High Country Opening Attracts Hundreds

Over the weekend, North Canterbury Fish & Game hosted the 17th annual Lake Coleridge Fishing Competition, marking the official opening of the high-country fishing season.

Image Above: The Lloyd sisters, Charlotte (left), Lucy (middle) and Hannah (right) from Rangiora with a rainbow trout from Lake Coleridge.

The first Saturday of November is a key date in every angler’s calendar, with many of North Canterbury’s high-country lakes and rivers opening for the season.

Anglers of all ages soak up the sun, eagerly awaiting the beginning of the prizegiving.

The Lake Coleridge Competition is a much-anticipated event, offering nearly $8,000 in prizes sponsored by Hunting & Fishing stores in Christchurch, North Canterbury, and Ashburton. Each year, hundreds of anglers from across Canterbury and beyond make the early morning trip into the high country to take part.

This year’s event was blessed with what many described as the best opening day weather in over a decade. Under clear skies and calm conditions, participation was strong, with North Canterbury Fish & Game staff estimating more than 100 boats out on the lake, alongside dozens of shore-based anglers. Many others fished nearby waters such as Lake Selfe, Lake Georgina, and other surrounding lakes.

A huge number of boats were parked at Ryton Bay during the 2025 Lake Coleridge Fishing Competition.

Each year, the competition acts not only as a celebration of the new season for licence holders but also as a valuable opportunity for data collection on the sports fish caught in Lake Coleridge. Monitoring the health of sports fish populations is a core responsibility for Fish & Game regions across the country.

This year, 118 sports fish were weighed in by 91 different anglers, including brown trout, rainbow trout, and landlocked Chinook salmon, the highest number of fish entered since the 2019 competition. The strong results are a testament to how well the lake has been fishing over the past 12 months.

Simon McMillian from Christchurch Hunting & Fishing awards a prize to one of the youngest anglers who needed a hand from dad to reach the high-five.

Fish & Game Officer Emily Craig said,

“While there were significantly more fish weighed in than in recent years, it was great to see a wide range of species entered—47 percent Chinook salmon, 31 percent rainbow trout, and 22 percent brown trout.”

She added that attendance at the prizegiving was outstanding.

“It was fantastic to see over 200 licensed anglers at the prizegiving. Both adult and junior categories were awarded on the day, alongside a range of great spot prizes kindly donated by our local Hunting & Fishing stores.”

A keen angler casts to fish on Lake Marymere on opening day.

The opening day wasn’t just significant for the Rakaia Lakes catchment. Lakes within the Waimakariri catchment, including Lake Grassmere and Lake Marymere, also opened for the season, drawing plenty of enthusiastic anglers.

Fish & Game Officer Jackson Meecham said,

“On Saturday, I spent some time checking licences on a range of the Waimakariri lakes, which weren’t included in the Lake Coleridge competition. It was exciting to see so many anglers not only catching good fish but also enjoying the backcountry environments these lakes offer.”

He added that compliance levels were excellent.

“Compliance for the day was 100 percent, and it was great to see anglers had checked up on the regulations for each lake before heading out.”

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Staff Compliance In Full Swing

With improved weather and 98 percent of North Canterbury waters now open to fishing, staff and honorary rangers are ramping up compliance efforts across the region. 

Image Above: Harry Graham-Samson looks for anglers during a still warm day at the Lewis Pass Designated Waters.

This season so far has seen very limited opportunities for anglers to get out fishing in some locations. That has also restricted the rangers to where licence checks can be done. With weather on the weather improving and our large braided rivers' flows beginning to reach a more fishable state, we have spent considerable time this week out completing compliance. 

A map which visually indicates where North Canterbury's rangers' licence checks were distributed across the region during the last season (24/25), rangers had more than 1,100 checks during the season.

Before the opening of the High Country lakes and rivers on Friday, the 31st of October, the rangers had a total of 188 checks since September 1st 2025. Now, six days later, there are over 300 licence checks that have been completed. 

To give you an idea of the spread our rangers are going to. Here is a list of some of the locations we have checked over the past six days: 

• Lake Lyndon
• Lake Coleridge 
• Rakaia Lagoon 
• Lake Roto Kohatu
• Broken River
• Waimakariri River at the Mount White Bridge
• Hurunui River at SH1
• Lewis Pass Designated Waters 
• And More!

A few simple reminders for anglers fishing anywhere in New Zealand: 

1. Always carry your licence on your person while fishing (not in your car or at home).
2. Read all regulations for where you are fishing before you begin fishing.
3. ENJOY YOUR TIME ON THE WATER FISHING

Video Fishing Report From Last Week

Young anglers are dropped off at Ryton Bay before helping dad get the boat back on the trailer.

