Central South Island Weekly Fishing Report - 19 December 2024
- Central South Island
- 19/12/2024
Canal Fishing Heating Up for the Holidays!
Osten Kenyon, with brother Rylan and Dad Rob from Palmerston North tasted success at the hydro canals while on their family holiday.
The hydro canals are fishing well as we head into the busy holiday season!
Anglers are hooking into some stunning rainbow trout, trophy browns, and some hefty salmon that will test any angler’s skills.
CSI Fish & Game ranger, Jase, was out ranging the canals this week and reported some great catches across the board. He met families, mates, and solo anglers who are all getting in on the action.
Consistent water flow down the canals due to the high lake levels have created reliable conditions, with fish being taken on a variety of techniques—from classic toby lures to huhu grub baits and surface-striking soft baits.
Whether you’re chasing your personal best or looking to fill the smoker for Christmas dinner, the canals are the place to be. So get yourself ready, grab your rod and keep your licence on you.
Warrack McKenzie with stunning 14lb salmon. Xmas lunch sorted, Warrack reckons.
Lincoln High School Students Explore Angling at Ashburton Lakes / Ōtūwharekai
Lincoln High School students ready to cast their lines at stunning Lake Clearwater/Te Puna-a-Taka.
Recently, Lincoln High School outdoor education students spent their annual school camp to the Ashburton Lakes / Ōtūwharekai, enjoying three days of fishing, exploration, and outdoor education.
While fishing Lake Clearwater / Te Puna-a-Taka, the group met CSI Fish & Game Ranger, Jase Van Beers, who stopped by to see their progress.
Led by teacher Hans Knutson, students experienced a mix of challenges and successes, catching plenty of perch and around ten trout across multiple lakes. Every student managed to catch at least one fish.
For Hans, the trip was particularly special on a personal note as his passion for angling was sparked as a young boy while fishing Lake Te Puna-a-Taka, where he has a vivid memory of a large trout leaping from the water.
Decades later, he returned to the same waters, now inspiring a new generation of anglers. Hans shared that freshwater fishing remains very popular among students in the Lincoln area, which bodes well for the future of angling.
He also proudly noted that one of his former students has even gone on to work for Fish & Game, a testament to the lasting impact of these experiences.
This three-day adventure left students with new skills, cherished memories, and a deeper appreciation for the outdoors, ensuring the tradition of angling continues to thrive.
For more information on Ashburton Lakes / Ōtūwharekai fishing opportunities over the holiday period, click here.
Rod Giveaway – Going, Going, Gone!
Jake Downes, 7 years old and Marama Eddy, 8 years old from Temuka happy with their new rods.
Our annual rod giveaway was very successful, and all rods have now found a new home with budding young anglers eager to get out and cast a line.
Thank you to everyone who emailed in and for your support.
Check, Clean, Dry
The South Island is currently following the gold clam exclusive version, which is the usual Check, Clean, Dry process.
However, if you have been to the North Island, gold clam-inclusive protocols apply, and these must be carried out before moving to the South Island.
The usual Check, Clean, Dry process is as follows:
- CHECK – Remove visible plant matter from all gear. Pay attention to areas like shoe treads.
- CLEAN – Use 10% dishwashing liquid in water (soak for 10 minutes) OR use 2% household bleach in water (leave wet for 1 minute).
- DRY – Ensure gear is dry to the touch and leave for 48+ hours to eliminate hidden pests.
When to follow these steps?
If you have several days between using one waterway and another, Check and Dry. Make sure your gear is free of plant debris and has been dry to the touch for at least 48 hours.
If you are moving between waterways: Check and Clean any equipment that has come into contact with the water.
- For further information visit the MPI website, here.
- How to ‘Check Clean Dry’ your boat and gear – South Island video, here.
Louise, one of Canterbury’s Check Clean Dry advocates for the summer season will be in South Canterbury from the 27th of December to the 6th of January and will be visiting some popular fishing spots to engage with the public and give away some free cleaning resources.
Have You Caught a Tagged Fish in the Canals?
If you catch a tagged fish in the canals, please report your catch to us – the key piece of information we are after is the four digit tag number, estimated weight, location and date caught. Phone 03 615 8400 or email [email protected] if you have any questions or feedback.
If you catch a tagged trout, please report your catch on our online form, here.
Weather and Water Outlook
The best time for outdoor activities this weekend looks to be later Saturday afternoon when conditions clear after morning rain, or Sunday morning with calmer, fairer weather expected. A general southerly wind direction is anticipated across most of the CSI region.
Regarding sea-run salmon, I write this on Thursday morning when the Rangitata river is at 111 flow m3/s (cumecs) and trending downwards according to the ECan river flow rates. There isn’t any heavy rain predicted to fall in the headwaters this weekend so this could be the weekend to finally have a good crack at sea-run salmon!
Predicted long range weather forecast for the weekend on the YR.no forecast website as of Thursday morning are as follows:
Low Country/Temuka
- Saturday, 21 December will begin with rain and heavy rain overnight, easing to light rain by morning. The afternoon brings cloudy skies with brief rain before clearing to fair conditions in the evening. Winds will shift from a moderate south-west breeze to lighter easterlies later in the day. Expect a high of 21°C and a low of 13°C.
- Sunday, 22 December will start partly cloudy overnight, transitioning to fair skies in the morning. By midday, expect cloudy conditions before turning partly cloudy in the afternoon with a gentle south-east breeze. The evening will see skies turn cloudy again with light winds. Temperatures will reach a high of 19°C and a low of 14°C.
High Country/Twizel
- Saturday, 21 December will start with light rain, transitioning to heavy rain through the morning before easing to showers in the afternoon. By mid-afternoon, conditions will improve to cloudy skies, with temperatures peaking at 19°C and a low of 12°C. Light winds will shift throughout the day, becoming a calm north-east breeze by the evening.
- Sunday, 22 December will begin fair overnight, turning cloudy by early morning with temperatures around 13°C. By midday, expect partly cloudy skies, warming up to a high of 20°C in calm conditions. Light rain showers will develop in the evening, with a gentle north-east breeze.
This forecast was accurate at the time of writing but please remember to check the forecast for yourself before heading out.
Notice Board
Meridian Energy
Meridian Energy intends to spill water via the Pūkaki Spill Control Structure (Gate 19) from approx. 10:00hrs onwards, on 22/12/24 due to rising lake level.
Grey Willow control at the Ashburton Lakes – Department of Conservation
Aerial spraying of grey willow in the Ashburton Lakes area has taken place this week. Signs will be out in areas affected until the 23rd of December. Please contact DOC Geraldine if you’d like to know more
Please remember to share your angling experiences with us, it helps make our reports more engaging and inspiring for everyone! Please email your reports to Jase, here.
Hook into it!
Jase, Fish & Game Officer
Central South Island Fish & Game