Central South Island > Fisheries

Fish & Game New Zealand’s Central South Island region extends from the south bank of the Rakaia River in the north, to Moeraki in the south. With their headwaters in the Southern Alps, the Waitaki and the Rangitata are the region’s biggest rivers These are noted chinook salmon fisheries with trophy fish of 15kg and more being regularly reported.

Lesser rivers including the Opihi-Temuka, Ashburton and Kakanui which, together with many high country lakes, are habitat to substantial brown and rainbow trout fisheries. Sockeye salmon and fontinalis add variety for the keen angler. This region offers some of the best wilderness angling waters in the country. Without the usual visible trappings of civilisation, fishing in streams meandering through open tussocklands and beech forest against a backdrop of the Southern Alps is a special experience.