Conservation Act 1987

Freshwater Fisheries Regulations 1983

Pursuant to section 26R(3) of the Conservation Act 1987, the Minister of Conservation approves the following Anglers’ Notice, subject to the First and Second Schedules of this notice, for the following Fish and Game Regions:

Notice

This notice shall come into force on 1 October 2017.

1. Application of this Notice

1.1 This Anglers’ notice sets out the conditions under which a current licence holder may fish for sports fish in the area to which the notice relates, being conditions relating to:

(a) the size and bag limits for any species of sports fish;

(b) any open or closed season in any specified waters in the area, and the sports fish in respect of which they are open or closed;

(c) any requirements, restrictions, or prohibitions on fishing tackle, methods, or the use of any gear, equipment, or device;

(d) the hours of fishing; and

(e) the handling, treatment, or disposal of any sports fish.

1.2 This Anglers’ notice applies to sports fish which include species of trout, salmon and also perch and tench (and rudd in Auckland/Waikato Region only).

1.3 Perch and tench (and rudd in Auckland/Waikato Region only) are also classed as coarse fish in this notice.

1.4 Within coarse fishing waters (as defined in this notice) special provisions enable the use of coarse fishing methods that would otherwise be prohibited.

1.5 Outside of coarse fishing waters a current licence holder may fish for coarse fish wherever sports fishing is permitted, subject to the general provisions in this notice that apply for that region.

First Schedule: Fishing conditions generally common to all Fish and Game Regions.

Second Schedule: Regional specific fishing conditions, bag limits, closed and open waters, and the like.

First Schedule

2. Interpretation

Words and expressions in this notice, which are defined in the Conservation Act 1987, the Freshwater Fisheries Regulations 1983 or the Sports Fish Licences, Fees, and Forms Notice 2017, shall be so defined.

“artificial fly” means any lure of feather, fur, wool or other material of any kind customarily used in the making of artificial flies.

“bait” means:

Natural insect.

Natural spider.

Natural worm or worms.

Natural crustacean.

Natural fish, excluding fish ova, or any portion of a fish, or shellfish (mollusc), except where stated otherwise in the Second Schedule of this notice.

Uncoloured bread dough.

Any scented lure, soft bait and other synthetic imitations with chemical attractant properties, except where stated otherwise in the Second Schedule of this notice.

“bait assembly” means either a hook rigged with a number of baits or a single bait rigged with a number of hooks.

“bait fishing” means to fish for sports fish with bait.

“boat” means any manned flotation device.

“coarse fish” means perch, tench (all New Zealand) and rudd (Auckland/Waikato Fish and Game Region only).

“coarse fishing waters” means named locations where anglers can fish for coarse fish:

(a) with a rod which has either a fixed or running line.

(b) with no restriction on the type or number of baits in use.

(c) with no restriction on the use of preparations to attract fish.

“fly fishing” means to fish for sports fish with fly rod and fly reel and fly line and artificial fly.

“fishing” and “fish” in this notice mean:

the catching, taking or harvesting of sports fish, and includes:

(a) any other activity that may reasonably be expected to result in the catching, taking or harvesting of sports fish.

(b) any attempt to catch, take or harvest sports fish.

(c) any operation in support of, or in preparation for, any activity described in this definition.

“freshwater” means

(a) all waters of rivers, streams, lakes, ponds, lagoons, wetlands, impoundments, canals, channels, watercourses, or other bodies of water whether naturally occurring or artificially made.

(b) all waters of estuaries or coastal lagoons.

(c) all other fresh or estuarine waters where freshwater fish indigenous to or introduced into New Zealand are found.

(d) all waters in the mouth of every river or stream, and the mouth of every river and stream shall be deemed to include every outlet thereof and the seashore between those outlets and the waters of the sea or lying within a distance of 500m from any place where at low tide the waters of a river or stream meet the waters of the sea.

“foul hook” means to hook a sports fish other than from within the mouth.

“landmark” means a black, yellow and white ringed post or buoy.

“length” is the measurement from the tip of the snout to the fork of the tail.

“lure” means any authorised artificial fly or spinner or bait.

“spinner” means any artificial lure other than an artificial fly.

“spin fishing” means to fish for sports fish with a spinner.

“sports fish” means those freshwater fish described in the First Schedule of the Freshwater Fisheries Regulations 1983, namely:

Brown trout.

Rainbow trout.

American brook trout or char.

Lake trout or char.

Atlantic salmon.

Quinnat or chinook salmon.

Sockeye salmon.

Perch.

Tench.

Rudd (Auckland/Waikato Fish and Game Region only).

Any hybrid of the above species.

3. Authorised Tackle

3.1 No licence holder shall fish for trout or salmon except by using a rod and running line and authorised lure (as defined in clause 7 of this First Schedule).

3.2 Nets and gaffs:

3.2.1 When playing a sports fish, a landing net may be used to secure or land that fish.

3.2.2 For keeping coarse fish alive, a keep net may be used in the water from which the fish was caught.

3.2.3 No licence holder shall use a gaff to secure or land a sports fish except where provided for in the Second Schedule of this notice.

3.3 No licence holder when fishing for sports fish shall:

3.3.1 Use more than 1 assembled rod and running line.

3.3.2 Use more than 3 artificial flies or spinners.

3.3.3 Use more than 1 bait assembly.

3.3.4 Be more than 15m from the rod being used.

3.3.5 Use in waters other than those where bait fishing is permitted any lure treated with any chemical preparation other than that used solely to control the buoyancy of an artificial fly, except where stated otherwise in the Second Schedule of this notice.

3.3.6 Use any preparation not attached to a lure to attract fish except when fishing for coarse fish in coarse fishing waters.

3.4 No person shall fish for sports fish by using felt-soled waders or footwear incorporating or having attached a sole of felted, matted or woven fibrous material when sports fishing.

4. Foul Hooking of Fish

4.1 No licence holder shall attempt to foul hook any sports fish.

4.2 Any licence holder who foul hooks a sports fish shall return it immediately to the water with as little injury as possible.

5. Fish Length

Every licence holder who catches a sports fish which does not exceed the specified minimum length, or exceeds the specified maximum length, shall immediately return it with as little injury as possible into the water from which it was taken.

