Reel Life November 2022

A Fantastic season so far, with plenty more to come!

There have been some outstanding catches reported over October and November.

At the canals, the salmon fishing has been sensational, and some whopper trout, including a 20.5kg brown, have been caught there too.

Lake Benmore rainbows are big this year; plenty over 5-pound have been caught.

Above Right:Jaxon White caught this huge rainbow trout at Lake Benmore in November with his Grandad Trevor Hendry.

Despite successive years with winter floods, the Opihi River and Lake Opuha have fished better than expected this season, with a good range of brown trout of all sizes encountered for those willing to explore.

December is a great month for fishing

The first Saturday in December (3^rd) marks the final “Opening Day” in the CSI Region, with the upper Ahuriri River and lagoons opening.

December offers so many fishing options, from sea-run salmon to backcountry trout fishing, night fishing local streams to trolling the drop-offs at our large hydro lakes, and that is just the tip of the iceberg.

If you’re keen to check out a new spot this December, you can find some inspiration from our ‘Fishing Locations and Access’ webpage; clickhere.

While familiarising yourself with the sports fishing regulations set out in the 2022/23 regulation guide, be sure to scan the list of waterways for fishing location ideas.

If you are yet to purchase your fishing licence – grab it here.

Six quick fishing ideas for December

1. December is a great month for targeting sea-run brown trout at river mouths and lagoons – use life-like ‘smelt’ soft baits.
2. Target perch at Lake Emma using small bright lures.
3. Fish the evening/night-time caddis rise on the Waitaki River near Kurow.
4. Target tench at a designated coarse fishing water like Island Stream.
5. Troll for sockeye salmon at Lake Benmore – here’s some tips.
6. Bait fish with worms or shrimp at lakes Tekapo, Pukaki or Ōhau.

Sea Run Salmon Season Bag Limit Card required for Central South Island and North Canterbury Regions

This is a timely reminder to familiarise yourself with the 2022/23 sea run salmon regulations for the Central South Island and North Canterbury Fish & Game Regions.

For sea run salmon waters, it’s not just a case of grabbing your licence and rod and heading down to the river anymore.

The poor current state of our sea-run salmon fishery has led to the introduction of a season bag limit, a sea-run salmon endorsement and a season bag limit card; there are several new rules you need to adhere to.

The season bag limit card must be carried, along with a pen, while fishing sea-run salmon waters if you have any intention to catch a sea-run salmon or keep one incidentally caught while trout fishing.

All the information you need to know can be found at our website here, including how to purchase your sea run salmon endorsement and to receive your season bag limit card.

The list of sea-run salmon waters can be found in the first question of our FAQ’s for sea run salmon anglers.

If you need any clarification of the new regulations, please contact our Temuka Office: phone 03 6158400, email csi@fishandgame.org.nz

2 fish Daily Bag limit for the hydro canals and Lake Ruataniwha

The canals are a great spot to try your luck in December.

We recommend fishing around the salmon farms as post-spawning rainbows will be back there feeding up to regain condition, and they’re always a good spot to target salmon.

The daily bag limit is now 2 sports fish total (combined catch of trout and salmon).

Once you have kept 2 fish, you must cease fishing at the canals and Lake Ruataniwha for the remainder of that day (until midnight).

If you are new to fishing the canals, be sure to check out our hydro Canal information guide – click here.

Message from Meridian

Summer is nearly here, and there are a few things to remember when you’re out and about near our canals and hydro assets.

• Remember to park safely, well clear of the roadway and in designated parking areas.

• The rocks on the edge of the canal are super slippery, and the canals quickly reach a 10M depth. Please be careful.

• Don’t climb fences around our structures – the fences are there to keep you safe.

• Take it easy when walking down the side of the canals -it’s easy to slip, fall and break something.

• Our hydro station’s water intake and discharge areas have fast-flowing aerated water, undercurrents and unpredictable water releases. Please follow the safety information on our safety signs.

Enjoy the canals and hydro assets safely over the summer!

Happy fishing!

The Meridian team

Catch and Release

As summer kicks in and water temperatures rise angler need to be extra mindful of the way that any fish intended to be released are handled.

Here are our ‘Quick 5’ tips for handling fish with care:

• Cool your hands and landing net by wetting them before touching the fish.
• Keep the fish in the water while removing the hook.
• Do not squeeze the fish, and never touch the gills.
• Photograph the fish in or over the water, and make it quick - the fish should not be out of the water for more than 5 seconds.
• Revive the fish facing into the current long enough for it to regain its swimming strength.

In the unfortunate instance that a fish you intended to release does end up bleeding from the gills or does not recover completely, so long as you can legally take that fish, you should keep it as part of your bag limit and utilise it.

Keep up to date

Every Thursday afternoon during the main fishing season, we link up with our neighbours, North Canterbury Fish & Game, to email out the ‘Weekly Fishing Report’.

Why not join 34,000 weekly report readers by signing up today – click here

Tight lines

Rhys Adams, Central South Island Fish & Game.