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North Canterbury Fishing Regulations, 2007-2008

The following is our understanding of the regulations that apply to trout and salmon fishing in the North Canterbury region from 1 October 2007 to 30 September 2008.  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 the white posts on the Rakaia River (near the Coleridge Power Station), 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
All fishing waters       Because of the risk of spreading the invasive alga didymo, anglers must clean their fishing gear, waders and boots, especially when moving between rivers. See Didymo Biosecurity Alert.
All rivers
 
 
 
Fishing from boats, including both boats that are mechanically propelled and those that are not, is permitted
Within 100m of the outfall of any licensed fish farm
Closed
Not applicable
0
None
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.

All lakes in the eastern zone except otherwise stated below
 
 
 
Fishing from boats which are not being mechanically propelled is permitted.
Western zone
All rivers in the western zone.

Trout:  1 Oct-30 Apr
Salmon: Closed for salmon fishing all year

 
Salmon: 0
Artificial fly, spinner.
All lakes in the western zone not mentioned below
3 Nov 07-30 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
None
Trout: 2
Salmon: N/A
Artificial fly, spinner
Fishing waters
Acheron River 1 Oct-30 Apr None Trout: 2
Salmon: 2
Artificial fly, spinner.
Bait fishing for trout only.
Ada River 1 Oct-30 Apr
None
Trout: 2
Salmon: 0
Artificial fly, spinner
Ashley River above Oxford-Glentui Road Bridge 1 Oct-30 Apr
Maximum
400mm
Trout: 1
Salmon: 0
Artificial fly, spinner
Ashley River below Oxford-Glentui Road 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 Not applicable
0
None
Blackwater Lake 3 Nov 07-30 Apr None Trout: 2
Salmon: n/a
Artificial fly, spinner
Boyle River 1 Oct-30 Apr
None
Trout: 2
Salmon: 0
Artificial fly, spinner

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

3 Nov 07-30 Apr
Maximum
400mm
Trout: 1
Salmon: 0
Artificial fly, spinner
Bullock Creek (Cass Hill Stream) Closed N/A 0 None
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) Closed N/A 0 None
Catherine (Monck), Lake
3 Nov 07-30 Apr
None
Trout: 2
Salmon: n/a
Flyfishing only
Christchurch Groynes Fishing Lakes

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

Closed to coarse fishing.

None

Trout: 2
Salmon: 2

Artificial fly, spinner, bait.
Bait fishing for both trout and salmon is permitted.

Clearwater Resort fishing lakes Closed to coarse fishing      
Coleridge, Lake

3 Nov 07-30 Apr
1 Jun-31 Aug

None

Total sportsfish: 4

Trout: 2
Salmon: 4

Artificial fly, spinner

Fishing from boats not being mechanically propelled is permitted.

Fishing from boats being mechanically propelled is also permitted.

Coleridge Tailrace 1 Oct - 31 Mar
None
Trout: 2
Salmon: 0
Artificial fly, spinner
Courtney Lake All year None Trout: 2
Salmon: 2
Artificial fly, spinner, bait
Bait fishing for both trout and salmon is permitted.
Cox River 1 Oct-30 Apr None Trout: 2
Salmon: 0
Artificial fly, spinner
Cust River 1 Oct-30 Apr
None
Trout: 2
Salmon: 0
Artificial fly, spinner.
Bait fishing for trout only
Double Hill Stream Closed N/A N/A N/A
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.

Esk River 1 Oct-30 Apr
None
Trout: 2
Salmon: 0
Artificial fly, spinner
Evelyn, Lake
3 Nov 07-30 Apr
None

Trout: 2
Salmon: n/a

Artificial fly, spinner
Ferrymead Park lakes Closed to coarse fishing      
Forsyth, Lake
All year
None

Trout: 2
Salmon: n/a

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

3 Nov 07-30 Apr

None

Trout: 2
Salmon: n/a

Artificial fly, spinner
Fishing from boats not being mechanically propelled is permitted.
Glenariffe Stream Closed
N/A
N/A
N/A
Goat Hill Stream 1 Oct - 31 Mar
None
Trout: 2
Salmon: 0
Artificial fly, spinner
Grasmere, Lake
3 Nov 07-30 Apr
None
Trout: 2
Salmon: n/a
Artificial fly, spinner
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.

Guyon, Lake
3 Nov 07-30 Apr
None
Trout: 2
Salmon: n/a
Artificial fly, spinner
Hackett's Creek 1 Mar-30 Apr
None
Trout: 2
Salmon: 0
Closed for salmon in March and April
Hackett's Creek 1 May-28 Feb
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 for trout only.
Halswell Canal below the Duck Pond Road Bridge All year
None
Trout: 2
Salmon: n/a
All year: Artificial fly, spinner.
1 Oct-30 Apr: Bait fishing for trout only.
Halswell River above the Seabridge Rd Bridge 1 Oct-30 Apr
None
Trout: 2
Salmon: n/a
Artificial fly, spinner.
Bait fishing for trout only.
Halswell Canal below the Seabridge Rd Bridge All year
None
Trout: 2
Salmon: n/a
All year: Artificial fly, spinner.
1 Oct-30 Apr: Bait fishing for trout only.
Harper River 1 Dec-30 Apr
None
Trout: 2
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 07-30 Apr
None

