ABOVE: Ben the Brown Trout wishes you a Happy New Year and a great 2026 of fishing ahead!
Just like that, 2025 is over. Welcome to 2026!
Many of you will be right in the middle of your well-earned holidays, and we hope you’re making the most of them. No doubt plenty of time is being spent on the water, and hopefully, wherever you are, the weather has been kind and the fish even kinder.
A new year means fresh beginnings, and now is the perfect time to set yourself a couple of angling goals. Maybe it’s trying a new method, ticking off a list of rivers and lakes you’ve never fished before, or even just setting a target for how many times you want to get out this year. Locking these goals in early helps keep you accountable and gives you something to aim for as the months roll on.
Just make sure your goals are achievable for you. You know how much time you’re likely to have to get out there, learn new skills, or explore new spots — so set targets that truly fit your lifestyle and keep fishing fun. Personally, I’ve set myself a small challenge for the rest of my holiday: I want to fish five new waters I’ve never visited before my break ends. Fingers crossed, weather permits, and I stumble across a few great fish along the way!
We are now right in the peak of summer, and angling opportunities are absolutely through the roof. Most waters are open (though always double-check the regulations before heading out), and the warm weather combined with those long summer days means there’s plenty of time to be on the water from sunrise to sunset.
Get out there, enjoy it, and kick 2026 off with a bend in the rod!
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Exploring Regulatory Changes To Increase Sea-Run Salmon Spawning – Your Feedback Is Sought
Update: Survey now available for all anglers and members of the public to complete.
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, that enable 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 now. The survey will be emailed to sea-run salmon licence holders and posted on our webpage for all anglers and members of the public.
The survey period closes 31 January 2026 at 11:59 pm NZDT.
For more information, to review our information pack, and to complete the survey, visit our website: CLICK HERE
Summer is here, and with it comes the busy season on our lakes and rivers.
Across Waitaha Canterbury, the Check, Clean, Dry programme is working hard to protect our waterways from invasive freshwater pests like hornwort and lagarosiphon. These pests can easily travel on your wet gear, boat, or even the soles of your shoes, turning up in your favourite lake or river and ruining the places you love to fish, swim, or paddle.
The solution is simple: before you move between rivers and lakes, always check your gear for debris, clean it thoroughly, and dry it completely. It’s a small step that makes a big difference.
To help spread the word, we’ve welcomed two freshwater advocates to the region this summer. You’ll see them at popular spots around Lake Takapō and other Waitaha Canterbury waterways, chatting with visitors and locals, answering questions, and showing just how easy it is to follow the Check, Clean, Dry steps.
Why does this matter?
Once invasive species take hold, they’re almost impossible to remove. They can smother riverbeds, disrupt food chains, and impact tourism and local economies. Prevention is our best defence, and it starts with each of us. By taking a few minutes to check, clean, and dry your gear every time, you’re helping to protect the unique beauty and biodiversity of our lakes and rivers. Together, we can keep Takapō and the wider region pristine for all who love it.
Strong Flows and Tricky Conditions Continue to Dictate Angling Opportunities
Richie Cosgrove checking the licence of an angler using a kayak on Lake Coleridge
Persistent, on-and-off heavy downpours continue to dominate the weather pattern across the region, and as a result, our braided rivers have struggled to catch a break.
Elevated flows and dirty water have remained the norm, with little opportunity for systems to recover between rain events. Unfortunately, this has made many of the larger braided rivers effectively unfishable for much of the holiday period so far, frustrating many anglers keen to take advantage of time off and typical summer conditions.
That said, all has certainly not been lost. Between rain events, there have been some genuine opportunities elsewhere, particularly in the high country. The Lewis Pass Designated Waters, in particular, have seen some fishable windows, and anglers who timed it right were rewarded with solid success. These systems can at times be faster to clear or remain unscathed and offer fishable water when the larger rivers remain out of shape.
High country lakes have continued to fish consistently well across a wide range of weather conditions, proving once again to be a reliable option when rivers are running high. Boat access on our two larger lakes — Lake Coleridge and Lake Sumner — has been weather-dependent, with strong winds and unsettled conditions keeping some anglers off the water. On days when conditions have allowed, however, there has been no shortage of boat-based anglers getting out and making the most of the opportunities on offer.
Richie Cosgrove and Harry Graham-Samson experiment with new methods on Lake Coleridge following the release of the 24/25 creel survey data.
Duty rangers reported a busy week on Lake Coleridge, completing more than 50 licence checks each visit while also conducting numerous creel surveys on the water.
While creel survey data must continue to be collected before results can be publicly released, early observations are encouraging. Fish & Game Officer Matt Garrick noted that, “Most boats out were catching great condition fish, and there was a vast range of methods being used by anglers.”
This variety of successful approaches is a strong indicator that anglers have taken on board the information gathered through last season’s Lake Coleridge creel surveys, adapting their techniques and strategies to suit conditions and fish behaviour. It’s a testament to how valuable this data is in helping anglers refine their methods and maximise success on a fishery that is already performing superbly.
