North Canterbury Weekly Fishing Report - 20th February 2025

  • North Canterbury
  • 20/02/2025
  • Jackson Meecham

North Canterbury Weekly Fishing Report - 20th February 2025

The upcoming weekend presents excellent fishing opportunities for anglers. Based on the weather forecast, Sunday looks like the best day to head out on the water. River conditions will remain low and clear, so adjusting your techniques is key—try using lighter tackle to enhance your presentation and increase your chances of success.

If you're taking the family and boat up to Lake Coleridge but struggling to catch fish, here are a few tips that could make all the difference. First, pay attention to your fishing depth—when trolling, ensure your lure is swimming at the right depth. Second, monitor your speed; the ideal trolling speed is around 3–4 km/h to maximize your lure’s action and attract fish. Lastly, set your alarm early! Fishing at first light can significantly improve your catch rate and make for a fantastic day on the water.

Remember to always carry your Fishing Licence, including your Sea-Run Salmon Licence, as required under the Conservation Act—rangers may ask to see it at any time.

Also, a quick reminder: some Rakaia tributaries close for fishing from February 28th. These include Manuka Point, Double Hill, Glenariffe, Hydra Waters, and Goat Hill Streams.

Ranging in action 

In North Canterbury, for the 24/25 season, our field staff have emphasised getting out and checking anglers on rivers and lakes. With this increased time on the water, staff have discovered large compliance issues in our region. At this point (20th February 2025) staff and honorary rangers have checked 800 licences across the entire region. 

Nice water can be found in unexpected places around the region

While it has been great seeing so many anglers enjoying their time on the water. There have been anglers out of their choosing not to get a licence before they leave home or not checking up on regulations! Many people may not realise that fishing freshwater for sports fish without a current Sports Fishing Licence or failing to comply with regulations are criminal offences under the Conservation Act 1987. While the majority of offences detected this season have been 'Fishing without a licence' there have been some regulation breaches committed too. The team have detected a total of 34 offenders at this point of the season of this number of offenders there have been 45 offences committed. 

The Rakaia has been running low and clear recently if flows increase it will be a great opportunity for salmon to run

As a region, we all must protect the resources that we have at our fingertips. Along with physically protecting these wild spaces, we should all follow the requirements set out by Fish & Game New Zealand. So next time you head out fishing be sure to check you have your licence, you are up-to-date with the regulations in your fishing area and make sure any of your mates have done the same. But most importantly of all, have a great time on the water creating memories. 

Lake Coleridge has been producing some great trout this season
Creel Surveys 

 

Staff are approaching the final month (March) of our high country lake creel surveys. Our surveys were based on the Department of Conservation (DOC) creel surveys they do annually on Lake Taupo. 

For North Canterbury Fish & Game, we have so far completed 170 angler interviews while out completing compliance on our high country lakes. When out, there are a range of simple, quick questions that we are collecting data on for a report, which will be written after the survey period has finished. Some of the questions we ask are...

  • What method is the angler using? 
  • How long has the angler been fishing?
  • How many fish have been hooked but not landed? How about hooked and landed? 
  • How would you rate your angling success? (1-10 scale)

During the interviews we have conducted at this point, it is clear that most anglers are satisfied with their time spent on the lakes. We have also weighed and measured a variety of different fish caught on the various lakes, most of these fish have been in excellent condition. If you see a Fish & Game Ranger on one of the High Country lakes over the next month don't be surprised if they have a couple of questions for you so you can help us have an accurate survey. 

Caleb with a nice condition Rainbow trout

 

Knots that work

Having a strong range of knots in your arsenal is essential for making sure you don't lose gear and, most importantly, fish. Below you can find some of the knots we recommend you are familiar and well-practised with before taking yourself out to the water. Don't forget to lubricate your knots before pulling them tight. 

Improved Clinch Knot

 

Uni Knot

 

Albright Knot

 

Blood Knot

 

Want to check out weekly fishing reports from past weeks?

Think you may have missed a report or want to go back and look at some of the details and advice we have provided in previous weeks...

CLICK HERE TO VIEW ALL NORTH CANTERBURY WEEKLY FISHING REPORTS
Kieran Lee with a tough-looking rainbow trout. Great fish!

 

Jet Smart from Jet Boating NZ

Jet Boating New Zealand has posted an array of information videos outlining safe jetboat practice as well as tips on different types of boats and jets. 

