Canterbury region sports fishing regulations

The following is our understanding of the regulations that apply to trout and salmon fishing in the North Canterbury region from 1 October 2011 to 30 September 2013. Where general rules do not apply, lakes and rivers are listed in alphabetical order for quick reference.

The information presented here is not meant to be taken as a complete statement of the law. Please refer to the South Island regulations booklet supplied with your fishing licence or view an online version at the Fish & Game New Zealand website.

Eastern and western zones

The North Canterbury region is divided into two zones:

Eastern zone: The area to the east of a line extending from a white post (on Double Hill Road visible from the river) on the south bank of the Rakaia River, to a white post on the north bank (near the Coleridge Power Station tailrace), to the confluence of the Staircase Stream and the Waimakariri River (above Woodstock), to the Oxford-Glentui 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.

Season

Size limit

Bag limit

Methods allowed

General rules

Eastern and Western zones

Within 100m of the outfall of any licensed fish farm

Closed

N/A

Eastern zone

All lakes, rivers and streams in the eastern zone not mentioned below

1 Oct-30 Apr

None

Trout: 2
Salmon: 2

Artificial fly, spinner.
Bait fishing for trout only.
Fishing from boats, including both boats that are mechanically propelled (trolling) and those that are not, is permitted.

All lakes in the eastern zone except otherwise stated below

Fishing from boats which are not being mechanically propelled is permitted.

Western zone

All lakes in the western zone not mentioned below

5 Nov -30 Apr

None

Trout: 2
Salmon:N/A

Artificial fly, spinner.

Time restrictions apply in those western zone lakes that are open between 1 June and 31 August. Fishing is permitted between 5am and 12 midnight only.

All tributaries of lakes in the western zone not mentioned below

1 Dec-30 Apr
Closed to salmon fishing

None

Trout: 2
Salmon: N/A

Artificial fly, spinner

All Western zone rivers not mentioned below

Trout: 1 Oct-30 Apr
Closed to salmon fishing

None

Trout: 4

No bait fishing permitted.
Fishing from boats, including both boats that are mechanically propelled (trolling) and those that are not, is permitted.

Fishing waters

Acheron River (which flows from Lake Lyndon)

1 Oct-30 Apr

None

Trout: 2
Salmon: 2

Artificial fly, spinner.
Bait fishing for trout only.

Ada River

1 Oct-30 Apr

Maximum
400mm

Trout: 2
Salmon: 0

Artificial fly, spinner

Ashley River above Ashley Gorge Bridge

1 Oct-30 Apr

Maximum
400mm

Trout: 1
Salmon: 0

Artificial fly, spinner

Ashley River below Ashley Gorge Bridge

All year

None

Trout: 2
Salmon: 2

All year: Artificial fly, spinner.
1 Oct-30 Apr: Bait fishing for trout only.

Avon River
except between the Armagh and Barbadoes Street bridges

All year

None

Trout: 2
Salmon: 2

Artificial fly, spinner.
1 Oct-30 Apr: Bait fishing for trout only.

Avon River between the Armagh and Barbadoes Street bridges

Closed

N/A

Avon River below the Barbadoes Street bridge

All year

Trout and Salmon: None

Tench 150mm maximum

Total sportsfish: 4 with max of of 2 trout, 2 salmon and 1 tench

Artificial fly, spinner.
1 Oct-30 Apr: Bait fishing for trout only.

Blackwater Lake

1 Nov -30 Apr

None

Trout: 2
Salmon: n/a

Artificial fly, spinner
Boat fishing is not permitted

Boyle River

1 Oct-30 Apr

400mm maximum

Trout: 1
Salmon: 0

Artificial fly, spinner

Broken River and its tributaries (except Winding Creek which is closed)

3 Nov-30 Apr

Maximum
400mm

Trout: 1
Salmon: 0

Artificial fly, spinner

Cam River above State Highway No 1 Bridge

1 Oct-30 Apr

None

Trout: 2
Salmon: 2

Artificial fly, spinner.
Bait fishing for trout only.

Cam River below State Highway No 1 Bridge

All year

None

Trout: 2
Salmon: 2

All year: Artificial fly, spinner.
1 Oct-30 Apr: Bait fishing for trout only.