For those keen to dive deeper, the Lake Coleridge Summer Creel Survey from the 2024/25 season is available to view and provides excellent insight into effective methods, effort, and overall lake performance.
CLICK HERE FOR Lake Coleridge Summer Creel Survey 24/25
As always, with changeable weather continuing to shape conditions, anglers are encouraged to remain flexible, check flows and forecasts regularly, and consider alternative waters when rivers are high. Those willing to adapt are still finding plenty of rewarding fishing across the region.
Holiday Period Fishing Reports
Over the holiday period this year, there is no need to worry, Fishing Reports will continue at the same however, we will be stopping video reports until the 15th of January 2025. This is to allow for staff leave and continue to provide anglers with the highest quality communications. To substitute this, we will be providing our email reports weekly during this period.
Schedule for Holiday Period
- This Report
- Thursday 8th January 2026 (email and website report)
- Thursday 15th January 2026 Video Reports Return (Facebook, Instagram and YouTube)
Why Every Angler Should Carry Forceps and Pliers
Having both handy makes many jobs much easier when out on the water.
Two of the simplest yet most valuable tools you can have in your tackle kit—or clipped to your vest—are forceps and pliers. They might not be as exciting as a new lure or rod, but when you need them, nothing else gets the job done quite the same. Having the right tool on hand can make your fishing safer, quicker, and far more fish-friendly.
Quick, Safe Hook Removal
Whether you're releasing a fish in the river or on the boat, forceps and pliers give you control and precision. They allow you to:
- Remove hooks without putting your fingers near sharp teeth or gill plates
- Reach deep-set hooks more easily
- Minimise handling time, which is crucial for healthy catch-and-release
A clean, fast hook removal helps the fish recover better and keeps you out of harm’s way.
Crimping, Cutting, and Tuning
Pliers, especially multi-use fishing pliers, are incredibly versatile. You can use them for:
- Crimping split-shot
- Cutting nylon, braid, or light wire
- Opening split rings to change out hooks
- Straightening bent trebles or tuning lures for a better swim
Better Line Control
Forceps are perfect for tasks that require finesse, such as:
- Pinching barbs (where required)
- Tying small knots or holding tiny flies
- Managing line when your fingers are cold or slippery
For fly anglers and soft-bait fishers alike, they’re a small tool that makes a big difference.
Lightweight and Easy to Carry
Most anglers clip forceps or pliers directly to their vest, waders, or belt using a retractor or lanyard. This keeps them:
- Easy to reach
- Hard to drop overboard
- Ready for quick, one-handed use
A small addition to your setup, but one that saves you time and frustration.
Bottom Line
Forceps and pliers are essential tools that every angler. They make you more efficient, safer, and better equipped to care for the fish you catch.
FISHING LAKE LYNDON
By John Kent
My mother, Lucy, first encouraged my interest in fly fishing by bringing back from England a fly- tying book by Eric Taverner, titled Fly Tying for Trout.
Having watched Robert Bragg, a professional fly tyer and rod maker, tie flies, I hammered a large nail with the head sawn off into a wooden base and attempted to tie flies using a small, basic vice slid over the nail. I tied every fly in Taverner's book with feathers from the neighbour's fowl yard and furs from dead animals found as roadkill. They were naturally English patterns, but some were useful in New Zealand. However, I suspect my mother had an ulterior motive, as she enjoyed eating the trout I brought home from the Avon and its tributaries, caught on worms, bread, and luncheon sausage.
Nonetheless, she did take me to Lake Rubicon, with permission granted by a Springfield friend from the Millikin family, owners of Brooksdale Station. That same summer of 1950, she took me over Porters Pass to Lake Lyndon.
I was totally ignorant about entomology, in fact, I had never heard the word.
So, the selection of a few flies bought at a fly shop was purely guesswork, probably based on their colour and general attractiveness. I was far too embarrassed to ask for help.
With my homemade bamboo rod, I tried to get a bright red fly called a Bloody Butcher some distance from the shore using bow-and-arrow casting. I was struggling when another angler, dressed as an accomplished fly fisher should be, appeared. "Have you caught anything, sonny?" he somewhat derisively asked as he walked past with his split cane fly rod, landing net, and creel.
Sitting on the shore, my mother overheard the conversation. Suddenly, I felt a tug and rapidly dragged an 'intellectually handicapped' 14-inch (35 cm) rainbow out of the lake and onto the shore.
I had been pestering my mother for some time about improving my gear.
Somehow, it had fallen on deaf ears. In her excitement, Lucy let out a shriek and, in a voice loud enough for the sophisticated angler to hear, said, "There you are, you don't need a new rod after all!"
