Central South Island Weekly Fishing Report - 23 January 2025

Central South Island
23/01/2025

Summer Fishing Tips for Canal Success

A common question we get during the peak summer period is how to catch fish in the canals. Here are some proven tips from an avid canal angler who had great success over the Christmas/New Year break:

Fine-Tune Your Gear

Go Thinner with Leaders
Clear summer waters and bright sun make fish wary of heavy leaders. Opt for thinner, less visible options like the Shimano Sephia Fluorocarbon Leader (7lb, 0.209mm diameter). Its slim profile reduces visibility, while maintaining strength to handle large canal trout. Regularly inspect your leader for damage; even minor wear can lead to breakoffs when you hook a big fish. Replace as needed.
Use Lighter Lures and Jig Heads
Slower summer flows call for lighter jig heads, sometimes as light as 1/20 oz. These sink slowly, mimicking a natural drift. Once your lure hits the bottom, use a gentle, slow-twitch motion, reeling just enough to maintain contact with your lure.

Time Your Fishing Right

Low silt content and bright summer days increase visibility, optimising the ability of fish to see your line, bright light/shadows etc. Target low-light periods for better success:

Dawn and Dusk: The hour around sunrise and sunset is prime time.
Night Fishing: Early morning hours can be especially productive.
Overcast Days: Cloudy skies provide favourable, subdued lighting compared to sunny days.

Pick the Right Lures

For Trout:
Start with proven classics:

Daiwa Crusaders
Rapala CD-3s
Berkley Paddle Tails
Savage Grub Tails

Opt for darker colours like black and gold, motor oil, or purple for better results.

For Salmon:
Use bright, high-visibility lures, such as lumo crusaders or glow-in-the-dark soft baits. Fish near the bottom and retrieve slightly faster than you would for trout to entice salmon effectively.

For angler access options – check out the area on our angler access mapping website here and on our hydro canal fishery brochure’s map here.

Pictured above: Giant 32 lb brown trout caught by Alex Dodson during the peak summer period on a sink Rapala CS-3.

James Meager Appointed Minister for Hunting and Fishing

New Zealand's new Minister for Hunting and Fishing, local MP James Meager deerstalking at Ngamatea Station last year. Credit: NZ Hunter.

Local MP James Meager, representing Rangitata and proudly born and bred in Timaru, has been appointed as the new Minister for Hunting and Fishing.

James is a keen outdoors enthusiast and it’s great to have a local representing what we are so passionate about. We congratulate him on his new appointment.

Click here to read Fish & Game’s full press release about James Meager.

Angler Etiquette

Please remember the golden rule when on a farm - leave every gate just the way you found it.

Recently we have received some information from a local landowner who has had negative interaction with an angler who unfortunately left gates open on the landowner’s property and over 400 bulls got out of their paddock and caused havoc for him.

Whilst this is an uncommon occurrence, we ask anglers to keep their high angler etiquette and respect landowners in and around our valuable access points.

Please follow these fishing code of conduct tips as a friendly reminder.

If no Fish & Game access sign is present, always ask permission from the land occupier before crossing private property.
Leave everything as you found it. If a gate is open or closed leave it that way.
Do not park vehicles so that they obstruct gateways or cause a hazard on the road or access way.
Do not interfere with livestock, crops, machinery or other property.
Always use gates, stiles or other recognised access points and avoid damage to fences.
When driving on riverbeds keep to marked tracks or park on the bank and walk to your fishing spot.
Remove waste nylon and personal litter from the riverbanks and parking places.
Remember to treat others as you would wish to be treated yourself!

Last Chance for Optimal Sockeye Salmon Fishing

L-R, Lincoln Skeats, age 11, Finn Stevens, age 12 and Sefton Stevens, age 8 getting stuck into some sockeye salmon on Monday.

A reminder – it’s one of the last weekend's of the prime period for sockeye salmon fishing at Lake Benmore.

Boaties need to troll at depth using lead line, downriggers or paravane and shoreline anglers are best to be fishing around the Benmore Dam.

