Last updated October 2026
The Wairau River is Marlborough’s big braided river, with more than 140 km of fishable water from the Spenser and Raglan ranges near St Arnaud to the sea near Blenheim. It holds brown trout, sea-run browns in the lower river and a growing number of rainbows, and quinnat salmon run up it in summer.
The main stem is open all year up to the Wash Bridge, and Fish & Game’s access guide lists dozens of public access points, including Conders Bend near Renwick.
At a Glance
- Location
- Wairau Valley to the sea near Blenheim; lower reaches off State Highway 6, middle reaches off State Highway 63
- Type
- Large braided river, single channel below Renwick
- Main species
- Brown trout (some sea-run), rainbow trout, quinnat salmon in summer
- Season
- Main stem open all year up to the Wash Bridge; upstream 1 October to 30 April
- Methods
- Fly, spinner and bait below the Wash Bridge; fly and spinner only above it
- Salmon
- Late January to April in the lower river below Renwick
- Access near Renwick
- Conders Bend road end and both banks at the SH6 Renwick bridge
- Licence
- Fish & Game licence required
- Flow
- Marlborough District Council gauge at State Highway 6
No tides on the river itself. Flow and colour decide the fishing: rain or snowmelt in the ranges raises and discolours the Wairau, and it can take a while to clear.
What Makes It Worth the Trip
The Wairau rises near St Arnaud and runs through a long valley to the sea at Cloudy Bay, near Blenheim. Fish & Game describes the upper reaches as stable, swift and single-channelled.
In the main valley the bed widens to about 1 km, splitting into many side channels and islands, and from Renwick to the sea it is confined to a single channel again.
The water is usually tinged turquoise with fine silt from the mountains, and it can stay discoloured for long periods, especially with snowmelt early in the season.
The headwaters can produce trophy browns, but fish are fewer and the water is hard going, suited only to fit, experienced anglers. The middle reaches give good numbers and room to cast, with fish averaging around 3 to 4 lb. The lower reaches can hold large sea-run browns and salmon.
Rainbows are becoming more common. They are often caught in Lake Argyle and the Branch and Leatham rivers, where Fish & Game stocks rainbows, and more now turn up in the middle and lower Wairau.
For the river’s scenery, walks and swimming, see our Wairau River: Marlborough’s Largest Braided River guide.
How to Fish the Wairau River
Where and when
Choose your reach by what you are after. The middle reaches suit anglers who want numbers of fish and room to cast. The lower river below Renwick is where sea-run browns arrive from February and salmon run from late January to April. Upriver, the headwaters hold fewer but bigger fish.
Near the sea the river has its own guides: see our Wairau River mouth guide and our Wairau Diversion guide.
Flies and lures
- Nymphs: Hare and Copper, Stonefly, Pheasant Tail and March Brown, sizes 14 to 16.
- Dry flies: Royal Wulff, Coachman, Coch-y-Bondhu and Twilight Beauty in sizes 10 to 12, with Greenwell’s Glory in the evening.
- Wet flies: Blue Dun, Kakahi Queen and March Brown.
- Lures: Grey Ghost by day and Craig’s Night-time after dark in the lower river.
- Spinners: Mepps or Veltic, fished upstream.
Reading the river
The stones in the middle reaches move constantly, so channels shift from season to season and you need to watch your footing. Valley wind can make casting hard. After heavy rain or snowmelt the river colours up and can stay that way for a while, so check the flow before you drive out.
Getting There and Facilities
- Conders Bend: from the road end, drive straight ahead along the gravel road for about 1 km, then turn right. You can drive to the flood bank and walk over it to the river.
- Renwick bridge (SH6): vehicle access off State Highway 6 upstream and downstream of the bridge on the south bank, and access on both sides of the bridge on the north bank.
- Other access: Fish & Game’s Wairau River access guide lists around 45 numbered access points from the Wairau Bar to the upper valley, with notes on parking and which are foot access only. Some cross vineyards, so take care during harvest.
- Upper river: the upper Wairau has a voluntary beat system. Park beside the sign for your beat and leave a note on the dashboard saying whether you went upstream or downstream. Do not park and fish between the marked sites.
- Licences: buy a Fish & Game licence online before you go.
Rules and Safety
Rules
- Licence: you need a Fish & Game licence for trout and salmon.
- Lower and middle river: the Wairau downstream of the Wash Bridge, including the Diversion, is open all year for fly, spinner and bait.
- Upper river: upstream of the Wash Bridge the season is 1 October to 30 April, fly and spinner only. The upper Wairau and its tributaries above Six Mile Creek (except Fish Lake) are a Designated Water, and you need a designated waters licence to fish there.
- Tributaries: waters not listed in the regulations are open 1 October to 30 April, fly and spinner only. Check the regulations for each stream.
- Limits: bag limits are set in the Fish & Game Nelson/Marlborough regulations. There is no minimum size for trout or salmon.
- Tagged fish: report any tagged trout, and any trout or salmon with the adipose fin clipped, to Nelson/Marlborough Fish & Game.
Safety
- Braided channels: the Wairau is big, cold and fast, and in the braided reaches the channels move. Only cross a channel when the flow is low and you can see the bottom, face upstream, use a wading staff or cross with a partner, and never try to cross when the river is up or coloured.
- Rising water: heavy rain in the ranges can raise the river quickly. Keep an exit to the bank you parked on, and check the flow before you go.
- Headwaters: turbulent rapids and hard-to-reach pools make the upper river suitable only for fit, experienced anglers. The upper access road is rough and can be blocked by slips.
- Biosecurity: Check, Clean, Dry all gear before you fish another river or lake.
Official Sources for The Wairau River
Fish & Game Nelson/Marlborough regulations 2026/27: seasons, methods, bag limits and the Designated Water rules.
Fish & Game Wairau River access guide: numbered access points from the Wairau Bar to the upper valley.
Marlborough District Council river flows: current flow at the State Highway 6 gauge and other sites.
Common Questions
Can you fish the Wairau River all year?
Yes, the main stem is open all year up to the Wash Bridge, for fly, spinner and bait. Upstream of the Wash Bridge the season is 1 October to 30 April, fly and spinner only.
When do salmon run in the Wairau River?
Quinnat salmon run in summer. They are caught from late January to April in the lower river below Renwick, usually at 6 to 20 lb.
Are there rainbow trout in the Wairau?
Yes, increasingly. Rainbows are often caught in Lake Argyle and the Branch and Leatham rivers, and more now turn up in the middle and lower Wairau.
Where can I access the Wairau River near Renwick?
At Conders Bend, by driving to the flood bank and walking over it, and on both banks at the State Highway 6 Renwick bridge.
Do I need a licence to fish the Wairau River?
Yes. You need a Fish & Game licence for trout and salmon, and a designated waters licence for the upper Wairau above Six Mile Creek.
Can you cross the Wairau River on foot?
Only with great care in low, clear flows. The braided channels are cold, fast and shifting. Never cross when the river is up or coloured.
How do I check the Wairau River flow?
Marlborough District Council publishes live flows, including the Wairau River at State Highway 6.
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