Southland Fishing Regulations 2016-2017
Contact
Offices: 159 North Road, Invercargill and the Wildlife Park
Manapouri Road, Te Anau.
Postal Address: PO Box 159, Invercargill 9840
Phone: (03) 215 9117 Fax: (03) 215 9118
Email: information@southlandfishgame.co.nz
Administration: Cheryl Mason and Ann Heffernan
Manager: Zane Moss
Field Officers: Bill Jarvie, Cohen Stewart,
Offices: 159 North Road, Invercargill and the Wildlife Park
Manapouri Road, Te Anau.
Postal Address: PO Box 159, Invercargill 9840
Phone: (03) 215 9117 Fax: (03) 215 9118
Email: information@southlandfishgame.co.nz
Administration: Cheryl Mason and Ann Heffernan
Manager: Zane Moss
Field Officers: Bill Jarvie, Cohen Stewart,
SOUTHLAND
The Southland region is one of the strongholds of brown trout in New Zealand. Regular summer rain means that the rivers and streams of the region usually flow strongly all through the fishing season. However this also means that rainfall can at times limit angling activities and anglers should have a good knowledge of the region so that lakes and spring creeks, which are not affected by flooding, can be fished. The Southland plains and hills offer a large number of easily accessible rivers and streams which cater for all types of angling. Most waters have easy access points, many of which are marked with Fish & Game signage. The Mataura is the best known Southland River. It flows through the town of Gore, “The Brown Trout Capital of the World.” This reputation brings an ever increasing number of anglers into our province to fish this and other rivers like the Aparima and Oreti. While the headwaters of these rivers have reputations for producing big fish they are often very hard to catch and are less numerous. The lowland rivers are much more productive and accessible and, while their trout are smaller on average they can provide excellent angling, especially for family groups and those starting out on a fishing career.
Rainbow trout are restricted to the western lakes and their tributaries, and the Mararoa and Waiau River system. Didymo, the invasive alga that smothers river beds, occurs in several Southland rivers, affecting the Mararoa and the Waiau the worst. Anglers need to carefully clean their gear between rivers because there are rivers where it hasn’t got to yet. The rivers of Fiordland are pristine and it is important that didymo does not get introduced to these. Anglers fishing in these rivers must get a Clean Gear Certificate before fishing there. Details are on the Web site www.fishandgame.org.nz and at the F&G office. The large lakes, Te Anau and Manapouri, and the smaller lakes Monowai and North Mavora are ideal for trolling from a boat. While they don’t have large populations of trout compared to lakes farther north they are beautiful scenic gems where competent anglers can expect to catch several fish in a day’s fishing. We have trolling brochures and a video on the F&G website to help anglers maximise their chances of catching a fish or two.
In midsummer Southland’s mid reach and easily accessible headwater rivers can get quite crowded so it’s important that anglers are considerate of others and give them space to enjoy trout fishing as it should be - “a contemplative person’s recreation.” We have voluntary beat systems on the Upper Oreti and we encourage anglers to ensure they don’t walk down onto others who may be fishing upstream, to maintain peace and harmony on all of our river banks.
Salmon (chinook) angling in Southland is worth a try too. Each year a few dozen sea-run salmon are caught in the main rivers in February and March. Lake Manapouri has a developing chinook population. Special regulations apply to river salmon fishing and these are detailed in the following pages.
Regulations
1. DEFINITIONS
See First Schedule.
