North Canterbury Weekly Fishing Report - 16th January 2025

Compliance Update 

Staff and honorary rangers have completed 363 licence checks since the beginning of September 2024.

The locations checked have predominantly consisted of the High-country lakes in the Rakaia catchment such as Lake Coleridge, Lake Georgina and Lake Selfe.  Other locations have included the High-country lakes in the Waimakariri catchment such as Lake Lyndon, Lake Pearson and Lake Grasmere.

Additionally, rangers have been active in the Lewis Pass region checking the designated water fisheries there. The designated waters licence will be emailed to you at the time of purchasing your full-season fishing licence or another time if you choose to add this as an endorsement at a later date. When fishing one of the designated waters in North Canterbury which are outlined here: North Canterbury - Fish & Game please carry a screenshot or download on your phone of this licence or a paper printout.

A friendly reminder to all anglers to always carry their licence in card form on you when fishing. If your card has not arrived yet a screenshot of your licence, a download of your Fish and Game Licence receipt on your phone or your paper licence printed out is sufficient as well as a form of ID until your card arrives.

Happy young anglers on Lake Coleridge

Weekly Expert Tip

Mark, the Fishermans' Loft store owner in Christchurch, is a fly casting instructor. This week he gave us a brief rundown of his most essential casting tips. He stressed keeping things simple when starting out and emphasised the importance of practice for those of all levels.

 

Harts Creek Track Closure

The Waihora Ellesmere Trust (WET) have notified North Canterbury Fish & Game that track refurbishment work will begin at Waitātari Harts Creek beginning January 6th. The works are likely to be completed at the end of March 2025. There will be a full track CLOSURE during this period. The track is being given a facelift to improve retaining walls along the creek. They will also widen and level out the track. The Ellesmere Lions Club are overseeing this project. 

For more information, please contact WET here

Check, Clean, Dry message for 24/25

Kia ora everyone, we are Anna and Louise, Canterbury’s Check Clean Dry advocates for the summer season. Fish and Game members we have met so far have been very passionate about protecting our waterways.  So here is a reminder of the most up-to-date Check Clean Dry protocols.

When to follow these steps?

• If you are just using one waterbody: great, you don’t need to Check Clean and Dry
• If you have several days between using one waterway and another, Check and Dry. Make sure your gear is free of plant debris and has been dry to the touch for at least 48 hours.
• If you are moving between waterways, Check and Clean any equipment that has come into contact with the water.

As you may be aware, Gold Clam was found in the Waikato in May 2023. This species is highly invasive, with one clam producing up to 70,000 juveniles per year. The South Island is currently following the gold clam exclusive version, which involves cleaning equipment with 10% dishwashing detergent or 2% bleach, as usual. However, if you have been to the North Island, gold clam-inclusive protocols apply, and these must be carried out before moving to the South Island.

Anna will be visiting popular fishing spots around North Canterbury from the 27^th of December to the 6^th of January. So, if you see her around, come say hi and get some free cleaning resources!  Fish and Game’s support for the program over the years has been greatly appreciated. It takes all of us to protect our waterways so we can keep enjoying them for years to come!

Weather Update

Christchurch 

Rakaia

Waipara

Culverden

Hamner Springs

 

Arthurs 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

Happy fishing! Stay safe out there!

Get involved this season!

Jump online and get your licence the easy way - it only takes a minute. Click the image above to get started. 

Want to contribute to the weekly fishing reports?

Here at North Canterbury Fish & Game, we are extremely passionate about sharing YOUR angling stories. Whether you caught a massive fish or took your girls and boys out fishing for the first time, you want to hear and tell your stories.

When you’re out this season, don’t forget to take some photos or videos and send them to jmeecham@fishandgame.org.nz with a little back story on your angling adventures.

Enjoy the weekend, and tight lines to everyone heading out to the water!

Jackson, Harry, Caleb & the rest of the North Canterbury Team