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Central South Island > Fishing Regulations

Angling regulations are updated annually. Each region has specific regulations for individual rivers and lakes within the framework of national angling regulations.

CONTACT

Office: 32 Richard Pearce Drive, Temuka
Postal Address: PO Box 150, Temuka 7948
Phone and Fax: (03) 615-8400 Fax: (03) 615-8401
Email: csi@fishandgame.org.nz

Administration: Bernadette Dolan
Chief Executive: Jay Graybill
Field Officers: Graeme Hughes, Mark Webb,
Hamish Stevens
Resource Officer: Devon Christensen, Bridget Pringle

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 best fishing success from January through April. The Rangitata Mouth is one of the more famous fishing locations in the South Island as large numbers of salmon can be caught here. Salmon fishing in the Waitaki tends to be split amongst mouth and upriver anglers, with fishing from anchored jet boats being a popular option.
Smaller rivers including the Opihi-Temuka, Ashburton and Kakanui together with many high country lakes are habitat to substantial brown and rainbow trout fisheries. Fontinalis (brook trout) are also present in some of these waters. In fact the Central South Island Region probably offers the best Fontinalis populations in the country, with Lake Emily being renowned as the place in New Zealand to catch a trophy.

For sheer numbers of trout, the waters of the McKenzie country are hard to beat. The Tekapo River in particular contains very good numbers of trout which are not overly difficult to catch.

The invasive algae Didymo is present in the Waitaki catchment. Please help us stop the spread of Didymo by restricting use of fishing gear to exclusive use in a single waterway. If you move gear between waterways you must CHECK, CLEAN, DRY. For more information on Didymo visit www.biosecurity.govt.nz.

REGULATIONS
Reference to Description: New Zealand Gazette, No. 83, 24 May 1990, page 1861, as amended by New Zealand Gazette, No. 129, 29 August 1991, page 2786

1. INTERPRETATION
See First Schedule.

2. OPEN SEASON, PERMITTED METHODS AND BAG LIMITS

2.1 The open season in all waters of the Region is from 1 October to 30 April except where otherwise specified in Section 2.4 or closed under Section 3 of this notice.

2.2 All legal methods as described in the First Schedule are permitted in all waters of the Region except where otherwise specified in Sections 2.4, 4 or 6 of this notice.

2.3 The daily limit bag in all waters of the Region is 2 trout and 2 salmon except where otherwise specified in Section 2.4 of this notice.

2.4 Open season, permitted methods and daily bag limits for Central South Island Rivers and Lakes:

Rivers / Lakes

Season

Permitted Methods

Trout

Limit

Salmon

Limit

Ahuriri River and its tributaries upstream of and including Longslip Creek

5 Dec – 30 Apr

Spinner/fly

2

2

Ahuriri River and its tributaries downstream of Longslip Creek except Omarama Stream

7 Nov – 30 Apr

Spinner/fly

4

2

Ahuriri River Lagoons

5 Dec – 30 Apr

Fly fishing only

2

n/a

Alexandrina, Lake and its tributaries

7 Nov – 30 Apr

Spinner/fly

4

max 1 brown

2

Alexandrina, Lake Winter Season

1 Jun – 31 July

Spinner/fly

2 trout or salmon
nil brown trout

Ashburton River North Branch

1 Oct – 31 Mar

Spinner/fly

2

2

1 Apr – 30 Apr

Spinner/fly

2

Closed

Ashburton River South Branch and tributaries upstream of Taylors Stream junction

1 Oct – 31 Mar

Spinner/fly

2

2

1 Apr – 30 Apr

Spinner/fly

2

Closed

Ashburton River South Branch and tributaries downstream of Taylors Stream junction and Ashburton River downstream of North and South branch junction

1 Oct – 31 Mar

All legal methods

4

2

1 Apr – 30 Apr

All legal methods

4

Closed

Ashburton River downstream of State Highway 1

1 Jun – 31 Aug

Spinner/fly

2 trout or salmon

Aviemore, Lake

All year

All legal methods

4

2

Aviemore, Lake tributaries except Deep Stream and Otematata River

7 Nov – 30 Apr

All legal methods

4

2

Benmore, Lake other than when fished from a boat or flotation device

All year

All legal methods

4

2

Benmore, Lake when fished from a boat or flotation device

All year

Spinner/fly

4

2

Benmore, Lake tributaries except Tekapo, Ahuriri and Otematapaio rivers

7 Nov – 30 Apr

All legal methods

4

2

Cameron, Loch

7 Nov – 30 Apr

Fly fishing only

2

n/a

Camp, Lake

7 Nov – 31 May

Spinner/fly

2

n/a

Centennial Park Lake (Timaru)

