North Canterbury Fishing Regulations

North Canterbury Fishing Regulations 2016-2017

Office: c/- DOC Offices
32 River Road
Rangiora 7440
Postal Address:
PO Box 50, Woodend 7641
Phone and Fax: (03) 313-5728 or 0800-347-426
Email: northcanterbury@fishandgame.org.nz
Administration: Debbie Ambler General Manager: Rod Cullinane (027 2808192) F&G Officers: Tony Hawker (021 2218325) Emily Arthur-Moore (021 2218332) Steve Terry (021 2218327) Environment Advisor: Scott Pearson (027 5252650) Hatchery/Compliance Manager: Dirk Barr (021 2218378) Hatchery Assistant: Ryton Barr (022 637 5697) Manager ‘Fresh Waters’ Programme: Peter Robinson (027 3298649).

Fish & Game New Zealand’s North Canterbury region offers much to the angler. Without a doubt the star attraction of the region is the sea-run salmon fishery. The Rakaia, Waimakariri, Hurunui and Waiau rivers offer excellent sea-run salmon fishing between November and March. The best time to plan a trip is during February when river flows tend to be stable after the period of major snow melt in the Southern Alps. Most salmon are caught on heavy spinning tackle upriver or on specialised long distance surf casting tackle in the surf next to the river mouth. With an average size of around 7kg, salmon are one of the most highly sought-after sports fish in the country. In an effort to ensure the sustainability of the salmon fishery without imposing additional regulations on anglers, North Canterbury Fish & Game encourages salmon anglers to limit their seasonal catch numbers and adopt the growing trend of catch and release of this magnificent sports fish (only if the fish is uninjured and not bleeding from the gills).

In addition to the high profile salmon fishery, North Canterbury also offers great fishing for other species. More than 30 high country lakes offer Brown and Rainbow trout with a few also offering landlocked Chinook salmon. The upper reaches of the braided rivers offer high quality Brown and Rainbow trout with very big fish in places. The lower reaches of the same rivers provide excellent sea-run trout fishing as well. Very large runs of fresh silver sea-run Brown trout converge on the tidal areas of the salmon rivers, particularly during the months of December and January.

For more information on sports fishing in North Canterbury, consult the fishing access guides/maps: Rakaia River, Waimakariri River, Hurunui and Waiau Rivers, the High Country Lakes, Junior Fisheries and Close to Christchurch. These are available from the North Canterbury office, from the North Canterbury Region page of the web site (www. fishandgame.org.nz) or from major sports shops in the region. For fishing conditions during the main fishing season ring (03) 366-2986 for our recorded river report. Pollution Hotline: To report incidences of pollution or other damage to our waterways, please ring Environment Canterbury’s 24 hour Pollution Hotline on 0800-76 55 88, and tell them that you want to be advised of the outcome of their investigation.

Regulations

1. DEFINITIONS

For interpretation of terms, refer to the First Schedule of this Notice or the Freshwater Fisheries Regulations 1983.

1.1 The North Canterbury Fish and Game Region is divided into two zones: “Eastern Zone”:

The area to the east of a line extending from a white post on the south bank of the Rakaia River (on Double Hill Road visible from the river) to a white post on the north bank (near the Coleridge Power Station tailrace), to the confluence of Staircase Stream and the Waimakariri River (above Woodstock), to the Ashley Gorge Road Bridge on the Ashley River, to the junction of the Hurunui River with the South Branch, to the junction of the Waiau and Hope Rivers; and excluding Lake Rubicon. “Western Zone”: The area to the west of the eastern zone plus Lake Rubicon.

2. OPEN SEASON, PERMITTED METHODS, DAILY BAG LIMITS

Except as closed under clause 3 for this region or restricted elsewhere in this Notice. Anglers please note: The tables below are to be read in conjunction with the following clauses for this region.
• Clause 3 for waters where anglers are not allowed to fish.
• Clause 5 for waters recognised as coarse fishing waters.
• Clause 6 for further restrictions on bait fishing where “FSB” are allowed.
• Clause 8 for further restrictions of daily bag limits.
• Clause 9.1 for further restrictions on maximum fish lengths allowed.
Permitted Methods definition F = Fly fishing only FS = Fly or Spin fishing only FSB = Fly, Spin or Bait fishing permitted

