Holiday Weekend Chances for Anglers 

Picture Above: Not just the anglers enjoy the fish caught at Lake Coleridge. Photo Credit: Christina Brailsford

Firstly, Happy Easter Anglers!

With Easter weekend now upon us, it’s a prime time to get out and make the most of what’s left of the main fishing season. We’re now into the final month, so opportunities are on a time schedule now, especially for rivers, but there’s still plenty of good fishing to be had for those willing to get amongst it.

Both rivers and lakes are well worth a look over the long weekend. River flows can be a bit variable this time of year, so it pays to stay flexible and keep an eye on conditions, while lakes often provide a more consistent option.

Out in the high country, lake creel surveys have now wrapped up for the season. Thanks to everyone who took the time to have a yarn with staff and share their catch information; it all plays a key role in managing these fisheries. The data is now being pulled together and will be shared with anglers in a full report once it’s ready.

For those anglers who also dabble in game bird hunting, now’s a good time to start shifting gears. With the game bird season kicking off in May not far away, it’s worth setting aside a bit of time to get the maimai sorted, check gear, and maybe even sneak in a clay bird shoot to dust off the cobwebs before opening day.

Closer to town, Lake Roto Kohatu has reopened to fishing, providing a handy option for a quick trip or getting the kids into some action over the holidays. Make sure you're checking the regulations before heading out, regardless of the location. There’s more detail on Roto Kohatu further down in the report.

If you’re planning to make a long weekend of it this holiday period, don’t forget to check out some of the camping spot options highlighted by Harry in last week’s final video report for the season, well worth a watch if you’re looking to combine a fish with an overnight stay, all of which are kid-friendly too!

Make the most of it while you can; the main season’s not over yet, but the clock is ticking.

Sea-Run Salmon Chances Late Season

EA Draffan from the UK caught a salmon on her first cast with a spinner, "a 9lb beauty," she described. This was also her first time fishing!

Daylight hours are getting shorter and the temperatures are cooling which makes it a great opportunity to get out salmon fishing before the season ends on April 30^th. While it might be at the tail end of the salmon run in the Rakaia, the salmon in the Waimakariri tend to run later so April is a prime month to target salmon.

Nigel Draffan caught a slightly smaller 8lb salmon, which he caught soon after EA's success. He also noted that this fish was delicious to eat!

With water temperatures starting to drop again as we head into the colder months also makes the salmon more aggressive so they’re more likely to take your lure/spinner. So, get out and find a piece of water where they would likely hold up and rest before they make another run upriver. There is a likely chance that the rivers will come up again over the later part of Easter weekend so once the rivers clear up then this is a great time to get out and target salmon.

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Applications to join Environment Canterbury’s Biosecurity Advisory Groups open on Monday, 2 March, providing an opportunity for community members to help shape how pests are managed across Waitaha Canterbury. Biosecurity Advisory Groups work closely with Environment Canterbury to support the objectives of the Canterbury Regional Pest Management Plan, contributing community insight, local knowledge, and practical experience to protect the region’s economy, cultural values, and recreational spaces. 

The groups provide advice on pest management priorities, help raise awareness about how pests spread, and encourage community involvement in biosecurity activities. Members also act as important links between Environment Canterbury and local communities - sharing concerns, relaying local intel, and supporting collaboration to respond to emerging threats.  

There are four advisory groups across the region -North, Central, South, and Christchurch/Banks Peninsula, each made up of community members, Papatipu Rūnanga representatives, councillors and local authority partners. Meetings are held three to four times a year, with venues rotating across each area, and sessions are open to the public. Members will also be remunerated for their time and contribution. 

If you’re passionate about protecting Canterbury’s environment and want to contribute your voice and local experience, we encourage you to apply before Friday, 27 March. More information will be available at haveyoursay.ecan.govt.nz. 

Lake Roto Kohatu is OPEN, and we’ve stocked it up just in time for the school holidays!

Click the image above to watch a video of the release.

Yesterday (1st of April) marked the reopening of Lake Roto Kohatu after its summer closure, giving swimmers and other lake users the chance to enjoy it over the warmer months. Now it’s back open to fishing!

To kick things off, we’ve released a fresh batch of 1kg salmon into the lake.

These fish are in great condition and ready to provide some awesome action for anglers of all ages, perfect for getting the kids out there over the holidays and keeping them off the screens.

If you’ve been thinking about heading out for a fish, now’s the time to make the most of it.

Alongside this release, there were also 200 rainbow trout released in mid-October 2025, just before it closed for the summer. Those fish that went uncaught will have packed on a bit of size over the summer closed period and should be in prime condition.

Remember to check out the regulations before you head out. A key one that can be overlooked is the region-wide minimum take size: "No angler shall be in possession of a Trout or Salmon less than 300mm anywhere in the region."

You can view the North Canterbury Regulations here: https://www.fishandgame.org.nz/assets/Fishing/Fishing-Licences-Regulations/Fishing-Regulations/104426-97495.01-Fish-and-Game-Sportsfishing-Regs-Brochure-2025-26-SI-North-Canterbury-V3-WEB.pdf

Good luck out there, and we’d love to see your catches. Drop your photos in the comments or email them to jmeecham@fishandgame.org.nz

North Branch Hurunui River Designated Waters Signage

Quick heads up for anyone heading up the North Branch Hurunui above Lake Sumner. We’ve had a few anglers let us know the Designated Waters sign is missing, so staff checked it out on a recent compliance run and can confirm it’s been taken out by the latest high flows.