6. Open Season

No licence holder shall fish for any sports fish except during an open season.

7. Daily Bag Limits

7.1 No licence holder shall continue to fish for a particular species of sports fish on any day in which he or she has already killed the bag limits for that species except where provided for in the Second Schedule.

7.2 It shall be permissible to make up the difference between a lesser bag limits prescribed in one place and a higher bag limits prescribed in another if the extra fish are taken in the area with the higher bag limit.

8. Authorised Lures

Authorised lures (subject to any regional restrictions specified in the Second Schedule) are:

Artificial fly.

Spinner.

Bait.

Second Schedule

Northland Fish and Game Region

Reference to Description: New Zealand Gazette, 24 May 1990, No. 83, page 1861.

1. Definitions

See First Schedule.

2. Open Season

3. Closed Waters

No restrictions.

4. Authorised Tackle

See First Schedule.

5. Fly Fishing Only Waters

No restrictions.

6. Bait Fishing Waters

6.1 Bait fishing (as defined in the First Schedule) is permitted in all lakes and reservoirs.

6.2 Bait fishing is permitted in the Waitangi River only when fishing for tench.

7. Coarse Fishing Waters

7.1 The only public coarse fishing water in the Northland Region is the Waitangi River and its tributaries.

8. Use of Boats

8.1 Anglers trolling from boats must stay at least 50m from any anglers fishing from the shore.

9. Daily Bag Limits

9.1 All rivers and streams except the Waipapa, Mangapa and Victoria Rivers:

9.1.1 No licence holder shall on any one day kill more than two trout.

9.1.2 There is no daily bag limit for tench or perch.

9.2 Waipapa, Mangapa and Victoria Rivers and any tributaries of these rivers:

9.2.1 No licence holder shall on any one day kill more than one trout.

9.3 All lakes and reservoirs:

9.3.1 No licence holder shall on any one day kill more than three trout.

9.3.2 There is no daily bag limit for tench or perch.

10. Fish Length

Auckland/Waikato Fish and Game Region

Reference to Description: New Zealand Gazette, 24 May 1990, No. 83, page 1861, as amended by New Zealand Gazette, 29 August 1991, No. 129, page 2786.

1. Definitions

See First Schedule.

2. Open Season, Permitted Methods, Trout Daily Bag Limits

*Where there is no bag limit, only two of these trout may be greater than 30cm in length (refer to clause 10 for this region).

3. Closed Waters

3.1 No licence holder shall take (or attempt to take) sports fish from all rivers, streams and their tributaries which flow into but not including Lake Arapuni, Lake Waipapa and Lake Karapiro, and that part of the Waikato River downstream of the Maraetai Dam to upstream of the Karapiro Dam.

3.2 The closed waters restrictions in clause 3.1 for this region do not apply to the waters specified in clause 2.2 for this region or to flooded backwaters of Lake Arapuni, Lake Waipapa and Lake Karapiro, and that part of the Waikato River downstream of the Maraetai Dam to upstream of the Karapiro Dam.

4. Authorised Tackle

4.1 Scented artificial lures may be used in all waters other than fly fishing only waters, when actively fished so as to imitate a bait fish.

4.2 Refer to clause 2 for this region.

5. Fly Fishing Only Waters

Refer to clause 2 for this region.

6. Bait Fishing Waters

No licence holder, when fishing in bait fishing waters, shall use as bait any fish taken from any water other than where the fishing is occurring.

7. Coarse Fishing Waters

7.1 The following waters are designated as coarse fishing waters:

• Mangatawhiri River from the bridge on State Highway 2 to its confluence with the Waikato River.
• Whangamarino River.
• All lakes and ponds, excluding the Mangatangi Reservoir, Mangatawhiri Reservoir and any lake specified in clause 2 for this region.

7.2 There are no restrictions on the numbers of rods and running lines that a licence holder fishing for perch, tench or rudd may have, provided only one of which shall be used for fishing at any one time.

7.3 A roach pole may be used to fish for perch, tench and rudd.

7.4 It is an offence to kill on any day more than five tench. There is no limit for perch or rudd.

8. Use of Boats

No licence holder shall fish for sports fish from any vessel in the upper reaches of Lake Karapiro (upstream from the white marker post, situated 200m below the Huihuitaha Stream mouth) unless the vessel is securely anchored.

9. Hours of Fishing

There are no restrictions on the hours of fishing in the Auckland/Waikato Region.

10. Fish Length

10.1 There are no length restrictions in the Waimakariri Stream and Waihou River upstream from Okoroire and their tributaries, except that no licence holder shall take more than two trout exceeding 30cm in length.

10.2 In all other waters the minimum length is 30cm.

Eastern Fish and Game Region

Reference to description: New Zealand Gazette, 24 May 1990, No. 83, page 1861 (SO 58495).

1. Definitions

“Fly line” means any floating or sinking line used to facilitate casting that is greater than 3m in length.

“Set rod” means any assembled rod that is not in physical contact with a licence holder when being used to fish for sports fish.

“Wild rainbow trout” means any rainbow trout not having a fin-clip mark or tag.

2. Open Season, Permitted Methods, Daily Bag Limits

Bag limits denoted by 8* mean no licence holder shall kill more than two brown trout in a daily bag limit of eight trout.

3. Closed Waters

No licence holder shall fish for sports fish at any time from the following waters:

3.1 All streams flowing into Lake Tarawera and that portion of the Tarawera River enclosed by landmarks at the Lake Tarawera Outlet and extending approximately 150m downstream to landmarks in the river, otherwise known as the Tarawera Outlet Spawning Sanctuary.

3.2 The Utuhina Stream upstream of the Pukehangi Road Bridge and all tributaries of this stream.

3.3 The following streams and their tributaries which flow into Lake Rotorua:

(a) The Awahou, Waiowhiro, Waiohewa, Waingaehe, Waimataa and Waikuta Streams.

(b) The Hamurana Stream upstream of the Hamurana Road Bridge.

3.4 All springs, streams and their tributaries which flow into Lake Waikareiti, and into or from Lakes Rotoma, Rotoehu, Rotomahana, Rerewhakaaitu, Rotokakahi, Okareka, Okataina and Rotoiti except the Ohau Channel and the Kaituna River.

