Today's Best Fishing & Tide Times for
Nelson, New Zealand 🇳🇿

Solunar
Tides
Weather
7-Day
Spots

How to use the Kiwi fishing calendar

Planning your next fishing trip in Nelson, New Zealand ? Today is a average day for fishing. Our comprehensive fishing almanac combines our popular bite times and moon phases, moon times, sunrise and sunset times, nearby tide timetable, and a 7-day fishing calendar so you always know the best fishing times in your area. We analyse major and minor solunar bite times, rate each day on a five-star scale, and pair it with localized weather forecasts so you can quickly tell whether today is a good day to fish without juggling multiple tabs. Be sure to bookmark this page so you never miss a bite. view bite times...

  • Check our unique Solunar Clock for precise bite times and moon phases and the best moon phases.
  • Use the Tide Clock section to sync bite times with high and low tide timetable.
  • Analyze the forecasted weather conditions, such as wind, barometric pressure and rain to plan your fishing session.
  • Jump to the 7-Day Fishing Calendar for an extended fishing forecast, then explore nearby fishing spots on the interactive map.

Nelson fishing delivers world-class inshore and freshwater action across Tasman Bay, the Marlborough Sounds fringe and nearby rivers and lakes. Anglers come for snapper, kingfish, kahawai and trout — all reachable from shore, rock platforms, boats and charters around Nelson, New Zealand. read more...

Some of the best fishing spots near Nelson include: Tahunanui Beach, Port Nelson, Mapua Wharf, Cable Bay, Nelson Haven, Boulder Bank, Maitai River, Motueka River, etc. see full list

Tide Station:

Sun and Moon Times

The sun will be at it's highest point at . Today we have 9:23 hours of daylight. For shallow water fishing the twilight periods are often the most productive fishing times, especially on days when a major or minor time will coincide with twilight. In low light conditions predators have better cover for their ambush and often hunt in shallow water.
  • Nautical Twilight begins:
    Sunrise:
  • Sunset:
    Nautical Twilight ends:
  • Moonrise:
  • Moonset:
  • Moon over:
  • Moon under:
  • Visibility:
    88%
  • Waning Gibbous - 88% illuminated Waning Gibbous
Next New Moon in ~11 days on 15th June
  • Distance to earth:
    401,605 km
    Proximity:
    9.6 %
We can compare the current moon distance to it's minimum and maximum distance from earth and express that as proximity. A high proximity means the moon is closer to earth. At 50% it would be at it's mean distance. A high proximity causes big tides, currents and has a direct effect on increased bite times. A proximity greater than 90% indicates a super moon.
Moon Phases for Nelson
Full Moon
Sun, 31 May
New Moon
Mon, 15 Jun
Full Moon
Tue, 30 Jun

Solunar Bite Times

Settings
Display Settings:
  • average Day
12 1 2 3 4 5 AM 7 8 9 10 11 12 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
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Best fishing times:
  • major Time:
    01:57 am - 03:57 am
  • minor Time:
    09:52 am - 11:52 am
  • major Time:
    02:29 pm - 04:29 pm
  • minor Time:
    07:06 pm - 09:06 pm
All times are displayed in the Pacific/Auckland timezone and are automatically adjusted to daylight savings. The current timezone offset is +12 hours. Green and yellow areas indicate the best fishing times (major and minor). Blue areas indicate high and low tides. The center shows the current moon phase which is a Waning Gibbous at 88% lumination. According to the Solunar Theory, today is a average day for fishing, but you need to cross check this with the current weather forecast for a final decision. Currently we have a minor fishing time. The next best fishing time will be tomorrow. The gray time indicator displays the current local time.
Pacific/Auckland • Thu, 4 Jun 19:06 • -41.271, 173.284

