Central South Island Weekly Fishing Report - 6 March 2025

Sockeye Spawning Closure from 1 March

Sockeye salmon spawning is underway in tributary rivers and streams of the Waitaki Lakes. 

In recent years sockeye spawning runs have been in the magnitude of tens-of-thousands – read about it here.

If you are keen to observe the spawning spectacle, the Twizel River Bridge on SH8 offers a great vantage point – but be in quick as the peak period of the spawn will be over by about March 20th.  

All streams and rivers where sockeye salmon are present are closed to sockeye salmon fishing from 1 March. The trout fishing season remains open in the same waters. 

Pictured above: Sockeye salmon paired-up for spawning in the Lower Ōhau River.

Refer to Note 1.10 in your 2024/25 sports fishing regulations guide here to view the full regulation for the sockeye salmon fishing closure. 

Sockeye fishing remains open year-round in lakes and canals with year-round open season such as Lake Benmore and Ōhau B Canal.

Note From our Rangers to Sea-run Salmon Anglers

Have your pen at the ready alongside your sea-run salmon season bag limit card and licence.

Sea-run salmon anglers in the Central South Island and North Canterbury Fish & Game Regions must abide by a set of sea-run salmon regulations.

While supporting the North Canterbury team at the Rakaia River during the fishing competition our rangers encountered salmon anglers that were not carrying their season bag limit card. These anglers were issued offence notices for failing to produce their salmon bag limit cards and instructed to stop salmon fishing until they carried their card.

Please note, if you have kept a sea-run salmon you must fill in the details of the catch immediately on your bag limit card. To do this you need to carry both your sea-run salmon bag limit card and a pen.

If you fail to fill in your card immediately upon keeping a sea-run salmon, then expect a Fish & Game Ranger to issue you with an offence notice and seize your salmon and equipment.  

If you need clarification on the sea-run salmon regulations 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.

Sea-run Salmon Monitoring Update

Last season’s 2023/24 Central South Island Sea-run Salmon Returns report has been published and is available for you to read here.

We estimated that 517 sea-run salmon were harvested across North Canterbury and CSI last season. 

The combined live salmon spawning estimate for the Rakaia, Rangitata/Rakitata and Waimakariri was 1,452 salmon placing the status of the fishery in the ‘low health’ management band and prescribing that the season bag limit of 2 salmon was set for the current season. 

The combined total wild run for the three indicator rivers (Waimakariri, Rakaia and Rangitata) in the 2023/24 season was 1,875 salmon.  Run estimates for other sea-run salmon rivers and hatchery returns can be found in the report.

Thanks to all those anglers who participated in the sea-run salmon harvest survey, contributing to valuable annual sea-run salmon monitoring data presented in the report. 

If you have harvested your season bag limit for this current season, please return your card vis the online return form here.

Ōhau River “Spring Season” Controlled Period Ballot

Lachie Cromar with a big rainbow trout from the 2024 Spring Season. Credit: Josh Harmer.

The ballot schedule for the upcoming 2025 controlled period is now posted on our website here.

If you are keen to enter the ballot, please sit tight, you’ll have to wait until the ballot opens for entries from 24 June to 15 July 2025. We recommend setting a reminder or to mark it on your calendar. 

If you would like to learn more about the fishing and management of this one-of-a-kind fishery please read our 2024 Spring Season management report here.    

Weather and Waterway Outlook for the Weekend

Sunday has the pick of the weather for fishing this weekend – fine, light winds but cool autumn temperatures due to a southerly weather pattern. Pack warm clothes!

Saturday looks to be showery with the low country getting the worst of it.

High country rivers like the Rangitata, Ahuriri and Twizel are at relatively low ‘summer’ flows. 

Low country waterways are holding decent flows suitable for fishing due to consistent rain events through summer and now autumn. For example, the Pareora/Pureora River has held over 1 cumec at the SH1 Bridge since February 19th.

Notice Board

ECAN Targeted Weed Spraying

Targeted spraying via aerial control is planned this week in the following areas:

• Rangitata - Mouth to SH1 – now to end of next week. SH1 to and just above Arundel – next week for 2 weeks
• Opihi – Fairlie area - Gorge to Seddons Road
• Waitaki – mouth to Duntroon

More information here - https://www.ecan.govt.nz/your-region/your-environment/river-and-drain-management/current-works/

Signage indicating that spraying is underway will be placed at all spray operation refilling stations and public access points on the river.  Public access will be restricted during operations.

CSI Council Meeting

Licence holders and members of the public are welcome to attend the next bi-monthly meeting of the Central South Island Fish & Game Council.

• Where: 32 Richard Pearse Drive, Temuka
• When: 7pm Thursday 13 March 2025