Motunau River

Running through Canterbury, New Zealand, Motunau River is the kind of river that fishes well at the right water level. Drop a lure or fly into the bubble line at the head of a pool and let the current swing it past holding fish. Long, slow glides at Motunau River hold the bigger fish; the broken water above and below holds the smaller, more aggressive ones. Stay quiet on the bank — river fish are easily spooked.

Location

-43.0218, 173.0005 · View on OpenStreetMap →

Species Reported in Canterbury

These species are commonly caught at fishing spots across Canterbury. Conditions at Motunau River may vary.

Brown troutRainbow troutChinook salmonEastern Australian salmonGummy sharkLandlocked atlantic salmon

Fishing Techniques

• For Brown trout

  When fishing streams, focus on seams and current breaks, where trout hold to ambush prey.

• For Rainbow trout

  Vary your retrieve speed when using spinners to find what triggers a strike; sometimes a slow, steady retrieve works best, while other times a faster, erratic retrieve is more effective.

• For Chinook salmon

  Vary your retrieve speed and depth until you find what the fish are responding to, as their preferences can change daily.

Recommended Gear

Tackle commonly used to target the species reported in Canterbury.

Plan Your Trip

Before fishing Motunau River, make sure your licence covers Canterbury, New Zealand and that any species-specific seasons are open. Local regulations change year to year, so check the current rules rather than going from memory.

Nearby Spots in Canterbury

See all fishing spots in Canterbury →

Other Fishing Regions in New Zealand