Central South Island Weekly Fishing Report - 27 March 2025

Happy Waitaki!

Otago Anniversary Weekend Fishing Fun in CSI!

Otago anglers made the most of their three-day weekend in CSI along the Waitaki River and at Lake Benmore.  Saturday was a cracker day and despite Sunday and Monday’s less-than-ideal weather—marked by intermittent rain, overcast skies, and a chill in the air—enthusiastic anglers of all ages got out and enjoyed Waitaki waters.

On Monday a group of excited non-resident anglers from America were met by Fish and Game Officers at the Kurow Bridge preparing to be guided to drift fly fish the Waitaki river via inflatable rafts. Fishing from a drift boat is a great way to get to parts of a river that are very rarely fished, it's also a relaxing way to fish and can be extremely effective.

A busy boating day was reported on Lake Benmore during Saturday and Fish and Game Officers caught up with many happy boating anglers on Sunday braving the less-than-ideal conditions and still catching fish. Families and friends set up along the dam wall of Lake Benmore, rods in hand and smiles on their faces.

Young anglers showed impressive determination, casting their lines under the watchful guidance of more experienced anglers. 11-year-old Robbie Lane was spending his day off school with his grandparents John and Yvone Lane who were fishing from their jetboat on the Waitaki River down river from Kurow.

Pictured above: Robbie Lane, age 11 with his Waitaki rainbow trout for the table caught off his grandparents jetboat with a tassie devil lure.

The weekend’s stand out fish species were the rainbow trout, which proved to be in fine condition. Several anglers proudly held up their catches for a quick photo before carefully releasing them or adding them to the day’s bag limit. Reports of vibrant, healthy fish showcased the Waitaki region’s strong fisheries.

We got a real sense of happy anglers over the Otago Anniversary weekend on the Waitaki waterways and were reminded that fishing is about more than just the size of the catch.  It’s about connecting with the outdoors, sharing laughs with family and friends, and savouring the simple joy of casting a line onto the water.  

With the region’s stunning landscapes and healthy fish populations, there’s no doubt that the Waitaki River and Lakes will remain a favourite destination for anglers looking to re-wild themselves.

John and Yvone Lane love spending time fishing with their grandson Robbie Lane

Healthy Rainbow trout were the trend across the long weekend on the Waitaki.

 

Otago Anniversary Ranging Report

Fish & Game Officer Blake Harper checks American anglers Nick Price (L) and Mark Hamblett (R) licenses.

Waitaki waterways were the focus of extensive ranging efforts over the Otago Anniversary weekend.

Staff ranged the Waitaki River by jet boat, covering stretches around Kurow and Duntroon, including the river access at Bell’s Pond and from there right to the river mouth.

Staff also ranged by boat on Lake Benmore and on foot at the canals.

A total of 45 licences were checked by Fish & Game staff and honorary rangers on Waitaki waterways. Whilst the majority were compliant, a few anglers were found to be in breach of the regulations.

A notable trend from the weekend was happy anglers, with some nice rainbow trout being landed in both the Waitaki River and Lake Benmore.

Once again, thanks to North Canterbury Fish & Game for giving us a helping hand with their jetboat.

Experienced Waitaki jetboat angler Barry Hill reels in another rainbow trout.

 

Waitaki Sea-Run Salmon Season – ‘Upper’ Section Closed April 1st

Red line indicates the powerlines at Stonewall & Bortons Pond - salmon fishing is closed upstream of these powerlines in April.

The so-called ‘upper’ section of the Waitaki River is defined in the regulations as “from the Waitaki Dam downstream to a line running beneath the powerlines across the river at the Stonewall or any tributary of that part of the river…”.   

If you are not sure where Stonewall is, it is on the north side of the river. The power lines run across the river here to Bortons Pond at Black Point on the south side of the river – see the above image.

In our Waitaki River access guide and angler access online maps – Stonewall is access point 10 and Bortons Pond is access point 28.