LAKES Open Permitted Trout Salmon
RIVERS Season Methods Limits Limits

Blackwater, Lake 10 Dec – 30 Apr FS 2 n/a
Christchurch Groynes Fishing Lakes
the four ponds at the western end of
the Groynes reserve signposted as
designated fishing lakes. All year FSB 2 2
Coleridge, Lake 5 Nov – 30 Apr
and
1 Jun – 31 Aug FS 2 2
Courtenay, Lake All year FSB 2 2
Ellesmere, Lake 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 2 2
Evelyn, Lake 5 5 Nov – 30 Apr FS 2 n/a
Forsyth, Lake 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 2 n/a
Georgina, Lake 5 Nov – 30 Apr FS 2 n/a
Grasmere, Lake 5 Nov – 30 Apr FS 2 n/a
Guyon, Lake 5 Nov – 30 Apr FS 2 n/a
Hawdon, Lake 5 Nov – 30 Apr FS 2 n/a
Henrietta, Lake 5 Nov – 30 Apr FS 2 n/a
Ida, Lake and Little Ida Lake 5 Nov – 30 Apr F 2 n/a
Kaiapoi Lakes All year FSB 2 n/a
Katrine, Loch All year FS 2 2
Letitia, Lake 5 Nov – 30 Apr FS 2 n/a
Lilian, Lake 5 Nov – 30 Apr FS 2 n/a
Lyndon, Lake 5 Nov – 30 Apr
and
1 Jun – 31 Aug FSB 2 n/a
Marymere, Lake 5 Nov – 30 Apr F 2 n/a
Mason, Lake 5 5 Nov – 30 Apr FS 2 n/a
Minchin, Lake 5 Nov – 30 Apr FS 2 n/a
Monck (Catherine), Lake 5 Nov – 30 Apr F 2 n/a
Monopolies Pond All year FSB 2 n/a
Pearson, Lake 5 Nov – 30 Apr
and
1 Jun – 30 Sep FS 2 2
Rotokohatu, Lake All year FSB 2 n/a
Rubicon, Lake 5 Nov – 30 Apr FS 2 n/a
Sarah, Lake 5 Nov – 30 Apr F 2 n/a
Selfe, Lake 5 Nov – 30 Apr
and
1 Jun – 30 Sep FS 2 n/a
Sheppard, Lake 5 Nov – 30 Apr F 2 n/a
Sumner, Lake All year FS 2 2
Taylor, Lake 5 Nov – 30 Apr
   and
     1 Jun – 30 Sep FS 2 n/a

EASTERN ZONE RIVERS Open Permitted Trout Salmon
Season Method Limits Limits

Ashley River, downstream of Ashley
Gorge Road Bridge to Highway 1. All year FSB 2 2
Ashley River, downstream of
Highway 1. 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 2 2
Avon River downstream of
Barbadoes Street Bridge and
tributaries upstream of the
Armagh Street Bridge (Hagley Park). 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 2 2
Cam River, upstream of Smith
Street Bridge 1 Oct – 31 Mar FSB 2 0
Cam River from the confluence
of the Kaiapoi River to the
Smith Street Bridge. 1 Oct – 31 Mar FSB 2 1
Cust River 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 2 0
Halswell River & Canal, 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 2 n/a
Harts Creek 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 2 n/a
Hawkins River 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 1 n/a
Heathcote River 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 2 2
Hororata River 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 2 n/a
Hurunui River, downstream of South
Branch confluence (Eastern Zone)
to Highway 1. All year FSB 2 2
Hurunui River, downstream
of Highway One. 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 2 2
Irwell River 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 1 n/a
Kaiapoi River, upstream of
Cust Main Drain confluence 1 Oct – 31 Mar FSB 2 0
Kaiapoi River, downstream
of Williams St Bridge. 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 2 1
Kaiapoi River upstream of
Williams Street Bridge &
below the Cust Main Drain. 1 Oct – 31 Mar FSB 2 1
Kaituna River 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 1 n/a
Leader River 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 2 2
Lee Stream 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 2 2
LII (L2) River 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 2 n/a
Mandamus River 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 1 0
Okana River 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 1 n/a
Okuku River 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 1 n/a
Okuti River 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 2 n/a
Pahau River 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 1 0
Otukaikino Creek (South
Branch of Waimakariri) 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 2 0
Rakaia River, downstream of
Coleridge Tailrace confluence
(Eastern Zone) to Highway 1 All year FSB 2 2
Rakai River, downstream of Highway 1. 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 2 2
Saltwater Creek 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 2 2
Selwyn River downstream of
Highway 77 Bridge 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 2 n/a
Styx River 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 2 2
Tentburn Stream 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 2 2
Hurunui River, downstream of
Highway One. 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 2 2
Irwell River 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 1 n/a
Kaiapoi River, upstream of Cust
Main Drain confluence 1. Oct – 31 Mar FSB 2 0
Kaiapoi River, downstream of
Williams St Bridge 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 2 1
Kaiapoi River upstream of
Williams Street Bridge &
below the Cust Main Drain 1 Oct – 31 Mar FSB 2 1
Kaituna River 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 1 n/a
Leader River 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 2 2
Lee Stream 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 2 2
LII (L2) River 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 2 n/a
Mandamus River 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 1 0
Okana River 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 1 n/a
Okuku River 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 1 n/a
Okuti River 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 2 n/a
Pahau River 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 1 0
Otukaikino Creek (South
Branch of Waimakariri) 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 2 0
Rakaia River, downstream
of Coleridge Tailrace confluence
(Eastern Zone) to Highway 1. All year FSB 2 2
Rakai River, downstream of Highway 1. 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 2 2
Saltwater Creek 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 2 2
Selwyn River downstream
of State Highway 77 Bridge. 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 2 n/a
Styx River 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 2 2
Tentburn Stream 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 2 2