This week, Caleb talks about some popular and successful fishing methods for Lake Coleridge. With the High Country opening over the past weekend (Saturday, November 1st), these methods might be of use to anglers looking to get into some of the action and throughout the season.

Click the image below to watch the video from last week.

Tackle Tip Of The Week

Different styles and size options are available from a range of stores. Find one that suits your needs best.

This week’s tip is one every angler should have locked and loaded.

A good quality chilly bin or fish bag! Whether you’re heading out for a quick morning mission or a full day on the water, if you plan to keep a fish or two for the table, this bit of gear is essential.

Taking care of your catch from the moment it’s landed makes all the difference when it comes to taste and freshness. The best practice? Bleed your fish straight away, then get it on ice as soon as possible. During the summer months, when the sun’s blazing, this step becomes even more important — warm conditions can quickly spoil a great catch, leading to poor flavour and unwanted bacteria.

A quality chilly bin or fish bag will set you back anywhere from $100 to $500, depending on size and brand, and it’s worth every cent. Not only will it keep your catch in top shape, but it’s also perfect for keeping your lunch and drinks icy cold all day long.

And with Christmas just around the corner, if you’re stuck for a gift idea for the angler in your life (or yourself!), a premium chilly bin or fish bag is a winner every time.

Community Corner 

Challenging weather continues to affect anglers in the North Canterbury region.

Many anglers that we have talked to have been forced to resort to plans B or C when getting out over the first month of the season, with many waters being unfishable with continued high country rainfall. On the positive, these waters remain well rested, as there has been an extremely limited opportunity for angling so far this season. Check out the stories below to hear from the anglers who have hunted out value in the region. 

Stories this week! 

Mixed Conditions During The First Full Month Of The Season 

By Jack Colley

Image Above: Jack Colley holding an epic and very large brown trout.

Well, the first month of the season has certainly been eventful! Everyone knows srping weather can never be trusted but it really blew us (and the rivers) away this time. Our major rivers including the Rakaia, Wamakariri and Waiau Uwha all turned into raging forces of nature, with most seeing their highest flows in years. Although it was disheartening for us anglers, there was something quite humbling seeing the force of mother nature in full effect. 

Jack Colley holding another very nice brown trout, you can see that it has been feeding well by looking at its belly, packed to the brim.

Since these big, braided rivers have been so hard to predict, I've been focusing my efforts on the smaller streams over the last few weeks. These foothill streams often miss a lot of the heavy rainfall in the alps and are a great way of finding clean, fishable water when everything else is high and dirty.

A good collection of streamers in a range of different bait fish colours can be a great option for fly anglers looking to catch hungry and aggressive trout.

As we approach into November, more and more fish are starting to look up to the surface, so dry flies are becoming more and more successful, and are often great at picking up fish that you can't spot. Another opportunity that I would take advantage of is the bigger rivers as they begin to clear. As a river clears after a flood, fish start feeding very aggressively as they have been prioritizing survival over food during these large flooding events. Using bait fish imitations such as streamers, softbaits or other spinning tackle will work extremely effectively during these times.

The Crush City softbait range are a great option for anglers looking to target feeding trout on a spinning rod.

The weather is also finally all clearing up as we head slowly into the beginning of summer, so the peak of New Zealand fishing is arriving and I encourage you all to get out there and enjoy it!

Notice Board

News

North Canterbury Annual General Meeting 2025

North Canterbury Fish and Game will be holding our Annual General Meeting (AGM) at 6.30 pm on Wednesday, the 26th of November at the 595 Johns Road office. The AGM will begin after the bi-monthly council meeting, which will begin at 3.30 pm. We invite members of the public to join us as we review and look back on our region's success in the last financial year. 

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​​​​​​.

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

River Flows

Waiau Uwha at Malings Pass: 8.144

Waiau Uwha at Marble Point: 121.49

Hurunui River at No.2 Hut: 14.978

Hurunui River at SH1 Bridge: 79.33

Ashley River at Lees Valley: 2.408

Ashley River at SH1 Bridge: 3.481

Waimakariri River at Below Otarama: 195.913

Waimakariri River at Old Highway Bridge: 106

Selwyn River at Whitecliffs: 3.051

Selwyn River at Coes Ford: 1.392

Halswell River at Ryans Bridge: 1.045

Harts Creek at Timber Yard Road: 2.272

Rakaia River at Fighting Hill: 212.147

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: 13th November 2025 (Facebook, YouTube and Instagram)
Next Written Report: 20th November 2025 (Email and Website)

Tight Lines,

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