North Canterbury Weekly Fishing Report - 6th March 2025

A change of season 

Autumn has officially arrived, bringing a crisp start to the season across the lowlands. This drop in temperature will help cool the water and slightly increase river flows. However, our larger braided rivers are still running low due to the lack of Northwest weather in the Main Divide, meaning they haven’t received much-needed rainfall. Ideally, these rivers would experience periodic flooding over summer, as fish tend to move upstream following a fresh rise in water levels.

Image above: Jason Maddock spent a day up at Lake Coleridge last weekend. He used a variety of methods but found the most success on a olive pearl softbait. Here is one of his four rainbow trout!

With just two months left in the main fishing season, now is a prime time to hit the water. Angling pressure will soon ease as many fishermen shift their focus to other pursuits, such as the roar or preparing for opening weekend of the gamebird season. Plus, autumn often brings more stable weather, making it a great opportunity to take the boat out on high-country lakes or break out the fly rod for that perfect cast to a rising trout sipping dries off the surface.

An Inanga, the team found when completing a fish salvage on the Cust River

At this time of year, trout are focused on bulking up before the spawning season, making them less selective about their food. This means they’re more likely to take what’s put in front of them—a great advantage for anglers looking to land a solid catch.

Thanks to the CSI Fish & Game Rangers

Big shout out to three of the CSI Rangers who traveled up to the Rakaia River on Friday to help out getting full river coverage on the first day of the salmon competition. Was great to see a wide range of anglers spread from the mouth of the river up to the upper sea-run salmon limit. All anglers were compliant, also, which was great to see.  

Weekly Staff Work Update

In this week's weekly video we are joined by field officer Caleb who gives us a run down on the staff and volunteer rangers' efforts at this point of the season. The team have been working very hard all around the region. Great effort!

 

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Kieran Lee with a tough-looking rainbow trout. Great fish!

 

Jet Smart from Jet Boating NZ

Jet Boating New Zealand has posted an array of information videos outlining safe jetboat practice as well as tips on different types of boats and jets. 

 

View the videos by clicking this link and watching the playlist: Jet Smart NZ - Jet Boating NZ

 

Selwyn District Council Update

The Selwyn District Council has notified North Canterbury Fish & Game that weed cutting in the Ararira /LII river will commence approximately on the 10th of February 2025 and continue through until the end of March 2025. A barrier will be placed on the river 200m downstream of Wolfes Road boat ramp. The work is being completed to meet Environment Canterbury's consent. Should you require more information please contact the Surface Water Team on 347 2800.

Check, Clean, Dry Message 

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. 

Check

Remove any plant matter from your gear and leave it at the site (the river or lake bank), or put it in the rubbish. Don't wash plant material down any drain.

Clean

Use 10% dishwashing detergent mixed with water and leave the item wet for 10 minutes.

Dry

Ensure your gear is completely dry to touch, inside and out, then leave to dry for at least another 48 hours before you use it.

 

Some of the freshwater pest species present in Aotearoa New Zealand exist within our region like Egeria and Lagarosiphon, but many of our lakes and rivers remain pest-free. To help keep it this way, equipment and vessels must be properly cleaned and decontaminated before entering any waterway.  

 

We all have a responsibility to protect our freshwater so remember, even if you can’t see it, if it’s wet, it’s a threat.  

For more information visit https://www.ecan.govt.nz/your-region/your-environment/biodiversity-and-biosecurity/biosecurity/preventing-the-spread-of-pests/check-clean-dry/  

 

Contact Environment Canterbury on 0800 324 636 or email biosecurity@ecan.govt.nz 

Targeted Weed Control Across the North Canterbury Region

North Canterbury Fish and Game has been given notice from Environment Canterbury (ECan) that targeted weed control using helicopters for aerial spraying will be happening across the North Canterbury Region from early February 2025 till the end of March 2025.

The affected rivers will be as follows:

• Chatterton River 
• Hurunui River 
• Waimakariri River
• Rakaia River
• Waikirikiri/Selwyn River

Signage indicating that spraying is underway will be placed at all spray operation refilling stations and public access points. Public access will be restricted during operations. All works are weather dependent. 

Visit this link for more information and detailed maps of targeted control areas: Current River Works ECan

 

Tree clearance works will also begin on the Ōtukaikino Stream downstream of Clearwater Avenue is planned to start on the 17th of February 2025 and is estimated to end by the end of March 2025.

 

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

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