Ōhau River Spring Season Ballot is Open for Entries

Central South Island Fish & Game (CSI) has established a ballot system (lottery) to control angler numbers at the Ōhau River between lakes Ōhau and Ruataniwha.

Controlling angler numbers on the Ōhau River maintains its high-country fishery aesthetics during the popular September and October controlled period, also known as the “Spring Season.”

A ballot draw will be held on 19 July to randomly and fairly allocate a limited number of highly sought-after controlled period licences to anglers.

Above Right: Jake Scranney with a rainbow trout caught during the 2022 Spring Season – image credit David Scranney.

Winning a controlled period licence in the ballot draw enables an angler to fish for a specified 2-day fishing allocation only.

The ballot is open for entries from 27 June and closes on 17 July at 5 pm.

The ballot is free to enter and is restricted to anglers that hold a valid whole-season sports fishing licence.

Ballot entries must be made via an online form posted on the Ōhau River Controlled Fishery webpage on the www.fishandgame.org.nz website.

The webpage provides detailed information about the Ōhau River Controlled Fishery and the ballot.

Anglers may seek assistance to use the online ballot entry form by phoning CSI Fish & Game on 03 615 8400.

Anglers that miss out on winning a controlled period licence in the ballot draw can next fish the Ōhau River in the 2023/24 open season – starting November 4^th.

Link to Ōhau River controlled fishery website – click here

Link to the most recent Spring Season management report – click here