3.5 The section of the Ruahihi Canal between the landmarks at the southern end of the canal which enclose the artificial spawning bed.

4. Authorised Tackle

4.1 No licence holder shall fish for sports fish with a set rod unless he or she is fishing from a boat.

4.2 Downriggers, paravanes and metal cored or wire lines are prohibited in Lakes Waikaremoana and Waikareiti.

5. Bait Fishing Waters

No licence holder when fishing in bait fishing waters shall use any whole fish sourced from any water other than that where the fishing is occurring.

6. Coarse Fishing Waters

There are no defined coarse fishing waters in the Eastern Region.

7. Use of Boats

7.1 No licence holder shall fish for trout from a boat in the following waters:

(a) That section of the Tarawera Outlet enclosed by landmarks.

(b) The designated winter shoreline-fishing areas on Lakes Tarawera, Rotoiti and Okataina (refer to clause 2 for this region) from 1 July to 30 September.

Note:

1) No boats are allowed to pass through the Tarawera Outlet Spawning Sanctuary at any time.

2) No boats are permitted under the Bay of Plenty Regional Navigation Safety Bylaws 2004 to anchor in the Ohau Channel.

7.2 No licence holder shall fish for trout from any unanchored boat:

(a) in waters that, at any time of the year, are reserved for fly fishing only except in Lake Whakamarino (Tuai).

(b) in waters that are within a 200m radius around the centre of the Utuhina, Waiteti, Ngongotaha and Hamurana Stream mouths in Lake Rotorua.

(c) in waters that are within the section of Rangiuru Bay defined by landmarks at Stoney Point and Kariri Point and extending 200m offshore in Lake Tarawera.

7.3 Anchored boats should be securely anchored with no more than two anchors.

7.4 No licence holder shall fish from any motorised boat or use an anchor when fishing in Lake Kaitawa or Lake Whakamarino (Tuai).

8. Hours of Fishing

No licence holder shall fish for any sports fish between 12.00am and 5.00am.

9. Minimum and Maximum Fish Length to be Taken

9.4 No licence holder shall keep or kill any wild rainbow trout larger than 620mm caught in Lake Tarawera, including that section of the Tarawera River between the Tarawera Outlet and the falls approximately 2.5km downstream from the Outlet.

Hawke’s Bay Fish and Game Region

Reference to description: New Zealand Gazette, 24 May 1990, No. 83, page 1861.

1. Definitions

See First Schedule

2. Open Season, Permitted Methods, Daily Bag Limits

3. Closed Waters

No restrictions.

4. Coarse Fishing Waters

There are no defined coarse fishing waters in the Hawke’s Bay Region.

5. Use of Boats

No motorised craft permitted on Lake Waikopiro.

Similarly, except with the prior written authority of the Director-General of Conservation and subject to compliance with any conditions that the Director-General may impose, no person shall use any boat in Lake Tutira that is propelled by any means other than sails, oars, or paddles.

6. Fish Length

Taranaki Fish and Game Region

Reference to description: New Zealand Gazette, 24 May 1990, No. 83, page 1861.

1. Definitions

See First Schedule.

2. Open Season and Permitted Methods

3. Authorised Tackle

All legal lures and bait are permitted except that:

1. Only Fly Fishing is permitted in Lake Mangamahoe including the Waiwhakaiho inlet and Mangamahoe Stream.
2. Only Spin Fishing and Fly Fishing is permitted in the:

• Kai Auahi (Kaiauai) Stream
• Kapuni Stream
• Stony (Hangatahua) River
• Retaruke River

4. Coarse Fishing Waters

There are no defined coarse fishing waters in the Taranaki Fish and Game Region.

5. Use of Boats

No licence holder shall fish for sports fish from a boat in Lake Mangamahoe, including the Waiwhakaiho inlet.

6. Daily Bag Limit

6.1 A daily bag limit of two trout applies to all waters except that:

(a) No trout may be killed and kept from the Retaruke River.

(b)In the Stony (Hangatahua) River only one brown trout may be taken as part of the total daily limit of two trout.

(c) A daily bag limit of four trout applies to Waingongoro River downstream of the Eltham Road Bridge.

6.2 For all waters a daily bag limit of one salmon applies

In addition to the daily bag limit there shall be no limit on the number of perch killed by a licence holder

7. Fish Length

There is no length limit for sports fish caught in the Taranaki Fish and Game Region.

8. Hours of Fishing

There is no restriction on the hours of fishing in the Taranaki Fish and Game Region.

Wellington Fish and Game Region

Reference to Description: New Zealand Gazette, 24 May 1990, No. 83, page 1861.

1. Definitions

See First Schedule.

2. Open Season, Permitted Methods, Daily Bag Limits, Fish Length Limits

Permitted Methods definition:

F = Fly fishing only

FS = Fly, Spin fishing only

FSB = Fly, Spin or Bait fishing

* = Bait fishing by child licence holder ONLY

Maximum size limit means all trout longer than the specified length must be released.

There is no minimum size limit in any water in the Wellington Fish and Game Region.

3. Coarse Fishing Waters

Lake Waitawa (Otaki) (catch and release).

Upper and Lower Whitby Lakes (catch and release).

Lake Wairarapa.

Ruamahanga Cut-off.

4. Wellington Backcountry Fisheries

Backcountry fishery

4.1 Definition:

(a) Rangitikei River backcountry fishery means the upper Rangitikei River and its tributaries upstream of the Ohinewaione Stream confluence.

(b) Whakaurekou River backcountry fishery means the Whakaurekou River from the confluence of the Rangitikei River, including the tributaries within the Ruahine Ranges (namely Mangatera, Maropea and Waikamaka Rivers).

The Rangitikei River and Whakaurekou River backcountry fisheries are a backcountry fishery (as defined in the Sports Fish Licences, Fees, and Forms Notice 2017) and all anglers who fish in them must first obtain a backcountry licence (obtainable free) in addition to an adult whole season licence, as defined in the Sports Fish Licences, Fees, and Forms Notice 2017, and the provisions of that notice apply to this notice.

Nelson/Marlborough Fish and Game Region

Reference to Description: New Zealand Gazette, 24 May 1990, No. 83, page 1861.

