Reel Life

Central South Island

CSIRLMAR2501 Sockeye salmon school ready for spawning
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.

  • Central South Island
  • 24/03/2026
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CSIRLFEB2026 South Canterbury's Anglers Club member Grant Weston with a top conditioned brown from Lake Heron
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.

  • Central South Island
  • 20/02/2026
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CSIRLjan2026.01 ‘A fat high country brown trout caught on a grasshopper imitation on a hot, windy afternoon’ Photo Rhys Adams F
Reel Life January 2026 - Central South Island

High-Country Dry Fly Time!

  • Central South Island
  • 20/01/2026
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CSIRLdec01 'Summer holiday fishing!
Reel Life December 2025 - Central South Island

Summer fishing tips For many anglers, the rod hasn’t been dusted off yet—some are still waiting for that first warm morning that “feels” like summer fishing.

  • Central South Island
  • 12/12/2025
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CSIRLnov2025 01 Oliver Currell with salmon fresh out of Loch Cameron on Kid’s Fishing Day Photo by Braided Creative
Reel Life November 2025 - Central South Island

Kid’s Fishing Day 2025 The first Saturday of November marked the Kids Salmon Fishing Day in the CSI region, which was held at Loch Cameron.

  • Central South Island
  • 20/11/2025
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CSIRLoct2025 01 “This Brown Trout caught in the lower Ōpihi last weekend was found to have five smelt (silveries) in it’s stomac
Reel Life October 2025 - Central South Island

November Fishing November is a favourite month to fish for many anglers, and for good reason.

  • Central South Island
  • 20/10/2025
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RLCSI2025.1 Mum and her boys out there doing it, Opening Day 2024. Credit Blake Harper
Reel Life September 2025 - Central South Island

October Offers Opportunities October is a great month to fish as trout are at their most naïve as they have not been fished at for a few months, which is the…

  • Central South Island
  • 22/09/2025
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CSIRL250401 'We call this one “Stuart’s Serenity” an early morning row on Lake Alexandrina landed Stu an 8.5lb brown this month.
Reel Life April 2025 - Central South Island

Winter Fishing Opportunities The summer fishing season closes next Wednesday the 30th of April but a selection of our lakes, rivers and canals are open during the winter and offer a…

  • Central South Island
  • 14/04/2025
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CSIRLMAR2501 Sockeye salmon school ready for spawning
Reel Life March 2025 - Central South Island

Sockeye Salmon Spawning Last week (13 – 16th of March), marked the peak of the spawning run for the Waitaki Lakes’ sockeye salmon population.

  • Central South Island
  • 21/03/2025
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CSIRL2502 1
Reel Life February 2025 - Central South Island

Lake Alexandrina produces great catches. Lake Alexandrina has produced some great catches this month.

  • Central South Island
  • 20/02/2025
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