All year

All legal methods

2

n/a

Clearwater, Lake and its tributaries

7 Nov – 30 Apr

Spinner/fly

2

n/a

Deep Stream and tributaries East of the bridge where it enters Lake Aviemore

7 Nov – 30 Apr

Spinner/fly

2

2

Deep Creek, a tributary to the upper Rangitata River

Closed

None

0

0

Deep Stream, a tributary to the upper Rangitata River

Closed

None

0

0

Denny, Lake and its tributaries

7 Nov – 30 Apr

Fly fishing only

2

n/a

Donn, Lake and its tributaries

7 Nov – 30 Apr

Fly fishing only

2

n/a

Emily, Lake and its tributaries

7 Nov – 30 Apr

Fly fishing only

2

n/a

Emma, Lake and its tributaries

7 Nov – 30 Apr

Spinner/fly

2

n/a

Grays River

7 Nov – 30 Apr

Spinner/fly

2

n/a

Hakataramea River upstream from State Highway 82

7 Nov – 31 Mar

Fly fishing only

2

2

1 Apr – 30 Apr

Fly fishing only

2

Closed

Hakataramea River downstream from State Highway 82

7 Nov – 31 Mar

Spinner/fly

2

2

1 Apr – 30 Apr

Spinner/fly

2

Closed

Heron, Lake and its tributaries

7 Nov – 30 Apr

All legal methods

6 trout or salmon total
and no more than
4 to be trout
or 6 to be salmon

High country tarns or lagoons

7 Nov – 30 Apr

Fly fishing only

2

n/a

Hinds River child or junior licence holders

1 Oct – 30 Apr

All legal methods

2

2

Hinds River other than child or junior licence holders

1 Oct – 30 Apr

Fly fishing only

2

2

Hood, Lake

1 Jun – 31 Aug

Fly and spin only

2 trout or salmon

1 Oct – 30 Apr

Fly and spin only

2 trout or salmon

Irishmans Stream

7 Nov – 30 Apr

Spinner/fly

2

n/a

Kakanui River and tributaries upstream of Five Forks Bridge

1 Oct – 30 Apr

Spinner/fly

2

2

Kakanui River and tributaries downstream of Five Forks Bridge

1 Oct – 30 Apr

All legal methods

4

2

Lake Stream

1 Oct – 31 Mar

All legal methods

2

Closed

Larch Stream

7 Nov – 31 Jan

All legal methods

2

2

Macgregor, Lake

7 Nov – 30 Apr

Spinner/fly

2

2

Maerewhenua River upstream of State Highway 83

7 Nov – 30 Apr

Fly fishing only

2

2

Maerewhenua River downstream of State Highway 83

7 Nov – 30 Apr

Spinner/fly

2

2

Maori Lakes and their tributaries

7 Nov – 30 Apr

Fly fishing only

2

n/a

Mary Burn

7 Nov – 30 Apr

Spinner/fly

2

n/a

Merino, Lake

7 Nov – 30 Apr

Fly fishing only

2

n/a

Middleton, Lake

All year

All legal methods

4

2

Middleton, Lake tributaries

7 Nov – 30 Apr

All legal methods

4

2

Mystery, Lake and its tributaries

7 Nov – 30 Apr

Fly fishing only

2

n/a

Ohapi Stream

1 Oct – 31 Mar

Spinner/fly

2

2

Ohapi Stream

1 Apr – 30 Apr

Spinner/fly

2

Closed

Ohau B and C hydro canals

All year

All legal methods

2

2

Ohau, Lake other than when fished from
a boat or flotation device

All year

All legal methods

4

2

Ohau, Lake when fished from a boat or flotation device

All year

Spinner/fly

4

2

Ohau, Lake tributaries

7 Nov – 30 Apr

All legal methods

4

2

Omarama Stream upstream of State
Highway 8

7 Nov – 30 Apr

Fly fishing only

2

2

