Salmon

Rangitata River Salmon Fishing Allan Burgess talks about salmon fishing at the Rangitata River mouth.

Sea-run salmon in New Zealand’s South Island are in serious decline. Learn why salmon numbers are at critical levels, what’s causing it, and what it means for anglers.

The Canterbury lure rod is a 10-foot heavy fly rod setup created for fishing salmon and sea-run trout in Canterbury’s fast, braided rivers. Its use involves casting feathered lures upstream with heavy monofilament line and lead weights to keep the lure near the riverbed, maximizing time in the strike zone. While highly effective especially early in the season or in tough river conditions, the method has a reputation for increased foul-hooking and requires more space than spinning, leading to some conflicts among anglers. Despite this, many locals favour the method for its effectiveness, especially when rivers are high or discoloured. The preferred lures imitate smelt, which are a key food for sea-run trout and salmon in these waters.

Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) were introduced to New Zealand in the 1800s with the hope of establishing sea-run populations. Landlocked populations thrived in lakes and rivers like Te Anau and the Waiau, but over time numbers declined, and wild Atlantic salmon no longer exist in NZ.

Discover New Zealand’s rare landlocked Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) in the Waitaki River catchment. Learn about their history, spawning habits, and where to see these unique freshwater salmon in lakes Benmore, Ohau, Aviemore, and Waitaki.

Discover the 27 best salmon fishing rivers in New Zealand, from Canterbury’s mighty Rakaia to Otago Harbour and the rugged West Coast. Learn where to fish, when salmon run, and the methods that work best. Updated with seasonal reports, local knowledge, and maps, this is your guide to NZ’s premier salmon waters.

NZSAA response to NCFG’s Salmon Crisis post on Facebook Click this link to read new.

Sea-Run Salmon Prospects Good or Bad Allan Burgess The recreational sea-run Quinnat salmon fishery in.

Salmon Enhancement Proposal – A New Way to Bring Anglers Back to the Waimakariri River.

Hi Anglers,   North Canterbury Fish & Game would like to address some of the.