29 SEPTEMBER 2025

Fish & Game Chief Operating Officer Richard Cosgrove is flicking a soft-bait through feeding fish during a calm winter's day at Lake Coleridge. (photo above)

Welcome to the 25/26 Fishing Season

In this first weekly fishing report of the 2025/26 fishing season, we are happy to announce we are back in your inboxes!

Many regular readers will be aware that last year, North Canterbury moved away from the email formatting for the weekly fishing reports, making our reports exclusively on Facebook and the Fish & Game Website. After some pretty meaningful feedback from anglers around the region, we are happy to announce we are back in your inboxes. 

This season, things will work a little differently. Let us explain:

• Written fishing reports will be emailed every two weeks on Thursdays (also uploaded to the Fish & Game website), 9 October, 23 October, 6 November, etc.
• Video fishing reports will be posted on the North Canterbury Facebook and Instagram pages, as well as the Fish & Game YouTube channel, on weeks where there is no written report, 2 October, 16 October, 30 October, etc.

To ensure that our reports are full of important details for anglers, moving to alternating weeks written and video format allows for reports to be less repetitive, hold more information and remain fresh throughout the season.

If you want to check out the video style reports, make sure you're checking the relevant channels where it's posted on Thursday evenings during the weeks you're not receiving an email report. Did you know YouTube is free to use and does not require an account like Facebook and Instagram do?

Click the icons below to make sure you're ready in the right places!    

Early Season Prospects

A Cantabrian angler enjoying the Waimakariri River Mouth in the early hours of light towards the end of the 24/25 summer season. 

North Canterbury anglers, the wait is over because the new season is here, and it’s shaping up to be a cracker!

After a long, cold winter in the high country, with regular snowfall and steady rain topping up our rivers, trout have been on the move. Trout spawning runs have been strong, and while fish have burned plenty of energy pushing into the headwaters, that just means one thing now: they’re hungry. Early season is prime time to catch trout in full-on feeding mode as they stack condition back on, so if you’re out there putting in the time, you’re in for rewards.

Right from opening, expect trout to be feeding throughout the day while the water stays cool. On the rivers, focus on deep pools and work them thoroughly. Fly anglers, this is your time for weighted nymphs. Spin anglers, reach for smelt-coloured soft baits. Work different depths and angles, as feeding fish could be holding deep and waiting for the perfect ambush. Structures in the water are goldmines for early-season feeders. Drift your fly or lure along the edges and be ready for that sudden strike as trout commit at the last second.

And don’t forget the lakes. While most remain closed at the start of the season, the ones that are open offer a serious opportunity. Sure, jigging or trolling from a boat is a proven method, but walking the lake edges is an adventure of its own. Spotting cruising trout in the shallows, setting up a stalk, and presenting a lure or fly that mimics a wounded fish? That’s pure adrenaline. Keep mobile, cover ground, and think like a predator. Lake browns and rainbows can’t resist an easy meal, and if you place your offering in their path, you’re in for fireworks.

Getting into the season early is your chance to beat the summer crowds, entice hungry trout that may not have seen a fly or lure for a while, and kick off the season with a tight line.

Changes to Your Sea-Run Salmon Season Bag Limit for the 25/26 Season

Salmon populations reach the point of crisis in North Canterbury and Central South Island

The sea-run salmon season bag limit has changed to 1 fish for the 25/26 season.

Due to the poor sea-run salmon returns, the 2025/2026 season bag limit for sea-run salmon in North Canterbury and Central South Island will be reduced to one fish. This means sea-run salmon anglers can harvest one fish for the entire season.

The decision to move to a one-fish season bag limit from the previous two-fish season bag limit was made through the Adaptive Management Strategy for Setting North Canterbury and Central South Island Sea-Run Salmon Fishing Regulations. Both the North Canterbury Council and the Central South Island Council agreed to continue following the strategy in their respective May 2025 meetings. 