Omarama Stream downstream of State Highway 8

7 Nov – 30 Apr

Spinner/fly

2

2

Opihi River upstream of Opuha River junction

1 Oct – 31 Mar

All legal methods

2

2

Opihi River upstream of Opuha River junction

1 Apr – 30 Apr

All legal methods

2

Closed

Opihi River downstream of Opuha River junction

1 Oct – 31 Mar

All legal methods

4

2

Opihi River downstream of Opuha River junction

1 Apr – 30 Apr

All legal methods

4

Closed

Opihi River downstream of State Highway 1

1 Jun – 31 Aug

Spinner/fly

2 trout or salmon

Opuha, Lake and its tributaries

1 Oct – 30 Apr

All legal methods

6 trout or salmon total
and no more than
4 to be trout
or 6 to be salmon

Opuha River

1 Oct – 31 Mar

All legal methods

4

2

1 Apr – 30 Apr

All legal methods

4

Closed

Orari River and tributaries upstream of Slip Panel Stream

1 Oct – 31 Mar

All legal methods

2

2

Orari River and tributaries upstream of Slip Panel Stream

1 Apr – 30 Apr

All legal methods

2

Closed

Orari River and tributaries downstream of Slip Panel Stream

1 Oct – 31 Mar

All legal methods

4

2

Orari River and tributaries downstream of Slip Panel Stream

1 Apr – 30 Apr

All legal methods

4

Closed

Otematapaio River

7 Nov – 30 Apr

Spinner/fly

2

Otematata River and its tributaries upstream of Clear Stream

7 Nov – 30 Apr

Spinner/fly

2

2

Otematata River and its tributaries downstream of Clear Stream

7 Nov – 30 Apr

Spinner/fly

4

2

Poaka, Lake

7 Nov – 30 Apr

Fly fishing only

2

n/a

Pukaki, Lake

All year

All legal methods

4

2

Pukaki, Lake tributaries

7 Nov – 30 Apr

All legal methods

4

2

Rangitata Diversion Race from the intake downstream to Rakaia River Road

All year

All legal methods

4

2

Rangitata River and tributaries upstream of Turn Again Point about 12km above the gorge except Deep Stream and Deep Creek

1 Oct – 29 Feb

Spinner/fly

2

2

1 Mar – 31 Mar

Spinner/fly

2

Closed

Rangitata River and tributaries downstream of Turn Again Point

1 Oct – 31 Mar

All legal methods

4

2

1 Apr – 30 Apr

All legal methods

4

0

Rangitata River downstream of State Highway 1

1 Jun – 31 Aug

Spinner/fly

2 trout or salmon

Roundabout, Lake and its tributaries

7 Nov – 30 Apr

Fly fishing only

2

n/a

Ruataniwha, Lake including Wairepo Arm and Kellands Pond

All year

All legal methods

2

2

Ruataniwha, Lake, Wairepo Arm and Kellands Pond tributaries

7 Nov – 30 Apr

Spinner/fly

2

2

Saltwater Creek

All year

All legal methods

2

n/a

Spider, Lake and its tributaries

7 Nov – 30 Apr

Fly fishing only

2

n/a

Tekapo, Lake

All year

All legal methods

4

2

Tekapo, Lake tributaries

7 Nov – 30 Apr

All legal methods

4

2

Tekapo – Pukaki hydro canal

All year

All legal methods

2

2

Tekapo River upstream of lower powerlines across the river about 1km upstream from Lake Benmore

7 Nov – 30 Apr

All legal methods

4

2

Tekapo River downstream of lower powerlines across the river about 1km upstream from Lake Benmore

