Last updated October 2026
The Waihī River is a small shingle river that runs north to south through Geraldine township, then on past Winchester to join the Temuka River, which flows into the Ōpihi.
Fish & Game Central South Island names the Waihī above Winchester as brown trout water, and the river fishes best early in the season while flows are up. In Geraldine a riverside path follows the bank past Kennedy Park and the Geraldine Domain, which makes it one of the easiest small rivers in South Canterbury to get to.
Waihī River at a Glance
- Location
- Geraldine township, east of Talbot Street (SH79), down to Winchester
- Type
- Small shingle-bed river with willow banks
- Water
- Freshwater, part of the Ōpihi system (Fish & Game Central South Island)
- Main species
- Brown trout
- Best water
- Above Winchester, including the reaches through Geraldine
- Best time
- Early in the season, before summer flows drop
- Licence
- Fish & Game licence required
- Getting there
- Riverside walking path through Geraldine, by Kennedy Park and the Domain
- Facilities
- Shops and cafes in Geraldine township
No tides: the fishing follows the flow, best while spring flows are up and thin once the river drops in summer.
Setting and Background
The Waihī starts in farmland north-west of Geraldine. Up there it is a small winding stream along Sercombe Road, with another braided branch running along Woodbury Road. It then flows through the middle of Geraldine in a shingle bed lined with willows, east of Talbot Street, before heading south-east toward Winchester.
Below Winchester the Waihī joins the Temuka River, together with the Te Moana and Kakahu, and the Temuka joins the Ōpihi downstream of Temuka. Fish & Game lists the Waihī with the Ōpihi tributaries that offer good fishing, particularly early in the season.
Like the other small rivers of the Ōpihi system, the Waihī can run very low in mid to late summer. When it does, the trout drop back into the deeper pools.
How to Fish the Waihī River
Where and when
Start early in the season, from October, while the spring flows are still up. Fish & Game points to the Waihī above Winchester for brown trout.
In Geraldine the riverside path gives easy access to the water by Kennedy Park and the Domain, and you can walk the bank looking for fish in the runs and pools. Later in summer, when the river gets low, concentrate on the deeper pools and move quietly.
What to catch and what to use
- Brown trout: the trout of the Ōpihi system average around a kilogram. On a stream this size, light fly or spinning gear is the way to go.
- Methods: fly, spinner and bait are all allowed on the Waihī. Ask at a tackle shop which flies and lures are working.
Getting There and Facilities
- In Geraldine: the river runs through town east of Talbot Street (SH79), past Kennedy Park and the Geraldine Domain. A walking path follows the bank.
- Upstream: above town the river is a small stream through farmland along Sercombe Road, with a branch along Woodbury Road. Most of this is private land, so ask the landowner before you cross it.
- Downstream: below town the river heads south-east toward Winchester.
- Facilities: Geraldine township, with its shops and cafes, is right beside the river.
- Etiquette: Fish & Game asks anglers not to park in gateways, to leave gates as they find them and to stay within the river margins.
Rules and Safety
- The Waihī River and its tributaries have their own entry in the Fish & Game Central South Island regulations: open from 1 October to 30 April, with fly, spinner and bait all allowed. You need a Fish & Game licence, and to fish for salmon you also need a sea-run salmon licence and a season bag limit card.
- Small rivers like this can rise and colour quickly after heavy rain in the hills. Do not cross when the river is high or discoloured.
- The riverside path in Geraldine is shared with walkers, children and dogs, so watch your back cast.
- Check, clean and dry your waders and gear before moving to another river.
Tackle and Bait Nearby
- Davo’s Fishing Hunting & Sport, 186 Hilton Highway, Washdyke, Timaru: rods, reels, lures, flies and line.
Fishing licences can be bought online from Fish & Game. For the river the Waihī flows into, see our Temuka River fishing guide, and for the main river, the Ōpihi River guide.
Trusted Sources
Fish & Game: Central South Island popular river fisheries: the Ōpihi system and its tributaries, including the Waihī.
NZ Fishing: Ōpihi River: the Ōpihi tributaries, flies and low summer flows.
Common Questions
Where is the Waihī River?
It runs north to south through Geraldine, east of Talbot Street, then south-east past Winchester to join the Temuka River.
What fish are in the Waihī River?
Brown trout. Fish & Game names the Waihī above Winchester as brown trout water.
When is the best time to fish the Waihī?
Early in the season, from October, while flows are up. The river can run very low in mid to late summer.
Do I need a licence to fish the Waihī River?
Yes. You need a Fish & Game licence, and the Central South Island regulations apply.
Can I fish the Waihī in Geraldine township?
Yes. A riverside path follows the bank past Kennedy Park and the Geraldine Domain, giving easy access to the water.
Is this the same Waihī River as in the North Island?
No. This guide covers the Waihī River at Geraldine in South Canterbury, a tributary of the Temuka and Ōpihi rivers.
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