Combined escapement across the three indicator rivers (Rakaia, Rangitata, Waimakariri) used for threshold management in comparison to the management band lower thresholds (healthy, moderate, low, and severe), 1994-2025.

Due to salmon spawning numbers falling into the 'severe' management band threshold, the change to a one-fish season bag limit will be implemented for the 25/26 season. 

What does a one-fish season bag limit mean for you as an angler?

Having a one-fish season bag limit means you are only able to harvest (kill) one sea-run salmon for the entire 25/26 season. If you do harvest a sea-run salmon, you must immediately enter the required details on your season bag card. As once you harvest a fish, you must cease fishing for the remainder of the season, you will no longer need your card, making it a great time to return it (filled out) to your local Fish & Game, either NC or CSI. Handing your salmon card back, regardless of whether you have caught a fish, helps NC and CSI complete more accurate harvest estimates, which can impact future decision-making around sea-run salmon.

Your chance to help the sea-run salmon populations

Anglers can catch and release sea-run salmon for the entire season or up until they harvest their one sea-run salmon. Practising catch and release is a great option for anglers who want to see more fish with the chance to spawn in the headwaters. Remember when practising catch and release, you must return the fish to the water as quickly as possible with minimal harm. If the fish has sustained an injury and is not likely to survive, do not release it; instead, harvest it and enter its details onto your salmon card and return that card to your region's F&G office. 

What injuries are fish unlikely to survive from? When blood is coming from the gills, eyes or larger amounts from the mouth, it indicates that the fish is unlikely to survive if released. If the fish appears to be warped/broken in any unnatural way is also unlikely to survive.

Top tips for catch and release: 

1. Always use wet hands when handling a fish.
2. Use a rubber mesh net to safely land your fish, making sure it stays in the water as much as possible.
3. Always keep your fish away from rocks, as they can often burn their skin. 
4. Use an appropriate pair of forceps or pliers to quickly and efficiently remove the hook from the fish. 
5. Using barbless hooks or crimping down the barbs can make a huge difference. You could also consider swapping out treble hooks for singles. 

To view more information on sea-run salmon, click here.

Looking Ahead to High Country Lakes Opening

A couple young anglers with a mornings bounty from Lake Coleridge during last seasons summer.

Tomorrow is the last day that Lake Coleridge is open to fishing (30 September), and this day also coincides with the last day that 2024/2025  season’s licence holders' fishing licences are valid.

The lake is closed to fishing during the month of October and reopens on the first Saturday of November, which this year is November 1.  

Over the last month, with a lower lake level, many areas of shoreline that are usually not accessible to the shore-based angler have been easily accessible. Fish have been observed actively patrolling shallow bays on some of the warmer days we’ve been experiencing. At this time of the year, the lake experiences strong westerly winds; however, there are areas of the lake that remain sheltered, so target these areas if you wish to escape the wind. 

September brown trout from Lake Coleridge. 

While Lake Coleridge is closed over October, other nearby lakes such as Lake Selfe and Lake Lyndon are open all year round. They are well-suited to families, being easily accessible. 

Where are You Aiming to Catch Your First Fish this Season?

Planning out a few dedicated days early season can set you up for a great season. Pictured above is 22-year-old angler Grace with a young rainbow trout caught on a hare and copper fly.

With a new season comes the exciting prospect of new opportunities and setting some goals.

Aiming to fish somewhere new or with someone you’ve never fished with before builds anticipation, and sharing the adventure with someone else allows you to hone your skills regardless of whether you’re fishing with someone new to the sport or a more experienced angler. 

Targeting areas that have both perch and trout creates an element of surprise, not knowing what species you might reel in! Some examples in the North Canterbury Region's waterways, which contain both Perch and Brown Trout are Lake Forsyth, Halswell River, Tarikatawai River and the Okana River.  

Community Corner 

Young angler Jack Colley with a sturdy brown trout caught out feeding by Jacks fly. 

This year, we are asking anglers to contribute to our written fishing reports.