2. OPEN SEASON, PERMITTED METHODS, DAILY BAG LIMITS
Permitted Methods definition F = Fly fishing only FS = Fly or Spin fishing only FSB = Fly, Spin or Bait fishing permitted
Rivers/ Open Season Permitted Daily
Lakes Methods Bag Limits
Acton Stream 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 2
All rivers and lakes draining
to the Tasman Sea and Foveaux
Strait west of the Waiau River All year FS 4
All tributaries of the Aparima,
Oreti and Mataura Rivers,
not covered below. 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 2
Aparima River and tributaries
upstream of Hamilton Burn confluence 1 Oct – 30 Apr FS 2
Aparima River, Hamilton Burn to
Thornbury Bridge 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 4
Aparima River, Thornbury Bridge
to sea. All year FSB 4
Borland Burn 1 Oct – 30 Apr FS 2
Cromel Stream 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 2
Eglinton River and tributaries 1 Nov – 31 May F 1
Ettrick Burn (see clause 11) 1 Nov – 31 May F 1
Hamilton Burn and tributaries
upstream of Mossburn Otautau Rd. 1 Oct – 30 Apr FS 2
Hamilton Burn downstream of
Mossburn Otautau Rd. 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 2
Irthing Stream 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 2
Tributaries of Te Anau, Manapouri,
Monowai, Hauroko, Hankinson
(except Ettrick Burn and Eglinton,
Upukerora, Upper Waiau and Mararoa. 1 Nov – 31 May FS 2
Lake Fergus 1 Nov – 31 May FS 2
Lake Gunn 1 Nov – 31 May FS 2
Lake Hankinson 1 Nov – 31 May FS 2
Lake Hauroko All year FS 2
Lake Henry “junior fishery”
(see clause 12 for this region) All year FSB 2
Lake Manapouri (including Waiau Arm) All year FS 2
Lake Manapouri, Frasers Beach to
Supply Bay, Junior & Child anglers
from the shore only. All year FSB 2
Lake Mavora (North and South) All year FS 2
Lake Mavora (North and South),
Junior & Child anglers from the
shore only. All year FSB 2
Lake Monowai All year FS 2
Lake Poteriteri All year FS 2
Lake Te Anau All year FS 2
Lake Te Anau Control Gates to
Upukerora River mouth, Junior & Child
anglers from the shore only. All year FSB 2
Lake Thomas All year FSB 2
Lake Waituna and tributaries 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 2
Lilburn 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 2
McGregor Pond
(Whitestone River Berm) All year FSB 2
Makarewa River upstream of
Riverton – Invercargill Highway
and all tributaries. 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 2
Makarewa River downstream of
Riverton – Invercargill Highway. All year FSB 4
Mararoa River upstream of
The Key Bridge including upper
Mararoa and tributaries. 1 Oct – 30 Apr FS 1
Mararoa River downstream of
The Key Bridge. 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 4
Mataura River and tributaries
upstream of Hume’s Road Bridge,
Garston. 1 Oct – 30 Apr FS 1
Mataura River
Garston Bridge to the Gore Bridge. 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 4
Mataura River
Gore Bridge to the Gorge Road Bridge. 1 Oct – 31 May, excl.
6 and 7 May 2017 FSB 4
Mataura River
Gorge Road Bridge to sea. All year FSB 4
Mimihau River 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 4
Mokoreta River 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 4
Monowai River 1 Oct – 30 Apr FS 2
Orauea Stream and tributaries 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 2
Ourawera Stream 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 2
Oreti River and tributaries
upstream of Rocky Point. 1 Oct – 30 Apr FS 1
Oreti River – Rocky Point to
Riverton – Invercargill Highway. 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 4
Oreti River
Riverton – Invercargill Highway to sea. All year FSB 4
Otamita Stream 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 2
Pourakino River and tributaries
upstream of Waipango Bridge. 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 2
Pourakino River downstream of
Waipango Bridge. All year FSB 2
Taunamau Stream 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 2
Titiroa Stream and tributaries
upstream of The Locks. 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 2
Titiroa Stream downstream
of The Locks. All year FSB 2
Tokanui Stream 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 2
Upukerora River 1 Nov – 31 May FS 1
Waiau River between
Lakes Manapouri and Te Anau. 1 Oct – 31 May FS 2
Waiau River – Mararoa Weir
(subject to clause 3.1 for this region)
to Tuatapere. 1 Oct – 31 May FSB 4
Waiau River from Tuatapere to the sea,
including the Waiau Lagoon. All year FSB 4
Waiau River tributaries from the
Mararoa Weir to the sea (except
Monowai, Borland and Wairaki Rivers). 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 2
Waihopai River upstream of Queens Drive 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 2
Waihopai River downstream of
Queens Drive. All year FSB 2
Waikaia River 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 4
