Trout Fishing in the Buller River access points.

Behind its many obstructions and obstacles, a 3 lb beautifully-spotted brown trout may well be lying.

Species: Brown Trout

Method: Fly, Spin and Bait Fishing

Access: The Buller runs beside SH6 for much of the lower river and has roadside access

Restrictions: The Buller is open all year.  Tributaries: October 1 to April 30.  Four trout per day

Fishing Tip:  The Buller is a very large river, so spinning and bait fishing are popular methods, particularly in the lower sections.  Sea-run browns can make up a good proportion of the catch in the spring when whitebait are moving.  Further upstream there is good nymphing on some sides of the runs and through summer there can be some good evening rises.

Accesses:

1. Westport picnic area & domain:

Cross the Buller Bridge into Westport, turn left, then turn left again.  There is ample parking and fishing area.  On the southern bank, downstream side of the bridge there is further fishing access.

2. Reedys Road:

From Westport take Victoria Road from town, then left onto Nine Mile Road.  It finishes very close to the river.

3. Te Kuha:

Follow Victoria Road from town, then left onto Nine Mile Road.  It finishes very close to the river.

4. Windy Point

Windy Point is 12km from the Westport Bridge.  Good parking on the rivers edge.

5 Ohikanui River: 

Good parking at the bridge.  Walk down to either river.  There is a good days fishing up the Ohikanui.

6. Ohikaiti River:

Park on the Westport side of the bridge.  There is a large shingle area to fish from.  Have a look in the Ohikaiti, especially early in the season.

7. Tiriroa:

Just under 1km above the Ohikaiti bridge.  Big Pools and rocks to fish from

8. Hawkes Crag:

Just downstream of Hawkes Crag is a good parking area and walking access to the river

9. Blackwater River:

Parking on downstream side of bridge.  Fish the Blackwater river as well.

10. Stitts Bluff:

The sharp right corner 2.5km upstream of the Blackwater.  Good track to the river

11. Whitecliffs:

Between the Whitecliffs and the river is farmland.  You will need to seek landowner permission

12. Inangahua Junction:

A vehicle track leads to the river on the Westport side of the SH6 Bridge over the Inangahua.  Confluences are always good places to fish, particularly if one river is clean and the other dirty.

More Information - Fish & Game brochure