Freshwater Fishing in North Canterbury

The region offers many options for the angler including a sea-run salmon fishery.

The Rakaia, Waimakariri, Hurunui and Waiau rivers offer sea-run salmon fishing in the summer months.

The best time to plan a trip is during February when river flows tend to be stable, after the period of major snow melt in the Southern Alps.

Most salmon are caught on heavy spinning tackle up river or on specialised long distance casting tackle in the surf next to the river mouth, our salmon are a highly sought-after sports fish.

But North Canterbury also offers great fishing for other species.

More than 30 high country lakes offer landlocked salmon, brown trout, rainbow trout and occasionally mackinaw.

The upper reaches of the braided rivers offer high quality brown and rainbow trout - very big fish in places.

The lower reaches of the same rivers provide excellent sea-run trout fishing as well.

In December and January there are runs of fresh silver sea-run brown trout that converge on the tidal areas of the salmon rivers in particular.

For more information on sports fishing in North Canterbury click here.

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