1. Definitions

See First Schedule.

2. Open Season, Permitted Methods, Daily Bag Limits

Note:

B = Brown trout
R = Rainbow trout
S = Salmon
* Child Licence Holder May Bait Fish

FS = Fly or Spin fishing only
All methods = Fly, Spin or Bait fishing permitted

2.1 Open Season for Trout

The season duration for brown and rainbow trout in all waters, including backcountry fisheries, shall be 1 October – 30 April, Artificial Fly or Spinner methods only, Bag Limit of 2 (however only one fish may exceed 500mm), except for the following listed waters (excluding their tributaries):

2.2 Open Season for Salmon:

Waterways not listed below are closed for salmon fishing.

3. Closed Waters

3.1 No licence holder shall take sports fish from Lake Rotoiti or Lake Rotoroa between 1 May and 30 September, within 100m from the centre of the meeting line with the lakes, of the following rivers and streams:

Lake Rotoiti:

(a) Travers River

(b) Coldwater Stream

(c) Black Valley Stream

(d) Buller River

Lake Rotoroa:

(a) Sabine River

(b) D’Urville River

(c) Gowan River

3.2 Waimea River Park Educational Fishery:

Closed season except by special permit or public notification.

3.3 No licence holder shall fish for sports fish in the following waters:

a) Opawa Loop downstream of the Snowden Crescent Walkway foot bridge to the Taylor River confluence unless the holder of a child or junior’s licence.

b) Taylor River from Hutchinson St Bridge to Opawa Loop confluence unless the holder of a child or junior’s licence.

4. Authorised Tackle

4.1 Refer to clause 2 for this region.

4.2 Down riggers are permitted when lake fishing.

5. Fly Fishing Only Waters

There are no “fly fishing only” waters in the Nelson/Marlborough Region.

6. Bait Fishing Waters

Refer to clause 2 for this region.

7. Coarse Fishing Waters

Fishing for coarse fish in all waters in the Nelson/Marlborough Region is prohibited.

8. Use of Boats

No licence holder shall fish for sports fish from any boat in those parts of Lake Rotoiti and Lake Rotoroa within 100m from the centre of the meeting lines with the lakes of the following rivers and streams:

Lake Rotoiti:

(a) Travers River.

(b) Coldwater Stream.

(c) Black Valley Stream.

(d) Buller River.

Lake Rotoroa:

(a) Sabine River.

(b) D’Urville River.

(c) Gowan River.

9. Daily Bag Limits

9.1 No licence holder shall on any day take, kill or be in possession of more than the bag limits specified in clauses 2.1–2.2 for this region.

10. Fish Length

There is no minimum size limit for trout or salmon taken in the Nelson/Marlborough Fish and Game Region. Where the daily bag limit permits the taking of two fish on waters open 1 Oct – 30 April, only one fish may exceed 500mm from nose tip to middle fork of tail, excluding salmon.

11. Nelson/Marlborough Backcountry Fishery

11.1 Definition:

Backcountry fishery in this region means:

The Goulter backcountry fishery, which means the Goulter River catchment upstream of the confluence with the Wairau River;

The Travers backcountry fishery, which means the Travers River catchment upstream of the marked Coldwater/Lake Head DOC walking track river crossing.

The Wairau backcountry fishery, which means the upper Wairau River and tributaries (but excluding Fish Lake) upstream from the Wash Bridge.

The Matakitaki backcountry fishery, which means the upper Matakitaki River and tributaries upstream from the Horse Terrace bridge.

11.2 All anglers who fish in the backcountry fishery (as defined by the Sports Fish Licences, Fees, and Forms Notice 2017) must obtain a backcountry licence (as defined by the Sports Fish Licences, Fees, and Forms Notice 2017) and the provisions of that notice apply to this notice.

West Coast Fish and Game Region

Reference to Description: New Zealand Gazette, 24 May 1990, No. 83, page 1861.

1. Definitions

For interpretation of terms, refer to the First Schedule of this Notice or the Freshwater Fisheries Regulations 1983.

2. Open Season

2.1 Open season for trout and perch

The season duration for trout and perch in all waters shall be 1 October–30 April (incl.) except in the following waters the season duration for trout and perch (excluding tributaries) shall be all year:

2.2 Open season for salmon:

3. Closed Waters

McDonalds Creek at Lake Mapourika is closed to fishing at all times.

4. Authorised Tackle

All legal methods as described in the First Schedule to this notice are permitted in all waters.

5. Fly Fishing Only Waters

There are no fly fishing only waters in the West Coast Region.

6. Bait Fishing

Permitted in all waters.

7. Coarse Fishing Waters

There are no special conditions relating to coarse fishing other than those provided for in the First Schedule to this notice.

8. Use of Boats

There are no special conditions relating to the use of boats for angling.

9. Daily Bag Limits

9.1 In all other waters, except in the case of perch for which there is no daily limit, no licence holder shall on any day take, kill or be in possession of more than:

(a) two brown trout.

(b) two rainbow trout.

(c) two salmon.

10. Fish Length

The minimum length for trout and salmon in the following waters shall be 250mm:

Lake Ellery.

Lake Mapourika.

Lake Moeraki.

Lake Paringa.

In all other waters there shall be no minimum length.

11. Westcoast Backcountry Fishery

11.1 Definition:

Backcountry fishery in this region means:

1. The Karamea backcountry fishery which means the Karamea catchment upstream of the confluence with the Kakapo River.

2. The Mokihinui River which means the Mokihinui catchment upstream of the confluence with Rough and Tumble Creek

11.2 All anglers who fish in the backcountry fishery (as defined by the Sports Fish Licences, Fees, and Forms Notice 2017) must obtain a backcountry licence (as defined by the Sports Fish Licences, Fees, and Forms Notice 2017) and the provisions of that notice apply to this notice.

North Canterbury Fish and Game Region

Reference to Description: New Zealand Gazette, 24 May 1990, No. 83, page 1861.

1. Definitions

For interpretation of terms, refer to the First Schedule of this notice or the Freshwater Fisheries Regulations 1983.