Waikaia River tributaries 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 2
Waikaka River and tributaries 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 2
Waikawa River and tributaries,
Niagara Bridge upstream. 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 2
Waikawa River,
Niagara Bridge downstream. All year FSB 2
Waikiwi Stream upstream of
North Road Bridge 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 2
Waikiwi Stream downstream of
North Road Bridge. All year FSB 2
Waimatuku Stream and tributaries
upstream of the bridge on Rance Road 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 2
Waimatuku Stream and tributaries
downstream of the bridge
on Rance Road. All year FSB 2
Waimea Stream 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 2
Wairaki River and tributaries
upstream of the transmission lines. 1 Oct – 30 Apr FS 1
The Southland region is one of the strongholds of brown trout in New Zealand. Regular summer rain means that the rivers and streams of the region usually flow strongly all through the fishing season. However this also means that rainfall can at times limit angling activities and anglers should have a good knowledge of the region so that lakes and spring creeks, which are not affected by flooding, can be fished. The Southland plains and hills offer a large number of easily accessible rivers and streams which cater for all types of angling. Most waters have easy access points, many of which are marked with Fish & Game signage. The Mataura is the best known Southland River. It flows through the town of Gore, “The Brown Trout Capital of the World.” This reputation brings an ever increasing number of anglers into our province to fish this and other rivers like the Aparima and Oreti. While the headwaters of these rivers have reputations for producing big fish they are often very hard to catch and are less numerous. The lowland rivers are much more productive and accessible and, while their trout are smaller on average they can provide excellent angling, especially for family groups and those starting out on a fishing career.
Rainbow trout are restricted to the western lakes and their tributaries, and the Mararoa and Waiau River system. Didymo, the invasive alga that smothers river beds, occurs in several Southland rivers, affecting the Mararoa and the Waiau the worst. Anglers need to carefully clean their gear between rivers because there are rivers where it hasn’t got to yet. The rivers of Fiordland are pristine and it is important that didymo does not get introduced to these. Anglers fishing in these rivers must get a Clean Gear Certificate before fishing there. Details are on the Web site www.fishandgame.org.nz and at the F&G office. The large lakes, Te Anau and Manapouri, and the smaller lakes Monowai and North Mavora are ideal for trolling from a boat. While they don’t have large populations of trout compared to lakes farther north they are beautiful scenic gems where competent anglers can expect to catch several fish in a day’s fishing. We have trolling brochures and a video on the F&G website to help anglers maximise their chances of catching a fish or two.
In midsummer Southland’s mid reach and easily accessible headwater rivers can get quite crowded so it’s important that anglers are considerate of others and give them space to enjoy trout fishing as it should be - “a contemplative person’s recreation.” We have voluntary beat systems on the Upper Oreti and we encourage anglers to ensure they don’t walk down onto others who may be fishing upstream, to maintain peace and harmony on all of our river banks.
Salmon (chinook) angling in Southland is worth a try too. Each year a few dozen sea-run salmon are caught in the main rivers in February and March. Lake Manapouri has a developing chinook population. Special regulations apply to river salmon fishing and these are detailed in the following pages.
Regulations
1. DEFINITIONS
See First Schedule.
2. OPEN SEASON, PERMITTED METHODS, DAILY BAG LIMITS
Permitted Methods definition F = Fly fishing only FS = Fly or Spin fishing only FSB = Fly, Spin or Bait fishing permitted
Rivers/ Open Season Permitted Daily
Lakes Methods Bag Limits
Acton Stream 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 2
All rivers and lakes draining
to the Tasman Sea and Foveaux
Strait west of the Waiau River All year FS 4
All tributaries of the Aparima,
Oreti and Mataura Rivers,
not covered below. 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 2
Aparima River and tributaries
upstream of Hamilton Burn confluence 1 Oct – 30 Apr FS 2
Aparima River, Hamilton Burn to
Thornbury Bridge 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 4
Aparima River, Thornbury Bridge
to sea. All year FSB 4
Borland Burn 1 Oct – 30 Apr FS 2
Cromel Stream 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 2
