Pelorus River Fishing: Trout near Pelorus Bridge

Last updated October 2026

The Pelorus River, known as Te Hoiere, runs through native bush and farmland in Marlborough and is fished as a trout river, with Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve on State Highway 6 as the best known access.

Fish & Game describes it as having wild, rugged headwaters and gentle lowland reaches, and about 70 percent of the trout are brown, the rest rainbow. It is open all year below the Rai River confluence and for a spring-to-autumn season above it. Fish & Game also rates it as a good river for less experienced anglers.

At a Glance

Location

Pelorus River (Te Hoiere), Marlborough; Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve is on State Highway 6, midway between Blenheim and Nelson

Main species

Brown trout (about 70 percent of fish) and rainbow trout (about 30 percent)

Methods

Fly and spin above the Rai River confluence; fly, spin and bait below it

Season

Above the Rai confluence: spring to autumn season. Below it: open all year. Check the current Fish & Game regulations.

Licence

Fish & Game licence for the Nelson/Marlborough region

Best time

Warm days in spring and summer; winter angling is also recommended for beginners

Access

Signposted access points on State Highway 6 below Pelorus Bridge and on the Maungatapu road above it

Toilets

Pelorus Bridge campground (DOC)

Dogs

Not allowed in Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve

Conditions

Marlborough District Council river flow site: Pelorus River at Bryants

Setting and Background

The Pelorus is the main river flowing into Pelorus Sound. The Rai River joins it at Pelorus Bridge, and that confluence matters to anglers because it splits the river into two rule sets. Fish & Game’s catchment page describes wild, rugged headwaters and gentle lowland reaches, and notes that trout numbers are generally low above the Rai confluence.

Brown trout make up about 70 percent of the fish and rainbows about 30 percent, according to Fish & Game. The browns run from around one pound up to several pounds and the rainbows from small fish up to about three pounds.

Fish & Game’s drift dive over one kilometre of river above Dalton’s Bridge in 2023 counted 17 large browns, 28 large rainbows and 80 medium rainbows. Small trout were scarce after the floods of that winter, a reminder that big floods reset the river.

Local fishing sites describe three kinds of water. The upper river runs through native bush above Tinline Stream and is reached by a marked walking track, with larger, mostly brown fish.

The middle reaches run through open farmland with easy casting. Below Pelorus Bridge the river is wider and deeper and suits spinning, with plenty of fish that are smaller on average.

Te Hoiere is the name DOC and LAWA use for the river. DOC records that a kāinga called Titi Raukawa once stood where the Rai and Pelorus meet, and that Māori lived in the area for several hundred years. The scenic reserve was created in 1912.

How to Fish the Pelorus River

Where and when

Dalton’s Bridge is named by Fish & Game as a popular beat. Near Pelorus Bridge, the Maungatapu road above the bridge and State Highway 6 below it have signposted access points. Away from those you need landowner permission to cross private land. Fish & Game publishes a Pelorus River Access Guide (see Where to Learn More).

Fish & Game says the lowland river is good for less experienced anglers and for winter angling. On warm days, lowland trout that have not yet started their upstream runs will take a fly or a softbait.

In May the valley is frosty and slow to warm, so there is no need for an early start. Swimmers near Pelorus Bridge can make summer fishing difficult, so fish the quieter water away from the reserve on hot weekends.

What to catch and what to use

• Brown trout: the main catch. Local fishing sites list Hare and Copper, Pheasant Tail and caddis imitations in size 14 or smaller, with extra weight for deep pools in the lower river.
• Rainbow trout: a smaller share of the catch. Local fishing sites suggest small bladed spinners such as a Mepps or Veltic, in gold and red.
• Dry flies and wets: local sites list Hardy’s Favourite, Dad’s Favourite and March Brown for dries, and Greenwell’s Glory and Invicta for wets.
• Softbaits: Fish & Game notes that lowland trout take softbaits as well as flies on warm days.

Flow and floods

Trout numbers drop after a big flood, so fish the river when it has had time to settle. Marlborough District Council records the river at Bryants, about 1 km from Pelorus Bridge, and the council says that a rise of more than 2.5 metres on the Rai River at Rai Falls signals flooding in both the Rai and the Pelorus. Check the flow before you go and leave the river early if it starts to rise.

Getting There and Facilities

• Getting there: Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve is on State Highway 6, midway between Blenheim and Nelson, 18 km west of Havelock. Local fishing sites put it about 35 km from Blenheim and about 80 km from Nelson.
• Toilets and camping: the DOC Pelorus Bridge campground has flush toilets, and the Totara Flats picnic area has non-flush toilets. Camping needs a booking. Check the DOC campsite page for current fees and dates.
• Café and walks: there is a café in the reserve and a loop track over a suspension bridge.
• Dogs: dogs, cats and other pets are not allowed in the reserve.
• Phone coverage: mobile coverage is unreliable, and there is a public card phone.
• Road conditions: DOC notes that severe weather has damaged roads in the area, so check conditions before you travel.

Rules and Safety

Licence and rules

• Licence: you need a Fish & Game licence for the Nelson/Marlborough region. Buy online or from a licence agent in Blenheim.
• Rule set: the Fish & Game Nelson/Marlborough Anglers Notice, which takes effect on 1 October each year. It sets the season, methods, bag and size limits for the Pelorus and the Rai, so read it before you fish rather than relying on a summary.
• Methods: above the Rai confluence the river is fly and spin only, below it bait is also allowed. The Rai River follows the same split at Carluke Bridge.
• Reserve rules: DOC does not allow fires or mountain bikes in the reserve, and asks you to keep soap out of the river.

Staying safe

• Take care on tracks when they are wet and when the river is flooded.
• Wasps nest in beech trunks in late summer and autumn.
• Rocks are slippery. Wear a wading belt, and do not cross when the river is high or coloured.

Useful Links

Pelorus River: Common Questions

What fish are in the Pelorus River?
Brown and rainbow trout. Fish & Game describes the catch as about 70 percent brown trout and 30 percent rainbow.

Do I need a licence to fish the Pelorus River?
Yes, a Fish & Game licence for the Nelson/Marlborough region. You can buy one online or from a licence agent in Blenheim.

Can I use bait on the Pelorus River?
Only below the Rai River confluence. Above it, the river is fly and spin only. Check the current Anglers Notice before you go.

When is the Pelorus River open for fishing?
Below the Rai confluence it is open all year. Above it there is a spring-to-autumn season, so check the current Fish & Game regulations.

Is the Pelorus River good for beginners?
Fish & Game says the lowland river suits less experienced anglers and is good for winter angling. Stay out of the water when it is high or coloured.

Can I take my dog to Pelorus Bridge?
No. Dogs, cats and other pets are not allowed in Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve.

How do I check if the river is safe to fish?
Check the Marlborough District Council river flow site for the Pelorus at Bryants. After heavy rain wait for the river to drop and clear.

Where is the best access?
Signposted access points are on State Highway 6 below Pelorus Bridge and on the Maungatapu road above it. Elsewhere you need landowner permission.

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