Central South Island Weekly Fishing Report - 20 March 2025

High Country Angling Action

Jeremy and his mate Bruce got out for some high country dry fly angling action recently and he sent us his story.

“Conditions were hot with northwest wind and the fish were all looking up. There were lots of terrestrial insects coming out of the grass and tussock as we walked. Moths, butterflies, crickets, grasshoppers and of course cicadas.

I opted for a cicada pattern while Bruce went with a blowfly pattern, both designed to imitate the plentiful food sources that had the fish feeding actively.

A key tip from the day: if cattle are nearby, you'll likely find more blowflies, making that pattern especially effective.

They both enjoyed their day taking in the beauty of the high country and managed to land several healthy brown trout ranging between 3 and 5 lb”.

Pictured above: Jeremy with a stunning high country brown caught on a cicada fly pattern.

Bruce enticed this cracking brown with blowfly fly pattern.

Te Ao Mārama Chinook Biting at the Ohaū C Tailrace

John Craig with a nice Chinook salmon caught down at the Ohaū C Tailrace on Friday 14th March.

John and his friend caught 3 Chinook salmon in about three hours last Friday morning, all being between 5- 8 lbs.

The anglers stated that since Christmas they have managed to land a good number of Chinook salmon in Lake Benmore / Te Ao Mārama.

 

Elevated Water Levels, Why Not Head out for a Spin Fish?

A 3.5lb brown caught on a natural-coloured soft bait in murky water after a flood. Credit: Blake Harper.

At this time of year, during late season, trout in rivers during normal or low flows can be almost impossible to entice on to the end of your toby or soft bait.

However, rain may just be your friend! Such as the rain fall, we’ve just experienced this week which has caused many local river levels to rise. Don’t be discouraged, this is often one of the best times to be out spin fishing.

Why is this the case? 

1. Aggression - Trout are known to become more aggressive in dirty water. The decreased visibility affords them less time to make decisions on passing prey causing them to snap more readily.
2. Visibility - Murky water can heighten a trout’s feeling of safety and lead them to spend more time in open water. The discoloured water also adds cover to an angler’s approach. 
3. Disruption of feeding & prey - During a flood, trout are sheltering and off the feed. When it subsides, the trout feed voraciously to make up for lost condition. Capitalising on the stirred-up water which provides an influx of insects and worms. 

What lures/baits to use? 

1. Bright-coloured soft baits and lures - Bright-coloured soft baits and lures in murky water increase your chances of a trout spotting your lure. 
2. Natural-coloured soft baits – natural coloured soft baits can be effective when discoloured water is starting to clear. Drift your soft bait along the bottom of the water column and allowing the current to do the work.
3. Bait fishing - Increased water levels provide the perfect opportunity to bait your hook with a worm, either drifting it through the current or casting it into slack water and allowing it to sit. 

If the water levels are high and dirty do not be put off. Adjust, grab your spin rod and make the most of the opportunities heavy rainfall and discoloured waters can offer.

Make sure to check the current 2024/25 sports fishing regulations on where spin fishing or bait fishing is permitted.

 

Otago Anniversary Long Weekend in the Waitaki

Clayton Prys spin fishing on the Waitaki River at Kurow Island. Credit: N Dellaway.

This is a friendly reminder for all Otago anglers: with Otago Anniversary on March 23rd and a public holiday on the 24th, the long weekend is a prime time to hit the Waitaki River and local lakes.

CSI Fish & Game Rangers will be out and about over the long weekend so please remember to always have your sports fishing license with you and to brush up on the 2024/25 sports fishing regulations.

If you're planning to head out, please don’t hesitate to share your angler reports, photos, and any interesting experiences with us, if you would like to be featured in the weekly fishing report.

If you are practising catch and release, please remember to use these careful C&R techniques:

• 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. Do this quicky as the fish should be out of the water for no more than 5 seconds.
• Revive the fish facing into the current until it regains swimming strength.

When you’re ready, simply email Jase at jvanbeers@fishandgame.org.nz with your reports. Happy fishing and have a fantastic long weekend!

 

Sockeye Salmon Spawning

Sockeye salmon spawning in a favourite spawning stream.

