Upper North Branch Hurunui River Controlled Fishery

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--> Apply here for a Controlled Fishery Booking<--

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To make a booking, click on the green link above.

New day(s), when available, become bookable at midday.

The upper North Branch Hurunui Controlled Fishery section is available on a “first in, first served” basis. 

• A maximum of four anglers are allowed per Controlled Fishery Licence.
• Date of birth and licence numbers of ALL party members must be entered at the time of Controlled Fishery booking. If you need to cancel your booking, contact North Canterbury Fish & Game at NCFG Email or 03 366 9191.
• If using a fishing guide, they must be listed on the Controlled Fishery Licence as a party member. Therefore, because the maximum party size is four anglers, a guide may accompany a maximum of three clients. Guides and clients must hold all of the relevant valid fishing and Designated Waters licences. 
• Special licencing requirements apply to these rivers—you must hold and carry a current whole-season licence (resident or non-resident) and a valid Designated Waters Licence (resident season or non-resident day) for the North Canterbury Region.
• A valid Controlled Fishery Licence (printed or on a device) listing all anglers in the party must also be carried on the river. 

To cancel bookings, please contact NC Fish and Game Email or 03 366 9191 Monday to Friday, 8.30 am - 4.30 pm.

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Changes To The Upper Hurunui Controlled Fishery For 2026/27 Season

Upper North Branch Controlled Fishery Booking Policy

Booking Requirements

To ensure the fair and effective management of the Upper North Branch Controlled Fishery, all anglers are required to provide complete and accurate information for every member of their angling party at the time of booking.

When making a booking, the person completing the application must ensure that all anglers who intend to fish under that booking are correctly listed by having all names, date of births and licence numbers ready to enter.

No Amendments to Confirmed Bookings

Starting from the 2026/27 fishing season, no amendments will be made to the North Branch controlled fishery bookings once the application has been submitted and the Controlled Fishery Licence has been issued.

This includes, but is not limited to:

• Adding additional anglers to an existing booking.
• Changing the names of anglers listed on a booking.
• Replacing one angler with another.
• Altering any booking dates or details after confirmation.

Once the booking has been submitted and secured, the information provided is final.

Under no circumstances will North Canterbury Fish & Game staff make changes or additions to Controlled Fishery Licences.

Booking Cancellations

If a booking holder is unable to use their booking or no longer wishes to attend, they need to contact NCFG (03 366 9191) to have the booking and Controlled Fishery Licence cancelled.

Cancellation requests will be processed as soon as possible, with the cancelled day(s) then becoming available for other anglers to book.

Compliance and Enforcement

North Canterbury Rangers will be conducting regular compliance checks throughout the Upper North Branch Controlled Fishery area during the fishing season to ensure all anglers are following the regulations and hold the correct licences.

All anglers fishing within the Controlled Fishery must be named on the Controlled Period Licence.

Any individual found fishing who is not listed on the Controlled Fishery licence will be subject to enforcement action for fishing without a licence and other applicable offence(s).

Angler Responsibility

It is the responsibility of the booking holder and all members of the angling party to ensure:

• All anglers are correctly listed before submitting the booking and subsequently the Controlled Fishery Licence.
• Booking information is accurate and complete.
• Controlled Fishery Licences are carried with the party on the water.
• Each angler can provide identification if requested by a Ranger.
• All anglers comply with all regulations and licencing requirements.

Background Information

The Upper Hurunui River Controlled Fishery aims to manage angling pressure on the Upper North Branch to maintain a high-quality angling and wilderness experience.

Feedback from the angling community and other users highlights that the Upper Hurunui trout fishery has sometimes been receiving a lot of angling pressure despite the Designated Waters system being in place.

In recent years, the high level of use has caused conflicts between anglers, guides, and landowners and led to dissatisfaction with the fishing experience. 

The Trial Controlled Fishery period was specifically designed to allow us to collect data to help determine whether these rivers need to continue as Controlled Fisheries and, if so, whether it is for a particular high-use period or the full angling season.

Please read the information below and click the link at the top of the page to make a booking and obtain your Controlled Period Licence. 

Controlled Fishery bookings become available at midday.

Bookings can be made up to five days before the start of your intended fishing trip, including on the intended day of fishing.

Depending on availability, you may be able to select up to two consecutive days per booking.

Bookings are made via an online booking system, which operates on a first-come, first-served basis. A Controlled Fishery booking may be made for one primary angler and up to three companion anglers who must all hold an appropriate Whole Season Fishing Licence AND North Canterbury Designated Waters Licence.

The upper North Branch can be accessed from Lake Sumner Road. See the Herenga ā Nuku Aotearoa (Outdoor Access Commission) or DOC websites for more information on public walking access options.

Upper North Branch Hurunui River Controlled Fishery

The North Branch Controlled Fishery starts at the swingbridge and includes all tributaries.

Controlled Period: 1 Oct – 30 April
Method: Fly and Spin
Bag Limit: 1

Maximum fish length: 400mm

Map: Controlled Fishery Map 2026

Blue river areas on map: Open to all licence holders (including day licences)

Orange river areas on the map: Open to licence holders who have added on a North Canterbury Designated Waters Licence only.

Yellow river areas on the map: Open to licence holders who have a Controlled Fishery Booking Licence AND a North Canterbury Designated Waters Licence.

Access

Public walking or mountain biking access is available from the carpark just past Loch Katrine at the end of Lake Sumner Road. Walking access is also available on the Hope/Kiwi DOC track from Windy Point and along the unformed legal road at the head of Lake Sumner - for details, see the Herenga ā Nuku Aotearoa (Outdoor Access Commission).

All other access is by permission through Lakes Station.

Please note permission from Lakes Station is needed for anyone wanting to land a helicopter on their freehold land along sections of the North Branch.

Fishing Guides

Guides making a booking on behalf of clients must provide the relevant valid licence information of the clients they intend to guide, including themselves. This will ensure that the booking is issued in the client's name.

Please be aware that unless all anglers (including the guide) are listed on the Controlled Fishery booking, you will not be compliant with Controlled Fishery Regulations.

Guides must be included in the fishing party (max 4) and may, therefore, accompany a maximum of three clients on any day. They must also have the relevant valid licences. 

The accuracy of the information provided is vital to effectively managing our Controlled Fisheries.

Compliance

North Canterbury Fish & Game will monitor compliance within the Upper Hurunui River Controlled Fisheries. Non-compliance with Designated Waters and Controlled Fishery Regulations is an offence under the Conservation Act and is subject to a maximum fine of $5,000. 

Please be considerate and contact us to cancel your booking immediately if your plans change.

If you require further assistance, please get in touch with us.