Got an epic fishing story, a photo you’re proud of, or even a new trick you picked up on the water? 
Fish & Game and the North Canterbury angling community would love to hear from you!

Share your write-up, photos, or lessons learned with Jackson, our Field Officer for communications, and you might just see your adventure featured in our next report.

Simply email him directly at jmeecham@fishandgame.org.nz

Stories this week! 

Leanne's Late Season Coleridge Adventures

By Leanne Kingbury

A couple of weekends back in September, we headed out into the beautiful spring weather to one of our favourite winter fishing spots, Lake Coleridge. Catching the tail end of the winter season, we were eager to get the kids out into the sunshine.

Leanne shows off the rainbow trout she caught late in the season.

After only fishing for around 10 minutes, my husband and I landed two large, healthy and surprisingly fat for the time of the year, Rainbows. The creature of habit I am, I stuck to my favourite, a dark spinner.  

We found a nice drop off in the lake and stood on the edge of the shelf and pulled in two quickly. 

A Season of Firsts

By Jhan Ferigo, 20

The start of a new fishing season always brings a certain kind of anticipation. It’s not just about making the first cast or catching the first fish. For me, it's about reconnecting with the rivers and lakes, and the challenge. And this season, more than ever, I’m heading out with a clear goal and a deeper appreciation for the time I’ll have on the water.

Jhan is looking forward to creating some lifelong memories this season.

At the end of last season, after being gifted a fly setup, I took up fly fishing; something I’d always wanted to try but never committed to until now. I have to say, there’s something riveting about feeling connected to what you’re casting, knowing you might just be lucky enough to watch yourself fool a trout. After hooking my first trout on a dry, I have been quite literally hooked. While spin fishing is still my go-to, this season I’m setting myself a clear goal: to land my first fish on the fly.

It’s a simple task for many, but I know it won’t come easily for me as I’m still learning, and there will no doubt be plenty of missed strikes and fish turning away at the last second. Every trip out this season feels like a step toward that moment, and I’m excited for whatever comes with it.

I’ll be heading overseas later in the year, so this season will be shorter than usual for me. So I'm even more focused on making each trip count. I’m aiming to explore some spots that don’t often get a lot of attention, places that might be harder to access or aren’t always mentioned in conversation. I’ve learned that while these missions can sometimes be hit-or-miss in terms of fish sightings, they often reward you in other ways. There’s a unique kind of satisfaction in being in nature with a feeling of excitement, not knowing what will be in that next pool. Even if I come back empty-handed, I feel it’s time well spent.

And while my New Zealand season will wrap up earlier than I’d like, I’ll be continuing the adventure in England, where I’ve set another target: to catch a northern pike. It’s a very different species in a very different environment, but I’m always keen to take on something new. Fishing in a new country brings its own set of challenges and rewards, and I’m looking forward to seeing what I learn from it.

All in all, it’s shaping up to be a season of learning, exploration, and hopefully a few firsts. Whether it’s a fish on the fly or finding a spot I’ll return to year after year, I’m heading into this season with an open mind and a genuine sense of excitement.

Wishing everyone the best out there, tight lines, and enjoy the time on the water and with friends!

High Country Chaos, Kids and a Rainbow PB

By Marc Jensen

What started as a cancelled training weekend quickly turned into a spur-of-the-moment adventure. I picked up my boy and our exchange student, bundled rods and gear into the car, and pointed us toward the high-country lakes. For our student, it was his first time ever going fishing.

Lake Lyndon was our first stop, but the welcome was wild. Gale-force winds battered us, rattling the gear and nearly carrying our awning away. It took several boulders to hold it down, and still the kids’ bait-rod bells rang madly in the chaos. Laughing and scrambling to hang on, we finally admitted defeat and packed up for Coleridge.

The first fish of many for Marc's exchange student, hopefully!

Sheltering behind willows at the top of the lake, things settled—sort of. The awning floor turned into a shallow pool, but no one minded. We cooked dinner, and just as I asked the boys to tackle the dishes, one of the rods screamed to life.

