Central South Island Weekly Fishing Report - 4 December 2025

Two Weeks Chasing Trout on New Zealand’s South Island – Part 1

CSI Fish & Game Rangers had the pleasure of meeting Tilmann Hahn and Tobias Paschen while ranging the hydro canals last week.

Pictured: Tilmann Hahn with his prized 6lbs brown.

Tilmann and Tobias are two anglers from Germany and were nearing the end of a two-week dedicated fishing trip to the South Island. They have generously provided this engaging report of their amazing trip. Enjoy!

“My name is Tilmann Hahn, and I am currently studying for a Master’s degree in applied bioinformatics. When I am not at my desk or on the water, I volunteer back home in Germany as a youth leader for the State Fisheries Association. Together with a colleague, I help look after around 1,500 young anglers. We organize youth camps, fishing trips and educational events, always with a strong focus not only on catching fish, but also on the sustainable use of natural resources and the protection of fish stocks and their habitats.

This winter I had the chance to combine my love for fishing, travel and nature in a special way. I am currently based in Sydney, working on my Master’s thesis, and my good friend Tobias Paschen had just finished his medical studies. Before beginning his long and demanding specialist training, he wanted to fulfil a dream: a dedicated fishing trip. For me, there was only one clear destination. In my opinion, there is no better trout fishery in the world than the one found on New Zealand’s South Island.

It was already my third trip to this remarkable place, and so we planned our route along many of the waters that had treated me well on my previous visits. Tobias brought the curiosity of a first-time visitor; I brought a little experience and together we brought a lot of excitement.

Our two-week journey took us in a wide loop through the southern part of the South Island. Of course, two weeks are nowhere near enough to fish even a fraction of the fantastic waters that are available here, but we were determined to make the most of it.

In our luggage we had both spinning rods and fly rods. We spent most of the time fishing with lures, but we also wanted to improve our fly fishing skills, even though we are both still beginners with the fly rod. The idea was simple: use the spinning gear to cover water effectively and then switch to the fly whenever conditions and water structure invited us to try.

From Christchurch, our journey first took us south to the milky-blue waters of Lake Pukaki, framed by the snow-capped peaks of the Southern Alps. It was here that I connected with the first fish of the trip: a young Chinook salmon of around three pounds that attacked a white-and-green spoon in the evening light.

It was not a trophy fish, but it was the perfect start the first pull in the rod, the first silver flash in the clear water and the first shared grin of the trip. After a long journey and a lot of planning, we were finally doing what we had come for: fishing in New Zealand again!

The next morning we headed to the world-famous hydro canals near Twizel, home of the legendary “canal giants”, enormous brown trout that haunt the dreams of many anglers. Our goal was clear: try to tempt one of these monsters.

Over the course of the day, we caught several beautiful fish on soft plastics and spoons. Each trout was in excellent condition, powerful and brightly marked. However, the real giant we were hoping for did not appear. In the afternoon we decided to change things up and try our luck with the fly rod.

We moved to the inflow of the Twizel River into Lake Benmore, a piece of water that simply invites you to swing a streamer. I tied on a dark green Woolly Bugger and began stripping it quickly through the entering current. It didn’t take long before I felt a solid, unmistakable jolt through the line.

The trout responded with several acrobatic jumps and powerful runs, using the current to its advantage. Very quickly I realized this was a good fish. After about five minutes of concentrated playing and a few nervous moments, I was finally able to guide a beautiful brown trout of around six pounds into the net. For a fly fishing beginner like me, it was an unforgettable moment and a highlight of the whole trip.

That night we returned to the canal for another session with dark soft plastics. Despite our efforts and the promising conditions, the night remained quiet. Sometimes the giants simply do not want to play.”

In next week's WFR will pick up with the rest of Tilmann and Tobias report in a part 2.

Tobias Paschen with one of his first trout caught for the trip.

Exploring Regulatory Changes To Increase Sea-Run Salmon Spawning – Your Feedback Is Sought

Salmon anglers at the Rangitata mouth last season.

Salmon populations are at critically low levels, currently requiring the Central South Island and North Canterbury Fish and Game Councils to explore further regulation options in addition to the season bag limit.

