Lower Manawatu River Fishing Access Points

Palmerston North

On the true right of the river between Riversdale Road (off the city end of Te Matai Road) and Maxwells Line there is a public walkway. Access to mid-sections of the walkway is possible from a number of streets within the city - for example, Ruahine Street, Albert Street, Fitzherbert Ave, Dittmer Drive. The river can be fished using the walkway as access although much of the bank to the water's edge is steep and tree-lined.

Maxwells Line

Access is possible off the end of Maxwells Line in two places. Firstly, travel to the end of Maxwells Line and go straight ahead over the stop bank to Paneiri Park and park in the gravelled car park 150m from the stop bank. Walk over the rough ground directly to the river - about 200m. Alternatively, turn right immediately before the stop bank, through gates onto the road that goes to the Palmerston North City Landfill. The gates at the entrance to this road are open from 7am to 4.30pm Monday to Saturday and 12 noon to 4pm Sundays and Public holidays. Drive past the landfill entrance down to the Higgins Aggregates Plant (1.6km from the end of Maxwells Line) and call into the plant office to ask the best way to the river and where to park safely. Please be aware that this is a quarry site where heavy machinery operates and where deep holes are being excavated. The quarry site is privately owned - please respect this and please report to Higgins any suspicious activity around their plant and machinery. Vandalism can be a problem and anglers can help by being vigilant.

All access within the reaches described is over private land so please comply with the conditions of Fish & Game NZ negotiated access.

Camp Road

From the end of Camp Road, park without obstructing any gateway and proceed directly to the river. Anglers are NOT permitted to fish upstream from the end of the road. There is only legal public access downstream from the end of Camp Road and this extends for about 1.8km to the NZ Pharmaceutical factory.

Karere Road

Karere Road runs off SH56 3km south-west of Longburn. Travel to the end of the sealed road up and over the stop bank. From here the road becomes a gravel and dirt track suitable for two-wheel drive vehicles only when dry. Follow the track all the way to the river bed.

All access within the reaches described is over private land so please comply with the conditions of Fish & Game NZ negotiated access.

Jackeytown Road

Jackeytown Road runs off SH56 7km south-west of Longburn. Travel to the end of the road (just over the stop bank), park without obstructing any gateway, and walk directly - about 300m - across the paddock, through some trees to the river. Fishing downstream for about 700m is over private land (where your access has been negotiated) then a marginal strip (public land) starts and progresses downstream for another 1.5km or so. Legal public access also exists on the opposite side of the river and if the river is wadeable, this side can be fished within the highlighted (red) area on the map (please note there is no organised access to this reach from the Linton side).

All access within the reaches described is over private land so please comply with the conditions of Fish & Game NZ negotiated access.

Opiki Bridge

Access to the river on the true right can be obtained by phoning Robert Brookes on 06 329 0087. The Brookes will explain how best to get access and where to park safely. The extent of this access covers from about 500m downstream of the Opiki Bridge to about 4.5km of river length upstream of the bridge. This then links to the legal public access (1.5km marginal strip) leading toward Jackeytown Road (refer to access 10, Jackeytown Road.

Moutoa Conservation Area

Whirokino Bridge (upstream access)

Turn off SH1 on the north (Foxton) side of the river and drive up Whirokino Road about 1.7km. Before the road curves away from the stop bank go through a gate onto a track (only suitable when dry). Alternatively, carry on along Whirokino Road to Vickerman Road and travel to the end (or access Vickerman Road by turning left off the Foxton Shannon Road into Springs Road, right into Kere Kere Road and left into Whirokino Road). Park up and walk directly to the river. DO NOT use the formed track that links Kere Kere Road and Vickerman Road - this is private.

Matakarapa Road

Whirokino Bridge (downstream access)

Turn off SH1 on the near side of the river and drive down Matakarapa Road to fish the area from the bridge to about 1.5km downstream of the boat ramp. Alternatively, it is possible to park on the south side of the bridge where there is a rest area and then walk downstream.

Foxton Beach

Travel to Foxton Beach. Fishing for mainly non-sports fish species (mullet, kahawai, herrings) is popular at the boat ramp and at the river's mouth. To get to the boat ramp, turn left off Seabury Ave (the main road through Foxton Beach) into Linklater Ave then left into Hartley Street and the ramp is about 300m along. Alternatively, go to the end of Seabury Avenue, turn left and follow the road around to the Foxton Beach Camp, turn left again just before the camp onto a well formed dirt road, go past the Yacht Club and follow tracks out to the river's mouth. Once past the camp, you are driving on sand suitable only for two-wheel drive vehicles if it has been compacted.