But greater pressure on businesses to comply with tough health and safety rules meant the company owning Port Nikau erected the electric gates late last year.
Asset manager for Port Nikau Peter Williams said under the regulations the wharf area had been identified as a potential hazard.
"There is a long history of people fishing off there but it's been identified as a hazard. The most prudent thing to alleviate the risk is to shut off the wharf to the public," Mr Williams said.
"There are boats coming in and out at all times of the day. There's traffic movement, there's boat movements and we can't control the public in what is deemed as to be a work place."
The closure could mean pressure on other popular wharf fishing spots.
Mr Wood said he had also been to Onerahi wharf which in summer was crowded and fishers had to share the space with those doing "bombs" into the water.
Another popular spot was near Urquharts Bay. Mr Wood said there was very little parking on a sharp corner which could be dangerous if it became more popular.
"Fishing off a wharf is about teaching kids how to bait a hook, cast a line, and how to be safe around water," Mr Wood said.