WESTERN ZONE RIVERS Open Permitted Trout Salmon
       Season Methods Limits Limits
Boyle River 1 Oct – 30 Apr FS 1 0
Broken River 5 Nov – 30 Apr FS 1 0
Cass Hill Stream (Bullock Creek) 1 Oct – 31 Mar FS 2 0
Coleridge Tailrace 1 Oct – 31 Mar FS 2 0
Cora Lynn Stream 1 Oct – 31 Mar FS 2 0
Double Hill Stream &
Double Hill Flat Stream 1 Oct – 28 Feb FS 2 0
Doubtful River 1 Oct – 30 Apr FS 1 0
Esk River 1 Oct – 30 Apr FS 2 0
Glenariffe Stream 1 Oct – 28 Feb FS 2 0
Goat Hill Stream 1 Oct – 28 Feb FS 2 0
Harper River including diversion
and tributaries. 1 Dec – 30 Apr FS 1 0
Henry River 1 Oct – 30 Apr FS 1 0
Hope River 1 Oct – 30 Apr FS 1 0
Hurunui River, upstream
of Lake Sumner. 1 Oct – 30 Apr FS 1 0
Hurunui River, between Lake Sumner
and South Branch confluence 1 Oct – 30 Apr FS 2 0
Hurunui River, South Branch 1 Oct – 30 Apr FS 1 0
Hydra Waters, including Titan Stream 1 Oct – 28 Feb FS 2 0
Lake Stream 1 Oct – 31 Mar FS 2 0
Lewis River 1 Oct – 30 Apr FS 1 0
Manuka Point Stream 1 Oct – 28 Feb FS 2 0
Nina River 1 Oct – 30 Apr FS 1 0
Porter River 5 Nov – 30 Apr FS 1 0
Poulter River 1 Oct – 30 Apr FS 2 0
Rakaia River, upstream of
Coleridge Tailrace confluence. 1 Oct – 31 Mar FS 2 0
Ryton River 1 Dec – 30 Apr FS 2 0
Selwyn River, upstream of
Highway 77 Bridge (at Glentunnel) 1 Oct – 30 Apr FS 1 n/a
Slovens Creek 5 Nov – 30 Apr FS 1 0
Waiau River, upstream
of Hope River confluence 1 Oct – 30 Apr FS 1 0
Waimakariri River, upstream of
Staircase Stream confluence. 1 Oct – 30 Apr FS 2 0
Wilberforce Diversion 1 Dec – 30 Apr FS 2 0
Wilberforce River 1 Oct – 30 Apr FS 2 0
Winding Creek 10 Dec – 31 Mar FS 2 0

2.4 All tributaries of Western Zone lakes not mentioned in clause 2 for this region:
1 December to 30 April Spinner, fly 2 trout
2.5 All other rivers and streams in the Western Zone not mentioned in clause 2 for this region:
1 October to 30 April Spinner, fly 2 trout

3. CLOSED WATERS

3.1 No-one shall fish for sports fish in the following waters:
Avon River between the Armagh Street Bridge at Hagley Park and the Barbadoes Street Bridge.
• Clearwater Lakes with the exception of Lake 3, Lake 4 and Lake 5.
• St Annes Lagoon near Cheviot.
• The tailrace of the Highbank Power Station.
• Within a 100m arc of the outfall of any licensed fish farm, with the exception of the Tentburn Outfall, where fishing for trout and salmon is permitted, but no fishing is allowed on the culvert.
3.2 No licence holder shall fish for coarse fish in the following waters:
• Clearwater Resort fishing lakes.
• Christchurch Groynes lakes.
• Ferrymead Park lakes.
• Westlake near Halswell.
3.3 No licence holder shall fish for salmon in the following waters:
• Cam River and its tributaries upstream of the Smith Street Bridge
• Hacketts Creek from 1 March to 30 April.
• The Kowhai River and its tributaries from 1 March to 30 April.
• The Kaiapoi River and tributaries upstream of Williams Street Bridge to the confluence with the Cust Main Drain from 1 April – 30 September. • The Kaiapoi River and tributaries upstream of the confluence with the Cust Main Drain
• Mandamus River.
• Pahau River.
• Waitohi River.
• Otukaikino/South Branch upstream of the confluence with the Waimakariri River.
• The Western Zone of rivers in the North Canterbury region.
3.4 No person other than a child (aged 12 or under as at the 1st October 2016) or junior licence holder (under the age of 18 years as at 1st October 2016) shall fish in the Christchurch Groynes Fishing Lakes or Courtenay Lake at Kaiapoi.

