North Canterbury Weekly Fishing Report - 20th March 2025

Sighting your target?

Spotting a fish can be a huge challenge for anglers, no matter how experienced you are. Recently, we have had very low and clear rivers, which has made things easier for spotting fish however, with some heavy rain that has come over the week and more scheduled around the region, there may be an increase in flows, making sight fishing more challenging. 

Spotting fish in clear water conditions is much easier

When looking for your potential target in a pool or riffle, there are a couple of basic things that can make your chances of finding your fish higher. Firstly, make sure you wear polarised sunglasses. They do not have to be the most expensive pair or even look the most stylish; however, a quality pair of polarised photochromic sunnies with glass lenses can be a worthy investment. Often, fishing glasses come with different types of tints in the lenses, all of which are a personal preference however, we would recommend giving some a try before you jump in and buy a pair. The fishing retailer in Christchurch, Fishermans Loft, can offer trials for glasses they stock in-store, a great way to get some time on the water by giving them a test before purchasing them. 

Can you spot this fish? The photo was taken with polarised glasses held in front of the phone camera - It was very hard to spot without them!

The next big tip would be to try and gain some high ground on the water looking from above will cut out a significant amount of glare for the sun/sky, opening up for you to see into the water with greater clarity and detail. Reflections on the water can also be your worst enemy at times, so try moving around as much as you can to get a better understanding of what's in the water you're looking through. Don't forget when you arrive at new waters look right under where you are standing there may be an undercut bank you're standing on or a fish cruising right before you!

The reward of catching a fish you have spotted is always that much better - check out Caleb's brown he caught after spotting!

Our final piece of advice is not to be afraid to cast to something you think might be a fish. Trust me you would much rather cast at a log three times and wade through the water and spook away what you thought was a 'log'. Good luck this weekend angler be safe!

Farewell to Corina Jordan

Check out the video of our recent drift dives in the Lewis Pass

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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:

• E-Can River Flows: River Flow Data
• Outdoor Access Live Cameras: Live Cameras (subscription required)
• MetService Weather Warnings: Weather Warnings

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