Tides Times for Fishing: Thu, 4 Jun

The Tideclock displays the tide status and the hours until the next tide. Currently the tide is rising and the next high tide is in 5 hours and 10 minutes.
Tide Graph
05:32 am 12:03 pm 06:12 pm AM PM 11.91 ft 3.41 ft height hour: 12 2 4 6 8 10 12 2 4 6 8 10 12
Times
Tide Time Height
low 05:32 am 3.41 ft
high 12:03 pm 11.91 ft
low 06:12 pm 3.48 ft
Tide Coefficient at 12:03 pm is 74
For fishing, stronger tides are often favourable as they cause stronger currents and more motion on the sea bed. The above tidal coefficients give us an indication of how strong the tides are compared to their average. A value over 90 indicates very strong tides, known as spring tides. A low value indicates weak tides, known as neap tides. The tidal coefficient can range from 20 to 120 with a mean value of 70. A higher number usually indicates better fishing.
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Current Fishing Weather

Updating Weather Infos...

7 Day Fishing Weather

The weather plays an important role in fishing. Wind strenght and direction often determine where you can fish and where fish might be holding. Although high pressure is usually good for fishing, steep pressure changes often trigger feeding frenzies and are great times for fishing. Of course temperature has also a strong effect on fishing and comfort on the water. So make sure to cross check the weather forecast with the solunar fishing times to determine the best times to go fishing. The graph below shows you the 3 hourly weather progression over the next 7 days. Scroll the graph left or right to see more.
Selected Weather Station: Nelson, NZ
Temperature
Wave Height
Swell Height
Wind
Pressure
Humidity
Cloudcover
Rain Precipitation
UV Index
Retrieving Weather...

7 Day Fishing Forecast Calendar
Date Major Bite Times Minor Bite Times Sun Moon Moonphase Tide Times
-
-
-
-
R:
S: 		R:
S: 		Waning Gibbous moon phase
Waning Gibbous
low: , 3.28 ft
high: , 12.07 ft , Coeff: 76
low: , 3.38 ft
high: , 12.93 ft , Coeff: 87
-
-
-
-
R:
S: 		R:
S: 		Waning Gibbous moon phase
Waning Gibbous
low: , 3.41 ft
high: , 11.91 ft , Coeff: 74
low: , 3.48 ft
-
-
-
-
R:
S: 		R:
S: 		Waning Gibbous moon phase
Waning Gibbous
high: , 12.5 ft , Coeff: 81
low: , 3.64 ft
high: , 11.68 ft , Coeff: 71
low: , 3.58 ft
-
-
-
-
R:
S: 		R:
S: 		Waning Gibbous moon phase
Waning Gibbous
high: , 12.11 ft , Coeff: 76
low: , 3.94 ft
high: , 11.35 ft , Coeff: 67
low: , 3.74 ft
-
-
-
-
R:
S: 		R:
S: 		Third Quarter Moon moon phase
Third Quarter Moon
high: , 11.78 ft , Coeff: 72
low: , 4.23 ft
high: , 11.06 ft , Coeff: 63
low: , 4.04 ft
-
-
-
-
R:
S: 		R:
S: 		Third Quarter Moon moon phase
Third Quarter Moon
high: , 11.52 ft , Coeff: 69
low: , 4.4 ft
high: , 10.83 ft , Coeff: 60
low: , 4.36 ft
-
-
-
-
R:
S: 		R:
S: 		Third Quarter Moon moon phase
Third Quarter Moon
high: , 11.45 ft , Coeff: 68
low: , 4.36 ft
high: , 10.83 ft , Coeff: 60
low: , 4.53 ft
-
-
-
-
R:
S: 		R:
S: 		Third Quarter Moon moon phase
Third Quarter Moon
high: , 11.55 ft , Coeff: 69
low: , 4.13 ft
high: , 11.06 ft , Coeff: 63
low: , 4.33 ft
*bold times indicate best fishing times around sunrise or sunset

Fishing Overview Nelson

Nelson is a versatile fishery with clear seasonal rhythms and distinct habitats from the sheltered bays of Tasman Bay to rocky points, estuaries, the Marlborough Sounds fringe and nearby rivers and lakes. Spring to early summer is prime for snapper moving onto shallow reefs and kelp edges; snapper fishing lights up around tide changes on sand channels and reef drop-offs. Summer brings consistent surface activity from kahawai and occasional kingfish along weedlines, headlands and around bait schools—trolling small skirted lures, running livebaits or fast-jerked softbaits is productive. Offshore trips in late summer and autumn can pick up albacore and southern bluefin tuna on deeper structure and current lines, while bottom fish like tarakihi, gurnard and john dory are steady year-round on gravel plains and reef margins.

