Central South Island Weekly Fishing Report 23 October 2025
- Central South Island
- 23/10/2025
Local Fishing Competitions Thriving
Local fishing competitions this season have been thriving, with anglers enjoying great weather, impressive catches, and plenty of friendly competition across CSI lakes.
ITM Waimate Fishing Competition – Lake Aviemore
The annual ITM Waimate Fishing Competition enjoyed a great turnout of anglers at Lake Aviemore, with good weather and plenty of action on the water.
Whilst participants felt trout condition was down a little on last year, several large sockeye salmon were caught that were in excellent condition and large for the time of year — the likes of which would be considered trophy size in Lake Benmore.
Here’s Tony McKenzie from ITM Waimate’s angler report from the day:
“The ITM fishing comp was held on the 11th of October at Lake Aviemore. It was a great day and this time we have 60 entries a few less than usual due to the postponement. We had 39 Adult males 12 Adult females and 9 children under 12 fishing on the day. Everyone turned up with the correct licence. In general, the fish weren’t in as good of condition as last year.”
Rachael Studholme with a very impressive sockeye salmon and a healthy rainbow trout.
Benjamin Wood, age 11, with a fine lake Aviemore rainbow trout.
South Canterbury Anglers Club – Lake Ōpuha Competition
The South Canterbury Anglers Club recently held its fifth competition of the season — the annual trip to Lake Ōpuha.
Twelve members joined the weekend event, along with three visitors from the Ashburton-based Grey Ghost Fishing Club.
Despite challenging conditions and strong winds, anglers landed 27 fish, with most of these being released. While some fished nearby rivers with good results, most stayed on Lake Ōpuha, where choppy water and low visibility made for tricky fishing. One angler managed six trout, all released, while two of the club’s female members had an excellent day, catching nine fish between them. The trout were in fair condition, mostly weighing between 1.5 and 2.5 pounds.
Phil Winter took out the John Edmond Cup for the heaviest fish of the competition. The next club trip is planned for November 1–2, when members will head to Lake Alexandrina for the High Country opening weekend, staying at one of the club’s two batches.
There is also a day trip planned to head to the Ashburton Lakes on November 16.
To join the club or for more information on the South Canterbury Anglers Club, click here.
Labour Weekend at the Canals
Hook up at Ōhau C canal!
Saturday looks set to be the best day of the long weekend, with generally good weather.
Expect to see other anglers in popular sections of the canals, so please be courteous and share the space if you’re fishing alongside them this Labour Weekend.
The angler who is there first has the so called ‘right of way’, so be sure to ask them if it is OK for you to fish near them – for example, if your casts are likely to cross over.
If fishing nearby is not acceptable for the angler with ‘right of way’, then please move on and find a new spot.
The canals are privately owned property, and anglers are effectively the guests of the power scheme’s owners and operators, Meridian, and Genesis.
Check out our canal fishery guide for all the details here, but we’ve selected a few matters Meridian and Genesis want you to take note of.
- Camping is prohibited at the canals – although night fishing is allowed. If you appear to be camping you may be asked to leave by a power company security guard.
- Adhere to signage and do not climb fences or barriers– signage and fencing are erected around structures and hazardous areas to notify you of hazards and to keep you out of dangerous places.
- Rubbish – Your rubbish and fish waste are your responsibility. Pack-in and pack-out of all waste is required at the canals as there are no rubbish facilities provided.
Planting for a Sustainable Future in the Hakataramea Valley
A big team effort resulted in this impressive planting site in the Hakataramea valley.
Last week, CSI Fish & Game assisted with a Hakataramea Sustainability Collective (HSC) led project, planting trees in the Hakataramea valley.
The Productive and Sustainable Land Use (PSLU) project, funded by the Ministry for Primary Industries, aims to support landowners within the Hakataramea valley catchment to meet environmental challenges while maintaining prosperous, sustainable farming operations. The goal is to help build a more resilient, thriving community.
It was an awesome day out, with 56 enthusiastic kids from Waitaki Valley School joining the effort to plant native trees at the demonstration site.