 

View the videos by clicking this link and watching the playlist: Jet Smart NZ - Jet Boating NZ

 

Selwyn District Council Update

The Selwyn District Council has notified North Canterbury Fish & Game that weed cutting in the Ararira /LII river will commence approximately on the 10th of February 2025 and continue through until the end of March 2025. A barrier will be placed on the river 200m downstream of Wolfes Road boat ramp. The work is being completed to meet Environment Canterbury's consent. Should you require more information please contact the Surface Water Team on 347 2800.

Check, Clean, Dry Message 

Check, Clean, and Dry to stop freshwater pests!

Whether you’re out fishing, hunting, kayaking, paddleboarding, jet skiing or boating on Canterbury’s freshwater lakes and rivers this summer, the threat of freshwater pests spreading and invading is very real. 

 

Freshwater pests can ruin valuable ecosystems by stopping the growth of native water plants and reducing habitats for many types of fish. 

The invasion of freshwater pests is a direct result of human activity so if you plan on going to a lake, river, stream or wetland this summer and move to another within 48 hours, you must clean all your gear that has been wet using the 'Check, Clean, Dry' method. 

Check

Remove any plant matter from your gear and leave it at the site (the river or lake bank), or put it in the rubbish. Don't wash plant material down any drain.

Clean

Use 10% dishwashing detergent mixed with water and leave the item wet for 10 minutes.

Dry

Ensure your gear is completely dry to touch, inside and out, then leave to dry for at least another 48 hours before you use it.

 

Some of the freshwater pest species present in Aotearoa New Zealand exist within our region like Egeria and Lagarosiphon, but many of our lakes and rivers remain pest-free. To help keep it this way, equipment and vessels must be properly cleaned and decontaminated before entering any waterway.  

 

We all have a responsibility to protect our freshwater so remember, even if you can’t see it, if it’s wet, it’s a threat.  

For more information visit https://www.ecan.govt.nz/your-region/your-environment/biodiversity-and-biosecurity/biosecurity/preventing-the-spread-of-pests/check-clean-dry/  

 

Contact Environment Canterbury on 0800 324 636 or email biosecurity@ecan.govt.nz 

Targeted Weed Control Across the North Canterbury Region

North Canterbury Fish and Game has been given notice from Environment Canterbury (ECan) that targeted weed control using helicopters for aerial spraying will be happening across the North Canterbury Region from early February 2025 till the end of March 2025.

The affected rivers will be as follows:

  • Chatterton River 
  • Hurunui River 
  • Waimakariri River
  • Rakaia River
  • Waikirikiri/Selwyn River

Signage indicating that spraying is underway will be placed at all spray operation refilling stations and public access points. Public access will be restricted during operations. All works are weather dependent. 

Visit this link for more information and detailed maps of targeted control areas: Current River Works ECan

 

Tree clearance works will also begin on the Ōtukaikino Stream downstream of Clearwater Avenue is planned to start on the 17th of February 2025 and is estimated to end by the end of March 2025.

 

Harts Creek Track Closure

The Waihora Ellesmere Trust (WET) have notified North Canterbury Fish & Game that track refurbishment work will begin at Waitātari Harts Creek beginning January 6th. The works are likely to be completed at the end of March 2025. There will be a full track CLOSURE during this period. The track is being given a facelift to improve retaining walls along the creek. They will also widen and level out the track. The Ellesmere Lions Club are overseeing this project. 

For more information, please contact WET here

Weather Update

Christchurch 

Rakaia

Waipara

 

Culverden

 

Hamner Springs

 

Arthurs Pass

To help you plan your fishing adventures, be sure to check the following resources:

Happy fishing! Stay safe out there!

Get involved this season!

Jump online and get your licence the easy way - it only takes a minute. Click the image above to get started. 

Want to contribute to the weekly fishing reports?

Here at North Canterbury Fish & Game, we are extremely passionate about sharing YOUR angling stories. Whether you caught a massive fish or took your girls and boys out fishing for the first time, you want to hear and tell your stories.

When you’re out this season, don’t forget to take some photos or videos and send them to jmeecham@fishandgame.org.nz with a little back story on your angling adventures.

Enjoy the weekend, and tight lines to everyone heading out to the water!

Jackson, Harry, Caleb & the rest of the North Canterbury Team

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