A Trial Controlled Fishery Period will operate on the Upper Hurunui Designated Waters for the 2024/2025 season between 1 October and 30 April
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--> Apply here for a Controlled Fishery Booking<--
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To make a booking click on the green link above.
New day(s) become available for booking at midnight.
Background Information:
The aim of the Upper Hurunui River Controlled Fishery is to manage angling pressure on sections of the Upper North and South Branch to maintain a high quality angling and wilderness experience.
Feedback from the angling community and other users highlight that the upper Hurunui trout fishery has, at times, been receiving a lot of angling pressure, despite the Designated Waters system being in place.
In recent years the high level of use has caused conflicts between both anglers, guides and landowners and led to people being dissatisfied with the fishing experience.
The Trial Controlled Period was specifically designed to allow us to collect data to help determine whether these rivers need to continue as Controlled Fisheries, and if so whether it is for a particular high use time period or the full angling season.
The lower ~500 meters of the North Branch and the South Branch below the North Esk confluence remain open to all licenced anglers without the need for Designated Waters Licence.
Lake Mason and the North Esk River are not included in the Trial Control Fishery area, and remain open to all licenced anglers without the need for Designated Waters Licence.
Please read the information below and/or click the link at the top of the page to make a booking and obtain your Controlled Period Licence.
Bookings currently become available at midnight; we are working on changing this to midday to make it easier for anglers to monitor which river sections and days available to book.
We will update anglers when this occurs.
Bookings can be made up to five days in advance of the start of your intended fishing trip, including on the intended day of fishing.
You may be able to select up to a maximum of three consecutive days per booking, depending on availability.
Bookings are made via an online booking system which operates on a first come, first served basis. A CF booking may be made for one primary angler and up to three companion anglers who must all hold an appropriate Whole Season Fishing Licence AND North Canterbury Designated Waters Licence.
A maximum of four anglers per party are allowed per Controlled Fishery booking, and only one party is permitted per CF river section each day.
Names and licence numbers of party members must be entered at the time of booking.
Special licencing requirements apply to these rivers - you must hold a whole season licence and a Designated waters licence for the North Canterbury Region.
North Branch Hurunui River Controlled Fishery section
The North Branch of the Hurunui River starting 500m above the head of Lake Sumner (grid reference NZTopo50/BU22 3088 7229 marked with a sign), including all tributaries.
Controlled Period: 1 Oct – 30 April
Method: Fly and Spin
Bag Limit: 1
Maximum fish length: 400mm
Green area on map: Open to all licence holders (including day licences)
Orange area on the map: Open to holders of a Controlled Period Licence and North Canterbury Designated Waters Licence only.
Access
Walking or mountain biking access from the carpark just past Loch Katrine at the end of Lake Sumner Road. Walking access is also available on the Hope/Kiwi DOC track from Windy Point.
All other access is by permission through Lakes Station.
Please note permission from Lakes Station is needed for anyone wanting to land a helicopter on their freehold land along sections of the North Branch.
Upper South Branch Hurunui River Controlled Fishery section
Upstream of the confluence with the North Esk River (i.e. it does not include Lake Mason and Mason Stream or other tributaries).
Controlled Period: 1 Oct – 30 April
Method: Fly and Spin
Bag Limit: 1
Maximum fish length: 400mm
Green area on map: Open to all licence holders (including day licences)
Orange area on the map: Open to holders of a Controlled Period Licence and North Canterbury Designated Waters Licence only.
Access
Vehicle access to the South Branch Designated Waters fishery is possible via private farm tracks, if you obtain permission from either Esk Head or Lake Taylor Stations. Both stations are accessed from Lake Sumner Road.There is also foot access from Lake Sumner over the track behind Home Bay via Lake Mason. For more information on public walking access see Walking Access Commission webpage.
Fishing Guides
Guides making a booking on behalf of clients must provide the relevant valid licence information of those client/s they intend on guiding, including themselves, this will ensure that the booking is issued in the name of the client/s.
Please be aware your clients will not be compliant with Controlled Fishery Regulations if they are not listed on the booking.
Guides are included in the party number (max 4) and therefore, may accompany a maximum of three clients. Guides must also have the relevant valid licences.
The accuracy of the information provided is vital to the effective management of our backcountry fisheries.
Compliance
North Canterbury Fish & Game will monitor compliance within the Upper Hurunui Controlled Fisheries and the use of the booking system. Non-compliance with Designated Waters and Controlled Fishery Regulations is an offence under the Conservation Act and is subject to a maximum fine of $5,000.
Please be considerate and contact us to cancel your booking at the earliest opportunity if your plans change.
If you require further assistance, please contact us