| Fish type |
Quinnat salmon,
brown and rainbow trout |
| Situation |
The
Waitaki River rises in the Southern Alps, drains three large high-country
lakes and flows on an easterly course to enter the sea at Glenavy,
north of Oamaru. |
| Maps |
Upper Waitaki River:
Access
map
Access
map with topography
Lower Waitaki River:
Access
map
Access
map with topography
LINZ
topographic maps: 1:50,000 (260
series)
|
| Check conditions |
River flow
View a graph of the current Waitaki
River flow at the Environment Canterbury website
Weather forecast
For an up-to-date weather forecast:
|
| Waitaki lakes pamphlet |
The Waitaki Lakes Recreational Information pamphlet,
available at the Environment Canterbury website, includes sections
on the lakes, safe boat navigation, camping, hydro power station statistics,
wildlife and plants, local walks, and important contact information. |
| The Lower Waitaki |
The Waitaki is a large braided
river, with a flow second only to that of the Clutha River. Because
it is used to generate hydro electric power, anglers need to beware
of sudden fluctuations in the the water level. The clarity of the
water is usually good in summer.
The Waitaki flows over an unstable shingle bed.
Willow trees line the banks in many parts.
Fish numbers and size
Good-sized brown and rainbow trout.
Good sea-run salmon at the mouth.
Methods
Spinning is the most productive method.
In the evening there is often a good sedge rise,
especially below the Hakataramea confluence.
Access
The mouth: From the settlement of Glenavy.
The south bank: Branch roads off SH83 such as
Wilson's, Goulding and Jardine Roads.
The north bank: From SH82.
Below Lake Waitaki: Where the river is braided,
some parts can only be reached by boat.
See the Lower Waitaki access
map. |
| Waitaki hydro lakes |
The upper reaches of the Waitaki River have
been converted into hydro lakes but most offer good trout fishing.
The Waitaki hydro lakes are:
| Lake
Benmore |
Troll for the numerous trout
and salmon. |
| Lake
Aviemore |
Holds trout in good numbers. |
| Lake
Tekapo |
Best in winter when the water is clearer
for spinning or fly fishing. |
| Lake
Ohau |
Good for spinning and trolling. |
| Lake Waitaki |
Holds trout averaging 1kg. |
| Lake Ruataniwha |
Holds trout. It is a rowing venue, and is
also used for jet-boating. |
| Lake Pukaki |
A few good fish at the stream mouth. |
| Lake Middleton |
Holds only small trout and is used by water-skiers. |
|
| Waitaki hydro canals |
The Waitaki hydro canals
(which link the hydro lakes) are the:
Ohau B-Ohau C canal
Tekapo-Pukaki canal
Ruataniwha-Ohau B canal
Pukaki-Ohau canal
Description
While not the most beautiful environment, the
canals are open to fishing all year and a good number of fish can
be caught, mostly by spinning.
Fish numbers and size
Most of the fish are rainbow trout of 1-2 kg.
Access
Roads generally follow the canal banks.
See the Upper Waitaki access
map. |
| Recommended lures |
Dry
flies: Greenwell's
Glory, Red-tipped
Governor, Peveril
O'Peake, Coch-y-Bondu,
Humpy, Wulff,
Kakahi Queen,
Molefly
Nymphs: Hare
and Copper, Hare's
Ear, Pheasant
Tail
Streamers: Mrs
Simpson, Hope's Dark, Parson's
Glory, Yellow Dorothy,
Lord's Killer,
Rabbit varieties,
Hamill's Killer
Spinners: Black,
Silver or Blue Slice, Zed
Spinner, Tinker, Tiger |
| Tributaries |
Tributaries
of the Waitaki River include:
- Hakataramea
River
- Maerewhenua
River
- Otiake River |
| Biosecurity |
| Clean, check, dry |
Because of the presence of the invasive alga didymo in these waters, anglers must
clean their fishing gear including waders and boots, especially when moving between
rivers. See Didymo Biosecurity Alert
for details. |
| Regulations
(1): |
| Applicable to |
Waitaki River and its tributaries |
| Region |
Central South Island regulations >>> |
| Season |
Trout: 1 Oct-30 Apr
Salmon: 1 Oct-31 Mar |
| Methods |
Artificial fly, spinner, bait |
| Bag limit |
Trout: 4
Salmon: 2 |
| Size limit (cm) |
Trout: No limit
Salmon: 300 mm minimum. |
| Regulations
(2): |
| Applicable to |
Waitaki River downstream of SH1 |
| Region |
Central South Island regulations >>> |
| Season |
1 Jun-31 Aug
(winter season) |
| Methods |
Artificial fly, spinner |
| Bag limit |
Total sports fish: 2 |
| Size limit (cm) |
Trout: No limit
Salmon: 300 mm minimum |
| Regulations
(3): |
| Applicable to |
Waitaki hydro canals:
Ohau B-Ohau C canal
Tekapo-Pukaki canal
Ruataniwha-Ohau B canal
Pukaki-Ohau canal |
| Region |
Central South Island regulations >>> |
| Season |
All year |
| Methods |
Artificial fly, spinner, bait |
| Bag limit |
Trout: 2
Salmon: 2 |
| Size limit (cm) |
Trout: No limit
Salmon: 300 mm minimum; 450 mm maximum 1 Mar-30 Apr. |
| Regulations
(4): |
| Applicable to |
Lake Waitaki |
| Region |
Central South Island regulations >>> |
| Season |
All year |
| Methods |
Artificial fly, spinner, bait |
| Bag limit |
Trout: 4
Salmon: 2 |
| Size limit (cm) |
Trout: No limit
Salmon: 300 mm minimum. |
| Regulations
(5): |
| Applicable to |
Lake Waitaki tributaries |
| Region |
Central South Island regulations >>> |
| Season |
7 Nov-30 Apr |
| Methods |
Artificial fly, spinner, bait |
| Bag limit |
Trout: 4
Salmon: 2 |
| Size limit (cm) |
Trout: No limit
Salmon: 300 mm minimum. |
