Tukituki River Fishing: Trout from Red Bridge to Black Bridge

Last updated October 2026

The Tukituki River is one of Hawke’s Bay’s best-known trout rivers, and Fish & Game rates its summer dry-fly fishing as a highlight of the region. Below Havelock North it winds through the lower Tukituki valley to the sea at Haumoana, with public access at River Road, Red Bridge, Tennant Road and Black Bridge.

Wild brown and rainbow trout hold in the long runs and under the willows, and in spring sea-run and resident trout chase whitebait through the tidal water near the mouth. The river is open all year below the State Highway 50 bridge, and bait is allowed below Red Bridge. You need a Fish & Game licence.

At a Glance

Location

Lower and middle Tukituki River in Hastings district, from Red Bridge (Waimarama Road) down to Black Bridge (Mill Road, Haumoana)

Water

Tukituki River (fresh)

Main species

Brown and rainbow trout; sea-run trout in the tidal water near the mouth

Best time

September to November when whitebait run in the lower river; summer for dry fly

Methods

Fly and spinner everywhere; bait also allowed downstream of Red Bridge

Season

Open all year downstream of the SH50 bridge; tributaries and water above SH50 open 1 October to 30 June

Licence

Fish & Game licence required

Rules

Fish & Game Hawke’s Bay Anglers Notice 2026/27

Flows

HBRC gauge: Tukituki River at Red Bridge

Cost

Free public access points; licence fee applies

About Tukituki River

The Tukituki drains the eastern Ruahine Range and crosses the Ruataniwha plains, where the Makaretu, Tukipō and Tukituki join above Waipukurau. It flows past Waipukurau and Waipawa, picks up the Waipawa River below Waipawa, then runs north to meet the Pacific Ocean near Haumoana, south of Napier. Its catchment covers about 2,500 square kilometres.

Fish & Game splits the river into three reaches. The lower river, from the sea up to the Waimarama Road bridge, is wide with a gentle gradient and often coloured water, with many smaller rainbows in the long runs and bigger trout under the willows.

The middle river, from the Waimarama Road bridge up to the Tukipō confluence, has fast runs, deep pools and willow banks that hold big brown trout, and its braided channel allows sight fishing in normal flows. Above the Tukipō the river is small and willow-lined, with fewer fish.

The Waimarama Road bridge is the one everyone calls Red Bridge. The 329 metre reinforced concrete bridge opened in December 1950, replacing the 1904 Waimarama Bridge. Long before that, in the 1880s, barges carried wool down the river from Waipawa to lighters waiting off Haumoana.

Trout spawn in several of the river’s tributaries. The catchment is also home to native fish including longfin eel, kōaro, īnanga, smelt, torrentfish, pātiki (black flounder) and kōura, along with grey mullet near the sea.

How to Fish the Tukituki River

Where to fish in Hastings district

Fish & Game lists numbered access points along the whole river. These are the main ones between Havelock North and the sea:

• Rochfort Road and Kahuranaki Road: the top of the Wildlife Refuge. Kahuranaki Road has several access points across farmland; most landowners allow anglers who ask first.
• Red Bridge (Waimarama Road): a gravel track on the true right bank just upstream of the bridge. The drive-in access near the bridge has been closed to vehicles since January 2025, but you can walk in.
• Waimarama Road (Smalls): through the cattle yards about 1 km downstream of Red Bridge. Rough tracks, and the papa bedrock is very slippery in summer.
• River Road: Hastings District Council’s Riverlands Park at the end of the road, with plenty of parking.
• Moore Road and Tennant Road: walking access off Tukituki Road, about 7 km and 6 km from Haumoana. Tennant Road is good in early spring when whitebait are plentiful.
• Black Bridge (Mill Road, Haumoana): walking access from both banks, and vehicle access on the true right downstream through a shingle plant. Also good in early spring when the whitebait are running.

Reading the river

In the lower river, fish the long runs for rainbows and work the water under the willows for the bigger fish. From September to November whitebait run up the tidal water, and resident and sea-run trout follow them, which makes Tennant Road and Black Bridge worth a look in spring.

Higher up, fish the fast runs with a nymph or spinner and look for browns in the pools and along the willow banks. In low, warm summer flows, weed grows in the slower water and trout move into the fast or deep water and the cooler tributaries. Floods shift the riverbed, so the good runs change from season to season.

Methods and flies

• Dry fly and nymph: the most popular methods. Mayflies hatch during the day in winter and spring and on humid summer evenings, and caddis come off after dark in summer. In clear, low water Fish & Game suggests fine leaders and flies of size 14 or smaller.
• Wet fly: works well in winter and when the river is high. Smelt patterns are a common choice in the lower river while whitebait are running.
• Spinning: Fish & Game calls it a great way to get children and beginners started. Spinning is allowed on the whole river within the season rules.
• Bait: allowed only downstream of Red Bridge.

Getting There and Facilities

• Trails: the Hawke’s Bay Trails Tukituki Loop (about 30 km) starts at River Road and follows the stopbanks to Red Bridge, then returns via Tukituki Road, Moore Road and Black Bridge. The Havelock North to Clive trail also follows the Tukituki stopbank to Black Bridge, so you can cycle between access points.
• Parking: plenty at Riverlands Park on River Road. Smaller parking areas at the other access points.
• Black Bridge: a popular spot for swimming, whitebaiting and picnics on the grassy flats, so expect company on warm days.
• Gates: some regional council river gates have been locked since Cyclone Gabrielle, but you may walk in from them.
• Camping, vehicles and fires: no camping at Hawke’s Bay Regional Council river access points, vehicles must stay on the designated stopbank tracks, and fires are allowed only in the barbecues provided.
• Dogs: not allowed in the Wildlife Refuge between Rochfort Road and Red Bridge. Elsewhere, keep dogs on a lead and away from algae mats.
• Private land: ask the landowner before crossing private property, unless a Fish & Game access sign is present.

Rules and Safety

• You need a current Fish & Game sports fish licence, and you must carry it. Buy one online or from a licence agent. The Fish & Game Hawke’s Bay Anglers Notice 2026/27 took effect on 1 October 2026.
• Upstream of the SH50 bridge: open 1 October to 30 June, fly and spinner only. From the SH50 bridge down to Red Bridge: open all year, fly and spinner only. Downstream of Red Bridge: open all year, fly, spinner and bait. Tributaries follow the general rule for unlisted waters (1 October to 30 June, fly and spinner). Daily limits differ between the main river and the tributaries, so check the Notice.
• The freshwater rules reach out to sea: river mouths count as fresh water, including water within 500 m of where the river meets the sea at low tide.
• Felt-soled waders are banned. Check, Clean, Dry your gear between rivers to stop the spread of pests such as didymo.
• Toxic algae: health warnings for toxic algal mats (dark brown or black mats on the riverbed) have been issued at Black Bridge and Walker Road, and the catchment often has high algae levels in summer. Children and dogs are most at risk. Check LAWA before you go and keep dogs out of the water.
• The river rises fast and runs high and dirty after rain and snowmelt in winter and spring. Do not cross in high flows, and take care on the slippery papa rock at Smalls.

Tackle and Bait Nearby

• Craftys Rods & Guns: 108 Maraekakaho Road, Hastings. Fishing tackle and Fish & Game licences, open seven days.
• Rivers to Ranges: 106 Nelson Street South, Hastings. Freshwater tackle and flies, and Fish & Game licences.

Where to Learn More

Common Questions

Where can I fish the Tukituki River near Hastings?
Public access points include Red Bridge on Waimarama Road, Riverlands Park at the end of River Road, Moore Road, Tennant Road and Black Bridge on Mill Road near Haumoana. Fish & Game lists them all.

What fish are in the Tukituki River?
Wild brown and rainbow trout. Sea-run trout come into the tidal water near the mouth, especially when whitebait are running in spring.

Is the Tukituki open all year?
Downstream of the SH50 bridge, yes. Upstream of SH50 and in the tributaries, the season runs from 1 October to 30 June.

Can I use bait on the Tukituki?
Only downstream of Red Bridge. Upstream of Red Bridge the river is fly and spinner only.

Do I need a licence to fish the Tukituki?
Yes. You need a current Fish & Game sports fish licence, and you must carry it while fishing.

How do I check the river flow?
Hawke’s Bay Regional Council’s Tukituki River at Red Bridge gauge shows the current level and flow, and there is a webcam at the bridge.

Is there toxic algae in the Tukituki?
Often in summer. Warnings have been issued at Black Bridge and Walker Road. Check LAWA before you go and keep dogs out of the water.

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