Cass Hill Stream (Bullock Creek)

1 Oct-31 Mar

N/A

Trout 2

Artificial fly, spinner.

Catherine (Monck), Lake

3 Nov-30 Apr

None

Trout: 2
Salmon: n/a

Flyfishing only.
Boat fishing is not permitted.

Christchurch Groynes Fishing Lakes

All year to licence holders under 18 years as at 1 Oct.
(Closed to licence holders aged over 18 years).

Closed to coarse fishing.

None

Trout: 2
Salmon: 2

Artificial fly, spinner, bait.
Bait fishing for both trout and salmon is permitted.
Fishing from boats not being mechanically propelled is permitted.

Clearwater Resort fishing lakes

Closed to coarse fishing

1 Oct-30 Apr

None

Trout: 2
Salmon: 2

Artificial fly, spinner.
Bait fishing for trout only.
Fishing from boats is permitted.

Coleridge, Lake

3 Nov -30 Apr
1 Jun-31 Aug. Within 100 metres of any inflowing tributary is closed during the winter period
(1 May-30 September).

None

Total sportsfish: 4 of which only 2 can be trout

Artificial fly, spinner

Fishing from boats not being mechanically propelled is permitted.

Fishing from boats being mechanically propelled (trolling) is also permitted.

Coleridge Tailrace

1 Oct - 31 Mar

None

Trout: 2
Salmon: 0

Artificial fly, spinner

Cora Lynn Stream

1 Oct - 30 April

None

Trout: 2
Salmon: 0

Artificial fly, spinner

Courtney Lake

All year to licence holders under 17 years as at 1 Oct.
(Closed to licence holders aged over 17 years).

None

Trout: 2
Salmon: 2

Artificial fly, spinner, bait
Bait fishing for both trout and salmon is permitted.
Fishing from boats not being mechanically propelled is permitted.

Cust River

1 Oct -30 Apr

None

Trout: 2
Salmon: 0

Artificial fly, spinner.
Bait fishing for trout only

Double Hill Stream

1 Oct -28 Feb

N/A

Trout: 2

Artificial fly, spinner.

Double Hill Flat Streams

1 Oct -28 Feb

N/A

Trout: 2

Artificial fly, spinner.

Doubtful River

1 Oct -30 Apr

400mm maximum

Trout: 1
Salmon: 0

Artificial fly, spinner.

Ellesmere, Lake
(Te Waihora)

1 Oct-30 Apr

None

Trout: 2
Salmon: 2

Artificial fly, spinner.
Bait fishing for trout only.
Fishing from boats being mechanically propelled is permitted (trolling).

Esk River

1 Oct-30 Apr

None

Trout: 2
Salmon: 0

Artificial fly, spinner

Evelyn, Lake

3 Nov -30 Apr

None

Trout: 2
Salmon: n/a

Artificial fly, spinner.
Fishing from boats not being mechanically propelled is permitted.

Ferrymead Park lakes

Closed

N/A

Forsyth, Lake

All year

Trout: None

Tench: 150mm maximum

Total sportsfish: 4 of which only 2 can be trout and 1 tench

All year: Artificial fly, spinner.
1 Oct-30 Apr: Bait fishing for trout only.
Fishing from boats being mechanically propelled (trolling) is permitted.

Georgina, Lake

3 Nov -30 Apr

None

Trout: 2
Salmon: n/a

Artificial fly, spinner
Fishing from boats not being mechanically propelled is permitted.

Glenariffe Stream

1 Oct -28 Feb

N/A

Trout: 2

Artificial fly, spinner.

Goat Hill Stream

1 Oct-31 Mar

None

Trout: 2
Salmon: 0

Artificial fly, spinner

Grasmere, Lake

3 Nov -30 Apr

None

Trout: 2
Salmon: n/a

Artificial fly, spinner.
Fishing from boats is not permitted

Groynes Fishing Lakes, Christchurch

All year to licence holders under 17 years.
Closed to licence holders aged 17 years and over.

Closed to coarse fishing.