Last week, the 10 – 16th of March, marked the peak of the spawning run for the Waitaki Lakes’ sockeye salmon population.

On the 14^th of March CSI conducted the annual aerial spawning count, made possible with funding contributions from Mount Cook Alpine Salmon.

The final estimates are still pending but the raw data suggests Lakes Benmore / Te Ao Mārama and Pūkaki sockeye populations remain healthy with the Twizel River once again serving as a key spawning ground. This year, we estimate that around 11,000 sockeye returned to the Twizel River / Whakatipu to spawn.

A good vantage point is the SH8 Bridge over the Twizel River, where you can observe the fish without disturbing them. Remember, it is an offence to fish for sockeye in a river or stream where sockeye are present in March and April.

After spawning, sockeye salmon die, contributing vital nutrients to the freshwater ecosystem. Be aware you may come across salmon carcasses in various stages of decay, this is a natural and an important part of the cycle.

Weather and Water Outlook

Rivers have had a good freshen up this week and with a relatively settled weekend according to long range forecasts on the cards this weekend, could certainly be one to have that final crack at sea run salmon for the season.

Many low country rivers in CSI had a bump in flow and good flush mid-week due to areas like Peel Forest receiving close to 60mm of rain. The Rangitata river peaked at 156 cumecs according to ECAN River Flow Website on Tuesday afternoon.

The predicted long-range weather forecast for the weekend as of Thursday morning is as follows:

Low Country/Temuka

• Saturday, 22 March will begin with fog in the early morning accompanied by gentle breezes from the north and northeast, transitioning to partly cloudy conditions with a steady light breeze from the southeast throughout the day, then shifting to cloudy skies with light winds from the northwest in the evening. High of 21°C and a low of 13°C.
• Sunday, 23 March will be cloudy in the morning with a gentle breeze from the northwest, then remaining cloudy with a light breeze from the west by midday. Rain will develop in the early afternoon with a moderate breeze from the south. High of 18°C and a low of 14°C.

High Country/Twizel

• Saturday, 22 March will be partly cloudy in the morning then clearing with a steady light breeze from the west throughout the day. Cloud will increase with light rain in the early evening and a light southwest breeze. High of 20°C and a low of 8°C.
• Sunday, 23 March will be rainy in the early morning with calm conditions, then persistent rain with light southeast breezes through mid-morning and early afternoon, before heavy rain showers and a light breeze from the east develop later in the day, returning to calm conditions in the evening. High of 18°C and a low of 11°C.

This forecast was accurate at the time of writing but please remember to check the forecast for yourself before heading out.

 

Notice Board

We want your feedback on proposed changes to the sports fishing regulations in CSI.

Triennial Review of Central South Island Region’s Sports Fishing Regulations

The Central South Island Fish and Game Council (CSIFGC) is seeking feedback on eleven proposed changes to the sports fishing regulations across a range of its regional fisheries as part of its triennial regulations review.

To support CSIFGC in making informed decisions around each proposal, feedback is requested from anglers and the public on the following proposed changes:

1. Lake Opuha / Ōpūaha – introducing a winter fishing season.
2. Lake Heron / Ōtūroto – enforcing use of single hooks to manage caught and released lake-type salmon.
3. Bells Pond – reducing trout daily bag limit.
4. Rangitata River / Rakitata – introducing an April trout season upstream of Turn Again Point.
5. Bait fishing – permitting restricted use of a portion of fish as bait.
6. Scented artificial lures (bait) – permitting restricted use in spin fishing waters.
7. Bait fishing – introducing regulation to clarify offence of bait fishing with salmon farm and trout hatchery feed pellets.
8. Upper Ahuriri River Catchment – Introducing November season opening date.
9. Awakino River / Te Awakinonui – Introducing an open season.
10. Lake Alexandrina / Takamana – Introducing a winter season brown trout bag limit.
11. Canal fishery – Introducing a universal bag limit across interconnected waters.

The proposals, their assessment by CSIFGC staff, and online feedback forms can be found here at our website here.

For further information about providing feedback please contact our office: ph. – 03 615 8400, email – csi@fishandgame.org.nz 

Feedback will be accepted until 27 April 2025.

 

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.