Weekly Fishing Report — Central South Island — 14/04/2022

Easter weekend provides ample opportunity to get out on the water

The weather forecast is looking great, with just a short-lived southerly front to pay attention to on Saturday.

In general, you can expect low to moderate flows in our rivers as the rain we received this week was only minor.

It is time to pack the thermals, beanie, and waders as temperatures are on the decline. At the same time, it can get balmy in the afternoon so take a sunhat and sun cream too.

There is still time to have an epic fishing adventure before the season ends — for most waterways that is on 30 April.

Not only is the Easter Holiday in the mix, but ANZAC holiday is coming up and its now the school holidays.

Feature Image: ‘There’s still time for a great fishing adventure this April’ - Credit Kirsten Stevens

If your epic late-season mission is to catch a sea run salmon, there is still plenty of water open to fish, although areas on the upper parts of the Waitaki and Rangitata River are now closed.

Be sure to check your regulations guide here for open seasons.

Sea run salmon anglers must carry their bag limit card and a pen on the river with them, check out all the information on the new sea run salmon rules and requirements here.

Canals

The canals will be busy this holiday weekend and we ask you to be courteous to other anglers around you and respectful of the power companies that own and operate the hydro canals for power generation.

Our Hydro Canal access guide describes canal angler etiquette, has a handy map and other information – read it/download it here.

There are a few matters I want to briefly touch on about the canals.

Camping - camping at the canals is prohibited – if your activities look like camping then expect power company security to instruct you to leave. DOC’s Lake Poaka campsite is a freedom camping option nearby, it is beside the Pukaki Canal.

Rubbish – Carry-in carry out on the Tekapo Canal, but at the Ohau Canals, Meridian provides skip bins for fishing related rubbish and fish waste (wrapped and bagged) near the intakes to the power stations.

Fences and barriers – fences and barriers are put in place by the power companies for your safety. Please obey the signage in place and do not climb these structures.

Catch and release – care for your catch by keeping it in the water while removing the hook. It is an offence to cause undue injury to fish intended for release. For example, it is an offence to winch a fish up the dam walls, remove the hook and then throw it off the wall to release it. (see note 1.5, page 36). If you hook a fish from the dam walls, walk it over to the bank and land it at the waters edge.

Bait – if you are using fish for bait, any fish used must be whole and intact. It is an offence to use a portion of a fish for bait.

Ōhau River Backcountry Fishery

Although Spring seems like an eternity away, we have had several eager anglers enquiring about the upcoming 2022 Spring Season on the Ōhau River backcountry fishery.

For the Spring Season month of September 2022, the Ōhau River is a controlled fishery.

Anglers must enter a free ballot (lottery) and win one of a limited number of controlled period licences that are only valid for fishing a specified 2–3-day period during September 2022.

To enter the ballot anglers must first hold a 2021/22 season Ōhau River Backcountry Endorsement - available free on our website here.

Mark July 15^th on your calendar as the start of the ballot entry period and check in on our website then.

For all the information you need please visit our Ōhau River controlled fishery webpage here.

For the adjoining Spring Season month of October 2022, the regulations are to be decided at an upcoming meeting of the Central South Island Fish and Game Council.

Tight Lines,

Rhys Adams

Central South Island Fish & Game Officer