1.1 The North Canterbury Fish and Game Region is divided into two zones:

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

2. Open Season, Permitted Methods, Daily Bag Limits

2.1 Except as closed under clause 3 for this region or restricted elsewhere in this notice.

Anglers please note: The tables below are to be read in conjunction with the following clauses for this region.

(a) Clause 3 for waters where anglers are not allowed to fish.

(b) Clause 5 for waters recognised as coarse fishing waters.

(c) Clause 6 for further restrictions on bait fishing where “FSB” are allowed.

(d) Clause 8 for further restrictions of daily bag limits.

(e) Clause 9 for further restrictions on maximum fish lengths allowed.

Permitted Methods Definition

F = Fly fishing only

FS = Fly or Spin fishing only

FSB = Fly, Spin or Bait fishing permitted

2.2 All lakes, rivers and streams in the Eastern Zone not mentioned in clause 2 for this region:

2.3 All lakes in the Western Zone not mentioned in clause 2 for this region:

2.4 All tributaries of Western Zone lakes not mentioned in clause 2 for this region:

2.5 All other rivers and streams in the Western Zone not mentioned in clause 2 for this region:

3. Closed Waters

3.1 No one shall fish for sports fish in the following waters:

(a) Avon River between the Armagh Street Bridge at Hagley Park and the Barbadoes Street Bridge.

(b) Clearwater Lakes with the exception of Lake 3, Lake 4 and Lake 5.

(c) St Annes Lagoon near Cheviot.

(d) The tailrace of the Highbank Power Station.

(e) Within a 100 metre arc of the outfall of any licensed fish farm, with the exception of the Tentburn Outfall, where fishing for trout and salmon is permitted, but no fishing is allowed on the culvert.

3.2 No licence holder shall fish for coarse fish in the following waters:

3.3 No licence holder shall fish for salmon in the following waters:

(a) All rivers from 1 May to 30 September.

(b) Cam River and its tributaries upstream of the Smith Street Bridge.

(c) Hacketts Creek from 1 March to 30 April.

(d) The Kowhai River and its tributaries from 1 March to 30 April.

(e) The Kaiapoi River and tributaries upstream of Williams Street Bridge to the confluence with the Cust Main Drain from 1 April – 30 September.

(f) The Kaiapoi River and tributaries upstream of the confluence with the Cust Main Drain.

(g) Mandamus River.

(h) Pahau River.

(i) Waitohi River.

(j) Otukaikino/South Branch upstream of the confluence with the Waimakariri River.

(k) The Western Zone of rivers in the North Canterbury region.

3.4 No person other than a child (aged 12 or under as at 1 October 2017) or junior licence holder (under the age of 18 years as at 1 October 2017) shall fish in the Christchurch Groynes Fishing Lakes or Courtenay Lake at Kaiapoi.

4. Authorised Tackle

Scented artificial lures may be used in all waters other than fly-fishing-only waters, when actively retrieved so as to imitate a moving bait fish.

See the First Schedule of this notice for other definitions.

5. Coarse Fishing Waters

Avon River downstream of Barbadoes Street Bridge.

Forsyth Lake.

Halswell Canal downstream of Duck Pond Road.

Halswell River downstream of Seabridge Road.

Kaiapoi Lakes.

Monopolies Pond.

Okana River downstream of State Highway 75.

Rotokohatu Lake.

6. Bait Fishing Waters

6.1 A person may bait fish for trout in the Eastern Zone between 1 October and 30 April only, except at:

6.1.1 Christchurch Groynes Fishing Lakes and Courtenay Lake, where bait fishing is permitted all year for Child and Junior Anglers only.

6.1.2 Selwyn River upstream of State Highway 77 Bridge at Glentunnel, where bait fishing is prohibited all year.

6.2 Bait fishing for trout is prohibited in the Western Zone except at Lake Lyndon where Child and Junior Anglers only may bait fish.

6.3 Bait fishing for salmon is prohibited except in the:

6.3.1 Courtenay Lake all year for Child and Junior Anglers only.

6.3.2 Kaiapoi River below the confluence with the Cust Main Drain between 1 October and 31 March

6.3.3 The Christchurch Groynes Fishing Lakes all year for Child and Junior Anglers only.

6.3.4 Use of scented artificial lures for salmon fishing provided the lure is actively retrieved to imitate a moving bait fish.

7. Use of Boats

7.1 Fishing from boats which are simultaneously being propelled by a motor (trolling) is permitted in:

All rivers.

Lake Coleridge.

Lake Ellesmere (Te Waihora).

Lake Forsyth (Te Wairewa).

Lake Lyndon.

Lake Sumner.

Lake Taylor.

Loch Katrine.

7.2 Fishing from boats which are not simultaneously being propelled by a motor is permitted in:

All rivers.

All eastern zone lakes.

Lake Coleridge.

Lake Evelyn.

Lake Georgina.

Lake Grasmere.

Lake Hawdon.

Lake Henrietta.

Loch Katrine.

Lake Letitia.

Lake Lilian.

Lake Lyndon.

Lake Pearson.

Lake Selfe.

Lake Sumner.

Lake Sheppard.

Lake Sarah

Lake Taylor.

8. Daily Bag Limits

8.1 No licence holder shall take or kill more than one tench from the coarse fishing waters named in clause 5 for this region.

8.2 In addition to the daily bag limits described in clauses 2 and 8.1 for this region, on any one day a licence holder is only permitted to take, kill or be in possession of no more than four sports fish caught that day, of which no more than two may be salmon.

8.3 No person may take salmon from any river between the hours of 11.00pm and 4.00am in December and January, and between 10.00pm and 5.00am for any other month of the year.

Note: The daily bag limit for salmon in the Kaiapoi River has been reduced from two to one salmon per day.

9. Fish Length

9.1 No licence holder shall be in possession of a sports fish which exceeds a maximum length of;

(a) 400mm from the following waters: Ashley River upstream of Ashley Gorge Road Bridge, Broken River and its tributaries (including Porter River and Slovens Creek), Hurunui River upstream of Lake Sumner, South Branch of the Hurunui River, Waiau River and all of its tributaries upstream of the Hope River Confluence, Hope River and all of its tributaries including the Boyle, Doubtful, Lewis and Nina Rivers, Harper River and tributaries including the Avoca River.

(b) 450mm for Lake Sumner Chinook salmon.

