Manawatu River Trout Fishing

Upper Manawatu maps

Access map

Topographic map

Mid Manwatu maps

Access map

Topographic map

Lower Manawatu maps

Access map

Topographic map

LINZ topographic maps: 1:50,000 (260 series)

River flow, level and rainfall

View graphs at the Horizons Regional Council website.

Weather forecast

View the MetService weather forecast for Palmerston North and Dannevirke.

Upstream from Dannevirke

Description

The river above Dannevirke is relatively small and easily wadeable. The water quality is good and it holds a good population of reasonable sized brown trout. The river mostly runs across farmland but there are many sections with willow trees lining both banks. The river is a series of pools and long runs and fish can often be spotted in the relatively clean water. It is ideal dry fly and nymph water although there is plenty for the spin fisherman as well.

Access

See the upper Manawatu access map and the list of Upper Manawatu access points.

Between Oringi and Dannevirke

Description

In the middle reaches the river is larger and has a series of deep pools with long shingly runs. The water quality is not as good as in the upper reaches and fish can be difficult to spot. This is not to say it is not excellent fly fishing water. However, most fish are caught blind. The fish population in this section is very high and there is often an excellent rise on warm summer's evenings.

Access

Access is excellent along this section as many roads either follow the river or cross it. See the mid Manawatu and upper Manawatu access maps and the list of access points.

Downstream from Oringi

Description

This section of river downstream from Oringi to the mouth at Foxton Beach is of less interest to the angler as the water is much larger and often coloured. While it has less interest to the fly fisherman, it does provide good spinner water. The section where the river runs through the Manawatu Gorge is generally inaccessible and is not worth fishing as the river through here tends to scour out during the frequent floods, making it an unsuitable trout habitat. The last 20 km are tidal and have very poor water quality though it does hold sea run fish and can be good for kahawai.

Access

See the lower Manawatu access map and the list of Lower Manawatu access points.

In the upper reaches where the water is very clear, a balance must be sought between using light enough tackle so as not to spook the fish but yet retaining enough power to land large fish in the strong current. It is recommended that a 9 foot (or even shorter rod) with a weight 5 line is used.

Due to the size of this river in the middle and lower reaches, rods around 9 foot in weights 6 to 7 are favoured. Spinning gear with around 3 kg/6 pound nylon and capable of casting lures of between 7g to 10g.

Nymphs: Weighted nymph patterns in sizes 12 to 14 such as Hare and Copper, Pheasant Tail, Prince nymphs and Halfbacks all work well. Use a smaller size (16) during the height of summer in the upper reaches.

Dry flies: During the summer size 12 to 16 flies fished over the faster water can be very effective during the evening. Royal Wulff, parachute Adams, Humpy, and beetle patterns in early summer, cicada and cricket patterns in late summer and early autumn.

Wet flies / Streamers: Small wee-wet flies such as Invicta, March Brown, Greenwell's Glory, Grouse and Claret and Mallard work well, particularly in the evening when fish are taking emerger patterns just sub-surface. When fishing deeper try Hamill's Killer, Mrs Simpson or Red Setter, particularly in the middle and lower reaches.

Spinners: In the lower reaches larger spinners such as black and gold Toby or a Rapala pattern work well though in the upper reaches small bladed spinners such as Veltic or Mepps fished upstream and retrieved near the river bed just faster than the current work best.