Last updated October 2026
The Maitai River, also known as the Mahitahi or Maitahi, runs out of the Maitai Valley and through the middle of Nelson to the sea. It holds small numbers of brown trout, mostly under 2 lb, and the best fishing is in the lower reaches through town. It is easy to reach and easy to fish, which makes it a good first river for junior anglers with a fly or spinner.
Below the Lower Nile Street Bridge it is open all year and child anglers may use bait. You need a Fish & Game licence, which is free for children under 12.
At a Glance
- Location
- Nelson city, from the harbour end up the Maitai Valley to the Maitai Dam
- Main species
- Brown trout in small numbers, mostly under 2 lb
- Methods
- Fly and spinner; child anglers may also use bait below the Lower Nile Street Bridge
- Season
- All year below the Lower Nile Street Bridge; 1 October to 30 April above it
- Best time
- Evening and early morning, with dry flies near overhanging trees
- Suits
- Junior anglers and beginners, especially in the town section
- Licence
- Fish & Game licence; free for children under 12, but they still need one
- Access
- Many points in the city; Maitai Valley Road follows the river to the dam
- Flow gauge
- Maitai at Avon Terrace (council data)
- Rules
- Fish & Game Nelson/Marlborough
No tides on the fishing water. Low summer flows matter most: the river can get very low, so fish early and late in dry spells and check the algae alerts.
About The Maitai River
The Maitai rises in the Bryant Range and feeds the Maitai Dam, Nelson’s water supply reservoir, finished in 1987. Below the dam it runs down the Maitai Valley and then west through the city in a narrow, tree-lined channel, close to Nile Street East and past Branford Park, before it reaches the harbour near the city centre. Consent conditions on the dam keep a minimum flow in the river below it.
It is a small river and not a big fishery, but it does hold trout. Numbers are small, especially outside the town, and most fish are under 2 lb. The best water is in the lower reaches through Nelson. The river above the dam holds little for anglers.
The name Maitai is probably a corruption of Mahitahi or Maitahi. Rangitāne and Ngāti Kuia link the name to the abundance of īnanga in the river, while Ngāti Koata, Ngāti Rārua, Ngāti Tama and Te Ātiawa connect it to people working as one on pakohe (argillite) from the catchment. Nelson City Council mostly uses Maitai, and its river restoration work is called Project Maitai/Mahitahi.
The river has a long fishing history. A photo from 24 December 1905 in the Nelson Provincial Museum is captioned “7 Trout weighing 23 lbs from Maitai River”, caught by Mr C. Snow. Long before that, in 1870, James Hector recorded large shoals of upokororo, the native grayling, which introduced trout largely wiped out.
How to Fish the Maitai River
Where to fish
Start in town. The lower reaches through Nelson fish best, and there are many access points within the city. Further up, Maitai Valley Road follows the river to the dam and gives access to several more fishing spots, including the reach past Branford Park and the Maitai Valley Motor Camp.
Fish & Game’s rules change at the Lower Nile Street Bridge, so know which side of it you are on.
Taking kids
The Maitai is recommended for junior anglers, who can do well with a fly or a spinner, especially in the town section. Below the Lower Nile Street Bridge, child anglers (under 12 on 1 October) may also fish with bait.
Juniors aged 12 to 17 and adults must use fly or spinner. Every child needs their own licence, and the child licence is free.
What to use
- Nymphs: small Pheasant Tail or Hare and Copper.
- Dry flies: small Adams, Greenwell’s Glory or March Brown, fished near overhanging trees and bushes in the evening or early morning.
- Wet flies: small wee wets such as March Brown, Greenwell’s Glory or Invicta, in the evening or fished under the surface in faster water.
- Spinners: small bladed spinners such as a Veltic or Mepps.
Low summer flows
The river can get very low in summer. In a dry spell fish early and late, move quietly, and check the Avon Terrace flow gauge before you go.
Getting There and Facilities
- In the city: the river runs through central Nelson beside Nile Street East, with many places to reach the water.
- Branford Park: car park on the left off Maitai Valley Road, before Gibbs Bridge. Branford Park is a dog exercise area.
- Maitai Valley: Maitai Valley Road follows the river from the Nile Street turn-off to the dam. The Maitai Valley Motor Camp is at 472 Maitai Valley Road, about five minutes up the valley, and the Maitai Walkway joins at its lower end.
- Swimming holes: the valley’s swimming holes are busy on hot days. For a swim, see our Waahi Taakaro Reserve (Sunday Hole) guide.
- Above the dam: there is a car park for Rush Pool just past the Maitai Dam. The Maitai Caves area is a water reserve, and no dogs are allowed.
- Licences: buy online from Fish & Game, or from the licence agents in Nelson listed on the Fish & Game website.
Rules and Safety
- Licence: you need a Fish & Game licence. Children under 12 get a free licence, but they still need one.
- Two sections: under the 2026/27 Nelson/Marlborough regulations, in force from 1 October 2026, the Maitai downstream of the Lower Nile Street Bridge is open all year, fly and spin, and only child anglers may bait fish. Upstream of the bridge it is open 1 October to 30 April, fly and spin only.
- Limits: check the daily bag in the current Fish & Game Nelson/Marlborough regulations before you keep a fish.
- Gear: felt-soled waders and boots are banned. Check, clean and dry your gear before moving to another river.
- Toxic algae: Nelson City Council monitors the Maitai for toxic algae, with alert levels for the Maitai at Avon Terrace on its toxic algae page. It grows when flows are low and stable and the weather is warm, and looks like black, green or brown slime on rocks or velvety brown or black mats at the edge. Keep dogs on a lead and out of the water near affected sites, and keep children out too.
- Water quality: the council grades the river’s bathing holes between the Maitai Camp and Girlies Hole as fair to good, but the Collingwood Street site near the mouth as very poor. Check LAWA’s Can I Swim Here before swimming, and wash your hands after handling fish and gear.
- Swimmers: in summer the swimming holes fill up. Fish away from swimmers and keep hooks well clear of them.
Trusted Sources
Fish & Game Nelson/Marlborough regulations 2026/27: seasons, methods, the child bait rule and bag limits for the Maitai.
Nelson City Council: toxic algae: current alert level for the Maitai at Avon Terrace and weekly monitoring updates.
nzfishing.com: Maitai River: access map, flies and lures for the river.
Common Questions
Do I need a licence to fish the Maitai River?
Yes, a Fish & Game licence. Children under 12 get one free, but they still need one.
Can kids use bait on the Maitai?
Yes, but only child anglers (under 12 on 1 October), and only downstream of the Lower Nile Street Bridge. Everyone else uses fly or spinner.
Is the Maitai open all year?
Downstream of the Lower Nile Street Bridge, yes. Upstream of the bridge it is open from 1 October to 30 April.
How big are the trout in the Maitai?
Brown trout here are mostly under 2 lb, and numbers are small.
Where is the best fishing on the Maitai?
The lower reaches through Nelson town. The water above the Maitai Dam holds little for anglers.
Is the Maitai spelt Maitai, Maitahi or Mahitahi?
All three are used. Maitai is the common spelling used by Fish & Game and Nelson City Council, and Mahitahi or Maitahi is probably the original name.
Is there toxic algae in the Maitai?
It can grow in low, warm summer flows. Check Nelson City Council’s toxic algae alerts before you go, and keep dogs out of the water near affected sites.
Spotted something incorrect on this page? Let us know.