Central South Island Weekly Fishing Report - 8 October 2026

Low Country Rivers and Lakes off to a Productive Start this Season!

Reports received since Opening Day suggest low-country rivers and lakes are fishing well, with many anglers landing fish and most fish are in very good condition. Eli Edgeler, pictured above, had success on the Waitaki River using a trusty BMax lure.

Eleven-year old Eli Edgeler from Temuka with his impressive Opening Day catches from the Waitaki River.

 

Jake Downes, pictured below, spent Monday afternoon with his uncle at Ōpihi Lagoon, bringing home a brown trout and a rainbow trout for the table.

This time of year usually offers opportunities to target sea-run trout as they move into lagoons or linger around river mouths, feeding on shoals of silveries. Birds working the water are often the best indication that silveries—and therefore sea-run trout— may be present.

A  Hope’s Silvery fly, or a softbait, is a great imitation for targeting sea-run trout.

Jake Downes shows off his Ōpihi Lagoon afternoon catch, destined for the dinner table. Credit: Virginia Eddy.

 

Waitaki River Delivers

One of Harry’s cracking condition rainbow trout kept from the Waitaki River last week. Credit: Harry Graham-Samson.

Harry Graham-Samson reported excellent fishing on the Waitaki River, with him and his fishing buddy landing around 60–70 fish over two days. Approximately 85% were rainbows, and all the fish were reported to be in cracking condition—described as “chunky and football-shaped”—which Harry said was great to see so early in the season.

Most were released but the one pictured above was kept and they took the opportunity to check the gut contents (pictured below) which showed the fish was feeding predominantly on caddis, along with some surprisingly large insects.

Harry said they had to adapt their approach to suit the conditions. The strong wind meant nymphing was off the table as they couldn’t get a good drift so they spent their time swinging streamers. He reported that the flow was less challenging than expected, it just took a little more time to find the fish as they had moved into water that suits them.

Gut contents of the above Waitaki rainbow trout. Credit: Harry Graham-Samson.

 

Lake Opuha a Family Favourite in School Holidays

Albie and Miller found success at family-friendly Lake Opuha this school holidays. Credit: Eddie Smolinski.
 
Albie Scott and Miller Smolinski, pictured above with their early-season Lake Opuha trout, described it as their best day’s fishing ever. Fishing gentleman’s hours from 9am to 3pm, they landed the two trout pictured and were broken off by several “monster fish”, which, in keeping with fishing tradition, have no doubt grown bigger with each retelling. While most of us would have been ready for a nap, the boys rounded off the afternoon with a swim at CBay. What a great start to the season, lads!

Below: Also at Lake Opuha, Cousins Angus, Max, Ellie and Lachie, from Geraldine, Christchurch and Pleasant Point, show off their Opening Day catches. It was Ellie’s first time fishing—and she landed her first fish. 

Angus Foster (10yo) Max Cleverly (15yo), Ellie Foster (6yo), and Lachie Foster (7yo) at Lake Opuha on Opening Day. Credit: Nikki Dellaway.

 

Check the Weather and Flows Before You Go

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

We recommend YR.NO for weather and use the ECan River flow data website which shows the river flow rates read in cubic meters per second (m³/s).

Check the live weather and water conditions on the webcams at the Outdoor Access livestreams website, which offers a 30-day free trial.

 

NOTICE BOARD

 

Kids Salmon Fishing Day

Thanks to Mount Cook Alpine Salmon, the Kids Salmon Fishing Day is on for 2026! The event is being held at Loch Cameron, 5km from Twizel on the morning of Saturday the 7th of November.

• The event is for kids between the ages of 4 and 11 only.
• Registration is on the day from 8:30am, fishing starts at 9am. 
• For more info email: [email protected]

 

High Country Opening Day

Saturday the 7^th of November is Opening Day for many of our CSI high-country waters and other sensitive fisheries.

 

Please remember to email your angling reports to Fish & Game Officer, Jase Van Beers, at [email protected].  We’d love to hear from you!

 

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