Freshwater anglers target brown and rainbow trout in rivers such as the Motueka, Riwaka and Waimea and in Nelson Lakes (Rotoiti/Rotoroa), with spring and autumn offering the best hatches and rising fish. Flyfishing dry flies during warm afternoons and nymphing deeper runs on cooler days are both effective; swing wet flies and streamers work well for more aggressive trout in low-light conditions.

Habitat-wise, focus your approach: sand flats, gutters and channel edges in Tasman Bay hold schooling snapper and gurnard; rocky headlands, kelp beds and current-swept reefs attract kingfish, kahawai and groper; deeper reef pinnacles and terraces beyond the 20–60m mark hold hapuku and larger tarakihi. Estuary mouths and river bars are prime kahawai ambush zones and good for land-based surfcasting. For blue cod and reef species, target shallow rocky kelp zones inside the Sounds and around island clusters.

Common techniques to prioritise include slow to medium-paced drifting with live pilchards or slimy mackerel on running sinkers for snapper, and vertical jigging bright metal jigs for tarakihi, gurnard and hapuku in 30–80m. Surface poppers and stickbaits score on kahawai and schooling kingfish in summer; when fish are tight to structure, switch to smaller softplastics on 1/4–1/2oz jig heads fished on a short sharp retrieve. For trout, a range of 4–7wt rods covers most local rivers and lakes—use weighted nymph rigs in deeper water, or small dries and emergers during insect hatches.

Tactical tips: fish tide changes and slack-to-running tides for best activity, target structure edges where sand meets reef, and read birds and bait schools to locate pelagic species. Use light leaders in clear water for wary snapper and trout, and brighten up tackle (fluorescent skirts, rattling jigs) in murky or low-light conditions. When drift fishing, anchor or use a well-controlled drift to present baits naturally across gutters. Offshore, mark productive contours on a sounder and vary jig speeds until fish respond. Lastly, plan trips around wind and swell—Nelson’s exposure means many of the best spots fish well in light northerlies but shut down in southerly groundswell.

The Best Fishing Spots around Nelson

Tahunanui Beach

Nelson’s city surf beach is a go-to for easy-access fishing, with summer runs of snapper and rig (spotted smooth-hound) in the gutters, and year-round kahawai cruising the shoreline; dawn and dusk with a light northerly can be prime, and the long sandy stretch facing Tasman Bay gives plenty of room for surfcasters to spread out.

Port Nelson

The working harbour offers productive edges and current lines where kahawai, trevally, and summer kingfish hunt bait; boaters troll or cast around channel markers while shore anglers target wharf pylons and lit areas at night for mackerel and snapper, all within minutes of central Nelson.

Mapua Wharf

A classic family-friendly spot on the edge of the Waimea Inlet, the wharf holds schools of yelloweye mullet, spotties, and mackerel, with passing kahawai on the tide and the odd summer snapper; fish the current windows and structure around the piles in picturesque Mapua.

Cable Bay

Sheltered rocky points and kelp edges meet deeper water, drawing snapper, blue cod (by boat just outside), and passing kingfish; shore casters work the rocks around the boulder beach while small boats and kayaks prospect drop-offs toward Pepin Island.

Nelson Haven

The shallow harbour behind the Boulder Bank is ideal for light-tackle sessions on flounder, yelloweye mullet, and summer snapper; wade the flats or launch small craft to drift channels on incoming tides, with bird activity often revealing feeding lanes close to Nelson.

