Central South Island Fishing Regulations 2016-2017
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 March. 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 between mouth and upriver anglers, with fishing from anchored jet boats being a popular option. Smaller rivers including the Opihi-Temuka and 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 has some of 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 lakes and rivers of the Mackenzie Country are hard to beat. The Tekapo River and Lake Benmore in particular contain very good numbers of trout which are not overly difficult to catch. The canals that carry water for the many hydroelectric power stations in the Mackenzie basin are renowned for producing extremely large trout. Brown and rainbow trout benefit from the commercial salmon farms that operate within the canals and commonly reach 4-10kg. Each season a number of trout weighing 15-18kg are also caught. Salmon sporadically escape from the salmon farms into the canals and are the mainstay of anglers catch at the canals. The invasive algae Didymo is present in many of the region’s waterways. Please help us stop the spread of didymo to new areas by restricting use of fishing gear to exclusive use in a single waterway. If you move gear between waterways you must CHECK, CLEAN and DRY. For more information on didymo visit www.biosecurity.govt.nz. Regulations 1. DEFINITIONS See First Schedule. 2. OPEN SEASON, CLOSED SEASON, PERMITTED METHODS, AUTHORISED TACKLE, DAILY BAG LIMIT, FISH LENGTH 2.1 The open season in all waters of the Region is from 1 October to 30 April except where otherwise specified in clause 2.5 or 2.6 for this region. 2.2 All legal methods as described in the First Schedule (Universal conditions across all fisheries and definitions) are permitted in waters of the region except where otherwise specified in clause 2.5 or 2.6 for this region. 2.3 The daily limit bag in all waters of the Region is 2 trout and 2 salmon and no limit on coarse fish, except where otherwise specified in clause 2.6 for this region. 2.4 The minimum length for salmon killed in the region shall be 300mm except where otherwise specified in clause 2.6 for this region. There is no minimum size for trout or coarse fish taken in the region. 2.5 No licence holder shall – 2.5.1 fish for sockeye salmon in any river or stream between 1 March and 30 April. --2.5.2 use any unsportsmanlike device or method. --2.5.3 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. 2.6 Open seasons, closed seasons, permitted methods, authorised tackle, daily bag limits, fish length for Central South Island rivers and lakes: Ahuriri River and its tributaries upstream of and including Longslip Creek: Open season- First Saturday in December to 30 April; Methods- fly and spin; Limit- 2 trout and 2 salmon. Ahuriri River and its tributaries downstream of Longslip Creek except Omarama Stream: Open season - First Saturday in November to 30 April; Methods- fly and spin; Limit- 4 trout and 2 salmon. Ahuriri River Lagoons: Open season- First Saturday in December to 30 April; Methods- fly only; Limit- 2 trout. Alexandrina, Lake and its tributaries: Open season- First Saturday in November to 30 April; Methods- fly and spin;Limit- 4 trout with maximum of one to be a brown trout and 2 salmon. Winter season- open for lake only, 1 June to 31 July; Methods- fly and spin; Limit- 2 sports fish, 0 brown trout. Note 1: Downriggers, paravanes, metal-cored or wire lines and weights to assist sinking of trolled lures are prohibited in Lake Alexandrina. Ashburton River and tributaries upstream of Taylors Stream junction and Ashburton River North Branch: Open season- 1 October to 30 April for trout and 1 October to 31 March for salmon; Methods- fly and spin; Limit- 2 trout and 2 salmon. Ashburton River and tributaries downstream of Taylors Stream junction: Open season- 1 October to 30 April for trout and 1 October to 31 March for salmon; Methods- Fly, spin and bait; Limit- 4 trout and 2 salmon. Winter season- open downstream of State Highway 1 - 1 June to 31 August; Methods- fly and spin; Limit- 2 sports fish. Aviemore, Lake: Open season- 1 October to 30 September; Methods- Fly, spin and bait; Limit- 4 trout and 2 salmon. Aviemore, Lake tributaries except for Deep Stream and Otematata River: Open season- First Saturday in November to 30 April; Methods- Fly, spin and bait; Limit- 4 trout and 2 salmon. Aviemore Spawning Race: Closed to all sports fishing. Awakino River: Closed to all sports fishing. Benmore, Lake: Open season- 1 October to 30 