4. AUTHORISED TACKLE

Scented artificial lures may be used in all waters other than fly-fishing only waters, when actively retrieved so as to imitate a moving bait fish. See the First Schedule of this notice for other definitions.

5. COARSE FISHING WATERS

• Avon River downstream of Barbadoes Street Bridge.
• Forsyth Lake.
• Halswell Canal downstream of Duck Pond Road.
• Kaiapoi Lakes.
• Monopolies Pond.
• Okana River downstream of State Highway 75.
• Halswell River downstream of Seabridge Road.
• Rotokohatu Lake.

6. BAIT FISHING WATERS

6.1 A person may bait fish for trout in the Eastern Zone between 1 October and 30 April only, except at:
6.1.1 Christchurch Groynes Fishing Lakes and Courtenay Lake, where bait fishing is permitted all year for Child and Junior Anglers only.
6.1.2 Selwyn River upstream of State Highway 77 Bridge at Glentunnel, where bait fishing is prohibited all year.
6.2 Bait fishing for trout is prohibited in the Western Zone except at Lake Lyndon where Child and Junior Anglers only may bait fish.
6.3 Bait fishing for salmon is prohibited except in the:
6.3.1 Courtenay Lake all year for Child and Junior Anglers only.
6.3.2 Kaiapoi River below the confluence with the Cust Main Drain between 1 October and 31 March
6.3.3 The Christchurch Groynes Fishing Lakes all year for Child and Junior Anglers only.
6.3.4 Use of scented artificial lures for salmon fishing provided the lure is actively retrieved to imitate a moving bait fish.

7. USE OF BOATS

7.1 Fishing from boats which are simultaneously being propelled by a motor (trolling) is permitted in:
• All rivers. • Lake Coleridge.
• Lake Ellesmere (Te Waihora). • Lake Lyndon.
• Lake Forsyth (Te Wairewa). • Lake Sumner.
• Loch Katrine. • Lake Taylor.
7.2 Fishing from boats which are not simultaneously being propelled by a motor is permitted in:
• All rivers. • Lake Letitia.
• All eastern zone lakes. • Lake Lilian.
• Lake Coleridge. • Lake Lyndon.
• Lake Evelyn. • Lake Monck (Catherine).
• Lake Georgina. • Lake Pearson.
• Lake Grasmere. • Lake Selfe.
• Lake Hawdon. • Lake Sumner.
• Lake Henrietta. • Lake Taylor.
• Lake Ida. • Lake Sheppard.
• Loch Katrine. • Lake Sarah

8. DAILY LIMIT BAGS

8.1 No licence holder shall take or kill more than 1 Tench from the coarse fishing waters named in clause 5 for this region.
8.2 In addition to the daily limit bags described in clauses 2 and 8.1 for this region, on any one day a licence holder is only permitted to take, kill or be in possession of no more than four sports fish caught that day, of which no more than 2 may be salmon.
8.3 No person may take Salmon from any river between the hours of 11pm and 4am in December and January, and between 10pm and 5am for any other month of the year. Note:The daily bag limit for salmon in the Kaiapoi River has been reduced from 2 to 1 salmon per day.

9. FISH LENGTH

9.1 No licence holder shall be in possession of a sports fish which exceeds a maximum length of; 400mm from the following waters:
• Ashley River upstream of Ashley Gorge Road Bridge, Broken River and its tributaries (including Porter River and Slovens Creek), Hurunui River upstream of Lake Sumner, South Branch of the Hurunui River, Waiau River and all of its tributaries upstream of the Hope River Confluence, Hope River and all of its tributaries including the Boyle, Doubtful, Lewis and Nina Rivers, Harper River and tributaries including the Avoca River. • 450mm for Lake Sumner Chinook salmon.
• 150mm for Tench in coarse fishing waters.
• 250mm for Perch in the Kaiapoi Lakes
• No licence holder shall take or kill Perch exceeding 250mm in length from the Kaiapoi Lakes.
9.2 All other waters have no minimum or maximum length restrictions.