Upper Hurunui River Controlled Fishery

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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), when available, become bookable at midday.

The upper Hurunui Controlled Fishery sections are available on a “first come, first serve” basis. 

• A maximum of four anglers are allowed per Controlled Fishery booking and section each day.
• Names and licence numbers of ALL party members must be entered at the time of Controlled Fishery booking. If you need to make changes to your booking or cancel it, contact North Canterbury Fish & Game at NCFG Email or 03 366 9191.
• If using a fishing guide, they must be listed on the Controlled Fishery Licence as a party member. Therefore, because the maximum party size is four anglers, a guide may accompany a maximum of three clients. Guides must hold the relevant valid fishing and Designated Waters licences. 
• Special licencing requirements apply to these rivers—you must hold and carry a current whole-season licence (resident or non-resident) and a valid Designated Waters Licence (resident or non-resident day) for the North Canterbury Region.
• A valid controlled fishery booking receipt (printed or on a device) must also be carried on the river.
• If you want to cancel your Controlled Fishery booking, you must contact North Canterbury Fish & Game as soon as possible.  

To cancel bookings, please contact NC Fish and Game Email or 03 366 9191 Monday to Friday, 8.30 am - 4.30 pm.

Background Information:

The Upper Hurunui River Controlled Fishery aims to manage angling pressure on the Upper North and South Branch sections to maintain a high-quality angling and wilderness experience.

Feedback from the angling community and other users highlights that the upper Hurunui trout fishery has sometimes 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 anglers, guides, and landowners and led to dissatisfaction 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 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 needing a 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 needing a Designated Waters Licence.

Please read the information below and click the link at the top of the page to make a booking and obtain your Controlled Period Licence. 

Controlled Fishery bookings become available at midday.

Bookings can be made up to five days before the start of your intended fishing trip, including on the intended day of fishing.

Depending on availability, you may be able to select up to three consecutive days per booking.

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.

Both the upper North and South Branch rivers can be accessed from Lake Sumner Road. See the Walking Access NZ or DOC  websites for more information on public walking access options.

Upper North Branch Hurunui River Controlled Fishery

The North Branch Controlled Fishery starts 500m above Lake Sumner (marked with a sign) and includes all tributaries (grid reference NZTopo50/BU22 3088 7229).

Controlled Period: 1 Oct – 30 April
Method: Fly and Spin
Bag Limit: 1

Maximum fish length: 400mm

Map: North Branch View

Green area on map: Open to all licence holders (including day licences)
Orange area on the map: Open to holders of a Controlled Fishery booking AND North Canterbury Designated Waters Licence only. 

Access

Public walking or mountain biking access is available 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 and along the unformed legal road at the head of Lake Sumner - for details, see the Walking Access NZ website. 

All other access is by permission through Lakes Station.

Contact Email for 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

The South Branch Controlled Fishery starts upstream of the confluence with the North Esk River and 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 

Map: South Branch View

The green area on the map: Open to all licence holders (including day licences).
Orange area on the map: Open to holders of a Controlled Fishery booking AND North Canterbury Designated Waters Licence only.

Access

Public walking access to the upper South Branch valley is available via a DOC track, which starts in the North Branch upstream of Home Bay and goes past Lake Mason. See the Walking Access NZ webpage for more information.

Vehicle access to the upper South Branch Valley is only possible via private farm tracks if you obtain permission from either Esk Head or Lake Taylor Stations.

Contact Emails -

Esk Head Email 

Lake Taylor Station Email

Fishing Guides

Guides making a booking on behalf of clients must provide the relevant valid licence information of the clients they intend to guide, including themselves. This will ensure that the booking is issued in the client's name.

Please be aware unless all anglers (including the guide) are listed on the Controlled Fishery booking, you will not be compliant with Controlled Fishery Regulations.

Guides must be included in the fishing party (max 4) and may, therefore, accompany a maximum of three clients on any day. They must also have the relevant valid licences. 

The accuracy of the information provided is vital to effectively managing our Controlled 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 immediately if your plans change.

If you require further assistance, please get in touch with us.