This enables a greater proportion of the run to spawn. Changes to the regulations may impact your fishing activities and your sea-run salmon fishery values, so we are seeking your feedback to support future decision making.

What is Fish & Game Seeking Feedback On?

Fish & Game is seeking your feedback on a variety of potential regulatory changes to the sea-run salmon fishery within the current management framework, including:

• Reducing season length
• Limiting fishing areas
• Implementing a catch-and-release fishery (0-season bag limit)
• Implementing a temporary season closure

How and when can I provide feedback?

You can provide feedback via our online survey. The survey will be available via email and posted on this webpage. There will be a staged release of the survey as follows:

• 1 December 2025: A randomised subset of sea-run salmon licence holders will be emailed, inviting them to complete the survey. Check your email now!
• 1 January 2026: A survey link will be emailed to all sea-run salmon licence holders who did not participate in the random survey. Additionally, the survey link will be available on our website for any angler or member of the public to complete.
• 31 January 2026: The survey period closes. All submissions must be made by 11:59 pm NZDT.

For more information and to review our information pack visit our website here.

Tagged Fish Recapture

Seb McMillan with tagged trout he caught, that was tagged three years ago.

Seb McMillan caught a tagged brown trout last Sunday in the top of the Tekapo Canal.

It measured 50cm long and weighed close to 7lbs. Excitingly this fish was actually caught in the same location by another angler and reported to us back in May 2025. It weighed 6.5lb then.

This trout was first tagged and released into the Tekapo Canal nearly 3 years ago on 20/12/2022, when it was just 165mm long and 0.08lb.

The fish was released and hopefully will continue to be a part of future recapture stories.

Thanks Seb for reporting your catch and supporting our project that assesses the growth and movements of trout within the Tekapo canal.

If you manage to catch a tagged trout in the canals please report it to us, here.

Tekapo River Fishing Plans? Read This First.

Lake Pūkaki is full, time to spill.

Anglers planning to fish or camp along the Tekapo River this weekend should reconsider their plans. The Tekapo River, especially downstream of the Pūkaki River confluence, may be hazardous.

Both Lakes Pūkaki and Takapō/Tekapo are receiving high inflows from recent rain and snowmelt, pushing levels up and triggering operational releases by Meridian Energy Ltd and Genesis Energy Ltd.

From 7am on Wednesday 3 December Meridian Energy Ltd will undertake a controlled release from Lake Pūkaki via the Pūkaki Gate Structure into the Pūkaki River. The release of water will begin slowly and gradually build up to larger flows.

Lake Tekapo has reached its maximum control level.  Genesis Energy Ltd are continuing to maximise generation through the Tekapo Power Scheme. However, if high inflows continue, Genesis Energy Ltd may need to spill water from Lake Tekapo into the natural bed of the Tekapo River.

People are asked not to enter the riverbed over this period under any circumstances and obey all warning signs. Currents will be unpredictable and river flows will be constantly changing for the duration of this event. If people see anyone at immediate risk of harm, they should call 111 immediately

We’ll provide updates on controlled spilling through the WFR and our Facebook page as information becomes available. Updates will be made via Meridian’s Facebook page and Genesis website. As always you can contact us via email csi@fishandgame.org.nz or call 03 615 8400 if you need further clarification.

The good news is once spilling stops and flows settle, the Tekapo River will have received a substantial flush, which often leads to excellent angling conditions.  So, have your rod ready when the time comes!

Big News for Waitaki River Jet Boat Anglers

The Waitaki River boat ramp at SH1 has received a much-needed upgrade.

The Waitaki Branch of Jet Boating NZ Inc recognised that the Waitaki River boat ramp on the northern side of the SH1 Waitaki Bridge had not been usable for several years due to changes in river flow.

The steep access track down to the riverbed, used to reach the nearest current, had also deteriorated.  This meant that rescue operations were compromised and it limited access for recreational boaters and anglers.

With assistance from Environment Canterbury (ECan), Waimate District Council, and Rooney’s Earthmoving, a project was initiated to restore safe and reliable access. Last Friday, a 20-tonne digger was used to deepen the boat-ramp pond and widen and deepen the access channel leading out to the river. Work was also completed to improve the track through the trees down to the ramp.