(c) 150mm for Tench in coarse fishing waters.

(d) 250mm for Perch in the Kaiapoi Lakes

(e) No licence holder shall take or kill Perch exceeding 250mm in length from the Kaiapoi Lakes.

9.2 No licence holder shall be in possession of a trout or salmon less than 300mm anywhere in the region.

Central South Island Fish and Game Region

Reference to Description: New Zealand Gazette, 24 May 1990, No. 83, page 1861, as amended by New Zealand Gazette, 29 August 1991, No. 129, page 2786.

1. Definitions

See First Schedule.

2. Open Season, Closed Season, Permitted Methods, Authorised Tackle, Daily Bag Limit, Fish Length

2.1 The open season in all waters of the Region is from 1 October to 30 April except where otherwise specified in clause 2.6 or 2.7 for this region.

2.2 All legal methods as described in the First Schedule of this notice (conditions applying across all fisheries and definitions) are permitted in waters of the region except where otherwise specified in clause 2.6 or 2.7 for this region.

2.3 The daily bag limits in all waters of the Region is two trout and two salmon and no limit on coarse fish, except where otherwise specified in clause 2.7 for this region.

2.4 The minimum length for salmon killed in the region shall be 300mm except where otherwise specified in clause 2.7 for this region. There is no minimum size for trout or coarse fish taken in the region.

2.5 Any licence holder who lands a sports fish and does not want to keep it shall immediately return it with as little injury as possible into the water from which it was taken

2.6 No licence holder shall:

2.6.1 fish for sockeye salmon in any river or stream between 1 March and 30 April.

2.6.2 use any unsportsmanlike device or method.

2.6.3 continue to fish on any day after having foul hooked three sports fish, even though any such sports fish have been returned immediately in accordance with the First Schedule of this notice.

2.7 Open seasons, closed seasons, permitted methods, authorised tackle, daily bag limits, fish length for Central South Island rivers and lakes:

Ahuriri River and its tributaries upstream of and including Longslip Creek: Open season: First Saturday in December to 30 April; Methods: fly and spin; Limit: 2 trout and 2 salmon.

Ahuriri River and its tributaries downstream of Longslip Creek except Omarama Stream: Open season: First Saturday in November to 30 April; Methods: fly and spin; Limit: 4 trout and 2 salmon.

Ahuriri River Lagoons: Open season: First Saturday in December to 30 April; Methods: fly only; Limit: 2 trout.

Alexandrina, Lake and its tributaries: Open season: First Saturday in November to 30 April; Methods: fly and spin; Limit: 4 trout with maximum of one to be a brown trout, and 2 salmon. Winter season: open for lake only, 1 June to 31 July; Methods: fly and spin; Limit: 2 sports fish, 0 brown trout. Note: Downriggers, paravanes, metal-cored or wire lines and weights to assist sinking of trolled lures are prohibited in Lake Alexandrina.

Ashburton River and tributaries upstream of Taylors Stream junction and Ashburton River North Branch: Open season: 1 October to 30 April for trout and 1 October to 31 March for salmon; Methods: fly and spin; Limit: 2 trout and 2 salmon.

Ashburton River and tributaries downstream of Taylors Stream junction: Open season: 1 October to 30 April for trout and 1 October to 31 March for salmon; Methods: Fly, spin and bait; Limit: 4 trout and 2 salmon. Winter season: open downstream of State Highway 1 – 1 June to 31 August; Methods: fly and spin; Limit: 2 sports fish.

Aviemore, Lake: Open season: 1 October to 30 September; Methods: Fly, spin and bait; Limit: 4 trout and 2 salmon.

Aviemore, Lake tributaries except for Deep Stream and Otematata River: Open season: First Saturday in November to 30 April; Methods: Fly, spin and bait; Limit: 4 trout and 2 salmon.

Aviemore Spawning Race: Closed to all sports fishing.

Awakino River: Closed to all sports fishing.

Benmore, Lake: Open season: 1 October to 30 September; Methods: Fly, spin and bait; Limit: 4 trout and 2 salmon.

Benmore, Lake tributaries except for Tekapo, Ahuriri, and Otematapaio rivers: Open season: First Saturday in November to 30 April; Methods: Fly, spin and bait; Limit: 4 trout and 2 salmon.

Cameron, Loch: Open season: First Saturday in November to 30 April; Methods: Fly, spin and bait for child licence holders and fly and spin for other than child licence holders; Limit: 2 trout and 2 salmon.

Camp, Lake: Open season: First Saturday in November to 31 May; Methods: Fly and spin; Limit: 2 trout. Fishing from boats prohibited.

Centennial Park Lake (Timaru): Open season: 1 October to 30 September; Methods: Fly, spin and bait; Limit: 2 trout. Designated Coarse Fishing Water.

Clearwater, Lake and its tributaries: Open season: First Saturday in November to 30 April; Methods: Fly and spin; Limit: 2 trout.

Deep Stream and tributaries east of the bridge where it enters Lake Aviemore: Open season: First Saturday in November to 30 April; Methods: Fly and spin; Limit: 2 trout and 2 salmon.

Deep Creek, a tributary to the upper Rangitata River: Open season: 1 October to 31 March for trout and 1 October to 28 February for salmon; Methods: Fly and spin; Limit: 2 trout and 2 salmon.

Deep Stream, a tributary to the upper Rangitata River: Open season: 1 October to 31 March for trout and 1 October to 28 February for salmon; Methods: Fly and spin; Limit: 2 trout and 2 salmon.

Denny, Lake and its tributaries: Open season: First Saturday in November to 30 April; Methods: Fly and spin; Limit: 2 trout. Fishing from boats prohibited.

Donn, Lake and its tributaries: Open season: First Saturday in November to 30 April; Methods: Fly and spin; Limit: 2 trout. Fishing from boats prohibited.

Emily, Lake and its tributaries: Open season: First Saturday in November to 30 April; Methods: Fly only; Limit: 2 trout. Fishing from boats prohibited.

Emma, Lake and its tributaries: Open season: First Saturday in November to 30 April; Methods: Fly and Spin; Limit: 2 trout. Fishing from any unmoored boat is prohibited.

Grays River: Open season: First Saturday in November to 30 April; Methods: Fly and spin; Limit: 2 trout.

