Ōpihi River

South Canterbury's premier salmon and trout fishing river

Address Ōpihi River, near Temuka

The Ōpihi joins the Pacific a few kilometres south of Temuka, and it is one of South Canterbury's two famous fishing rivers, along with the larger Rangitata to the north. Quinnat (chinook) salmon run upstream from November to April; brown trout fishing is good year-round. Several braided gravel-bed sections are accessible to anglers; the river mouth at Waipopo is a popular launching spot for surf-fishing.

Beyond fishing, the river is good for picnicking, swimming in summer, and walking along the gravel bars. Guides operating from Temuka can take inexperienced anglers out for half-day or full-day trips. The Department of Conservation manages access; a Fish & Game licence is required for trout and salmon.

things to do sight fishing
A story
The Ōpihi takes its name from the local Māori word for the limpet that was once gathered from its tidal estuary. The river was the food source that gave Temuka its name — Te Umu Kaha, 'the strongly burning fire-pit' — referring to seasonal cooking fires along the riverbank during the limpet gathering season.