We’re onto it and will get a replacement sign back in the ground as soon as able. In the meantime, it’s still on you to know where the boundary starts.

The Designated Waters and Controlled Fishery section begins 500 metres upstream of the Lake Sumner outlet. The boundary is marked on the map above, but if you’re on the river and don’t have a GPS handy, there’s an easy visual cue, the Lake Mason Track and a line of tall trees on the river’s true right sit roughly in line with where the Designated Waters begin.

Tackle Tip Of The Week: Trout Nuggets for Youth Success

Trout Nuggets come in a range of fun and attractive colours, let the kids pick a couple colours so they feel super involved in the whole process. 

Trout nuggets are a fantastic, user-friendly bait option. Especially for getting kids into fishing. They’re colourful, scented, easy to handle, and best of all, they catch fish. In places like our high country lakes, where bait fishing is permitted, it can be incredibly effective when used the right way.

Perfect for Kids
Because trout nuggets are simple to use and don’t require complicated casting or techniques, they’re ideal for young anglers learning the ropes. Just remember, at Lake Lyndon and some other locations around the country, bait fishing is restricted to junior and child anglers only (17 and under), so it’s a great opportunity to get them involved and have success early.

An Easy Way to Rig Trout Nuggets
Keep it simple for a start:

• Slide a drop (running) sinker onto your main line
• Tie a small swivel onto the end of your main line, about 50 cm above where the sinker will sit
• Cut a 40–50 cm length of 8 lb leader (trace)
• Tie one end of the trace to the swivel
• Tie your hook onto the other end of the trace
• Thread a trout nugget onto the hook

To bait up, gently mould a trout nugget (or two) around the hook. You want the hook fully or mostly covered, but not packed too tightly, as this helps the scent disperse and improves hook-ups.

There are more complex rig options you can run, but keep it simple until your child is confident casting. Using this rig option should avoid any unwanted tangles when casting. Talk with other anglers or the experts in local tackle stores for advice on other rigs that might work in different locations. 

How to Fish the Nuggets

• Cast out and let it sit near the bottom (not on the bottom as you might get snagged), trout will cruise and pick it up
• Keep your line slightly tight so you can detect bites
• Bright colours like orange or pink often work well however, they all can catch fish
• If the bites are slow, try changing colours or using smaller pieces. 
• Still not finding luck, keep moving and find a new spot. Sometimes there can be obstructions hidden under the surface, stopping your bait from being seen by hungry fish. 

Trout nuggets might be simple, but they’re effective, especially for young anglers building confidence and maybe even catching their first fish. 

Last Weeks Video Fishing Report

Click the image above to watch last weeks video report.

With Easter weekend and the school holidays just around the corner, now’s a great time to start thinking about how to keep the kids entertained and off the devices. We know with the current cost of fuel and travel, some plans might be up in the air, so we’ve lined up a few easy options in the video, all within a couple of hours of Christchurch. That way, it still gives you that proper “get away from it all” feeling.

• Ashley Gorge Campsite
• Rakaia Gorge Campsite
• Lake Coleridge (Harper Campsite)
• Lake Pearson Campsite
• Lake Taylor Campsite
• Loch Katrine Campsite

All of these spots have solid facilities for families and offer some pretty spectacular fishing nearby, along with plenty of other outdoor activities to keep everyone busy. If heading too far out of Christchurch isn’t an option, Lake Roto Kohatu could be the best choice. Reopening on 1 April, it’s a great put-and-take fishery close to the city and is ideal for families. After being closed over the summer, the fish haven’t seen any pressure for a while, so it’s a great opportunity for some fun fishing without the long drive.

This will be our final video fishing report for the season, but our written reports will continue through until the end of April. Thanks heaps for all the support on the video reports this season, we’ll be back again next season with the video updates!.

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 sections of 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​​​​​​.

Weather Outlook

Christchurch

Rakaia

Waipara

Culverden

Hanmer Springs

Arthurs Pass

Lewis Pass

River Flows in m³/s

Waiau Uwha at Malings Pass: 2.788

Waiau Uwha at Marble Point: 32.189

Hurunui River at No.2 Hut: 5.956

Hurunui River at SH1 Bridge: 31.327

Ashley River at Lees Valley: 1.105

Ashley River at SH1 Bridge: 72.264

Waimakariri River at Below Otarama: 53.148

Waimakariri River at Old Highway Bridge: 47.704

Selwyn River at Whitecliffs: 0.93

Selwyn River at Coes Ford: 1.355

Halswell River at Ryans Bridge: 0.778

Harts Creek at Timber Yard Road: 1.519

Rakaia River at Fighting Hill: 114.146

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
• Canterbury Weather Updates: Webcams and Website

Stay safe out there!

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

Click the licence below to get your licence today!

Next Video Report: Next Season
Next Written Report: 16th April 2026 (Email and Website)

Tight Lines,

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