September; Methods- Fly, spin and bait; Limit- 4 trout and 2 salmon. Benmore, Lake tributaries except for Tekapo, Ahuriri, and Otematapaio rivers: Open season- First Saturday in November to 30 April; Methods- Fly, spin and bait; Limit- 4 trout and 2 salmon. Cameron, Loch: Open season- First Saturday in November to 30 April; Methods- Fly, spin and bait for child licence holders and fly and spin for other than child licence holders; Limit- 2 trout and 2 salmon. Camp, Lake: Open season- First Saturday in November to 31 May; Methods- Fly and spin; Limit- 2 trout. Fishing from boats prohibited. Centennial Park Lake (Timaru): Open season- 1 October to 30 September; Methods- Fly, spin and bait; Limit- 2 trout. Designated Coarse Fishing Water. Clearwater, Lake and its tributaries: Open season- First Saturday in November to 30 April; Methods- Fly and spin; Limit- 2 trout. Deep Stream and tributaries east of the bridge where it enters Lake Aviemore: Open season- First Saturday in November to 30 April; Methods- Fly and spin; Limit- 2 trout and 2 salmon. Deep Creek, a tributary to the upper Rangitata River: Open season- 1 October to 31 March for trout and 1 October to 28 February for salmon; Methods- Fly and spin; Limit- 2 trout and 2 salmon. Deep Stream, a tributary to the upper Rangitata River: Open season- 1 October to 31 March for trout and 1 October to 28 February for salmon; Methods- Fly and spin; Limit- 2 trout and 2 salmon. Denny, Lake and its tributaries: Open season- First Saturday in November to 30 April; Methods- Fly and spin; Limit- 2trout. Fishing from boats prohibited. Donn, Lake and its tributaries: Open season- First Saturday in November to 30 April; Methods- Fly and spin; Limit- 2 trout. Fishing from boats prohibited. Emily, Lake and its tributaries: Open season- First Saturday in November to 30 April; Methods- Fly only; Limit- 2 trout. Fishing from boats prohibited. Emma, Lake and its tributaries: Open season- First Saturday in November to 30 April; Methods- Fly and Spin; Limit- 2 trout. Fishing from any unmoored boat is prohibited. Grays River: Open season- First Saturday in November to 30 April; Methods- Fly and spin; Limit- 2 trout. Hakataramea River: Open season- First Saturday in November to 30 April for trout and First Saturday in November to 31 March for salmon; Methods- Fly and spin; Limit- 2 trout and 2 salmon. Heron, Lake and tributaries: Open season- First Saturday in November to 30 April; Methods- Fly, spin and bait; Limit- 6 sports fish and no more than 4 to be trout. The minimum length for salmon killed in Lake Heron shall be 250mm and the maximum length shall be 450mm. High country tarns or lagoons: Open season- First Saturday in November to 30 April; Methods- Fly and spin; Limit- 2 trout. Hinds River: Open season- 1 October to 30 April; MethodsFly, spin and bait for child licence holders and fly and spin for other than child licence holders; Limit- 2 trout and 2 salmon. Hood, Lake: Open season- 1 October to 30 April; MethodsFly, spin and bait; Limit- 4 trout and 2 salmon. Winter season- open 1 June to 31 August; Methods- Fly and spin; Limit- 2 sportsfish. Irishmans Stream: Open season- First Saturday in November to 30 April; Methods- Fly and spin; Limit- 2 trout. Island Stream: Open season- 1 October to 30 April; MethodsFly, spin and bait; Limit- 2 trout. Designated Coarse Fishing Water. Kakanui River and tributaries upstream of Five Forks Bridge: Open season- 1 October to 30 April; Methods- Fly and spin; Limit- 2 trout and 2 salmon. Kakanui River and tributaries upstream of Five Forks Bridge: Open season- 1 October to 30 April; Methods- Fly and spin; Limit- 2 trout and 2 salmon. Kakanui River and tributaries downstream of Five Forks Bridge: Open season- 1 October to 30 April; Methods- Fly, spin and bait; Limit- 4 trout and 2 salmon. Lake Stream: Open season for trout- 1 October to 31 March; Methods- Fly, spin and bait; Limit- 2 trout. Closed to salmon fishing all year. Larch Stream: Open Season- First Saturday in November to 31 January; Methods- Fly, spin and bait; Limit- 2 trout and 2 salmon. MacGregor, Lake: Open season- First Saturday in November to 30 April; Methods- Fly and spin; Limit- 2 trout and 2 salmon. Fishing from any unmoored boat is prohibited. Maerewhenua River: Open season- 1 November to 30 April; Methods- Fly and spin; Limit- 2 trout and 2 salmon. Maori Lakes and their tributaries: Open season- First Saturday in November to 30 April; Methods- Fly only; Limit- 2 trout. Fishing from any unmoored boat is prohibited. Mary Burn: Open season- First Saturday in November