Although high flows of around 400 cumecs on the day made progress challenging, we plan to return in the New Year to finalise the improvements when flows drop to a safer 200–300 cumecs. The track has also been cleared from the boat ramp across to the toilet block near the main highway rest area.

The Waitaki Branch of Jet Boating NZ Inc has funded the bulk of this work and remains committed to ongoing maintenance. In recognition of Gary Rooney’s significant current and future support, the ramp has been officially coined “Rooneys Ramp”.

Big thanks to Paul Dickson for providing this information on this great project.

Spot X

Lake Middleton Angler Access.

Lake Middleton is located 25 minutes from Twizel and is on the left just before the Lake Ōhau village.

This picturesque high-country lake is a popular summer fishing spot. It is important to note that you cannot use a motorised boat on this lake. Trout and the odd salmon are present.

• Open season: All year
• Fishing methods: Fly, Spin, Bait
• Min size limit: Salmon only – 250mm
• Daily bag limit: Trout – 4, Salmon – 2

Note: An angler may fish from a boat except when being propelled by a motor.

Check out our Angler Access Website here for all the Central South Island Fish & Game angler access locations. 

Weather Outlook

The Rangitata River still running high and coloured, a screenshot from the Outdoor Access livestream.

The long range forecast according Metvuw.com shows in the days ahead west to north-west winds will pick up again, lifting temperatures especially in the low country. A generally settled weekend is on the cards through.

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.

The Wind

According to YR.NO the winds in Temuka (low country) the predicted long-range forecasts Saturday begins with a fresh southeast wind that gradually softens into light westerlies by late morning. A strong, steady easterly builds through the afternoon and holds until early evening, before easing back to moderate easterlies and finally light westerlies late at night.  On Sunday winds stay steady from the northwest to north overnight, starting light and building to a moderate northerly by dawn. Through the day the northerly holds strong and consistent, becoming a fresh northerly in the afternoon and remaining that way into the evening.

Winds in Twizel (high country). On Saturday overnight winds are light from the southwest and west, remaining light through the morning. From midday winds shift light northeast, increasing to a gentle northerly in the early afternoon. Late afternoon and evening winds turn gentle northwest, easing to light westerlies by night. Sunday morning winds are light, shifting between northeast, south-west and easterly.
Through the middle of the day expect a light southerly–easterly, before winds swing to a light northerly in the afternoon and finish as a very light north-westerly.

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 -  34.016
• Ashburton -  27.589
• Hakataramea - 2.728
• Ōhau – 12.703
• Ōpihi –  22.275
• Otematata - 8.328
• Pareora - 2.987
• Rangitata - 128.665
• Tekapo - 63.792
• Twizel –  10.173
• Waitaki -  314.336

Please always check the weather and waterway conditions yourself before heading out to ensure an enjoyable day on the water.

NOTICE BOARD

CSI Annual Public Meeting – Thursday 4th December 2025

• WHERE: 32 Richard Pearse Drive, Temuka
• WHEN: 7pm, Thursday 4^th December 2025

Licence holders and members of the public are welcome to attend.  This is a good opportunity to come along and interact with CSI Staff and Councillors.

Department of Conservation Twizel

At the Ōhau C campground, adjacent to the Lake Benmore boat ramp, more than a dozen nesting sites of the nationally endangered pūteketeke/crested grebe bird are located along both sides of the harbour.

DOC Twizel is asking that boaties, anglers and campers to look out for and take care around the nests this summer.  Unfortunately, there have been reports from the public that nests have already been disturbed.  Under the Wildlife Act it is illegal to disturb or kill pūteketeke and can carry a penalty of up to $100,000 and/or 2 years prison.

What you can do to protect this national vulnerable native bird:

• Check carefully for nests before pulling up to shore
• Operate boats slowly when around nests to reduce wake disturbance
• Maintain distance and observe wildlife quietly
• Keep your dog leashed and under control

Waterway Health Warnings Website

With summer kicking in, like every year we are anticipating that some health warnings will be coming from Environment Canterbury (ECan).  So, know before you go when it comes to faecal contamination and toxic algae warnings in our local waterways.  Check out the ECan website for the current warnings – click here for river health warnings and click here for lake health warnings.

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.