Boulder Bank

This iconic boulder spit offers miles of rock-edge access overlooking Tasman Bay; casting baits or soft plastics into the clear drop-offs can find snapper, gurnard, and roaming kahawai, with the lighthouse end and points along the bank fishing best on the turn of the tide.

Maitai River

A scenic urban trout stream flowing through Nelson, the Maitai holds wild brown trout with clear-water sight fishing in pools and riffles; summer evening hatches bring fish up to dries, while small nymphs and soft baits work well in deeper runs up the valley.

Motueka River

One of the South Island’s premier freestones near Motueka, famed for sight-fishing to large brown trout; consistent flows, prolific insect life, and long riffle–run sequences make it a year-round draw, with the lower reaches also seeing spring sea-run browns near the estuary.

Interactive Fishing Map for the greater Nelson area

Wharf's or Jetties are good places to wet a line and meet other fishermen. They often produce a fresh feed of fish and are also great to catch bait fish. As they are often well lit, they also provide a good opportunity for night fishing. There are 1 wharf(s) in this area.

Main Wharf - 1.61178238666km

Beaches and Bays are ideal places for land-based fishing. If the beach is shallow and the water is clear then twilight times are usually the best times, especially when they coincide with a major or minor fishing time. Often the points on either side of a beach are the best spots. Or if the beach is large then look for irregularities in the breaking waves, indicating sandbanks and holes. We found 2 beaches and bays in this area.

Tahunanui Beach - 3.769066727km , Beachamp Creek - 9.06516390768km

Harbours and Marinas can often times be productive fishing spots for land based fishing as their sheltered environment attracts a wide variety of bait fish. Similar to river mouths, harbour entrances are also great places to fish as lots of fish will move in and out with the rising and falling tides. There are 2 main harbours in this area.

Nelson Harbour - 1.65461331639km, Old harbour entrance - 2.1844691117km

We found a total of 40 potential fishing spots nearby Nelson. Below you can find them organized on a map. Points, Headlands, Reefs, Islands, Channels, etc can all be productive fishing spots. As these are user submitted spots, there might be some errors in the exact location. You also need to cross check local fishing regulations. Some of the spots might be in or around marine reserves or other locations that cannot be fished. If you click on a location marker it will bring up some details and a quick link to google search, satellite maps and fishing times. Tip: Click/Tap on a new area to load more fishing spots.

Maitai River - 0.33895731696km , Main Wharf - 1.61178238666km , Nelson Harbour - 1.65461331639km , Old harbour entrance - 2.1844691117km , Haulashore - 2.22638804995km , Magazine - 2.37531237221km , York Stream - 2.787869733km , Glen Creek - 3.09590990447km , Nelson Haven - 3.27223112677km , Groom Creek - 3.75666680411km , Tahunanui Beach - 3.769066727km , Sharland Creek - 4.15528089324km , Packer Creek - 4.15528089324km , The Brook - 4.19516467157km , Cummins Creek - 4.19516467157km , Neds Creek - 4.29904993911km , Boulder Bank - 4.36897000969km , Blind Channel - 4.40573687352km , Oldham Creek - 4.71308452057km , Jenkins Creek - 6.16029370486km , Poorman Valley Stream - 6.16029370486km , Maitai Dam - 7.47272959439km , Hilton Creek - 7.50242953305km , North Branch Maitai River - 7.64495602447km , South Branch Maitai River - 7.64495602447km , Sclanders Creek - 7.64840683409km , Oyster Island - 7.78280634153km , Orphanage Stream - 8.13020886361km , Martin Point - 8.16655827076km , Pig Island - 8.2344353724km , Mill Creek - 8.2845813797km , Coads Creek - 8.43243788358km , Saxton Island - 8.70624613694km , The Wrey - 8.93656612798km , Beachamp Creek - 9.06516390768km , Saxton Creek - 9.49251328933km , Bell Island - 9.58508415779km , Rush Pool - 9.71807807949km , Jackson Creek - 10.17671609553km , Teal River - 10.57159080288km

Harbours and Marinas Beaches Bays Wharfs Points,Reefs,etc
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