North Canterbury Weekly Fishing Report - 21st November 2024

Trial Upper Hurunui North & South Branch Booking System Changes

Please be aware that there will be updates to the booking system for the North Branch and South Branch of the Hurunui River, which will take effect on Wednesday, 27th November, at 7:30 am. A key change includes shifting the 'opening' time for bookings from midnight to midday.

We will provide more details about these changes early next week through the North Canterbury Fish & Game Facebook Page and the Fish & Game website. For more information, please visit the following links:

• Upper Hurunui River Controlled Fishery - Fish & Game Website
• North Canterbury Fish & Game - Facebook

Lake Sumner Road:

Roadworks are ongoing, with the latest updates available on the Hurunui District Council website: Hurunui Council Alerts. The road will reopen daily from 6 pm to 7 pm, but road users are advised to proceed with caution during this period.

Lake Coleridge:

This past Sunday, anglers were greeted by perfect conditions at Lake Coleridge and the surrounding lakes, with calm winds and clear blue skies. It was fantastic to see so many anglers taking advantage of the favourable weather, and we witnessed the capture of some exceptionally healthy fish.

 

Compliance:

North Canterbury staff were actively on patrol at Lake Coleridge this past Sunday, checking the licenses of 42 anglers. A friendly reminder from the team: please ensure you carry your fishing license with you. If your license has not yet arrived, be sure to take a screenshot of the temporary licence email on your phone, as cell reception is often limited in fishing areas, and you may not be able to access your emails to retrieve the temporary licence.

Weekly Fishing Tip

This week, we’re joined by Jake Ruwitch from The Fisherman’s Loft for an insightful update. Instead of a tip, Jake shares exclusive behind-the-scenes knowledge of what's been happening in the North Canterbury region. He’ll walk us through the latest trends and highlights from the local waters, plus the feedback anglers have been sharing in-store. It's a fantastic opportunity to get an early-season snapshot of how the 2024/2025 fishing season is shaping up.

 

Weather Update

Friday is expected to bring a mix of sunshine and showers, providing great opportunities for anglers to reel in some well-conditioned fish. Be sure to pack a raincoat just in case, and check the forecast before you head out to ensure you're prepared.

Saturday is expected to bring scattered showers across the region, so anglers planning to head out will want to choose their timing wisely and be sure to pack a rain jacket. Be aware that Rakaia and Waimakariri Lakes are likely to experience heavy downpours, so prepare accordingly if you're heading to these areas.

Sunday looks to be the standout day of the weekend. While rivers may have a bit more water due to light showers, this shouldn’t deter anglers. The sun will shine in lowland areas, offering excellent conditions for family fishing. Many of our larger braided rivers should be clearing up nicely, making them fishable.

Even with cloud cover, don’t overlook high-country lakes—sometimes, cloudy conditions make fishing even better. On days like these, try using darker-coloured flies, lures, and soft baits for the best chances of success.

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!

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.

 

Tight Lines for the Week Ahead!

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