Central South Island Weekly Fishing Report - 2 October 2025

Snow on the ground to start this year’s fishing season in the Central South Island!

Anglers were not put off by the cold and wet morning which included snow on the ground in some places including in Timaru!  

These hardy anglers were rewarded with healthy and abundant fish right across the region, as reported by our licence holders and Fish and Game Officers.

Anglers flocked to the CSI region from Christchurch, Dunedin, Queenstown and Auckland to enjoy Opening Day. Families came together to fish at Lake Opuha/Ōpūaha and shared freshly caught trout for lunch.

Pictured above: Avid angler Ryan Harrison, age 12, with his first fish of the season. A 4.5lbs brown from the Ōpihi river.

One adventurous angler started fishing from the mouth of the Ōpihi River at first light and caught a 7lbs rainbow straight away which proved to be his best for the day. He then met Fish & Game Officer Steve McKnight at the Tengawai/ Te Ana-a-wai river confluence and proceeded to fish all the way up to the river towards his home in the Hazelburn area, catching and releasing as he went.

Officer Jase Van Beers had the pleasure of meeting Ryan and Joan Harrison from Mayfield at the Raincliff bridge on the Ōpihi River.

Ryan, age 12, has been fishing since he was 5 years old and has spent most of his time fishing with his grandma Joan, an avid angler herself. “Ryan is a farm boy who is mad keen on fishing and spends hours and hours researching techniques, tackle and locations” said Joan. Joan has helped foster Ryans passion from a young age and is clearly very proud of how Ryans knowledge for sports fishing is beginning to surpass her own!

Ryan had enjoyed a successful morning getting to the river at the crack of dawn.  He was armed with both a fly and spin rod. “I started with my fly rod and tried but due to the higher water and a bit of colour I changed to my spin rod,” said Ryan.  He had caught two fine brown trout for the morning, the larger being 60cm long and 4.5lbs. Both fish were kept, providing dinner for his family. He caught his fish using a black and red Bait Junckie Mudblood on 6lbs leader with 10lbs braid and Diawa Strikeforce rod.

Ryan and his angling mentor grandma, Joan Harrison enjoying quality time together out on the river.

We’d love to hear how you spent your Opening Day this season

Lovetts of Ashburton and Poppelwells of Auckland enjoying fresh fish Opening Day 2025 - Lake Opuha / Ōpūaha.

Please email your reports to Fish & Game Officer Jase Van Beers, here.

To join the fun this season please remember to purchase your 2025/2026 fishing licence online through the Fish & Game NZ website, here, or from your local licence agent in-store.

Stay up to date with the latest CSI Sports Fishing Regulations 2025/26, here.

To find access to a new spot to fish throughout the season use the Central South Island Region Access Map, here.

Archie Addicted to Fishing at Lake Opuha/Ōpūaha

Archie Shearer of Timaru, age 8, caught the majority of fish for the day, like a pro, alongside his grandparents Jo and Simon Grant.

Jo Grant, Archie’s grandmother, sent in this report from Opening Day on Lake Opuha/Ōpūaha.

“We made it to Lake Opuha after leaving home (Gleniti, Timaru) with 2 inches of snow on the boat and vehicle!  The lake was calm and temperature warm with blue sky. Only 4 boat trailers at the Bennett Road boat ramp at 11 am.

We used the trusty Tasmanian devil traffic lights, trolling, and hooked into the first fish within 2 minutes on the Western side. We caught and released 8 small rainbow trout. We caught and released 3 large brown trout at the Northwest end only, on the drop off where it goes from 2 metres to 12 metres deep suddenly. We also hooked 3 more fish that got off; fish were certainly plentiful!”

Stephen and Harry Strike the Waitaki river by Jet Boat

Stephen Brailsford enjoying Opening Day on the mighty Waitaki by jet boat with his stepson Harry.

Harry Graham-Samson fished the Waitaki River this Opening day and sent in this report.