Hakataramea River: Open season: First Saturday in November to 30 April for trout and First Saturday in November to 31 March for salmon; Methods: Fly and spin; Limit: 2 trout and 2 salmon.

Heron, Lake and tributaries: Open season: First Saturday in November to 30 April; Methods: Fly, spin and bait; Limit: 6 sports fish and no more than 4 to be trout. The minimum length for salmon killed in Lake Heron shall be 250mm and the maximum length shall be 450mm.

High country tarns or lagoons: Open season: First Saturday in November to 30 April; Methods: Fly and spin; Limit: 2 trout.

Hinds River: Open season: 1 October to 30 April; Methods: Fly, spin and bait for child licence holders and fly and spin for other than child licence holders; Limit: 2 trout and 2 salmon.

Hood, Lake: Open season: 1 October to 30 April; Methods: Fly, spin and bait; Limit: 4 trout and 2 salmon. Winter season: open 1 June to 31 August; Methods: Fly and spin; Limit: 2 sports fish.

Irishmans Stream: Open season: First Saturday in November to 30 April; Methods: Fly and spin; Limit: 2 trout.

Island Stream: Open season: 1 October to 30 April; Methods: Fly, spin and bait; Limit: 2 trout. Designated Coarse Fishing Water.

Kakanui River and tributaries upstream of Five Forks Bridge: Open season: 1 October to 30 April; Methods: Fly and spin; Limit: 2 trout and 2 salmon.

Kakanui River and tributaries downstream of Five Forks Bridge: Open season: 1 October to 30 April; Methods: Fly, spin and bait; Limit: 4 trout and 2 salmon.

Lake Stream: Open season for trout: 1 October to 31 March; Methods: Fly, spin and bait; Limit: 2 trout. Closed to salmon fishing all year.

Larch Stream: Open Season: First Saturday in November to 31 January; Methods: Fly, spin and bait; Limit: 2 trout and 2 salmon.

MacGregor, Lake: Open season: First Saturday in November to 30 April; Methods: Fly and spin; Limit: 2 trout and 2 salmon. Fishing from any unmoored boat is prohibited.

Maerewhenua River: Open season: First Saturday in November to 30 April; Methods: Fly and spin; Limit: 2 trout and 2 salmon.

Maori Lakes and their tributaries: Open season: First Saturday in November to 30 April; Methods: Fly only; Limit: 2 trout. Fishing from any unmoored boat is prohibited.

Mary Burn: Open season: First Saturday in November to 30 April; Methods: Fly and spin; Limit: 2 trout.

Merino, Lake: Open season: First Saturday in November to 30 April; Methods: Fly and spin; Limit: 2 trout.

Middleton, Lake: Open season: 1 October to 30 September; Methods: Fly, spin and bait; Limit: 4 trout and 2 salmon. Fishing from any unmoored boat is prohibited.

Mystery, Lake: Open season: First Saturday in November to 30 April; Methods: Fly only; Limit: 2 trout.

Ohapi Stream: Open season: 1 October to 30 April for trout and 1 October to 31 March for salmon; Methods: Fly and spin; Limit: 2 trout and 2 salmon.

Ohau Canal from Lake Ruataniwha to Ohau C power station: Open season: 1 October to 30 September; Methods: Fly, spin and bait; Limit: 4 sports fish of which no more than 2 to be trout. No person shall in any one day take or be in possession of more than two salmon greater than 500mm taken from the Tekapo – Pukaki and Pukaki – Ohau A hydro canals, and the Ohau Canal from Lake Ruataniwha to Ohau C power station.

Ohau, Lake: Open season: 1 October to 30 September; Methods: Fly, spin and bait; Limit: 4 trout and 2 salmon.

Ohau, Lake tributaries: Open season: First Saturday in November to 30 April; Methods: Fly, spin and bait; Limit: 4 trout and 2 salmon.

Omarama Stream: Open season: First Saturday in November to 30 April; Methods: Fly and spin; Limit: 2 trout and 2 salmon.

Opihi River: Open season: 1 October to 30 April for trout and 1 October to 31 March for salmon; Methods: Fly, spin and bait; Limit: Upstream of Opuha River confluence, 2 trout and 2 salmon. Downstream of Opuha River confluence, 4 trout and 2 salmon. Winter season: open downstream of State Highway 1, 1 June to 31 August; Methods: fly and spin; Limit: 2 sports fish.

Opuha, Lake and its tributaries: Open season: 1 October to 30 April; Methods: Fly, spin and bait; Limit: 6 sports fish of which no more than 4 are to be trout.

Opuha River: Open season: 1 October to 30 April for trout and 1 October to 31 March for salmon. Methods: Fly, spin and bait; Limit: 4 trout and 2 salmon.

Orari River: Open season: 1 October to 30 April for trout and 1 October to 31 March for salmon; Methods: Fly, spin and bait; Limit: Upstream of Slip Panel Stream confluence, 2 trout and 2 salmon. Downstream of Slip Panel Stream confluence, 4 trout and 2 salmon.

Otematapaio River: Open season: First Saturday in November to 30 April; Methods: Fly and spin; Limit: 2 trout and 2 salmon.

Otematata River: Open season: First Saturday in November to 30 April. Methods: fly and spin. Limit: in Otematata River and tributaries upstream of Clear Stream junction and including Clear Stream, 2 trout and 2 salmon. Limit: in Otematata River and tributaries downstream of Clear Stream, 4 trout and 2 salmon.

Pareora River: Open season: 1 October to 30 April; Methods: Fly, spin and bait; Limit: 4 trout and 2 salmon.

Poaka, Lake: Open season: First Saturday in November to 30 April; Methods: Fly only; Limit: 2 trout.

Pukaki, Lake: Open season: 1 October to 30 September; Methods: Fly, spin and bait; Limit: 4 trout and 2 salmon.

Pukaki, Lake tributaries: Open season: First Saturday in November to 30 April; Methods: Fly, spin and Bait; Limit: 4 trout and 2 salmon.

