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Fresh water
Hundreds of anglers head for the hills!
At 0001 hours on Saturday the 7th of November, the high country fishing season kicked-off throughout Canterbury.
Anglers in their hundreds flocked to the iconic Canterbury high country to take part in the annual fishery opening with many anglers out on the water just after midnight.
A combination of good weather before the southerly change hit meant anglers were able to celebrate this tradition with gusto.
At the annual Lake Coleridge fishing competition over 200 anglers entered the popular contest and many more came for the prize draw.
Fresh water
Trout season 2020 -2021 begins on October 1st
Freshwater anglers are eagerly anticipating the start of the new trout and salmon fishing season, which begins on October 1. Early reports indicate there is some excellent fishing to be had this coming season.
Licences are available now and the photo on the licence was the winner of the 2020 Fish & Game Fishing Licence Photo competition. Take your camera with you when you go fishing because the competition will begin again in January 2021 with more spectacular prizes to be had.
"Getting your licence signals that winter is over, spring is here, and Christmas is coming, which means your favourite little stream, lake or river will be open soon for fishing," Fish & Game New Zealand Chief Executive Martin Taylor says.
With more Kiwis holidaying at home this year the time is right to have a go at fishing when you are camping, tramping or just visiting your local lake, river or stream.
"Kiwis are exploring New Zealand like never before. Every river you cross is a fishing opportunity.
"New Zealand is one of the world's great fishing countries. Our lakes, rivers, and backcountry streams all offer fantastic opportunities to fish for brown and rainbow trout. In the South Island, you can also fish for salmon in many places.
"You are never far from the action."
Fresh water
Fish release for July School Holidays
Are you looking for an outdoor activity for your kids these school holidays? Why not try fishing?
North Canterbury Fish & Game has released around 200 catchable sized salmon into the Groynes children’s fishing lakes.
The salmon have been kindly donated by Mount Cook Alpine Salmon and The Isaac Conservation and Wildlife Trust.
Press Release
Fish On in the Hawke’s Bay region under Alert Level 3
With the country stepping out of Alert Level 3 on Tuesday, freshwater fishing is now a great option for recreation and to provide for the table.
"Being able to break the cabin fever and go to your local river fishing is fantastic safe family fun" says Nick Page from the Hawke’s Bay Fish and Game.
"A quick check of our regulations book will let anglers know where they can go locally for a fish" says Nick Page.
Land-based
South Island salmon harvest survey to start
South Island salmon anglers are being asked for their help in the first east coast wide salmon harvest survey.
The Nelson/Marlborough, North Canterbury, Central South Island and Otago Fish and Game Councils are asking anglers to actively participate in the annual sea-run salmon harvest survey that is about to be undertaken.
The survey comes at a critical time when sea run salmon populations are at depressed levels and the Covid-19 alert level restrictions may compromise the ability of Fish & Game to undertake annual population monitoring in the field, like helicopter-assisted spawning surveys.
The survey covers all sea-run salmon rivers of the South Island east coast, spanning the area from the Wairau River in the Nelson/Marlborough Region to the Clutha River in Otago.
Sports fishing licence holders will be contacted directly via the email or phone contact details they provided at the time of purchase.
The sea-run salmon survey identifies the number of anglers that target sea-run salmon each season and the number of salmon they harvested.
The total annual harvest is estimated by applying that information to all licenced anglers so it is important that as many anglers as possible participate in the survey.
Fresh water
Freshwater: Fishing the seasons
One of the greatest lessons I ever learnt as a budding young fisherman on the lakes and rivers was that in order to become as successful at fishing as possible, you must continually adapt and become versatile in order to consistently deceive trout in a variety of situations. To improve in these areas I have challenged myself to fish as many different types of water as possible so I force myself to learn new skills on every piece of water I encounter.
Fresh water
The two gems of Rotorua
The Rotorua region is largely perceived by the angling community as a lake fishing destination, and for good reason – the city of Rotorua is surrounded by thirteen lakes, all within half to three quarters of an hour’s drive of the main street in the CBD.
Fresh water
Anyone can flyfish: A beginner's guide
Many people, when first considering the possibility of taking up flyfishing, naturally see it as a tranquil, poetic sport that is done in beautiful surroundings. There’s one hiccup though - most newcomers perceive flyfishing to be a difficult sport that is hard to learn.
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