“The Waitaki is looking in great order flowing at 253 cumecs for Opening Day which makes it easier to navigate the river and identify where the trout will lie.

Most of the fish that we caught were in excellent condition with the odd fish still recovering from spawning but give these fish a few months and they will be back to being in prime condition.

Wet lining or swinging streamers worked well for us in shallow and deep water. While out on the river we were surprised how close to the edge some of the fish were sitting which was great to see but also caught us out by spooking them.

If you plan to experience fishing the Waitaki river then my bit of advice is fishing any bit of slack water or slow-moving current as the fish tend to hold up better as it’s hard work sitting out in the main flow!

We caught and released 20 fish between the two of us.”

Fish & Game Officer Reports from Opening Day

A 4lbs brown trout caught and released by Blake proving you don’t need to have a jet boat to get amongst the action on the Waitaki river.

Blake Harper reported that the Waitaki River catchment started with cold conditions in the morning.

There was a handful of keen shore anglers fishing in between Borton's pond and Kurow. One angler had managed to land a nice rainbow trout at Borton's. There were about 12 jet boat trailers at the Duntroon access, and another 12 at the Kurow access. There were a few shore anglers fishing around the Kurow access points and most anglers had had a bite or two. By lunch time the sun was out, and conditions were far more favourable.  Blake even managed time for a quick cast and caught and released 4-pound brown on a CD-7 Rapala, at the Ferry Road access on the Waitaki River.

Nikki Dellaway reported a chilly start at Lake Opuha/Ōpūaha and saw a couple of early anglers rewarded with quick catches.  There were plenty of shore-based anglers and a steady stream of boats came and went over the day, however, it was not overly busy out on the water. The day had warmed up nicely by lunchtime where she met about 25 anglers plus a handful of supporters. Most anglers had fish in the bag with some being enjoyed immediately for lunch. It was a beautiful afternoon at the lake, with excellent catch rates of fish averaging around 2.5lbs.

Fish & Game Officers were active across our low country fisheries on Opening day and caught up with 61 compliant anglers on Lake Opuha/Ōpūaha, Waitaki river, Bells and Borton’s ponds, and the Ōpihi, Temuka/ Te Umu Kaha, Pareora/Pureora, Tengawai/ Te Ana-a-wai, Waihi, Ōrāri rivers.

Weather Outlook

This weekend looks set to be a bit of a wet, cold and windy one unfortunately with 30mm of rain predicted for Fairlie according to YR.NO.  We may see a bump in river heights on Sunday so keep an eye on current river levels with the free ECan river flows and rainfall websites before committing to your fishing spot for the weekend.

The hydro canals and lakes may prove to be more reliable options with this type of weather forecasted.

Looking at Metvuw.com a large low-pressure zone will move across New Zealand tomorrow and this weekend bringing area of rain, showers and dry spells too.   Winds will be changeable as the low moves through, with a colder/cooler southerly twist as we go through Sunday.

But next week we're back to the windy westerlies, which will come off and on all week across the country, especially the South Island as high pressure remains well north of the country and deep lows churn by to our south.

For those seeking real-time conditions, the Outdoor Access livestream cams provide a subscription-based service with a 30-day free trial, offering valuable insights into live river and lake conditions.

Checking weather and waterway conditions will ensure an enjoyable day on the water

NOTICE BOARD

Kids Salmon Fishing Day

Thanks to Mount Cook Alpine Salmon, the Kids Salmon Fishing Day is on for 2025!
The event is being held at Loch Cameron, 5km from Twizel on the morning of Saturday the 1st of November.
The event is for kids between the ages of 4 and 11 only.
Registration is on the day from 8:30am, fishing starts at 9am. 
For more info email: ndellaway@fishandgame.org.nz

Click here for Central South Island Fish & Game on Facebook

For any questions, please email csi@fishandgame.org.nz or call 03 615 8400.