Pukaki – Ohau A Canal: Open season: 1 October to 30 September; Methods: Fly, spin and bait; Limit: 4 sports fish of which no more than 2 to be trout. No person shall in any one day take or be in possession of more than two salmon greater than 500mm taken from the Tekapo – Pukaki and Pukaki – Ohau A hydro canals, and the Ohau Canal from Lake Ruataniwha to Ohau C power station.

Rangitata Diversion Race from the intake downstream to Rakaia River Road: Open season: 1 October to 30 September; Methods: Fly, spin and bait; Limit: 4 trout and 2 salmon.

Rangitata River and tributaries upstream of Turn Again Point about 12km above the gorge: Open season: 1 October to 31 March for trout and 1 October to 28 February for salmon; Methods: fly and spin; Limit: 2 trout and 2 salmon.

Rangitata River and tributaries downstream of Turn Again Point about 12km above the gorge: Open season: 1 October to 30 April for trout and 1 October to 31 March for salmon. Methods: Fly, spin and bait; Limit: 4 trout and 2 salmon; Winter season: Open downstream of State Highway 1, 1 June to 31 August; Methods: fly and spin; Limit: 2 sports fish.

Note 1: A licence holder when fishing for sports fish in the Rangitata River or its tributaries: may use, seaward of a line drawn between the 2 poles situated near the upstream limit of the estuarine area, an artificial fly only if the total weight of everything attached to the cast does not exceed 28g, and may cast other than from the reel or retrieve other than by winding the reel only when using bait or fly fishing or when fishing with an artificial fly seaward of a line drawn between the 2 poles situated near the upstream limit of the estuarine area.

Note 2: Fishing from boats is prohibited in that part of the Region seaward of the Rangitata River mouth, except from an anchored boat between the hours of 7.00am and 9.00am on any day at a seaward distance greater than 200m from the nearest shore at low tide. The seaward boundary of the Central South Island Region around the Rangitata River mouth is a line drawn at a distance of 500m from any place where at low tide the waters of the river meet the waters of the sea.

Roundabout, Lake and its tributaries: Open season: First Saturday in November to 30 April; Methods: Fly only; Limit: 2 trout. Fishing from boats prohibited.

Ruataniwha, Lake including Wairepo Arm and Kellands Ponds: Open season: 1 October to 30 September; Methods: Fly, spin and bait; Limit: 2 trout and 2 salmon. Fishing from boats prohibited on Wairepo Arm and Kellands Ponds.

Ruataniwha, Lake tributaries including Wairepo Arm and Kellands Ponds tributaries; Open season: First Saturday in November to 30 April; Methods: Fly and spin; Limit: 2 trout and 2 salmon.

Saltwater Creek: Open season: 1 October to 30 September; Methods: Fly, spin and bait; Limit: 2 trout. Designated Coarse Fishing Water.

Spider, Lake and its tributaries: Open season: First Saturday in November to 30 April; Methods: Fly and spin; Limit: 2 trout. Fishing from boats prohibited.

Tekapo, Lake: Open season: 1 October to 30 September; Methods: Fly, spin and bait; Limit: 6 sports fish, no more than 4 to be trout and no more than 4 to be salmon.

Tekapo, Lake tributaries: Open season: First Saturday in November to 30 April; Methods: Fly, spin and Bait; Limit: 4 trout and 2 salmon.

Tekapo – Pukaki Canal: Open season: 1 October to 30 September; Methods: Fly, spin and bait; Limit: 4 sports fish of which no more than 2 to be trout. No person shall in any one day take or be in possession of more than two salmon greater than 500mm taken from the Tekapo – Pukaki and Pukaki – Ohau A hydro canals, and the Ohau Canal from Lake Ruataniwha to Ohau C power station.

Tekapo River: Open season: First Saturday in November to 30 April upstream of lower powerlines across the river about 1km upstream from Lake Benmore and 1 October to 30 September downstream of lower powerlines across the river about 1km upstream from Lake Benmore; Methods: Fly, spin, bait; Limit: 4 trout and 2 salmon.

Temuka River: Open season: 1 October to 30 April for trout and 1 October to 31 March for salmon; Methods: Fly, spin and bait; Limit: 4 trout and 2 salmon.

Tengawai River: Open season: 1 October to 30 April for trout and 1 October to 31 March for salmon; Methods: Fly and spin; Limit: 2 trout and 2 salmon.

Tinwald Domain Pond: Open season: 1 October to 30 September for child licence holders only; Methods: Fly, spin and bait; Limit: 2 trout.

Twizel River and tributaries: Open season: First Saturday in November to 30 April; Methods: Fly and spin; Limit: 2 trout and 2 salmon.

Waihao River upstream of Waihao Forks bridges: Open season: 1 October to 30 April; Methods: Fly and spin; Limit: 2 trout.

Waihao River downstream of Waihao Forks bridges: Open season: 1 October to 30 April; Methods: Fly, spin and bait; Limit: 4 trout and 2 salmon.

Waihi River and its tributaries: Open season: 1 October to 30 April; Methods: Fly, spin and bait; Limit: 4 trout and 2 salmon.

Waiareka Stream: Open season: 1 October to 30 April; Methods: Fly, spin and bait; Limit: 2 trout. Designated Coarse Fishing Water.

Waitaki, Lake: Open season: 1 October to 30 September; Methods: Fly, spin and bait; Limit: 4 trout and 2 salmon.

Waitaki Lake tributaries: Open season: First Saturday in November to 30 April; Methods: Fly, spin and bait; Limit: 4 trout and 2 salmon.

Waitaki River and its tributaries except for Hakataramea and Maerewhenua rivers: Open season: 1 October to 30 April for trout and 1 October to 31 March for salmon; Methods: Fly, spin and bait; Limit: 4 trout and 2 salmon. Winter season: open downstream of State Highway 1, 1 June to 31 August; Methods: fly and spin; Limit: 2 sports fish.

Otago Fish and Game Region

Reference to Description: New Zealand Gazette, 24 May 1990, No. 83, page 1861.

1. Definitions

See First Schedule.

2. Open Season, Permitted Methods, Daily Bag Limits (subject to clauses 3, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 for this region)

Permitted Methods definition

F = Fly fishing only

FS = Fly or Spin fishing only

FSB = Fly, Spin or Bait fishing permitted

2.3 Fishing Regulations for the Otago Rivers and Lakes: