Ruamahanga River

Boat Ramps: 0
Access Points: 0
Species: 5

The Ruamahanga River is one of the standout fisheries in the lower North Island of New Zealand, rising in the Tararua Range and draining southward for over 120 kilometres past Masterton before entering the sea at Lake Onoke near Lake Ferry. Within an hour's drive from Wellington's CBD, this remarkable river offers an extraordinary diversity of angling experiences — from sight-fishing large browns in remote headwaters to drifting the lower reaches for sea-run fish. It is a true fish factory, beloved by both fly and spin anglers, and widely regarded as an overlooked gem in the Wairarapa region.

Species & education

Learn what type of fish are at Ruamahanga River and what's needed to catch them.

Find which waters have the species you want to catch

Brown Trout

Salmo trutta

Giant Kokopu

Galaxias argenteus

New Zealand Longfin Eel

Anguilla dieffenbachii

Rainbow Trout

Oncorhynchus mykiss

Short-finned Eel

Anguilla australis

Fishing spots, boat ramps & amenities

Learn how to get on Ruamahanga River. Uncover great fishing access points, boat ramps, and all the facilities you need for an unforgettable day on the water. Some locations shown may border or include private property. Always check property boundaries and applicable regulations before visiting. onWater's Public & Private Land layer can help you plan your access with confidence.

Morison Bush

Campsite

Know where you can legally fish on Ruamahanga River

See public and private land boundaries along the water, turn on private parcels with owner details to know where permission is required, and find land-trust parcels that offer permitted fishing access.

Wellington licenses and regulations

No licenses or regulations available for Wellington.

Take Ruamahanga River with you

The onWater Fish app keeps this water's access points, species and conditions in your pocket, with the tools you use once you're there.

Use the map without signal
Download the map around Ruamahanga River to use it offline when coverage drops.
Log your catches here
Keep a private fishing journal for Ruamahanga River to find where and when fish are biting for you.

Get the onWater Fish app

Free on iOS and Android