to 30 April; Methods- Fly and spin; Limit- 2 trout. Merino, Lake: Open season- First Saturday in November to 30 April; Methods- Fly and spin; Limit- 2 trout. Middleton, Lake: Open season- 1 October to 30 September; Methods- Fly, spin and bait; Limit- 4 trout and 2 salmon. Fishing from any unmoored boat is prohibited. Mystery, Lake: Open season- First Saturday in November to 30 April; Methods- Fly only; Limit- 2 trout. Ohapi Stream: Open season- First Saturday in November to 30 April for trout and First Saturday in November to 31 March for salmon; Methods- Fly and spin; Limit- 2 trout and 2 salmon. Ohau Canal from State Highway 8 to Ohau C power station: Open season- 1 October to 30 September; MethodsFly, spin and bait; Limit- 4 sports fish of which no more than 2 to be trout. No person shall in any one day take or be in possession of more than two salmon greater than 500mm taken from the Tekapo – Pukaki and Pukaki – Ohau A hydro canals, and the Ohau Canal from State Highway 8 to Ohau C power station. Ohau, Lake: Open season- 1 October to 30 September; Methods- Fly, spin and bait; Limit- 4 trout and 2 salmon. Ohau, Lake tributaries: Open season- First Saturday in November to 30 April; Methods- Fly, spin and bait; Limit- 4 trout and 2 salmon. Omarama Stream: Open season- First Saturday in November to 30 April; Methods- Fly and spin; Limit- 2 trout and 2 salmon. Opihi River: Open season- 1 October to 30 April for trout and 1 October to 31 March for salmon; Methods- Fly, spin and bait; Limit- Upstream of Opuha River confluence, Ohau Canal from State Highway 8 to Ohau C power station: Open season- 1 October to 30 September; MethodsFly, spin and bait; Limit- 4 sports fish of which no more than 2 to be trout. No person shall in any one day take or be in possession of more than two salmon greater than 500mm taken from the Tekapo – Pukaki and Pukaki – Ohau A hydro canals, and the Ohau Canal from State Highway 8 to Ohau C power station. Ohau, Lake: Open season- 1 October to 30 September; Methods- Fly, spin and bait; Limit- 4 trout and 2 salmon. Ohau, Lake tributaries: Open season- First Saturday in November to 30 April; Methods- Fly, spin and bait; Limit- 4 trout and 2 salmon. Omarama Stream: Open season- First Saturday in November to 30 April; Methods- Fly and spin; Limit- 2 trout and 2 salmon. Opihi River: Open season- 1 October to 30 April for trout and 1 October to 31 March for salmon; Methods- Fly, spin and bait; Limit- Upstream of Opuha River confluence, 4 trout and 2 salmon. Winter season- open downstream of State Highway 1, 1 June to 31 August; Methods- fly and spin; Limit- 2 sports fish. Opuha, Lake and its tributaries: Open season- 1 October to 30 April; Methods- Fly, spin and bait; Limit- 6 sports fish of which no more than 4 are to be trout. Opuha River: Open season- 1 October to 30 April for trout and 1 October to 31 March for salmon. Methods- Fly, spin and bait; Limit- 4 trout and 2 salmon. Orari River: Open season- 1 October to 30 April for trout and 1 October to 31 March for salmon; Methods- Fly, spin and bait; Limit- Upstream of Slip Panel Stream confluence, 2 trout and 2 salmon. Downstream of Slip Panel Stream confluence, 4 trout and 2 salmon. Otematapaio River: Open season- First Saturday in November to 30 April; Methods- Fly and spin; Limit - 2 trout and 2 salmon. Otematata River: Open season- First Saturday in November to 30 April. Methods- fly and spin. Limit- in Otematata River and tributaries upstream of Clear Stream junction and including Clear Stream, 2 trout and 2 salmon. Limit- in Otematata River and tributaries downstream of Clear Stream, 4 trout and 2 salmon. Paerora River: Open season- 1 October to 30 April; MethodsFly, spin and bait; Limit- 4 trout and 2 salmon. Poaka, Lake: Open season- First Saturday in November to 30 April; Methods- Fly only; Limit- 2 trout. Pukaki, Lake: Open season- 1 October to 30 September; Methods- Fly, spin and bait; Limit- 4 trout and 2 salmon. Pukaki, Lake tributaries: Open season- First Saturday in November to 30 April; Methods- Fly, spin and Bait; Limit- 4 trout and 2 salmon. Pukaki – Ohau A Canal: Open season- 1 October to 30 September; Methods- Fly, spin and bait; Limit- 4 sports fish of which no more than 2 to be trout. No person shall in any one day take or be in possession of more than two salmon greater than 500mm taken from the Tekapo – Pukaki and Pukaki – Ohau A hydro canals, and the Ohau Canal from State Highway 8 to Ohau C power station. Rangitata Diversion Race from the intake downstream to Rakaia River Road: Open season- 1 October to 30 