Hakataramea River Trout and Salmon Fishing

The Hakataramea River is the largest tributary of the Waitaki River. It rises in the MacKenzie Country and flows southward to join the Waitaki at Hakataramea.

Access map
Access map with topography

LINZ topographic maps: (260 Map Series, 1:50,000)
I39 Kirkliston
I40 Kurow

The average flow of the Hakataramea is 5.25 cumecs but during the dry summer months the flows reduce, requiring greater stealth on the part of the angler.

View a graph of the current Hakataramea river flow at the Environment Canterbury website.

For an up-to-date weather forecast:

• see the MetService website
• call MetPhone on 0900 999 03
  See the current cost per minute.

Brown trout predominate but rainbow trout are also found along the length of the river. However, the fish tend to go downstream during dry summer conditions.

The average size is about 1.5 kg though trout up to 2.7 kg are not unusual.

Trout can be spotted and fished for using dry flies or nymphs to match the caddis or mayflies that are about. Wet fly fishing may also be productive.

In April, trout will strike a fly which resembles the salmon eggs which are sometimes washed downstream.

The roads up either side of the Hakataramea provide access to the river:
- Hakataramea Valley Road
- McHenry's Road

To avoid trespassing, please obtain consent from the landowners before walking the river banks or wading into the water. The land owners here have AMF (Ad Medium Filum Acquae) rights which means the boundary of their property may be the centreline of the river.

See the access map and list of access points.

Dry flies: Greenwell's Glory, Red-tipped Governor, Peveril O'Peake, Coch-y-Bondu, Humpy, Wulff, Kakahi Queen, Molefly

Nymphs: The larger Stoneflies and Dobson Fly, Blowfly, Beetle. In late autumn when grubs drop from the willow trees, Willow Grub is essential.

Streamers: Mrs Simpson, Hope's Dark, Parson's Glory, Yellow Dorothy, Lord's Killer, Rabbit varieties, Hamill's Killer

Trout: 3 Nov-30 Apr
Salmon: 3 Nov-31 Mar

(opens on the first Saturday in November)

Trout: 3 Nov-30 Apr
Salmon: 3 Nov-31 Mar

(opens on the first Saturday in November)