The Best Fishing Spots in Tasman District
In New Zealand's Tasman District recreational fishing covers sheltered bays, estuaries and nearby offshore grounds, offering a mix of shore, boat and kayak opportunities. Key species in the area include snapper, kingfish, kahawai, trevally, gurnard and tarakihi, while deeper trips can find larger pelagic fish. The region's rivers and small lakes also provide good freshwater angling for rainbow trout and brown trout, with reef structure, estuary flats and rocky headlands that concentrate fish.
Top Cities For Fishing
Sea Fishing
River Fishing
Top Saltwater Fishing Spots
Totaranui
Set on a sweeping golden beach, Totaranui fishes well for snapper and kahawai from the surf, with nearby rocky points and headlands offering deeper water and ambush zones during dawn and dusk tides.
Tasman Bay
Expansive and sheltered, Tasman Bay offers year-round action for snapper, kahawai, gurnard, and summer kingfish, with inshore channels and reefs accessible by small craft from Rabbit Island and Mapua , and productive surfcasting along open stretches when baitfish schools push close to shore.
Rabbit Island
The long sandy shores of Rabbit Island are a favourite for surfcasting snapper and kahawai, especially on evening tides and during summer baitfish runs, with nearby channels toward Mapua also firing for spinners and soft-baits.
Mapua
Mapua is a hub for estuary and nearshore action, with kahawai and school snapper moving through tidal channels around Mapua Wharf and the wider Waimea Inlet , plus easy small-boat access to adjacent reefs in inner Tasman Bay .
Tata Beach
A popular family beach and launching spot into inner Golden Bay, Tata Beach gives quick access to snapper, kahawai, and reef species around the Tata Islands , while evening soft-baiting from the beach can be productive on the change of light.
Kaiteriteri
From Kaiteriteri you can reach rocky points and inshore reefs that hold snapper, blue cod, and summer kingfish, with kayak and small-boat missions to nearby bays like Stephens Bay and landmarks such as Split Apple Rock offering calm-water options.
Marahau
Gateway to the Abel Tasman coast, Marahau provides sheltered launching for targeting inshore snapper, kahawai, and summer kingfish, with close rocky structure and beach edges, plus easy runs to scenic bays like Anchorage .
Onetahuti Bay
A scenic Abel Tasman beach with calm conditions suitable for kayaks and small boats, Onetahuti Bay offers inshore snapper and kahawai with occasional kingfish, and easy hops to adjacent coves toward Awaroa .
Waimea Inlet
New Zealand’s largest enclosed estuary, Waimea Inlet features channels and mudflats that produce flounder, snapper, and prowling kahawai, with small craft and kayaks working current lines and shore anglers targeting drop-offs near Richmond and Mapua .
Wainui Bay
Wainui Bay’s points and channels offer summer shots at cruising kingfish along with snapper and kahawai, with accessible rock ledges and beaches facing the outer reaches of Golden Bay .
Golden Bay
Golden Bay’s warm, shallow waters produce snapper, kahawai, trevally, and seasonal kingfish, with easy beach launches and kayak missions from Tata Beach and flats and channels near Collingwood offering versatile boat and shore opportunities.
Top Freshwater Fishing Spots
Waimea River
Close to population centres, the Waimea River offers convenient access to brown trout along riffles and pools, with sea-run fish in the lower river and estuarine edges interacting with the adjacent Waimea Inlet .
Takaka River
The clear, limestone-influenced Takaka River is a premier fly fishing venue for wary brown trout, with sight-fishing to cruising fish in bright conditions and small dries, nymphs, and stealthy approaches key to success.
Lake Rotoroa
A deep, fjord-like lake known for quality brown and rainbow trout, Lake Rotoroa rewards slow trolling and jigging along steep shorelines and river mouth deltas, with early and late light often producing spectacular bites.
Lake Rotoiti
Set in alpine scenery, Lake Rotoiti holds hefty rainbow and brown trout, with deep trolling and jigging over drop-offs productive in summer and evening harling and smelt patterns effective around river mouths and points.
Riwaka River
Spring-fed and clear, the Riwaka River holds well-conditioned brown trout, with pocket-water and short pools rewarding accurate dry–dropper and light spin presentations, especially around early and late light periods.
Motueka River
A South Island classic, the Motueka River is renowned for sight-fishing to wild brown trout, with prolific summer mayfly and caddis hatches, sea-run fish near the lower reaches, and long riffle–run sections ideal for fly or spin tactics from the banks or by drift-boat.
Aorere River
Flowing through Golden Bay, the Aorere River holds strong, wild brown trout with accessible runs and pools, side channels, and gravel bars suited to fly and spin, and sea-runs present in the lower reaches during baitfish movements.
Anatoki River
A clear tributary of the Takaka River , the Anatoki River features pocket water and pools that hold wary brown trout, rewarding stealthy approaches, small nymphs, and careful reading of current seams.