This project enhances the Hakataramea River’s ecosystem health, benefiting both the environment and the community for generations to come.
The team at Central South Island Fish & Game would like to extend a massive thank you to everyone involved — it was a privilege to contribute to such a positive and worthwhile initiative. The HSC team were incredibly enthusiastic, well organised, and great to work alongside throughout the day.
Hard Labour at the Canals
The Hard Labour Kayak Course.
On Saturday the 25th of October the Twizel Hard Labour multisport event is on in Twizel (over Labour Weekend).
Kayakers will be active from around 8:30am till 11am and will be racing from Lake Ruataniwha, down through the Ōhau B and Ōhau C Canals and out into Lake Benmore via the Ōhau C Tailrace.
Lake Ruataniwha is closed to all powered craft from 7am until 10am.
Please do not fish while kayakers are passing by particularly at the SH8 bridge above Ōhau B canal. This annual event has Meridian approval.
Please Watch Out for Birds While Fishing
Australasian crested grebe/pūteketeke. Source DOC.
DOC Twizel contacted us earlier this week in relation to an Australasian crested grebe/pūteketeke that was recently rescued near Twizel after becoming tangled in fishing line and swallowing a hook.
It suffered injuries and required specialist care at the Dunedin Wildlife Hospital.
We’re asking anglers to please remember to take extra care when crested grebe are diving or feeding nearby when fishing. If you notice one close, pause your casting until it moves away. Always try your best to retrieve a snagged fishing line and hooks and properly dispose (pack in, pack out) of any fishing line and any other tackle.
A bit of awareness on the water goes a long way in helping protect these nationally vulnerable native birds that share our lakes and canals. The Australasian crested grebe occurs in New Zealand and Australia, but it is threatened in both countries, and the New Zealand population probably numbers fewer than 1000 birds.
Weather Outlook
From Thursday night onwards, winds in the South Island are expected to ease, with conditions gradually becoming calmer.
Some residual rain may linger, but overall, the severe gales affecting Canterbury and surrounding regions are expected to subside for Friday and Saturday. The long weekend will remain partly unsettled, with some areas seeing dry spells and lighter winds, but another round of rain and gales is expected to develop over the South Island later Sunday and continue into Labour Day Monday.
The Wind
Winds in Temuka (low country) The predicted long-range forecast shows Saturday will see fresh northwesterlies strengthening through the afternoon before easing in the evening. Sunday brings light northwest breezes early, building to moderate westerlies in the afternoon. By Monday, winds will start light from the northwest before turning to the south.
Winds in Twizel (high country). Saturday begins with light southerlies, turning moderate westerly through the day before easing again in the evening. Sunday starts calm, then winds strengthen to a moderate westerly in the afternoon, then easing overnight. Monday brings light easterlies, then becoming calm by midday, changing to gentle westerlies in the afternoon.
The River FlowsAhuriri - 97.666
Ashburton - 63.062
Hakataramea - 5.337
Lake Ōpuha – 89.7% full, with a lake level of 390.11m
Ōhau - 9.799
Ōpihi - 33.062
Otematata - 8.27
Pareora - 0.64
Rangitata - 198.462
Tekapo - 27.559
Twizel – 15.513
Waitaki - 486.029
Please always check the weather and waterway conditions yourself before heading out to ensure an enjoyable day on the water.
NOTICE BOARD
Lake Ōpuha - artificial fresh (Thursday)
Opuha Water Limited (OWL) will undertake an artificial fresh from the downstream weir on Thursday 23rd Oct, starting around 9:30 a.m. Peak flows of 40–60 cumecs will be released before tapering down to 28 cumecs, then 16 cumecs as lake levels are managed back to 90%. The release is timed to reach the Ōpihi lagoon near low tide at 11:30 p.m. to minimise debris deposition. Elevated flows and poor weather are expected, so all river users are urged to take extra care and avoid the river during this period. Warning signs will be in place, and OWL staff will be onsite throughout the release. Visit Opuha Water Ltd website for further information, here.
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
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!
Click here for Central South Island Fish & Game on Facebook
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.