None

Trout: 2
Salmon: 2

Artificial fly, spinner.
Bait fishing for trout and salmon.
Fishing from boats not being mechanically propelled is permitted.

Guyon, Lake

3 Nov -30 Apr

None

Trout: 2
Salmon: n/a

Artificial fly, spinner.
Fishing from boats is not permitted

Hackett's Creek

Trout: 1 Oct-30 Apr

Salmon: 1 Oct-28 Feb (closed 1 March-30 April)

None

Trout: 2
Salmon: n/a
(no salmon present before end of Feb)

Artificial fly, spinner

Halswell Canal above the Duck Pond Road Bridge

1 Oct-30 Apr

None

Trout: 2
Salmon: n/a

Artificial fly, spinner Bait fishing.

Halswell Canal below the Duck Pond Road Bridge

All year

Trout: None

Tench:150mm maximum

Total sportsfish: 4 of which only 2 can be trout and 1 tench

All year: Artificial fly, spinner.
1 Oct-30 Apr: Bait fishing permitted

Halswell River above the Seabridge Rd Bridge

1 Oct-30 Apr

None

Trout: 2
Salmon: n/a

Artificial fly, spinner.
1 Oct-30 Apr: Bait fishing permitted

Halswell Canal below the Seabridge Rd Bridge

All year

Trout: None

Tench:150mm maximum

Total sportsfish: 4 of which only 2 can be trout and 1 tench

All year: Artificial fly, spinner.
1 Oct-30 Apr: Bait fishing permitted

Harper River

1 Dec-30 Apr

None

Trout: 1
Salmon: 0

Artificial fly, spinner

Harts Creek

1 Oct-30 Apr

None

Trout: 2
Salmon: n/a

Artificial fly, spinner.
Bait fishing for trout only.

Hawdon, Lake

3 Nov -30 Apr

None

Trout: 2
Salmon: n/a

Artificial fly, spinner.
Boat fishing is not permitted

Hawkins River

1 Oct-30 Apr

None

Trout: 2
Salmon: n/a

Artificial fly, spinner.
Bait fishing for trout only.

Heathcote River

All year

None

Trout: 2
Salmon: n/a

All year: Artificial fly, spinner.
1 Oct-30 Apr: Bait fishing for trout only.

Henrietta, Lake

5 Nov -30 Apr

None

Trout: 2
Salmon: n/a

Artificial fly, spinner.
Fishing from boats not being mechanically propelled is permitted.

Henry River

1 Oct-30 Apr

None

Trout: 2
Salmon: 0

Artificial fly, spinner

Highbank Power Station tailrace

Closed

N/A

Hope River and its tributaries the Boyle, Lewis and Nina Rivers.

1 Oct-30 Apr

400mm maximum

Trout: 1
Salmon: 0

Artificial fly, spinner

Hororata River

1 Oct-30 Apr

None

Trout: 2
Salmon: n/a

Artificial fly, spinner.
Bait fishing for trout only.

Hurunui River above Lake Sumner

1 Oct-30 Apr

Maximum
400mm

Trout: 1
Salmon: 0

Artificial fly, spinner

Hurunui River between Lake Sumner and South Branch confluence

1 Oct -30 Apr

None

Trout: 2
Salmon: 0

Artificial fly, spinner

Hurunui River below the South Branch confluence

All year

None

Trout: 2
Salmon: 2

All year: Artificial fly, spinner.
1 Oct-30 Apr: Bait fishing for trout only.

Hurunui River, South Branch

1 Oct-30 Apr

Maximum
400mm

Trout: 1
Salmon: 0

Artificial fly, spinner

Hydra Waters: Access is limited to roughly 3km of the stream. The upper reaches of the stream system are on private land and Mt Algidus Station have closed it to all anglers.

1 Oct-28 Feb

N/A

Trout: 2

Artificial fly, spinner.

Ida, Lake and Little Lake Ida

3 Nov -30 Apr

None

Trout: 2
Salmon: n/a

Flyfishing only.
Boat fishing is not permitted

Irwell River

1 Oct-30 Apr

None

Trout: 2
Salmon: n/a

Artificial fly, spinner.
Bait fishing for trout only.

