Central South Island Weekly Fishing Report - 13 November 2025
- Central South Island
- 13/11/2025
Trophy Perch for Opening Morning
Opening Morning at the Ashburton Lakes couldn’t have dawned under more perfect conditions — calm, crystal-clear water, bright blue skies, and snow-capped peaks glistening in the distance.
Among those making the most of it was John Hey from Christchurch, who landed a big 3.5lb perch using a classic Mrs Simpson with a red body.
Pictured above: John Hey with his 3.5lbs perch caught on High Country Opening Morning.
The fish, caught in the shallows of a glassy lake margin, was in peak condition and showed off striking gold and orange tones under the morning sun. With the water as clear as glass and barely a breath of wind, it was one of those rare days when everything aligned for an unforgettable start to the fishing season.
Perch have been a part of the Ashburton lakes fishery for more than 50 years and while they can compete with other species, they also provide angling opportunities and are part of the mixed fish communities in these waters.
Angler Reports
Luke Gilchrist with a very healthy 3.5lbs Lake Alexandrina brown trout.
Fish & Game Officer Blake Harper provided this report from last weekend fishing with his mates around Tekapo.
“We caught 8 fish from Lake Tekapo, a mix caught from the shore and from Jet Ski. One brown was 4lbs and was caught using a good old black and gold toby and was released. We also caught two fish on lake Alexandrina, the biggest was a very fat 3.5lbs brown caught by my mate Luke, also using a black and gold toby.
Blake Harper with strong 4lbs Lake Tekapo brown trout.
Callum Findlay struck gold in the Mckenzie country.
Callum Findlay from Wanaka kindly sent in this report of his high country opening day experience.
"I caught a chunky 8.5lbs brown trout in the Mackenzie country on high country opening morning using a Rapala crush-city black soft bait. I pulled it up just before the sun came over the hills and it put up a decent fight and then I was into the next fish a few minutes later! Later that day I met Fish & Game ranger Jase when I was fishing at Lake Benmore. I caught a few more (smaller) fish around the edges that arvo.”
Callum Findlay meets up with Fish & Game ranger Jase Van Beers. Credit Braided Creative.
Opening Day First on the Hakataramea River
Women on the Fly Shine in the Haka. L-R Tracey Baughan, Leigh Johnson, Helen Weir, Shirley Salisbury, Geraldine Stratton.
The weather gods were certainly smiling on this group for the opening day on the Hakataramea River, which made for a great start to the season.
A very big thank you goes to Leigh Johnson (Women on the Fly NZ) and Geraldine Stratton from Dunedin, for taking the time to show three Christchurch anglers around the valley.
The ladies from the Christchurch Fishing & Casting Club and the Reel Women Facebook group thoroughly enjoyed their time on the water. While the elusive Hakataramea brown trout managed to keep out of reach this time, they all agreed that the experience, the laughs, and great company more than made up for it.
For these women, fishing is more than just about catching. It’s about shared learnings, stories, mentoring, appreciation for our environment and personal well-being.
A special mention must go to Women on the Fly NZ, who continue to do amazing work encouraging women across New Zealand to get out there and learn the art of fly fishing. Reel Women and the Christchurch Fishing & Casting Club have really benefited from the support of Women on the Fly NZ over the past two years.
They’ve seen a wonderful increase in our female club and group members during this time — a testament to the welcoming, inclusive environment that Women on the Fly NZ promotes for female anglers of all experience levels across the motu.
The Women on the Fly NZ community can be found at www.womenonthefly.nz and on social channels at @womenontheflynz.
Sea-Run Salmon Bag Limit Reduced to One Fish for 2025/26
Have your pen at the ready alongside your sea-run salmon season bag limit card and licence.
The sea-run salmon season bag limit has been reduced to one fish for the 2025/26 season in both the Central South Island and North Canterbury Fish & Game regions.
This means anglers may harvest only one sea-run salmon for the entire season.
Why the Change?
The decision follows the Adaptive Management Strategy jointly used by the Central South Island and North Canterbury Fish & Game Councils to set sea-run salmon regulations.
