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Maitai River

The Maitai River is an attractive small river or stream that runs through a wooded valley before entering the sea in Nelson.
Fish type Brown trout in small numbers especially outside the town of Nelson. The fish are also quite small being below 2lb in size on average.
Situation The Maitai River runs through Nelson.
Setting The Maitai is a small river that rises in the Bryant Range and feeds first into the Maitai Dam before flowing through the very scenic Maitai Valley and through the town of Nelson. Above the dam is of no interest to anglers.
Maps

Access map
Check conditions

View the Maitai river flow and Nelson rainfall

View MetService weather forecast
Description A small river that can get very low in the summer months. While it does hold fish it is not a particularly productive fishery. The best fishing is in the lower reaches especially where it runs through the town of Nelson. The river is recommended for junior anglers who can have good fishing with a fly or spinner, especially in the town section.
Ease of fishing The Maitai is an easy river to fish.
Access

There are many access points within Nelson and the Maitai Valley road follows the river to the Maitai Dam allowing easy access to a number of fishing points. See the access map
Recommended lures

Nymphs:
Any small Pheasant Tail or Hare and Copper.

Dry flies:
Small Adams, Greeenwell's Glory or March Brown can work well in the evenings or early morning when fished near the overhanging vegetation.

Wet flies:
Small wee wets such as March Brown, Greenwell's Glory or Invicta patterns work best in the evening or when fished subsurface in faster water.

Spinners: Bladed spinners such as Veltic or Mepps.
Regulations (1)
Applicable to The Maitai above the Nile St Bridge (in Nelson town)
Region Nelson/Marlborough regulations
Season All year
Methods Fly or spinner
Bag limit 2
Size limit (cm) No size limit
Regulations (2)
Applicable to The Maitai below the Nile St Bridge (in Nelson town)
Region Nelson/Marlborough regulations
Season All year
Methods Fly or spinner (though child licence holders may fish with bait).
Bag limit 2
Size limit (cm) No size limit

Other fishing waters of the region



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