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Wairoa River

 

The Wairoa river is a large river best suited to spin fishing for the reasonable population of brown and rainbow trout. The Wairoa River is best known for its tributaries which provide world class fishing.

Fish type There are a reasonable numbers of rainbow trout and some brown trout also present. Fish average around 1.5 kg.
Situation The Wairoa River is formed by the confluence of the Hangaroa and the Ruakituri rivers which meet at the beautiful Te Reinga Falls. The river then flows south to enter the sea at the township of Wairoa.
Maps

Access map
Check conditions View the MetService weather forecast.

View rainfall.
Description The Wairoa river is not a particularly attractive river as it is often silt laden, and being large and slow-moving is best suited to spin fishing. The banks are often tree-lined  with willows and other trees making access difficult in places.
Access

The section of the river just below the confluence with the Ruakituri and the Hangaroa River can be reached from the small settlement of Te Reinga.

The lower reaches her easily accessed as State Highway 36 runs close to the river for many kilometres.

See the Wairoa River access map.
Recommended tackle Spinning equipment capable of  casting a seven to 10 g lure on a 3 kg line is recommended.
Recommended lures

Wet flies:
Large bully patterns such as Mrs Simpson, Hamill's Killer in sizes 6 to 10 or smelt patterns for fishing around the estuary when the whitebait are running.

Spinners: Toby patterns in black or gold in sizes 7 to 14 g.
Tributaries The Wairoa River is best known for its tributaries which provide world class fishing. These include the Ruakituri River, the Hangaroa River, the Waikaretaheke River with its tributary the Waiau River.
Regulations (1)
Applicable to Wairoa River above Te Reinga Falls
Region Eastern region regulations
Season Oct 1-Jun  30
Methods Artificial fly, spinner
Bag limit 2
Size limit None
Regulations (2)
Applicable to Wairoa River below Te Reinga Falls to SH2
Region Eastern region regulations
Season All year
Methods Artificial fly, spinner
Bag limit 2 trout
Size limit (cm) None
Regulations (3)
Applicable to Wairoa River below SH2 Bridge
Region Eastern region regulations
Season All year
Methods Artificial fly, spinner, bait
Bag limit No limit
Size limit (cm) None

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