Last updated October 2026
The Esk River, Te Hukawai-o-Hinganga, runs 43 km from the Maungaharuru Range down the Esk Valley to Hawke Bay north of Napier. Fish & Game says it holds healthy numbers of trout, mostly rainbows averaging about 1 kg and usually in excellent condition, and it has occasionally produced double-figure fish.
The best fishing is in the middle and upper reaches, reached from Eskdale Park, Ellis Wallace Road and Berry Road. The river was hit hard by Cyclone Gabrielle, so check conditions before you go.
At a Glance
- Location
- Esk Valley, beside SH5, north-west of Napier
- Type
- Clear, mid-sized trout river through farmland and forestry
- Water
- Esk River (freshwater)
- Main species
- Mostly rainbow trout; sea-run browns from August to October
- Season
- Below Waipunga Road Bridge: all year. Above it: 1 October to 30 June
- Methods
- Fly and spinner only; no bait anywhere on the Esk
- Access
- Fish & Game access points at Eskdale Park, Waipunga Road Bridge, Ellis Wallace Road and Berry Road
- Best methods
- Dry fly and nymph
- Rules
- Fish & Game Hawke’s Bay; licence required
- Cost
- Free access; Fish & Game licence needed
No tides on the trout reaches. The Esk colours very quickly after rain and is best fished once it has cleared.
About Esk River
The Esk rises at the south-east end of the Maungaharuru Range, runs through forestry and scrub, then opens into farmland near SH5 and follows the highway down the valley, with vineyards and orchards along the lower reaches. nzfishing.com says the upper river is usually clear but colours very quickly after rain. The lower reaches are tidal; for the mouth and the beach, see our Esk River mouth fishing guide.
Cyclone Gabrielle in February 2023 flooded large parts of the Esk Valley and destroyed houses and sections of SH5 and the railway.
A Fish & Game angler survey in June 2023 found the river muddy and heavily silted, and the regional council still advises against swimming in the Esk Valley. Fish & Game reported a region-wide recovery in its rivers by October 2025, but expect a changed river.
The Māori name, Te Hukawai-o-Hinganga, is translated as “the froth of the fast-flowing water”, and Te Ara notes the Esk has long been known for its popular fishing spots and its history of flooding.
How to Fish the Esk River
Where and when
The middle and upper reaches fish best. Fish & Game notes that the upper Esk, reached off Ellis Wallace Road, can fish well early in the season.
Below the Waipunga Road Bridge the river is open all year; above it the season runs from 1 October to 30 June. Sea-run browns come into the lower river after the whitebait runs, from August to October.
What to use
- Nymphs: small, lightly weighted Hare and Copper, Pheasant Tail and Peacock Herl.
- Dries: beetle patterns in early summer, then cicada and cricket from midsummer.
- Evenings: small wet spiders swung across the faster water.
- Spinners: small bladed spinners in the river, and silver or black-and-gold Tobys in the tidal reaches.
- Outfit: nzfishing.com suggests an 8.5 to 9 ft rod with a 4 to 5 weight floating line.
Getting There and Facilities
- Eskdale Park: off SH5 via Shaw Road, following the signs, then a vehicle track to the river’s edge.
- Waipunga Road Bridge: access on the true left, with a short marginal strip down the true right. Elsewhere, stay within the riverbed.
- Ellis Wallace Road: a parking bay on the right just after the railway crossing, and at the road end a ford with marginal strips up both banks, giving over 10 km of river.
- Berry Road: about 32 km up SH5, turn right onto Ohurakura Road (gravel) for about 8 km, then right onto Berry Road to the first forestry gate. Walking access only: park away from the gate and walk 1.7 km.
- Private land: ask permission before crossing farmland to reach the upper reaches.
- River reserves: no camping at access points, fires only in barbecues provided, and take your rubbish home.
Rules and Safety
- The Esk follows the Fish & Game Hawke’s Bay rules. Downstream of the Waipunga Road Bridge: open all year, fly and spinner only. Upstream of the bridge and all tributaries: 1 October to 30 June, fly and spinner only, with a maximum length limit. Check the current regulations for limits.
- No bait anywhere on the Esk, and a Fish & Game licence is required.
- The river colours very quickly after rain. Do not cross at the Ellis Wallace Road ford or wade in high flows.
- Some regional council access points are still closed for cyclone repairs, and some gates are locked. Walk in rather than drive past a locked gate.
- The regional council advises against swimming in the Esk Valley since the cyclone.
Tackle and Bait Nearby
- Hunting & Fishing Napier, 170 to 180 Taradale Road: flies, spinners and Fish & Game licences.
- Gun City + Fishing Napier, 2 Pandora Road: fly and spin gear, and licences.
- Fish & Game Hawke’s Bay office, 22a Burness Road, Greenmeadows: licences and advice.
Find Out More
Fish & Game: Northern Hawke’s Bay access points: directions to each Esk access point.
Fish & Game Hawke’s Bay regulations: seasons, methods and limits for the Esk.
nzfishing.com: Esk River: flies, lures and tackle for the river.
Common Questions
What trout are in the Esk River?
Mostly rainbow trout averaging about 1 kg, with sea-run browns coming in from August to October.
When is the Esk River open?
Below the Waipunga Road Bridge, all year. Above it, from 1 October to 30 June.
Can I use bait on the Esk?
No. The whole Esk is fly and spinner only.
Where can I get onto the Esk River?
At Fish & Game’s access points: Eskdale Park, the Waipunga Road Bridge, Ellis Wallace Road and Berry Road.
What flies work on the Esk?
Small, lightly weighted nymphs such as Hare and Copper, beetle dries in early summer and cicadas from midsummer.
Has the Esk recovered from Cyclone Gabrielle?
The river was badly silted after the cyclone. Fish & Game reported recovery in its rivers by October 2025, but check conditions and access before you go.
Do I need a licence?
Yes, a Fish & Game licence.
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