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2026 Opening Day round-upCSI Fish & Game Officers were active across our low country fisheries on Opening Day, checking ...
02/10/2026

2026 Opening Day round-up

CSI Fish & Game Officers were active across our low country fisheries on Opening Day, checking in with anglers at the Waitaki River, Bells and Borton’s Ponds, Lake Opuha, Ōpihi, Temuka, Pareora, Tengawai and Ōrāri Rivers, and Lake Hood.

In total, rangers caught up with 67 happy anglers across the region.

Lake Opuha fished particularly well, once again proving to be a regional hub for 1 October Opening Day fishing.

Bells and Borton’s Ponds also provided calm water and plenty of opportunities for junior anglers enjoying the school holidays.

A big thank you to everyone who stopped to chat with our rangers. Best of luck for the rest of the season!

Here are some snippets from yesterday’s action.

Staff have recently completed two back-to-back days of fish population surveying in the upper section of the Tekapo Cana...
29/09/2026

Staff have recently completed two back-to-back days of fish population surveying in the upper section of the Tekapo Canal using Garmin LiveScope sonar technology during the rainbow trout spawning season.

Following successful development of a suitable sonar configuration and repeatable survey method during 2024 and 2025, a three-year trial programme commenced in 2026. The aim is to complete two to four survey days within a two week window in mid to late August each year, weather permitting. Two survey days were completed this year within the monitoring window.

This year’s survey data is currently being analysed to provide an index of the 2026 trout spawning population. At the end of the three-year monitoring period, the data will be assessed to determine whether the sonar method developed provides a sufficiently reliable and a statistically robust index of the canal’s trout population.

In the long term, a survey like this could give great insights into the sustainability of the canal fishery and help us to evaluate the impacts of major regulation changes and management interventions.

Thanks to Garmin Marine for providing the sonar equipment and technical support, and to Genesis for providing access to the canal to undertake the research.

🎣 This Thursday marks the Opening Day of the 2026/27 fishing season!With it being the school holidays provides the perfe...
28/09/2026

🎣 This Thursday marks the Opening Day of the 2026/27 fishing season!

With it being the school holidays provides the perfect oppurtunity to get the kids out of the house.

Wondering where to head? Here are a few local favourites for October 1st:

📍 Lake Opuha (Fairlie) – A South Canterbury classic and family-friendly spot, perfect for school holiday fishing.
📍 Opihi River – Accessible near Fairlie and Temuka, great for small river fishing.
📍 Waitaki River (Kurow) – Holds a huge trout population, with signposted access points around Kurow.
📍Bells Pond – Located on the Waitaki River 10 minutes’ drive inland from Glenavy offer's a relaxed park-like setting and some great fishing.
📍Kakanui River – holds a few big brown trout around the river mouth for those up for a challenge.
📍 Rangitata River – Stunning scenery above the gorge, plus the chance of hooking a sea-run brown near the mouth.

⚠️ Remember to check your regulation guide before heading out — some rivers don’t open until 7 November.

Good luck out there — and we’d love to hear your Opening Day stories! 📩 Email us at [email protected]. 🐟

𝐀𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐞𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐭 Ō𝐡𝐚𝐮 𝐀 𝐂𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐥An angler has been convicted in the Timaru District Court ...
07/09/2026

𝐀𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐞𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐭 Ō𝐡𝐚𝐮 𝐀 𝐂𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐥

An angler has been convicted in the Timaru District Court after fishing without a sports fishing licence at the Ōhau A Canal on 30 December 2025.

Anthony Janson Reid King, 27, of Darfield, was ordered by the Judge to pay fines and costs totalling $1,950.

A Fish & Game Ranger encountered King and two others during a routine compliance check. Two of the anglers initially denied they were fishing, but the Ranger challenged them, explaining he had clearly seen all three actively fishing from across the canal less than five minutes earlier.

Two of the anglers then admitted they did not have licences, stating: “Oh, we do not have licences and we were not fast enough to get away.”

In explanation, King said that it was a spur-of-the-moment decision and that they did not expect to get caught.

Compliance Coordinator Hamish Stevens says the purchase of a sports fishing licence is fundamental to supporting the management of sustainable sports fisheries.

To read the full article, click on the link below:

https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/361030105/angler-fined-1950-after-admitting-he-was-not-fast-enough-get-away

Upper Tekapo Canal Opening Day. The upper section of the Tekapo Canal opened on Tuesday 1 September and It was a success...
03/09/2026

Upper Tekapo Canal Opening Day.