I decided I would have to earn money in the school holidays and managed to find a raspberry farm that needed pickers. Because I was the best picker, the owner offered me a job picking tomatoes at the end of the raspberry season. In the May holidays, I biked for half an hour for three weeks to Woolston and earned a good wage at the Woolston Tannery, shifting hides from one acid pit to the next, wearing all manner of protective clothing. The job required two workers, but my mate worked on 'shift' work, which meant he got paid for what he did. Instead of lifting one hide on a pole weighing 80 lbs (36 kg), we lifted two at a time, which was a struggle for a tall, lanky 15-year-old schoolboy.
However, I had enough time to look for a fly rod, reel, and line.
Eventually, I bought a Sealey split cane fly rod and a Hardy reel from Cromb and Merritts sports shop. I still use the reel today, but the rod is long gone. With no one to help me, I went to a meeting of the Canterbury Anglers Club, but once again, received no assistance. I did hear about something called the "evening rise", but came home thinking it had something to do with teenage love.
News
Interested in Becoming an Honorary Ranger?
North Canterbury Fish & Game is hosting an Honorary Ranger Information Evening on the 29th of January 2026.
This is a great chance to learn what the role involves and how our volunteer rangers help protect our freshwater fisheries and game bird resources, while also supporting and promoting angling and hunting across the region.
You’ll get an overview of the recruitment and training process, hear about the challenges and satisfaction that come with the role, and have the opportunity to ask questions.
If you’ve ever wondered whether becoming an Honorary Ranger is right for you, come along and find out.
Date: 29 January 2026
Time: 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Space is limited. Please RSVP your interest to cryder@fishandgame.org.nz
North Canterbury Fish & Game – Office Holiday Hours
Our office, located at 595 Johns Road, will close at 4:30 pm on Tuesday, 23 December 2025 and will reopen on Monday, 5 January 2026 at 9.00 am.
Over this period, the office phone and North Canterbury email inbox will not be monitored.
Contacts over the festive season
For any general enquiries other than licencing contact Matt Garrick, via email at mgarrick@fishandgame.org.nz
Should you have a licensing enquiry, contact Eyede on 0800 542 362 between 8.30 am and 5.00 pm.
Note: the contacts above will not be available on 25–26 December 2025 and 1–2 January 2026.
Fishing Reports will continue over this period however, the video reports stop until the 15th January 2025. Weekly email updates will continue.
To report pollution incidents or damage to waterways, please contact Environment Canterbury’s 24-hour Pollution Hotline on 0800 76 55 88.
Tight Line and Hot Barrels for the festive season from Councillors, staff, and honorary rangers of North Canterbury Fish & Game.
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.
Environment Canterbury Stopbank Spraying Operations
Notice directly from Environment Canterbury
Environment Canterbury is about to commence our ground-based spraying operations for the 25/26 spray season.
The extent of these operations is our stopbank network, selected berms, fairway sites and access tracks on the Waikirikiri Selwyn, Rakaia, Hakatere Ashburton and Hekeao Hinds rivers (see attached maps below for the North Canterbury Region).
Above: Waikirikiri Selwyn (works shown in red)
Above: Rakaia River (works shown in red)
This work is undertaken annually and involves the ground-based application of approved herbicides using either a knapsack or truck-mounted pressurised spray unit.
The spraying targets noxious weeds such as gorse, broom and willow, as unmanaged growth can compromise the integrity of the stopbank network and river systems.
Spraying operations will be completed in accordance with our permitted activity rules under the Canterbury Land and Water Regional Plan, or where required in accordance with our spray consent CRC222040.
Spray operations will commence in November and will continue through the summer period. It is hard to provide a precise estimate of when the spraying work will commence and for how long, as it is highly dependent on weather conditions and the growth of weeds throughout the year.
Please contact Environment Canterbury with any questions: 0800 324 636
Environment Canterbury Rakaia River Planned Works
Notice directly from Environment Canterbury
Due to recent high flow events in the Rakaia River, we have had some new erosion of flood protection vegetation occur downstream of SH1 on the South bank of the Rakaia and on the South Bank of Rakaia Island.
 
We are planning to undertake some slotted tree protection works at the site below SH1 and open up a high-flow braid upstream to help take pressure off the site.
The site on Rakaia Island will need 1 additional slotted tree, backfill and recover existing works. We have decided that a full diversion of the river braid at this site would be more disruptive to the site and down river habitats than undertaking some of the work in the water with a small gravel bund at the top of the site to reduce the flow rate through the site. The works will be timed to align with lower flows to reduce the amount of sediment being deposited in the waterway during works. We want to undertake these works as soon as possible to stop further trees from eroding and entering the river fairway.
Please contact Environment Canterbury with any questions: 0800 324 636
To help you plan your fishing adventures, be sure to check the following resources:
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: 15th January 2026 (Facebook, YouTube and Instagram)
Next Written Report: 8th January 2026 (Email and Website)
Tight Lines,
Jackson Meecham, North Canterbury Fish & Game Officer & the whole North Canterbury Team.
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