September; Methods- Fly, spin and bait; Limit- 4 trout and 2 salmon. Rangitata River and tributaries upstream of Turn Again Point about 12km above the gorge: Open season- 1 October to 31 March for trout and 1 October to 28 February for salmon; Methods- fly and spin; Limit- 2 trout and 2 salmon. Rangitata River and tributaries downstream of Turn Again Point about 12km above the gorge: Open season- 1 October to 30 April for trout and 1 October to 31 March for salmon. Methods- Fly, spin and bait; Limit- 4 trout and 2 salmon; Winter season- Open downstream of State Highway 1, 1 June to 31 August; Methods- fly and spin; Limit- 2 sports fish. - Note 2: A licence holder when fishing for sports fish in the Rangitata River or its tributaries: 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. and 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. - Note 3: Fishing from boats is prohibited in that part of the Region seaward of the Rangitata River mouth, except from an anchored boat between the hours of 7:00am and 9:00am 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. Roundabout, Lake and its tributaries: Open season- First Saturday in November to 30 April; Methods- Fly only; Limit- 2 trout. Fishing from boats prohibited. Ruataniwha, Lake including Wairepo Arm and Kellands Ponds: Open season- 1 October to 30 September; MethodsFly, spin and bait; Limit- 2 trout and 2 salmon. Fishing from boats prohibited on Wairepo Arm and Kellands Ponds. Ruataniwha, Lake tributaries including Wairepo Arm and Kellands Ponds tributaries; Open season- First Saturday in November to 30 April; Methods- Fly and spin; Limit- 2 trout and 2 salmon. Saltwater Creek: Open season- 1 October to 30 September; Methods- Fly, spin and bait; Limit- 2 trout. Designated Coarse Fishing Water. Spider, Lake and its tributaries: Open season- First Saturday in November to 30 April; Methods- Fly and spin; Limit- 2 trout. Fishing from boats prohibited. Tekapo, Lake: Open season- 1 October to 30 September; Methods- Fly, spin and bait; Limit- 4 trout and 2 salmon. Tekapo, Lake tributaries: Open season- First Saturday in November to 30 April; Methods- Fly, spin and Bait; Limit- 4 trout and 2 salmon. Tekapo – Pukaki Canal: Open season- 1 October to 30 September; Methods- Fly, spin and bait; Limit- 4 sports fish of which no more than 2 to be trout. No person shall in any one day take or be in possession of more than two salmon greater than 500mm taken from the Tekapo – Pukaki and Pukaki – Ohau A hydro canals, and the Ohau Canal from State Highway 8 to Ohau C power station. Tekapo River: Open season- First Saturday in November to 30 April upstream of lower powerlines across the river about 1km upstream from Lake Benmore and 1 October to 30 September downstream of lower powerlines across the river about 1km upstream from Lake Benmore; Methods- Fly, spin, bait; Limit- 4 trout and 2 salmon. Temuka River: Open season- 1 October to 30 April for trout and 1 October to 31 March for salmon;Methods- Fly, spin and bait; Limit- 4 trout and 2 salmon. Tengawai River: Open season- 1 October to 30 April for trout and 1 October to 31 March for salmon; Methods- Fly and spin; Limit- 2 trout and 2 salmon. Tinwald Domain Pond: Open season- 1 October to 30 September for child licence holders only; Methods- Fly, spin and bait; Limit- 2 trout. Twizel River and tributaries: Open season- First Saturday in November to 30 April; Methods- Fly and spin; Limit- 2 trout and 2 salmon. Waihao River upstream of Waihao Forks bridges: Open season- 1 October to 30 April; Methods- Fly and spin; Limit- 2 trout. Waihao River downstream of Waihao Forks bridges: Open season- 1 October to 30 April; Methods- Fly, spin and bait; Limit- 4 trout and 2 salmon. Waihi River and its tributaries: Open season- 1 October to 30 April; Methods- Fly, spin and bait; Limit- 4 trout and 2 salmon. Waiareka Stream: Open season- 1 October to 30 April; Methods- Fly, spin and bait; Limit- 2 trout. Designated Coarse Fishing Water. Waitaki, Lake: Open season- 1 October to 30 September; Methods- Fly, spin and bait; Limit- 4 trout and 2 salmon. Waitaki Lake tributaries: Open season- First Saturday in November to 30 April; Methods- Fly, spin and bait; Limit- 4 trout and 2 salmon. Waitaki River and its tributaries except for Hakataramea and Maerewhenua rivers: Open season- 1 October to 30 April for trout and 1 October to 31 March for salmon; Methods- Fly, spin and bait; Limit- 4 trout and 2 salmon. Winter season- open downstream of State Highway 1, 1 June to 31 August; Methods- fly and spin; Limit- 2 sports fish. |