Reel Life February 2026 - Central South Island

Outlook for March

Fishing in March can be characterised by summer-style fishing but with cold mornings — sometimes even frosty.

Water temperatures start to cool off but still offer enjoyable ‘boots-and-shorts’ fishing, although it pays to carry a warm jacket too.  

Image above: South Canterbury's Anglers Club member Grant Weston with a top-conditioned brown from Lake Heron.

High-country rivers usually flow low and clear and often provide afternoon mayfly hatches that bring the river ‘alive’ with rising trout.

Dads favourite and Parachute Adams  are the flies to try when looking at mayfly imitations.

High-country lakes are still in the action as pictured above. See the 19 Feb weekly fishing report for the full run down on the South Canterbury Anglers Club trip to the Ashburton Lakes.

Teenager experiences the thrill of sea-run salmon fishing

Ollie Christensen's prized catch from the Rangitata River - his first sea-run salmon

Teenage angler Ollie Christensen experienced the thrill of catching a sea-run salmon recently – a once common, but now rare, experience.

Ollie and his dad Jack, decided to try for a trout in the Rangitata River on Waitangi Weekend. They fished a spot for 40 minutes without a bite and then used google earth to find a better-looking section of water nearby.

New spot reached and some reading of the water had Jack pointing out a ‘fishy’ looking spot to Ollie. However, it was a difficult cast, and Ollie needed to land the lure in some deeper water near the bank and an overhanging willow tree. After three ‘test casts’ Ollie’s fourth cast was spot-on but the swing of the lure was met with the feeling of a snag.

Ollie striked to free the lure from the snag and to Ollie’s surprise the ‘snag’ shot off and the reel screamed! Excitement set in as they realised Ollie had hooked a big fish and when the fish jumped it was confirmed; it was the biggest ‘trout’ Ollie had ever hooked. Soon after, it jumped a second time and then the realisation set in, this wasn’t a trout, rather, Ollie was hooked into his first sea-run salmon!

Ollie played the powerful fish patiently like a pro. Jack was buzzing and excitedly coached Ollie through the fight. Sure enough, Ollie had the salmon landed in good time. 

Ollie was beaming, absolutely chuffed with his catch! He’s still chuffed a couple of weeks later – that’s the magic of salmon fishing. After the fish was dispatched Jacks crusty old scales weighed the salmon at 10-pounds. Jack took Ollie through the process of filling out their season bag limit card. Ollie was surprised to realise that his catch had filled their one-salmon season bag limit and that he and his family’s salmon fishing was now over for the season. Jack explained how rare his catch was due to the current sea-run salmon crisis and why a season bag limit was needed to allow more of the salmon run to spawn.

Ollie and family have treasured their salmon harvest, noting its flesh quality being superior to salmon from the canals and Lake Tekapo. They have enjoyed some sashimi and barbequed salmon and a fillet is in the freezer for a special occasion.

Upper Rangitata and Waitaki Season Reminders

The yellow highlight marks the powerlines at Stonewall & Bortons Pond - salmon fishing is closed upstream of these powerlines in April.-

Rangitata River anglers are reminded that the sea run salmon season closes above Turn Again Point on 1 March 2026, The last day for fishing is 28 February (see regulations guide).

And for Waitaki River anglers,  the upper part of the Waitaki River (above Bortons Pond/ Stonewall powerlines) and tributaries are closed for sea run salmon fishing from April 1^st. The last Day for fishing here is March 31.

If you’re new to the Waitaki River we recommend checking out our Waitaki Access Guide here for access points and advice for working around river flows.

Or use our online access maps for access information on the whole Central South Island Region

Sockeye spawning regulations start 1st March

Sockeye Salmon (440mm) caught in Lake Benmore that has just begun it’s transformation to spawning mode, made evident by the bronzing.’Photo credit Kevin O’Hanlon

It’s that time of year again when tens of thousands of sockeye salmon make their spawning run into tributary streams of the Waitaki Lakes, notably lakes Benmore, Ōhau and Pūkaki.

Check out our  social media post to see the transformation that sockeye undergo to produce offspring. We don’t recommend eating them once they have begun their transformation.

A reminder that from 1 March to 30 April, it is an offence to fish for sockeye salmon in any stream or river where they are present. See Note 1.10 in the second schedule of the 25/26 sports fishing regulation guide.   

An open season for trout fishing in these same waters remains in place until 30 April.

In summary, stick to the lakes and canals if you want to target sockeye during that period.

Annual General Meeting - Waitaki Riparian Enhancement Society

The Annual General Meeting of the Waitaki Riparian Enhancement Society (WRES) or better known as the Waitaki Voluntary Salmon Hatchery is to be held on the 31^st of March at the Glenavy Hall.

WRES are a voluntary organisation who aim to increase the wild sea-run salmon population of the Waitaki River. For more information check out their web page or head along to the meeting.

Date: 31 March
Time: 7.30
Place: Glenavy Hall

Tight lines,

Central South Island Fish & Game