An open season remains for sea-run salmon to the end of April in the ‘lower’ section, approximately 29km of Waitaki River downstream from these Stonewall/Bortons powerlines to the sea.

Please remember if you have kept your season bag limit of two (2) sea-run salmon across the combined waters of Central South Island and North Canterbury Regions you cannot continue to fish for sea-run salmon in these regions for the remainder of the 2024/25 sports fishing season.

If you need clarification on any regulation please refer to the 2024/25 sports fishing regulations,

If further clarification is required, please contact us directly, phone 03 615 8400 or email csi@fishandgame.org.nz. 

 

Lower Ōpihi Angler Report

Micheal Gordon capitalized on the high flows in the Ōpihi River last week.

After providing information last week about spin fishing elevated water levels, a timely report was sent to us by angler Michael Gordon on Thursday evening.

Michael had found success fishing the higher flow of the lower Ōpihi River after some heavy rain last week which saw the river jump from 10 cumecs to 23 cumecs.

Michael caught and released a hard fighting 4.2lbs brown trout using pumpkin green t-tail minnow soft bait.

 

Weather and Water Outlook

According to the NIWA long range forecast a high-pressure system is set to push in from the Tasman Sea tomorrow over the whole country setting us up for a fine weekend. Looking at ECAN River Flow Website water levels are normal for this time of year. With autumn firmly set in now try and make the most of the last 5 weeks of the fishing season and try out those spots you’ve been thinking about before it’s too late.

The predicted long-range weather forecast for the weekend as of Thursday morning from YR.NO. is as follows:

Low Country/Temuka

• Saturday, 29 March will start partly cloudy with a light breeze from the northeast. Some fog and light precipitation may linger early morning, but by midday the skies will clear with a steady light breeze evolving from the east to a gentle breeze from the southeast in the afternoon. High of 20°C and a low of 9°C.
• Sunday, 30 March will start with partly cloudy conditions until just after midnight and a light breeze from the northwest. Early afternoon, cloud cover increases as a moderate breeze develops from the west. Later in the evening, rain sets in with mild precipitation and a gentle breeze from the south east. High of 19°C and a low of 12°C.

 

High Country/Twizel

• Saturday, 29 March will begin with partly cloudy skies and occasional morning fog. The weather will then improve into a bright, clear afternoon accompanied by a gentle light breeze from the east, before shifting to partly cloudy conditions with a light breeze from the west in the evening. High of 17°C and a low of 8°C.
• Sunday, 30 March will begin with partly cloudy skies until just after midnight and a light breeze from the west. Mid-afternoon brings light rain accompanied by a gentle shift to a northeast breeze. High of 13°C and a low of 7°C.

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 Limited

One to consider for Tekapo River anglers and access.
Meridian Energy intends to spill water via the Pūkaki Spill Control Structure (Gate 19) on 29/03/2025 from 06:00 until 16:00. Flow will reach a maximum of 45 cumecs. Please note this is recreational release.

Environment Canterbury

As part of the Tipu Mātoro National Wallaby Eradication Programme ECAN will be undertaking wallaby search and control along the Waitaki River margin on the southern side from the Kurow River to Bortons ponds. This work is intended to take place between Monday 31^st March 2025 – Thursday 17^th April 2025 during daylight hours, excluding weekends.

There will be firearms & dogs used during this control operation.

Warning signage will be placed at normal points of entry into the rivers and on the Alp2Ocean cycle trail. Adjacent landowners will be contacted by the contractor when working adjacent to their farmland.

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.

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.

Fish & Game Salmon Bag Card Returns Now Open

If you have finished salmon fishing for the season please return the details on your card to us.
You can do this online here, give us a call on 03 615 8400, email csi@fishandgame.org.nz or post the card to us at P.O Box 150 Temuka 7948.

Even if you didn’t catch a salmon or if you didn’t go out fishing at all, that information is still important to us.

There's always one... angler Adam Frimel prepares for a fun day drift fly fishing by inflatable raft on the Waitaki river.

 

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.