Central South Island Weekly Fishing Report - 16 April 2026

  • Central South Island
  • 16/04/2026

Central South Island Weekly Fishing Report - 16 April 2026

Fishing bug caught during roadside stop

While out ranging the canals over the school holidays, CSI Fish & Game Ranger, Jase Van Beers, met the Singer family at the Pukaki Canal, where 10-year-old Quinn was having her first go at freshwater fishing.  

Her dad, Ray later shared this story of their experience, a great reminder of how special the Mackenzie Country hydro canals are for families and first-time anglers.

Pictured above: Quinn Singer, age 10, excitedly casts to a trout passing by while parents Ray and Halee look on while enjoying a picnic lunch.

“We were travelling from Riverton back to Christchurch through Central Otago when we pulled over for a break along the canals on a classic autumn afternoon - clear skies, warm sun, and that stillness you only seem to get in that part of the country.

There were a few people fishing for trout, so we stopped to watch and ended up chatting with a couple of locals who were generous with their time and tips. Our daughter Quinn was instantly hooked on the idea of giving it a go herself.

We jumped on the Fish & Game website and found getting a licence quick and easy. While we didn’t have a proper freshwater setup with us, Quinn was determined to try her luck anyway. We set up by the water, had some lunch, and spent a good while spotting trout cruising past in the canals.

She didn’t land one this time, but that didn’t seem to matter. It turned a simple roadside stop into something a bit more memorable and gave us all a reason to slow down and stay longer than we normally would.

While we were there, Jase - a Ranger and keen angler stopped in to check Quinn’s licence and had a chat. He was friendly, encouraging, and shared some helpful advice that’s definitely set us up better for next time.

It was a great little stop on the trip home, and safe to say Quinn’s got the fishing bug now. Next time we’ll come prepared with the right gear and give it another proper go.”

 

Your angler reports

Hamish Tiffen with a 6lb Rainbow caught from the shore on last light at lake Alexandrina. It was caught on a black and green ticer lure. Credit: Don Tilson.

Kia Pearson went to the canals for the first time last week and caught this stonka of a Rainbow trout caught on a pink soft bait. Credit: Dad Noel.

 

Upper Ahuriri River angler survey complete

Ranger Rhys Adams interviews angler Kevin Aureguy during the survey.

Thanks to everyone who took part in our upper Ahuriri River angler survey this season.

Between November 2025 and March 2026, Central South Island Fish & Game staff carried out an on-river angler survey along the Birchwood Road section of the upper Ahuriri River to better understand how this fishery is being used.

The survey aimed to understand how anglers are using the upper Ahuriri River and what their experiences are like (including other angler encounters and satisfaction).

Across the survey period, 246 surveys were conducted, covering 225 individual anglers (with some anglers surveyed more than once).  Survey days were spread across both weekdays and weekends, with a focus on fair weather and fishable river conditions to reflect typical angling use.

We really appreciate the time taken by anglers to stop and have a chat with our Fish and Game Officers; your input is incredibly valuable. The information gathered will help inform future management decisions and help ensure we can provide a high-quality angling experience for all.

The upper Ahuriri offers the classic back country fishing experience. Understanding how anglers are using the river, and their experiences while doing so, is an important step in managing it moving forward.

We’ll be working through the results over the coming months and look forward to sharing a summary of our findings soon.  Thanks again to everyone who contributed.

An angler and his wife enjoying a stunning day in the Upper Ahuriri.

 

Recommended short-term fishing restrictions while canal weed control takes place

This weekend Meridian Energy Ltd will be doing their annual application of herbicides to control invasive weeds such as Elodea (oxygen weed) in the Ōhau B and C canals. They are applying Diquat to Ōhau C canal, and Endothall to Ōhau B canal.

It's taking place between 8:30am and 4pm on Saturday 18 April 2026, conditions permitting.  As a precaution, they’re advising people not to swim, take fish, or take water for consumption or irrigation purposes from Ōhau C canal for 24 hours after treatment.  In the Ōhau B canal, we’re advising people not to swim or take water for consumption or irrigation purposes for 24 hours, and not to take fish for 72 hours.

The herbicides will be applied to a 7m strip along both banks of the canal fringe - a total of approximately nine hectares – using an aerial drone. It won't be applied within 250m upstream or 100m downstream of salmon farms and rafts, drinking water protection zones or irrigation offtakes.

Warning signs will be placed at key public access points 24 hours prior to the planned spray dates and removed up to 24 hours after we’ve finished. If you have any questions, please call Meridian Energy Ltd on 0800 PUBLIC (782 542).

Ōhau B Canal Spray Path.

Ōhau C Canal Spray Path.

 

Salmon counts underway in the Rakitata/Rangitata River

Salmon redd as observed during salmon counts.

CSI has now completed two of the five annual live fish counts for sea-run salmon in the Rakitata/Rangitata River spring-fed spawning streams.

The first count, conducted on 1 April, recorded 78 salmon across Deep Creek and Deep Stream. The second count, a week later, recorded 111 salmon.

While these early counts are slightly higher than last season’s record low, it is still too early to estimate a final season total. The ongoing sea-run salmon crisis remains, with returns continuing to sit well below historic levels.

 

Weather and water outlook

Please always check the weather and waterway conditions yourself before heading out to ensure an enjoyable day on the water, click on the links below to the weather and water condition forecast providers we use. 

  • There are some great weather forecasting websites available, we use YR.NO, Metvuw and Windy.
  • Keep a close eye on river and lake levels at Environment Canterbury’s River Flow Website here and rainfall website here.
  • Outdoor Access NZ offer high quality live stream webcams of some of Canterbury’s favourite fishing spots. This is a subscription-based service, but they do offer a 30-day free trial.

The Flows

As of Thursday morning, the ECan River flow data website shows the following river flow rates read in cubic meters per second (m3/s). Click on the river name to go to the ECan website for more information.

Please always check the weather and waterway conditions yourself before heading out to ensure an enjoyable day on the water.

 

NOTICE BOARD

Important - Return your sea-run salmon bag card

If you have finished your sea-run salmon fishing for the season, please ensure you return the details of your salmon bag card to us.   Even if you didn’t go fishing or catch or keep any sea-run salmon, your information is very important.

You can do this online by clicking here, give us a call on 03 615 8400, or email [email protected] or post the card to us at P.O Box 150 Temuka 7948. 

Please send us your fishing reports!

Whilst this report is crafted by the CSI Fish & Game team, it’s your stories that truly bring it to life. We’d love to hear about your own fishing adventures. Please share your short trip reports, photos, go-to lures, or favourite recipes etc.

Email your reports to Fish & Game Officer Jase Van Beers at [email protected]

 

Click here for Central South Island Fish & Game on Facebook

For any questions, please email [email protected] or call 03 615 8400. 

Disclaimer:

The information presented in these news items is based on the context and regulations in place at the time of publication. Please note that some articles may include reference to laws and regulatory standards that have since changed. For the most current and accurate information please check our Fishing Licences & Regulations pages or our Hunting Licences & Regulations pages.

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