North Canterbury Weekly Fishing Report - 13th February 2025

The upcoming weekend promises warm and windy conditions—great for fishing if you can manage the wind or find a sheltered spot. Wind often blows insects onto the water, triggering feeding frenzies among fish. In lakes, strong winds stir up the lakebed, drawing trout into the shallows in search of food.

For the best results, wade out to knee or mid-thigh depth and cast in various directions. Keep an eye out for surface swirls—if you spot fish feeding, try casting your fly or lure directly onto the swirl, as the fish are likely still nearby.

Rivers remain low and clear, so be sure to downsize your tackle, including lures and leader material. Trout and salmon have excellent eyesight and are accustomed to seeing fishing gear, so adapting to conditions is key to success.

Waitangi Day Ranging

A nice rainbow trout caught by a compliant angler on Lake Lyndon

North Canterbury staff and honorary rangers patrolled the high-country lakes on Waitangi Day, checking anglers and conducting creel surveys to gather insights into catch rates and fishing methods. It was great to see so many people making the most of these fantastic fishing opportunities.

Over the course of the day, the teams checked 71 anglers. While most were compliant, four were found to be non-compliant. These routine checks help ensure fair and sustainable fishing for everyone.

 

Weekly Expert Tip

 

 

This week at Fisherman’s Loft in Christchurch, we catch up with well-known Canterbury angler, Kieran Lee. We asked him to share his thoughts on some forgotten fishing gear and the essential tools to bring along for a day on the water. Building on last week's video, this one dives deeper into some of the useful gear that might come in handy during your fishing trip.

 

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

 

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