Central South Island Weekly Fishing Report - 24 April 2025

This is the last weekly report for the season.

Thank you to the over 22,000 subscribers from all over the Central South Island, New Zealand and overseas for reading and engaging each week with our weekly fishing report – we hope you have enjoyed our content and that it has provided you value. This was the first season with new Fish and Game Officer Jase at the helm.

"Cheers to all the passionate anglers who have taken the time to send in their fishing reports and photos for us to share. Being new to the role I’ve really enjoyed getting to know lots of enthusiastic anglers and have a gained a sense that angling in our region is in a strong place. I’m looking forward to doing it again next season and hopefully encouraging more people to get out fishing in our special region!" – Jase

If you have any content ideas/feedback for next seasons Central South Island Fish & Game Regions weekly fishing report, please email Jase, here.

Pictured above: Some season highlights - Cheers to all our enthusiastic contributing anglers!

Local fly-fishing guide Kevin Payne from nz fly fishing guide sent us in a report from Good Friday where himself and client Micheal Blake from Canberra, Australia had a terrific late season session in a low country stream.

Three fish were caught and released weighing between 5 - 6.5lbs. including the excellent condition 6.5lbs brown jack caught on a size 18 nymph, pictured above.

A separate angler report was sent in by Caleb Ryder who spent the Easter weekend at Lake Alexandrina.

Caleb landed a stout 5.5 lb rainbow trout while fishing Lake Alexandrina, working an olive woolly bugger through open water. 

At the northern end of Lake Alexandrina, numerous large brown and rainbow trout were observed staging in the shallows, presenting excellent sight-fishing opportunities.

With just one week left in the main season, Kevin and Caleb’s reports prove that it's not too late for that final trip of the season to our low-country streams and lakes, which have been producing stunning fish all season long.

Caleb Ryder with late season Lake Alexandrina rainbow jack.

The main fishing season ends next week on Wednesday the 30^th of April 2025.

Be sure to check out the 2024/25 sports fishing regulations guide here, to find out which waters are open from May to September and the specific regulations that apply.

While most of our waterways will close for sports fishing, there are still abundant opportunities to fish during the May–September months, including some of Aotearoa/New Zealand's most sought-after winter fisheries!

Also remember to save our online access map to your phone home screen. It has satellite layering, detailing hundreds of access spots throughout the region.

Year-Round Fishing Options

The following waterways are open all year long:

Lakes:

• Tekapo/Takapō
• Pūkaki
• Ōhau
• Benmore
• Aviemore
• Waitaki
• Middleton
• Ruataniwha
• Wairepo Arm
• Hood – although currently closed by Ashburton District Council until further notice due to algal bloom

Canals:

• Rangitata Diversion Race
• Ōhau (A, B & C)
• Pūkaki
• Tekapo/Takapō – downstream of SH8 Bridge only

Restricted “Winter Seasons”

The following rivers have a 3-month "winter season" from 1 June to 31 August, downstream of their respective State Highway 1 bridges:

• Ashburton
• Rangitata/Rakitata
• Opihi
• Waitaki

Lake Alexandrina has a 2-month “winter season” from 1 June to 31 July excluding brown trout.

Restricted “Shoulder Seasons”

These waterways have unique fishing seasons:

• Lake Camp – remains open until 31 May.
• Tekapo Canal, upstream of its State Highway 8 Bridge – remains open until 31 May, then reopens on 1 September.

Ōhau River “Spring Season” Controlled Period Ballot

The 2025 controlled period ballot schedule is now posted on our website here. If you're keen to enter, remember the ballot will open for entries from 24 June to 15 July 2025. We recommend setting a reminder or marking it on your calendar!

After a soggy Easter weekend CSI rivers remain elevated and murky but are slowly lowering and with a calm overcast ANZAC weekend forecasted rivers will likely be a great option to fish using some of the spinning methods described in the weekly fishing report on the 20^th of March.

Speaking to anglers this week who fished Lake Benmore on Good Friday noted that the rainbow trout being caught were of exceptional condition and were abundant. So, if you’re keen to get the boat out for the final time before the winter sets in this weekend on our lakes could be a great option.

Early to mid-next week according to the YR.NO long range forecast is predicted to be wet and cold currently so if your hoping to fish your favourite spot before the season ends next Wednesday this weekend will be your best option.

As always please remember to check the forecast for yourself before heading out.

Fish & Game Salmon Bag Card Returns Now Open

If you have finished salmon fishing for the season please return the details on your card to us.
You can do this online here, give us a call on 03 615 8400, email [email protected] or post the card to us at P.O Box 150 Temuka 7948.

Even if you didn’t catch a salmon or if you didn’t go out fishing at all, that information is still important to us.

Triennial Review of Central South Island Region’s Sports Fishing Regulations