Please refer to the Weekly Fishing Report form two weeks ago for in-depth information on how to target the fish.

Watch this video for tips on how to target sockeye while trolling on Lake Benmore.

Pristine salmon on ice destined for the dinner table from Lake Benmore.

Weather and Water Outlook

Targeting local waterways close to home could be a good option this weekend. Water conditions in many of our waterways are closer to resembling late spring/early summer conditions due to the wet spell we had over the new year.

For the best fishing this weekend, according to predicted long range forecasts, head out on Saturday morning before the north westerly spills over into the high country on Saturday afternoon and before the wet southerly comes through on Sunday.

Heavy rain for parts of our region is forecasted for Sunday so keep an eye on the ECan river flow rates here if you are going to attempt a cast on Sunday.

Keep in mind that the Waitaki River flow is mainly controlled through the Waitaki Dam and the river flow level is unpredictable as it is dependent on electricity demand and catchment level water management – we recommend checking ECan’s Waitaki flow website here before you go and during your trip to the Waitaki River.

Predicted long range YR.no forecast website weather forecast for the weekend as of Thursday morning are as follows:

Low Country/Temuka

Saturday, 25 January will begin with partly cloudy skies and a moderate northeasterly breeze overnight. The morning will be cloudy with occasional light rain, transitioning to scattered showers in the afternoon. Rain will continue into the evening with light southeasterly breezes. Expect a high of 17°C and a low of 11°C.
Sunday, 26 January will begin with rain overnight and light westerly air. Heavy rain is expected through the morning, easing to steady rain in the afternoon accompanied by a gentle southerly breeze. The rain will persist into the evening with light southeasterly breezes. Expect a high of 15°C and a low of 14°C.

High Country/Twizel

Saturday, 25 January will begin with cloudy skies overnight, transitioning to light rain by mid-morning. The afternoon will be mostly cloudy with light easterly breezes, increasing to rain with light northwesterly winds by evening. Expect a high of 16°C and a low of 9°C.
Sunday, 26 January will begin with cloudy skies overnight, transitioning to heavy rain showers in the early morning. Steady rain will persist throughout the day with calm to light winds, increasing to a light northeasterly breeze by evening. Expect a high of 15°C and a low of 12°C. This forecast was accurate at the time of writing but please remember to check the forecast for yourself before heading out.

Notice Board

Introduction to Fly Fishing for Women

South Canterbury Anglers Club, with the support of Women on the Fly NZ, is excited to host a one-day workshop designed just for women who want to explore the exciting world of fly fishing! Whether you're a complete beginner or simply curious, this event is a great way to dive in, learn, and connect with others.

When: Sunday, 26th January
Time: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Where: NZ Deer Stalkers Association Clubrooms, 50 South Street, Timaru
Cost: $40 (Spaces are limited to 15 participants)

CSI Council Meeting

Licence holders and members of the public are welcome to attend the next bi-monthly meeting of the Central South Island Fish & Game Council.

Where: 32 Richard Pearse Drive, Temuka.
When: 7pm Thursday 30th January 2025.

Central South Island Fish & Game are now on Facebook and Instagram.

Search for csifishgame on Instagram and Central South Island Fish & Game on Facebook. Please like and follow us to keep right up to date with everything we’re up to at CSI Fish & Game.

Any questions are still best directed towards csi@fishandgame.org.nzor calling 03 615 8400.

Please remember to share your angling experiences with us, it helps make our reports more engaging and inspiring for everyone! Please email your reports to Jase, here.

Hook into it!

Central South Island Weekly Fishing Report - 23 January 2025

Summer Fishing Tips for Canal Success

Fine-Tune Your Gear

Time Your Fishing Right

Pick the Right Lures

James Meager Appointed Minister for Hunting and Fishing

Angler Etiquette

Last Chance for Optimal Sockeye Salmon Fishing

Weather and Water Outlook

Low Country/Temuka

High Country/Twizel

Notice Board

Introduction to Fly Fishing for Women

CSI Council Meeting

Central South Island Fish & Game are now on Facebook and Instagram.

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