North Canterbury Weekly Fishing Report - 26th December 2024

Merry Fishmas

At the North Canterbury office, we wish everyone in our region and beyond a Merry Christmas. We hope you enjoyed a relaxing day yesterday and have made the most of boxing day opportunities today in stores or on the water. Enjoy the holiday period, stay safe and tight lines!

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

The weekend ahead does look to hold some periodic light showers across the entire North Canterbury region. This, however, should not be a reason to deter you from enjoying the lakes and rivers during the holiday season. Anglers should look to get out before Monday when high winds and rain are forecast. We do advise anglers to double the weather before heading to their desired destination. Remember to look for alternative locations when your regular locations may not have the best angling weather. 

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