Recent spawning surveys recorded the lowest combined salmon returns on record.
An estimated 900 adult spawners across the Waimakariri (213), Rakaia (608), and Rangitata (79) rivers. These numbers fall below the 1,200-fish “severe population management” threshold, triggering a reduction to a one-fish season limit.
Sea-Run Salmon Management Threshold Table.
Your Responsibilities as a Sea-Run Salmon Angler
- A $5 Sea-Run Salmon Licence is required in addition to your whole season licence if you target or keep a sea-run salmon in the CSI or NC regions. You can easily buy your licence online through the Fish & Game NZ website, here, or from your local licence agent in-store.
- This licence comes with a Season Bag Limit Card, which must be carried while fishing.
- Please ensure you also carry a ball point pen as any kept salmon must be recorded immediately, in ink, on your card.
- Once you harvest your one salmon, you must stop fishing for sea-run salmon for the season.
- Returning your completed or unused card helps Fish & Game monitor salmon populations and set appropriate regulations.
Note: salmon caught in lakes and the Mackenzie hydro canals (e.g., in Lake Tekapo/Takapō, the hydro canals, or Lake Benmore) do not require a sea-run salmon licence.
More Information
How to Use Our Online Access Maps Instructional Video
To view our Access Map, click here.
Save the webpage to your phone home screen for quick access. The access map does not work if you do not have phone reception or Wi-Fi.
As always if you have any questions regarding fishing access don't hesitate to get in touch with us, please email csi@fishandgame.org.nz or call 03 615 8400.
Spot X
Lake Emma / Kirihonuhonu is in the Ashburton Lakes/Ō Tū Wharekai area, approximately one hour from Ashburton. Take the sign-posted road to Lake Emma from Hakatere-Potts Road. After reaching the lake, a 4WD track skirts the lake on the Eastern edge – this track is closed outside of the fishing season and also when DOC deem the track to be too wet. Brown trout and perch are present in the lake.
Regulations for this location are:
- Open season:1st Saturday in Nov – 30 Apr
- Fishing methods: Fly & Spin only
- Daily bag limit: Trout – 2, Perch – No limit.
Check out our Angler Access Website here for all the Central South Island Fish & Game angler access locations.
Weather and Water Outlook
The long range forecast according Metvuw.com will see a polar change moving into the South-West corner of the South Island, spreading across the island overnight and into Saturday morning. Conditions will clear by Saturday evening, followed by warmer, more settled weather on Sunday and into early next week.
The Wind
According to YR.NO the winds in Temuka (low country) the predicted long-range forecast shows Saturday will see gentle to moderate breezes from the northwest and west throughout the day before a southeast change in the evening. Into Sunday expect light to moderate north to northeast winds
Winds in Twizel (high country). Saturday sees light to gentle southwest and westerly winds throughout the day. On Sunday, the wind changes to light easterlies.
The Flows
As of Thursday morning, the ECan River flow data website shows the following river flow rates read in cubic meters per second (m3/s). Click on the river name to go to the ECan website for more information.
Ahuriri - 43.316
Ashburton - 35.953
Hakataramea - 3.696
Lake Ōpuha – 91.6 % full, with a lake level of 390.33m
Ōhau – 12.567
Ōpihi – 10.957
Otematata - 6.591
Pareora - 0.985
Rangitata - 152.099
Tekapo - 19.866
Twizel – 11.439
Waitaki - 319.898
Please always check the weather and waterway conditions yourself before heading out to ensure an enjoyable day on the water.
Please remember to email your angling reports to Fish & Game Officer, Jase Van Beers, at jvanbeers@fishandgame.org.nz. We’d love to hear from you!
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For any questions, please email csi@fishandgame.org.nz or call 03 615 8400.
Disclaimer:
The information presented in these news items is based on the context and regulations in place at the time of publication. Please note that some articles may include reference to laws and regulatory standards that have since changed. For the most current and accurate information please check our Fishing Licences & Regulations pages or our Hunting Licences & Regulations pages.