Trout: 2
Salmon: n/a

Artificial fly, spinner
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: 2???
All year: Artificial fly, spinner.
1 Oct-30 Apr: Bait fishing for trout only.
Henrietta, Lake
3 Nov 07-30 Apr
None
Trout: 2
Salmon: n/a
Artificial fly, spinner
Henry River 1 Oct-30 Apr
None
Trout: 2
Salmon: 0
Artificial fly, spinner
Highbank Power Station tailrace Closed
Not applicable
 0
None
Hope River 1 Oct-30 Apr
None
Trout: 2
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 between Lake Sumner and South Branch confluence 1 Oct -30 Apr
None
Trout: 2
Salmon: 0
Artificial fly, spinner
Hurunui River above Lake Sumner 1 Dec-30 Apr
Maximum
400mm
Trout: 1
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 Closed
N/A
N/A
N/A
Ida, Lake
3 Nov 07-30 Apr
None
Trout: 2
Salmon: n/a
Flyfishing only
Irwell River 1 Oct-30 Apr
None
Trout: 2
Salmon: n/a
Artificial fly, spinner.
Bait fishing for trout only.
Kaiapoi River above the Cust Main Drain confluence 1 Oct-31 Mar
None
Trout: 2
Salmon: 2
Artificial fly, spinner, bait.
Kaiapoi River below the Cust Main Drain confluence All year
None
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.
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 only permitted.

Katrine, Loch
3 Nov 07-30 Apr
1 Jun - 30 Sep
None
Trout: 2
Salmon: 2
Artificial fly, spinner.
Fishing from boats not being mechanically propelled is permitted.
Kowai River and its tributaries

Trout: 1 Mar-30 Apr

Salmon: Closed

None
Trout: 2
Salmon: 0
Artificial fly, spinner.

Kowai River and its tributaries

1 May-28 Feb
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 07-30 Apr
None
Trout: 2
Salmon: n/a
Artificial fly, spinner
Lewis River 1 Oct-30 Apr
None
Trout: 2
Salmon: 0
Artificial fly, spinner
Lilian, Lake
3 Nov 07-30 Apr
None

Trout: 2
Salmon: n/a

Artificial fly, spinner
Loch Katrine
3 Nov 07-30 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 07-30 Apr
1 Jun - 31 Aug

None
Trout: 2
Salmon: n/a
Artificial fly, spinner
Fishing from boats not being mechanically propelled is permitted.
LII (L2) River 1 Oct-30 Apr
None
Trout: 2
Salmon: n/a
Artificial fly, spinner.
Bait fishing for trout only.
Mandamas River 1 Oct-30 Apr
None
Trout: 2
Salmon: 2
Artificial fly, spinner.
Bait fishing for trout only.
Manuka Pt Stream Closed
N/A
N/A
N/A
Marion, Lake
Closed
0
None
Marymere, Lake
3 Nov 07-30 Apr
None
Trout: 2
Salmon: n/a
Flyfishing only
Mason, Lake
3 Nov 07-30 Apr
None
Trout: 2
Salmon: n/a
Artificial fly, spinner
Minchin, Lake
3 Nov 07-30 Apr
None
Trout: 2
Salmon: n/a
Artificial fly, spinner
Monck (Catherine) Lake
3 Nov 07-30 Apr
None
Trout: 2
Salmon: n/a
Flyfishing only
Monopolies Pond
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.

Nina River 1 Oct-30 Apr
None
Trout: 2
Salmon: 0
Artificial fly, spinner
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.
Pahau River 1 Oct-30 Apr
None
Trout: 2
Salmon: 2
Artificial fly, spinner.
Bait fishing for trout only.
Pearson, Lake
3 Nov 07-30 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 07-30 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 1 Oct - 31 Mar
None
Trout: 2
Salmon: 0
Artificial fly, spinner
Rakaia River below the Coleridge Tailrace confluence 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

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.

Rubicon, Lake
3 Nov 07-30 Apr
None
Trout: 2
Salmon: n/a
Artificial fly, spinner
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.
St Annes' Lagoon
(near Cheviot)
Closed
0
None
Sarah, Lake
3 Nov 07-30 Apr
None
Trout: 2
Salmon: n/a
Flyfishing only
Selfe, Lake
3 Nov 07-30 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: 2
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 07-30 Apr
None
Trout: 2
Salmon: n/a
Flyfishing only
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.
Slovens Creek 3 Nov 07-30 Apr
Maximum
400mm
Trout: 1
Salmon: 0
Artificial fly, spinner
Stanley River 1 Oct-30 Apr None Trout: 2
Salmon: 0
Artificial fly, spinner
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.
Taylor, Lake
3 Nov 07-30 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.

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 1 Oct-30 Apr
None
Trout: 2
Salmon: 0
Artificial fly, spinner
Waiau River below the Hope River confluence All year
None
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 1 Oct-30 Apr
None
Trout: 2
Salmon: 0
Artificial fly, spinner
Waimakariri River below the Staircase Stream confluence 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 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 Road Bridge All year
None
Trout: 2
Salmon: n/a
All year: Artificial fly, spinner.
1 Oct-30 Apr: Bait fishing for trout only.
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 Closed
N/A
N/A
N/A

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