What followed was pure comedy. Our exchange student—on his very first fish—fumbled with the reel, battled tangles, and fought to keep the line tight. Somehow, against the odds, the fish stayed hooked. After a series of leaps and surging runs, a gleaming two-pound rainbow jack came to shore—his first fish, and a fantastic one at that.

Can't beat a nice treat after a big day on the water.

The boys gutted it proudly, slime and all, before the night closed out with giant marshmallows, oversized s’mores, and the moon rising over contented snores. A wet tent, wild weather, and a fish of a lifetime—it was the perfect high-country memory.

Early Season Excitement 

By Jack Colley 

With only a couple of days left until the new season, now is the time where the excitement is peaking, gear is slowly making its way closer to the door, and the difficult decision of where to go is the only thing on our minds. With the unpredictable spring weather hitting us hard this last week, that decision has only been made harder with most of the flows high and coloured. Don't let that stop you, though, as these conditions can often prove to be more fruitful than expected. When the rivers are high early season, there is nothing really more effective than throwing some soft-baits or streamers around. The trout are post-spawn and hungry - looking for a big meal, so combine that with the advantage of coloured water and you'll find a lot of fish make their way to the net.

One of Jack's fishing buddies called Zac, with a solid rainbow trout with a very full belly.

This season, I plan on doing a lot of exploring. The South Island of New Zealand is a paradise for any trout angler, with hidden gems in every valley waiting to be discovered. One of my favourite times to explore is early season, when trout are often holding in the higher reaches of our streams, so it's a great time to check out that smaller tributary that's been on your mind for a while. Most of us can agree that there is nothing better than sharing the moment of a catch with a mate, so this season I'm also going to try and get out there with others more often. It's always rewarding when you can help someone else catch a fish, and the teamwork aspect can almost be essential to catching big, wary trout.

Jack is taking care of a brown trout he caught before releasing it back to the water. 

As the current season draws to an end, I'm reflecting on one that had some awesome experiences. But it's these experiences that fuel the drive for more, and with the mountains opening back up, I can't wait to head for the hills and find whatever awaits me there...

Notice Board

News 

Controlled Fishery on the North and South Branches of the Upper Hurunui River Enters Second Season of Trial

Many anglers would be aware that both the North and South branches of the Upper Hurunui River are under a Trial Controlled Fishery for a two-season trial. The beginning of last season saw some early challenges with the booking software; however, we expect the system will operate as it did at the conclusion of last season. For information or to make a booking, please CLICK HERE​​​​​​.

Check, Clean, and Dry to stop freshwater pests!

Whether you’re out fishing, hunting, kayaking, paddleboarding, jet skiing or boating on Canterbury’s freshwater lakes and rivers this summer, the threat of freshwater pests spreading and invading is very real. 

Freshwater pests can ruin valuable ecosystems by stopping the growth of native water plants and reducing habitats for many types of fish. 

The invasion of freshwater pests is a direct result of human activity, so if you plan on going to a lake, river, stream or wetland this summer and move to another within 48 hours, you must clean all your gear that has been wet using the 'Check, Clean, Dry' method. 

For more information, visit here.

Contact Environment Canterbury on 0800 324 636 or email biosecurity@ecan.govt.nz 

Weather Outlook

Christchurch

Rakaia

Waipara

Culverden

Hanmer Springs

Arthurs Pass

Lewis Pass

To help you plan your fishing adventures, be sure to check the following resources:

• E-Can River Flows: River Flow Data
• Outdoor Access Live Cameras: Live Cameras (subscription required)
• MetService Weather Warnings: Weather Warnings
• Windy: Wind Radar
• Yr Weather Service (most accurate for High Country): Yr Website

Happy fishing! Stay safe out there!

Please note: This weather update is current at the time of publishing. We recommend checking the latest forecasts and road conditions before heading out.

Click the licence below to get your licence today!

Tight Lines,

Jackson Meecham, North Canterbury Fish & Game Officer & the whole North Canterbury Team.