The upper section of the Tekapo Canal opened on Tuesday 1 September and It was a successful day for many anglers with a moderate number of fish being caught.

A few canal monsters were landed, including this 30lb rainbow pictured with Nicor Sutherland.

Staff also noted that plenty of smaller fish were being caught aswell which is a positive sign for the future of the fishery.

Rangers interviewed 45 anglers on the day with all anglers licenced and compliant.

Enjoy a few a snaps from the day.

31/08/2026

The 2026-27 freshwater fishing season opens 1 October, and licences are on sale now.

Get in early so the run-up to opening day is all about the good stuff: sorting your gear, lining up trips with mates, and choosing good spots.

New this season, we've launched the Fishing Knowledge Hub, your one-stop online home for everything freshwater fishing. From choosing gear and reading the water to techniques and preparing your catch, plus a growing library of how-to videos.

New Zealand is rated among the best freshwater fishing destinations in the world, and it's right on your doorstep. Buy your licence, explore the Hub, and we'll see you out there.

Buy your licence here: https://fishandgame.eslltd.co.nz/

New to freshwater fishing or after handy tips and info? We've got you covered. Everything you need for freshwater fishing in New Zealand, all in one place.

Check out our Fishing Knowledge Hub: https://www.fishandgame.org.nz/fishing-knowledge-hub

**Tekapo Canal Tagged Trout**With the Upper Tekapo Canal opening tomorrow, anglers may catch a trout that has previously...
31/08/2026

**Tekapo Canal Tagged Trout**

With the Upper Tekapo Canal opening tomorrow, anglers may catch a trout that has previously been tagged as part of our monitoring programme.

The tags are coloured strips set by the dorsal fin, each with a unique 4-digit number.

If you catch a tagged trout, please record the tag number, the location, date, whether the fish was kept or released and an estimate or measurement of its length and weight.

Reports can be sent to Central South Island Fish & Game via email: [email protected] or by phoning: 03 615 8400.

The trout pictured below was tagged and released by CSI Fish & Game in July 2020. At the time, it was 415 mm long and estimated to weigh 1.5–2 lb.

Approximately 22 months later, angler Scott Miller caught this trout and estimated it to weigh 20 lb.

That's around 18 lb of growth in just 22 months, which equates to about 10 lb (4.5 kg) of growth per year.

Catch and Release ‘Quick 5’ tips reminder as Upper Tekapo Canal set to Opens on 1 SeptemberNext Tuesday, 1 September, ma...
28/08/2026

Catch and Release ‘Quick 5’ tips reminder as Upper Tekapo Canal set to Opens on 1 September

Next Tuesday, 1 September, marks the opening of the Upper Tekapo Canal — the section upstream of the State Highway 8 Bridge.

We encourage all anglers to take care when catching a fish they intend to release. Careful catch and release is an important skill that helps ensure fish are returned to the water survive and thrive.

Here are our ‘Quick 5’ tips for handling fish with care:

1. Cool your hands and landing net by wetting them before touching the fish.
2. Keep the fish in the water while removing the hook.
3. Do not squeeze the fish, and never touch the gills.
4. Photograph the fish in or over the water and make it quick - the fish should not be out of the water for more than 5 seconds.
5. Revive the fish facing into the current long enough for it to regain its swimming strength.

All the best for opening day and we look forward to seeing you all out there!

𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐧𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝟏𝟎𝟎% 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞.Last weekend we hosted a Fish & Game Ranger-training weekend ...
26/08/2026

𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐧𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝟏𝟎𝟎% 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞.

Last weekend we hosted a Fish & Game Ranger-training weekend based around the Mackenzie hydro canals.

Ten Central South Island and Southland Fish & Game staff and volunteers were active across the Mackenzie Basin on Friday, Saturday and Sunday including during nighttime hours and on closed water ways.

Out of the 122 angler interviews conducted by rangers, just one offence was detected.

The single offence was an illegal rig that involved a lure intentionally separated from the hook (a “pegged egg”), therefore the angler was fishing with a bare hook, which is not an authorised lure in New Zealand.

All anglers interviewed held a valid sports fishing licence.

Massive thanks to our volunteers and our friends in Southland for your time.

---

Pictured is Hamish Stevens and compliant angler Andrew Stuart on the Ōhau A Canal.

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32 Richard Pearse Drive
Temuka

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