Reel Life March 2026 - Central South Island

Sockeye Salmon Spawning

The month of March is the peak of the spawning run for the Waitaki Lakes’ sockeye salmon population.

Image above: Sockeye salmon school ready for spawning

The Waitaki sockeye are the only self-sustaining landlocked population of sockeye salmon in the Southern Hemisphere.

See this video we put together from last years spawning surveys. Keep an eye on the facebook page for this years update.

This year’s final estimates are still pending but the raw data suggests Lakes Benmore and Pūkaki sockeye populations remain healthy, with the Twizel River once again serving as a key spawning ground.

There is still a small window of opportunity to view the phenomenon of sockeye spawning, with Lake Benmore tributary’s being a good place to start.

A particularly good vantage point is the SH8 Bridge that goes over the Twizel River.

Remember, it is an offence to fish for sockeye in a river or stream where sockeye are present in March and April.

After spawning, sockeye salmon die, contributing vital nutrients to the freshwater ecosystem.

Be aware you may come across salmon carcasses in various stages of decay. This is natural and an important part of their life cycle.

Spawning sockeye salmon on the Lower Ōhau River as seen from above

Outlook for April

April is the last month of the main fishing season and with Easter and ANZAC holidays to utilise there is plenty of time left to get out on your local while the mild autumn conditions allow and before the season wraps-up on April 30^th.

This is especially important for those who are prone to cold fingers and toes.

For fly anglers, April can provide excellent mayfly hatches but be sure to carry a range of flies of varying size and colour to match the hatch.

April is also a pre-spawning time for brown trout. They can start to get aggressive and chase each other around – swinging a bead head woolly bugger or similar could get their attention.

Fish lake tributary mouths to target brown trout that may be congregating prior to starting their spawning migration.

April often marks the last trip out on the boat for the season, especially for those who pack-up their camp sites at the Waitaki Lakes over Easter or ANZAC holidays.

Stick to your favourite trolling spots and enjoy the crisp autumn air and the well-condition trout.  

If you are looking for access info or some new spots then check out our locations info  and angler access map here.

April is the first month that our Winter Season licence is available.
If you haven’t got a Full Season licence and plan to fish more than 3 days from 1 April to 30 September, then a Winter Season licence is the best bang for buck — they’re on sale from 1 April.

Finn Stevens and his Ōpihi Brown trout caught this month.

Waitaki sea-run salmon season – ‘upper’ section closed April 1^st

The implementation of the season bag limit has allowed sea-run salmon fishing to continue longer in some waters of the Central South Island Region for the month of April.

For example, the “lower half” of the Waitaki River remains open for sea-run salmon fishing for April.

The lower half being that part of the river between the sea and the powerlines that cross the river between Bortons Pond on the South and Stonewall on the North side.

The “upper" section, being everything above the powerlines, is closed.

Remember to always carry your sea-run salmon license with you (and a pen) if you are fishing for sea-run salmon or want to keep one incidentally caught whilst trout fishing.

If you need clarification on any regulation please refer to the 2025/26 sports fishing regulation guide.

If you have finished salmon fishing for the season please return the details on your card to us.
You can do this online here, give us a call on 03 615 8400, email csi@fishandgame.org.nz or post the card to us at P.O Box 150 Temuka 7948.

Your information is helpful even if you didn’t catch a salmon or if you didn’t go out fishing at all.

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

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 2026
Time: 7.30pm
Place: Glenavy Hall

 

Tight lines,

Nikki Dellaway,
CSI Fish and Game Officer