Mataura River: Fishing Brown Trout near Invercargill

Last updated October 2026

The Mataura River runs about 240 km from the Eyre Mountains to the sea at Fortrose, passing Athol, Gore, Mataura and Wyndham on the way. It is one of Southland’s best-known brown trout rivers, famous for its afternoon mayfly hatches and dry fly fishing.

At Mataura township, 13 km south-west of Gore on State Highway 1, there is an anglers’ access on a gravel area beside the river off Kana Street. A Fish & Game licence is needed.

At a Glance

Location

Eyre Mountains to Toetoes Bay at Fortrose; anglers’ access off Kana Street, Mataura township

Type

Large trout river: small-stream water at the top, a wide open middle river, deeper water below Mataura

Water

Freshwater (Fish & Game Southland)

Main species

Brown trout; the occasional salmon

Season at Mataura

1 October to 31 May (closed 1 and 2 May 2027), Gore Bridge to Mataura Island Bridge

Methods

Dry fly, nymph, spinning; bait in the lower river (check the reach rules)

Boats

No fishing from a boat or flotation device above Mataura Island Bridge

Getting there

State Highway 1: Mataura is 53 km north-east of Invercargill

Licence

Fish & Game licence required

Rules

Fish & Game Southland Sports Fishing Regulations

More About Mataura River

The Mataura rises in the Eyre Mountains near Southland’s northern boundary and runs the length of the province to Toetoes Bay.

Fish & Game describes a clear upper river with sight fishing to rising trout, managed with a voluntary beat system, and drift counts showing many medium and large trout of about 1.5 to 2.5 kg. The Waikaia joins above Gore and makes the river much bigger from there down.

Below Gore the river is large and suits spinning and bait as well as the fly. Fish & Game extended the season below Gore so anglers can fish the late-summer mayfly hatch.

Below Mataura Island Bridge the river is open all year, and the estuary at Fortrose is known for large sea-run and estuarine brown trout. Fortrose and the Toetoes estuary are a different kind of fishing from the river and are not covered here.

At Mataura township the river drops over Te Au Nui, the Mataura Falls, a 6 m sandstone ledge on the northern edge of town.

The falls are a traditional mahinga kai of Ngāi Tahu, renowned for kanakana (lamprey), which are gathered by hand from October to December as they climb the rock. In 2006 a 10 km stretch of the river including Te Au Nui became the first freshwater mātaitai reserve in New Zealand.

The paper mill and the freezing works were built on opposite banks at the falls in the late 1800s. The mill closed in 2000; the freezing works still operate.

Upstream of the town the river runs through a steep-sided gorge that is hard to reach and rarely fished, and the banks around Mataura are high, which is why a marked access matters here.

How to Fish the Mataura River

Where to fish

At Mataura, use the anglers’ access off Kana Street, a gravel area beside the river in town. From Mataura down to the sea the river is deeper and slower, and nzfishing.com reports very large numbers of fish there, some up to 4.5 kg. It suits spinning and bait. Water quality is poorer in the lower river, especially below Mataura Island.

Upstream, the road follows the river from Mataura to Gore. Beattie’s Beach and the Gore Road Bridge give good access, and the stretch from the Wyndham to Gore Road Bridge is a local favourite that is easy to wade.

In Gore itself the river is a short walk from the town centre: go down River Street below the traffic bridge, or Woolwich Street and River Lane above it. Above Gore, road bridges at Ardlussa, Waipounamu, Pyramid and Otamita, and Monaghan’s Beach, are the easy ways in to the popular middle river.

Fish & Game marks angler access points, and much of the bank is reachable on the Queen’s Chain, a 20.1 m marginal strip. On the upper river, follow the voluntary beat system.

When

The Mataura is known for consistent afternoon mayfly hatches, best in late summer, and for evening rises in the warmer months. Fish spook easily and dart for cover, so approach slowly. A deep trench along one bank often holds fish.

What to use

• Nymphs: Pheasant Tail, Willow Grub, Mataura Darter and mayfly emergers. Small flies work best on this river.
• Dry flies: Dad’s Favourite, Blue Dun, Parachute Adams, Twilight Beauty, Wickham’s Fancy, caddis and Dark Red Spinner.
• Wet flies: Gosling, Invicta and March Brown early in the season; Greenwell’s Glory, Alexandra and Claret later.
• Spinners: Tobys, Mepps, Rapalas and small Veltics, mainly in the bigger water from Gore down.
• Bait: allowed in the lower river; check the reach rules before you fish.

The Waikaia, a major tributary that joins above Gore, has its own beat system: see our Waikaia River guide.

Rules and Safety

• You need a Fish & Game licence. The Southland Sports Fishing Regulations set the season, methods and limits for each reach.
• Current seasons: upstream of Gore Bridge, 1 October to 30 April; Gore Bridge to Mataura Island Bridge, 1 October to 31 May, closed 1 and 2 May 2027; Mataura Island Bridge to the sea, all year, closed 1 and 2 May 2027.
• No fishing from any boat or flotation device above Mataura Island Bridge. Salmon may not be taken from any Southland river in April or May.
• The river around Te Au Nui (Mataura Falls) is a mātaitai reserve for customary fishing, especially kanakana. Trout fishing follows the Fish & Game rules; check MPI before taking any other fish, and respect people gathering at the falls.
• The stones at river crossings are slippery, and the river rises and colours quickly after rain. Check the Environment Southland river levels before you go.
• Some Southland rivers carry didymo. Check, clean and dry your gear between rivers.

Official Sources

Common Questions

Where can I fish the Mataura River at Mataura?
Use the anglers’ access off Kana Street, a gravel area beside the river in Mataura township. Upstream of the town the river runs through a gorge that is hard to reach.

Do I need a licence to fish the Mataura River?
Yes. You need a Fish & Game licence, and the Southland regulations apply.

When is the Mataura River open?
It depends on the reach. At Mataura (Gore Bridge to Mataura Island Bridge) the current season is 1 October to 31 May, closed 1 and 2 May 2027. Above Gore it closes on 30 April, and below Mataura Island Bridge it is open all year.

What flies work on the Mataura?
Small flies. Pheasant Tail and Willow Grub nymphs, mayfly emergers, and dries such as Dad’s Favourite, Blue Dun and Parachute Adams are long-time choices.

Can I use bait or a spinner?
Spinners suit the bigger water from Gore down, and the lower river suits bait. Methods differ by reach, so check the regulations first.

Can I fish from a boat or float tube?
Not above Mataura Island Bridge: Southland’s rules ban fishing from any boat or flotation device there.

When is the mayfly hatch?
Afternoon mayfly hatches are consistent through the season and best in late summer, with evening rises in warm weather.

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