Eglinton River and tributaries 1 Nov – 31 May F 1
Ettrick Burn (see clause 11) 1 Nov – 31 May F 1
Hamilton Burn and tributaries
upstream of Mossburn Otautau Rd. 1 Oct – 30 Apr FS 2
Hamilton Burn downstream of
Mossburn Otautau Rd. 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 2
Irthing Stream 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 2
Tributaries of Te Anau, Manapouri,
Monowai, Hauroko, Hankinson
(except Ettrick Burn and Eglinton,
Upukerora, Upper Waiau and Mararoa. 1 Nov – 31 May FS 2
Lake Fergus 1 Nov – 31 May FS 2
Lake Gunn 1 Nov – 31 May FS 2
Lake Hankinson 1 Nov – 31 May FS 2
Lake Hauroko All year FS 2
Lake Henry “junior fishery”
(see clause 12 for this region) All year FSB 2
Lake Manapouri (including Waiau Arm) All year FS 2
Lake Manapouri, Frasers Beach to
Supply Bay, Junior & Child anglers
from the shore only. All year FSB 2
Lake Mavora (North and South) All year FS 2
Lake Mavora (North and South),
Junior & Child anglers from the
shore only. All year FSB 2
Lake Monowai All year FS 2
Lake Poteriteri All year FS 2
Lake Te Anau All year FS 2
Lake Te Anau Control Gates to
Upukerora River mouth, Junior & Child
anglers from the shore only. All year FSB 2
Lake Thomas All year FSB 2
Lake Waituna and tributaries 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 2
Lilburn 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 2
McGregor Pond
(Whitestone River Berm) All year FSB 2
Makarewa River upstream of
Riverton – Invercargill Highway
and all tributaries. 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 2
Makarewa River downstream of
Riverton – Invercargill Highway. All year FSB 4
Mararoa River upstream of
The Key Bridge including upper
Mararoa and tributaries. 1 Oct – 30 Apr FS 1
Mararoa River downstream of
The Key Bridge. 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 4
Mataura River and tributaries
upstream of Hume’s Road Bridge,
Garston. 1 Oct – 30 Apr FS 1
Mataura River
Garston Bridge to the Gore Bridge. 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 4
Mataura River
Gore Bridge to the Gorge Road Bridge. 1 Oct – 31 May, excl.
6 and 7 May 2017 FSB 4
Mataura River
Gorge Road Bridge to sea. All year FSB 4
Mimihau River 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 4
Mokoreta River 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 4
Monowai River 1 Oct – 30 Apr FS 2
Orauea Stream and tributaries 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 2
Ourawera Stream 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 2
Oreti River and tributaries
upstream of Rocky Point. 1 Oct – 30 Apr FS 1
Oreti River – Rocky Point to
Riverton – Invercargill Highway. 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 4
Oreti River
Riverton – Invercargill Highway to sea. All year FSB 4
Otamita Stream 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 2
Pourakino River and tributaries
upstream of Waipango Bridge. 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 2
Pourakino River downstream of
Waipango Bridge. All year FSB 2
Taunamau Stream 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 2
Titiroa Stream and tributaries
upstream of The Locks. 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 2
Titiroa Stream downstream
of The Locks. All year FSB 2
Tokanui Stream 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 2
Upukerora River 1 Nov – 31 May FS 1
Waiau River between
Lakes Manapouri and Te Anau. 1 Oct – 31 May FS 2
Waiau River – Mararoa Weir
(subject to clause 3.1 for this region)
to Tuatapere. 1 Oct – 31 May FSB 4
Waiau River from Tuatapere to the sea,
including the Waiau Lagoon. All year FSB 4
Waiau River tributaries from the
Mararoa Weir to the sea (except
Monowai, Borland and Wairaki Rivers). 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 2
Waihopai River upstream of Queens Drive 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 2
Waihopai River downstream of
Queens Drive. All year FSB 2
Waikaia River 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 4
Waikaia River tributaries 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 2
Waikaka River and tributaries 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 2
Waikawa River and tributaries,
Niagara Bridge upstream. 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 2
Waikawa River,
Niagara Bridge downstream. All year FSB 2
Waikiwi Stream upstream of
North Road Bridge 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 2
Waikiwi Stream downstream of
North Road Bridge. All year FSB 2
Waimatuku Stream and tributaries
upstream of the bridge on Rance Road 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 2
Waimatuku Stream and tributaries
downstream of the bridge
on Rance Road. All year FSB 2
Waimea Stream 1 Oct – 30 Apr FSB 2
Wairaki River and tributaries
upstream of the transmission lines. 1 Oct – 30 Apr FS 1
