstream from Pikimai Road turnoff. Parking area trueright side of river. – keep clear of gateway

8. Upper Wangapeka Road1.6 km downstream from Dart Ford.Park on hill side of road at carpark.

9. Upper Wangapeka Road1.3 km from number 8. Walking access over stile through privateproperty.

10. Dart Ford - Upper Wangapeka RoadPark at Dart Ford. Follow Dart River downstream approx 200m toWangapeka River. Fish upstream from true left bank. Access outafter crossing river above farmhouse and follow Wangapeka Road toDart Ford. Wangapeka Road above Farmhouse – Legal access fromsigns (as below) or where road is adjacent to river. Take care toavoid parking which may impede traffic.

13. UpperWangapekaRoadAccessanywhere fromPrice’s Creekconfluence(enters on trueright)upstream.

^Weesang Paaka in action< Blair Daniel with a stunner.

TACKLE TIPWangapeka trout can be notoriously

tough to catch, especially as youmove into the upper reaches. Thefish up here are big, and big for areason. Stealth mode is required for

whatever type of fishing you'redoing. If you're fly fishing, longleaders are essential. The goodnews is Wangapeka trout love bigbugs, and will readily take insectslike cicadas in summertime.

Photo: Blair Daniel | flyfishsouth.nz

1. Pikimai BridgePark on true right of bridge, access upstream over style. Access toWangapeka/Motueka confluence by walking down road andfollowing markers to river

3. Tapawera Baton Road1.5km upstream. Park at access sign and follow short track to river.

6. Jones RoadFrom Upper Wangapeka Road follow Jones Roadand park by access sign. Walk 200 m to river.

4. Tapawera Baton Road1km upstream from Cylinder Bridge. Park off road atsign. Foot access to river.

5. End of Wangapeka Plain Road4 km upstream of Cylinder Bridge. Keep gateways clear. Park backdown the road on road verge at designated parking site.

7. Upper Wangapeka RoadPark at access sign 3 km downstream from Dart Stream Ford. Crossroad and walk to river.

11. Upper Wangapeka Road7.6 km upstream from Dart Ford. Park at accesssign and walk through gate to river. Keepgateway clear.

12. Upper Wangapeka Road2.0 km above number 11. Turnoff road and follow track tostile and park.

Do not park in front of gatesAlways use gates, stiles, or other recognisedaccess pointsBe tidy! Take any rubbish home

RIVER ETIQUETTEIf you see another angler car parked at anaccess point, please do not enter the river untilthe next access point upstream, head toanother access point.Also:

12

3

3

6

5

7

89

10

1112

13

Photo: Jacob Lucas - Fish & Game