All year

All legal methods

4

2

Temuka River and tributaries

1 Oct – 31 Mar

All legal methods

4

2

1 Apr – 30 Apr

All legal methods

4

Closed

Tengawai River

1 Oct – 31 Mar

Fly fishing only

2

2

1 Apr – 30 Apr

Fly fishing only

2

Closed

Tinwald Domain pond, child licence holders only

All year

All legal methods

2

n/a

Twizel River and its tributaries

7 Nov – 30 Apr

Spinner/fly

2

2

Waihao River upstream of Forks Bridges

1 Oct – 30 Apr

Spinner/fly

2

n/a

Waihao River downstream of Forks Bridges

1 Oct – 30 Apr

All legal methods

4

2

Waihi River and tributaries

1 Oct – 30 Apr

All legal methods

4

2

Waitaki, Lake

All year

All legal methods

4

2

Waitaki Lake tributaries

7 Nov – 30 Apr

All legal methods

4

2

Waitaki River and tributaries

1 Oct – 31 Mar

All legal methods

4

2

1 Apr – 30 Apr

All legal methods

4

Closed

Waitaki River downstream of State
Highway 1

1 Jun – 31 Aug

Spinner/fly

2 trout or salmon


3. CLOSED SEASON
3.1 No licence holder shall fish for sports fish in the following waters:

  • Aviemore spawning race
  • Awakino River
  • Deep Creek, a tributary to the upper Rangitata River on Mt Potts Station
  • Deep Stream, a tributary to the upper Rangitata River on Forest Creek, Tui and Mesopotamia stations
  • Kauru River
  • Tinwald Domain Pond if the holder of other than a child's licence

3.2 No licence holder shall fish for sea run salmon in the following
waters:

  • Lake Stream
  • Ashburton River and its tributaries between 1 April and 30 April
  • Opihi River and its tributaries between 1 April and 30 April
  • Opuha River and its tributaries between 1 April and 30 April
  • Orari River and its tributaries between 1 April and 30 April
  • Rangitata River and its tributaries between 1 April and 30 April
  • Rangitata River and tributaries upstream of Turn Again Point and shown by the white posts on the riverbank between 1 March and 31 March
  • Waitaki River and its tributaries between 1 April and 30 April

3.3 No licence holder shall fish for trout in the following waters:

  • Rangitata River and tributaries upstream of Turn Again Point and shown by the white posts on the riverbank between 1 April and 30 April
  • Lake Stream between 1 April and 30 April

3.4 No licence holder shall fish for sockeye salmon in any river or stream between 1 March and 30 April.

4. AUTHORISED TACKLE
4.1 No licence holder when fishing for sports fish shall use any unsportsmanlike device or method.
4.2 No licence holder shall continue to fish on any day after having foul hooked three sports fish, even though any such sports fish have been returned immediately in accordance with the First Schedule of this notice.
4.3 A licence holder when fishing for sports fish in the Rangitata River or its tributaries:
4.3.1 may use, seaward of a line drawn between the 2 poles situated near the upstream limit of the estuarine area, an artificial fly only if the total weight of everything attached to the cast does not exceed 28g.
4.3.2 may cast other than from the reel or retrieve other than by winding the reel only when using bait or fly fishing, or when fishing with an artificial fly seaward of a line drawn between the 2 poles situated near the upstream limit of the estuarine area.
4.4 Down riggers, paravanes, metal cored or wire lines and weights to assist sinking of trolled lures are prohibited in Lake Alexandrina.

5. COARSE FISHING WATERS

  • Centennial Park Lake (Timaru)
  • Island Stream
  • Saltwater Creek
  • Waiareka Stream

6. USE OF BOATS
6.1 Fishing from boats is prohibited in:

  • Lake Camp
  • Lake Denny
  • Lake Donn
  • Lake Emily
  • Kellands Pond
  • Lake Roundabout
  • Lake Spider
  • Wairepo Arm of Lake Ruataniwha

That part of the region seaward of the Rangitata River mouth, except from an anchored boat between the hours of 7.00am and 9.00pm on any day at a seaward distance greater than 200m from the nearest shore at low tide. The seaward boundary of the Central South Island Region around the Rangitata River mouth is a line drawn at a distance of 500m from any place where at low tide the waters of the river meet the waters of the sea

6.2 Fishing from any unmoored boat is prohibited in:

  • Lake Emma
  • Lake MacGregor
  • Lake Middleton
  • Maori Lakes

7. FISH LENGTH
The minimum length for salmon killed in waters of the region shall be 300mm except in Lake Heron where the minimum length shall be 250mm and for the period 1 March to 30 April the maximum length shall be 450mm.

To see the latest regulations for all of the North Island (excluding Taupo where fishing is administered by DOC) and South Island, please download the PDFs below.

North Island / South Island
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