Kaiapoi Lakes

All year

Trout: None

Tench:150mm

Sportfish: 4

Trout: 2

Tench: 1

Salmon: n/a

All year: Artificial fly, spinner.
All year: Bait fishing for species other than trout

1 Oct-30 Apr: Bait fishing for trout permitted.

Kaiapoi River above the Cust Main Drain confluence

Closed

N/A

Kaiapoi River below the Cust Main Drain confluence

All year

250mm

Trout: 2
Salmon: 2

All year: Artificial fly, spinner.
1 Oct-30 Apr: Bait fishing for trout and salmon is permitted

Kaituna River

1 Oct-30 Apr

None

Trout: 2
Salmon: n/a

Artificial fly, spinner.
Bait fishing for trout only

Katrine, Loch

3 Nov -30 Apr
1 Jun - 30 Sep

None

Trout: 2
Salmon: 2

Artificial fly, spinner.
Fishing from boats being mechanically propelled is permitted.

Kowai River and its tributaries

Trout: 1 Oct-30 Apr

Salmon: 1 Oct-28 Feb (closed 1 March-30 April)

None

Trout: 2
Salmon: N/A (no salmon present before end of Feb)

Artificial fly, spinner.

Lake Stream

1 Oct-31 Mar

None

Trout: 2
Salmon: 0

Artificial fly, spinner

Leader River

1 Oct-30 Apr

None

Trout: 2
Salmon: 2

Artificial fly, spinner, bait.
Bait fishing for trout only.

Lee Stream

1 Oct-30 Apr

None

Trout: 2
Salmon: 2

Artificial fly, spinner.
Bait fishing for trout only.

Letitia, Lake

3 Nov -30 Apr

None

Trout: 2
Salmon: n/a

Artificial fly, spinner

Lewis River

1 Oct-30 Apr

400mm maximum

Trout: 1
Salmon: 0

Artificial fly, spinner

LII (L2) River

1 Oct-30 Apr

None

Trout: 2
Salmon: n/a

Artificial fly, spinner.
Bait fishing for trout only.

Lilian, Lake

3 Nov -30 Apr

None

Trout: 2
Salmon: n/a

Artificial fly, spinner.
Boat fishing is not permitted

Loch Katrine

3 Nov -30 Apr
1 Jun - 30 Sep

None

Trout: 2
Salmon: 2

Artificial fly, spinner.
Fishing from boats not being mechanically propelled is permitted.

Lyndon, Lake

3 Nov -30 Apr
1 Jun - 31 Aug

None

Trout: 2
Salmon: n/a

Artificial fly, spinner
Fishing from boats not being mechanically propelled is permitted.

Mandamas River

1 Oct-30 Apr

None

Trout: 2
Salmon: 0

Artificial fly, spinner.
Bait fishing for trout only.

Manuka Pt Stream

1 Oct-28 Feb

N/A

Trout: 2

Artificial fly, spinner

Marion, Lake

Closed

N/A

None

Marymere, Lake

3 Nov -30 Apr

None

Trout: 2
Salmon: n/a

Flyfishing only

Mason, Lake

3 Nov -30 Apr

None

Trout: 2
Salmon: n/a

Artificial fly, spinner

Minchin, Lake

3 Nov -30 Apr

None

Trout: 2
Salmon: n/a

Artificial fly, spinner

Monck (Catherine) Lake

3 Nov -30 Apr

None

Trout: 2
Salmon: n/a

Flyfishing only.
Boat fishing is not permitted

Monopolies Pond

All year

Trout: None

Tench:150mm maximum

Total sportfish: 4

Trout: 2

Tench: 1

Salmon: n/a

All year: Artificial fly, spinner.
All year: Bait fishing for species other than trout

1 Oct-30 Apr: Bait fishing for trout permitted.

Nina River

1 Oct-30 Apr

400mm maximum

Trout: 1
Salmon: 0

Artificial fly, spinner

Okana River downstream of SH 75 at Little River

All year

Tench: 150mm maximum

Total sportsfish: 4 of which only 2 can be trout and 1 tench

Artificial fly, spinner and bait fishing

Okuku River

1 Oct-30 Apr

None

Trout: 2
Salmon: n/a

Artificial fly, spinner.
Bait fishing for trout only.

Okuti River above the Te Oka Bay Road Bridge

1 Oct-30 Apr

None

Trout: 2
Salmon: n/a

Artificial fly, spinner.
Bait fishing for trout only.

Okuti River below the Te Oka Bay Road Bridge

All year

None

Trout: 2
Salmon: n/a

All year: Artificial fly, spinner.
1 Oct-30 Apr: Bait fishing for trout only.

Otukaikino Creek (South Branch of Waimakariri) above Dickies Road Bridge

1 Oct-30 Apr

None

Trout: 2
Salmon: 0

Artificial fly, spinner.
Bait fishing for trout only.

Otukaikino Creek (South Branch of Waimakariri) below Dickies Road Bridge

All year

None

Trout: 2
Salmon: 0

All year: Artificial fly, spinner.
1 Oct-30 Apr: Bait fishing for trout only.

Pahau River

1 Oct-30 Apr

None

Trout: 2
Salmon: 0

Artificial fly, spinner.
Bait fishing for trout only.

Pearson, Lake

5 Nov -30 Apr
1 Jun - 30 Sep

None

Trout: 2
Salmon: 2

Artificial fly, spinner.

Fishing from boats not being mechanically propelled is permitted.

Porter River

3 Nov-30 Apr

Maximum
400mm

Trout: 1
Salmon: 0

Artificial fly, spinner

Poulter River (including the Poulter River East Branch)

1 Oct-30 Apr

None

Trout: 2
Salmon: 0

Artificial fly, spinner

Rakaia River above the Coleridge Tailrace confluence (in western zone)

Rakaia River below the Coleridge Tailrace confluence (in eastern zone)

All year

None

Trout: 2
Salmon: 2

All year: Artificial fly, spinner.
1 Oct-30 Apr: Bait fishing for trout only.

Rotokahatu, Lake

All year

Trout: None

Tench:150mm

Total sportfish: 4

Trout: 2

Tench: 1

Salmon: n/a

All year: Artificial fly, spinner.
All year: Bait fishing for species other than trout

1 Oct-30 Apr: Bait fishing for trout permitted.

Fishing from boats not being mechanically propelled is permitted.

Rubicon, Lake

3 Nov -30 Apr

None

Trout: 2
Salmon: n/a

Artificial fly, spinner.
Boat fishing is not permitted.

Ryton River

1 Dec-30 Apr

None

Trout: 2
Salmon: 0

Artificial fly, spinner

Saltwater Creek

1 Oct-30 Apr

None

Trout: 2
Salmon: 2

Artificial fly, spinner.
Bait fishing for trout only.

Saint Annes' Lagoon
(near Cheviot)

Closed

N/A

Sarah, Lake

3 Nov -30 Apr

None

Trout: 2
Salmon: n/a

Flyfishing only.
Boat fishing is not permitted.

Selfe, Lake

3 Nov -30 Apr
1 Jun - 30 Sep

None

Trout: 2
Salmon: n/a

Artificial fly, spinner.

Fishing from boats not being mechanically propelled is permitted.

Selwyn River above the SH77 bridge (Glentunnel)

1 Oct-30 Apr

None

Trout: 1
Salmon: n/a

Artificial fly, spinner

Selwyn River between the Upper Huts and the SH77 bridge (Glentunnel)

1 Oct-30 Apr

None

Trout: 2
Salmon: n/a

Artificial fly, spinner.
Bait fishing for trout only.

Selwyn River below the Upper Huts

All year

None

Trout: 2
Salmon: n/a

All year: Artificial fly, spinner.
1 Oct-30 Apr: Bait fishing for trout only.

Sheppard, Lake

3 Nov -30 Apr

None

Trout: 2
Salmon: n/a

Flyfishing only.
Boat fishing is not permitted.

Slovens Creek

3 Nov -30 Apr

Maximum
400mm

Trout: 1
Salmon: 0

Artificial fly, spinner

South Branch of Waimakariri (Otukaikino Creek) above Dickies Road Bridge

1 Oct-30 Apr

None

Trout: 2
Salmon: 2

Artificial fly, spinner.
Bait fishing for trout only.

South Branch of Waimakariri (Otukaikino Creek) below Dickies Road Bridge

All year

None

Trout: 2
Salmon: 2

All year: Artificial fly, spinner.
1 Oct-30 Apr: Bait fishing for trout only.

St Annes' Lagoon
(near Cheviot)

Closed

None

Styx River above the Marshlands Road Bridge

1 Oct-30 Apr

None

Trout: 2
Salmon: 2

Artificial fly, spinner.
Bait fishing for trout only.

Styx River below Marshlands Road Bridge

All year

None

Trout: 2
Salmon: 2

All year: Artificial fly, spinner.
1 Oct-30 Apr: Bait fishing for trout only.

Sumner, Lake

All year

None

Trout: 2
Salmon: 2

Artificial fly, spinner
Fishing from boats is permitted, including mechanically propelled boats (trolling).

Taylor, Lake

3 Nov -30 Apr
1 Jun - 30 Sep

None

Trout: 2
Salmon: n/a

Artificial fly, spinner.
Fishing from boats not being mechanically propelled is permitted.

Te Waihora
(Lake Ellesmere)

1 Oct-30 Apr

None

Trout: 2
Salmon: 2

Artificial fly, spinner.
Bait fishing for trout only.
Fishing from boats is permitted, including mechanically propelled boats (trolling).

Tentburn Stream

1 Oct-30 Apr

None

Trout: 2
Salmon: 2

Artificial fly, spinner.
Bait fishing for trout only.

Waiau River above the Hope River confluence (western zone)

1 Oct-30 Apr

400mm maximum

Trout: 1
Salmon: 0

Artificial fly, spinner

Waiau River below the Hope River confluence (eastern zone)

All year

400mm maximum

Trout: 2
Salmon: 2

All year: Artificial fly, spinner.
1 Oct-30 Apr: Bait fishing for trout only.

Waikari River

1 Oct-30 Apr

None

Trout: 2
Salmon: n/a

Artificial fly, spinner.
Bait fishing for trout only.

Waimakariri River above Staircase Stream confluence (western zone)

1 Oct-30 Apr

None

Trout: 2
Salmon: 0

Artificial fly, spinner

Waimakariri River below the Staircase Stream confluence (eastern zone)

All year

None

Trout: 2
Salmon: 2

All year: Artificial fly, spinner.
1 Oct-30 Apr: Bait fishing for trout only.

Waimakariri, South Branch above Dickies Road Bridge

1 Oct-30 Apr

None

Trout: 2
Salmon: 2

Artificial fly, spinner.
Bait fishing for trout only.

Waimakariri, South Branch below Dickies Road Bridge

All year

None

Trout: 2
Salmon: 2

All year: Artificial fly, spinner.
1 Oct-30 Apr: Bait fishing for trout only.

Waipara River

1 Oct-30 Apr

None

Trout: 2
Salmon: n/a

Artificial fly, spinner.
Bait fishing for trout only.

Wairewa River above the Te Oka Bay Road Bridge

1 Oct-30 Apr

None

Trout: 2
Salmon: n/a

Artificial fly, spinner.
Bait fishing for trout only.

Wairewa River below the Te Oka Bay Road Bridge

All year

None

Trout: 2
Salmon: n/a

All year: Artificial fly, spinner.
1 Oct-30 Apr: Bait fishing for trout only.

West Lake (near Halswell)

Closed

N/A

Wilberforce Diversion

1 Dec-30 Apr

None

Trout: 2
Salmon: 0

Artificial fly, spinner

Wilberforce River

1 Oct-30 Apr

None

Trout: 2
Salmon: 0

Artificial fly, spinner

Winding Creek

1 Oct-30Mar

N/A

Trout: 2

Artificial fly, spinner

North Canterbury Fishing Regulations, 2012- 2013

The following is our understanding of the regulations that apply to trout and salmon fishing in the North Canterbury region from 1 October 2011 to 30 September 2013. Where general rules do not apply, lakes and rivers are listed in alphabetical order for quick reference.