Fishing Access

ASHBURTON RIVER

One of our smaller salmon rivers, the Ashburton River is popular with local anglers and visitors alike. The Hakatere Huts on the North bank provide access to the mouth. The area attracts salmon and trout anglers, particularly trout anglers early in the season looking for sea run browns.

A number of ford crossings provide access to the main river and its two main branches; the North Ashburton and South Ashburton rivers. Good fishing water is available on the former upstream from SH72 and for the South Ashburton upstream from the junction of Taylors Stream at Valetta.

RANGITATA RIVER

The Rangitata River is famous for its salmon fishery. It originates high in the Southern Alps and is prone to floods and freshes from high rainfall and snowmelt, particularly from warm nor’west wind conditions that occur frequently throughout the main salmon season from November to March. However the duration of unfishable periods is usually short and good fishing can be experienced as discoloured waters begin to clear. Best fishing at the mouth is generally December and January. Upriver salmon fishing is better from January to March.

The Rangitata is also noted for its sea run brown trout early in the season.

Rangitata Mouth 
There are fishing hut settlements on both the north and south side of the river mouth. To reach the north side huts travel via the Hinds-Rangitata Mouth Road which turns off from SH1, 2km south of Hinds township. Travelling from the south, turn off immediately north of Rangitata Bridge along the Ealing-Coldstream Road. For the south side huts; travelling from the north on SH1 turn off at Rangitata Store along Edgar Road and follow the sign post directions. From the south turn off at Temuka township and again follow the sign posts.

North Bank – North Bank Huts to SH1 
Between the North Side Huts and SH1 there are two main points of access from the Ealing – Coldstream Road at the irrigation outfall (8.5km) and Old Main South Road (16km). It is 2.5 from here to SH1.

South Bank – Mouth to Mesopotamia 
On the south side, access to the river is available at Badham Road (known as Wades Crossing, 12km from mouth), Dip Road (15km), Brodie Road (18km), and Old South Road (19.5km). It is a further 2.5km from here along the Rangitata Island Road to SH1.

Proceeding upstream via Arundel-Rangitata Road, the river can be accessed at Lewis Road (6km from SH1) before joining SH72 at the Arundel Bridge (10km). Best parking at Arundel Bridge is on the South Side.

From Arundel Bridge, travel via Ferry Road to Peel Forest and then along the Rangitata Gorge Road. Access to the river is at Ferry Road, Peel Forest camping ground, Lynn Stream, Mt Peel Station and Raules Gully (19km from Arundel Bridge).

At this point the road swings away from the river but rejoins at Whiterock Station. At Rata Peaks 10km upstream from here, Fishermans Lane leads to the river. Access is also available at Forest Creek, a further 8km towards Mesopotamia.

North Bank – Arundel to Klondyke
There is only one access point in this section. From Arundel Bridge continue along SH72 for 6km and turn off at the Five Crossroads corner along the Ealing Montalto Road. A further 14.5km brings you to the Klondyke Terrace Road. This is a public road only as far as the Rangitata Diversion Race (RDR) bridge (2km). Beyond there for the next 4km to the river the road is owned and maintained by RDR Management Ltd who allow vehicle access at your own risk.

The road ends at the RDR intake; beyond there the landowners of Klondyke and Tenehaun Stations permit foot access only to allow anglers to fish the gorge area. All they ask is that anglers recognise they are on private land and they observe the following public courtesies. No guns or dogs and observe all signage which has been erected for your protection and safety.

RAKAIA RIVER

The Rakaia is a large braided river which supports the best salmon run in the North Canterbury region. Access to the river mouth is easy but the walk can vary as the position of the mouth does move significantly. Access by road is possible through settlements on both sides of the mouth.

Many anglers use fat-wheeled farm bikes to travel over the soft shingle between the road end and mouth. Boats can be launched at the North Rakaia Huts boat ramp and at times from the riverbed out from the South Rakaia Huts (4WD only). The South Rakaia Huts are reached by turning left at Rakaia and travelling down Acton Road for 23 kilometres. The North Rakaia Huts are reached by following the signs while travelling south out of Southbridge.

The Mouth to SH1 
Access to this part of the river is best on the south side. All access roads run off Acton Rd (the road from Rakaia to the South Rakaia Huts). Some of the most popular are Dobbins Ford (16.2km from SH1), Griggs Road (an unformed shingle road directly opposite Griggs Road, about 11km from SH1), Maginisses (track marked by a sign “Maginisses” on the gate, about 8.8km from SH1), Golf Course (track runs along the eastern boundary of the golf course about 5.6km from SH1) and the Main Road Bridge (road is a continuation of the Old Main South Road, about 1km east of SH1).

Rakaia Terrace Road (north side above SH1) 
A number of good access roads lead off Rakaia Terrace Road including the Gun Club (6.2km from SH1), Darrochs Road (8.7km from SH1), Steeles Road (22.3km from SH1) and Sleemans Road (28.7km from SH1).

Above The Rakaia Gorge 
A road leads up the south side of the river from which access is good. Take the turn-off to Glenfalloch a few kilometres on the south side of the gorge bridge. This road meets the river about 10km above the gorge.

ASHBURTON DISTRICT LAKES

Nestled between the Rakaia and Rangitata Rivers of Mid Canterbury lie the Ashburton Lakes. This group of lakes is popular with anglers with a permanent fishing village situated between Lakes Camp and Clearwater. The area is reached from Mt Somers township via the Ashburton Gorge Road. At Hakatere Corner (23km from Mt Somers), the road branches; right to Maori Lakes and Lake Heron and straight ahead to Spider Lakes and Lakes Clearwater, Camp, Emma, and Roundabout.

Lake Heron 
Lake Heron, 15km from the Hakatere Corner is the largest of the lakes and is home to good populations of brown and rainbow trout. There is also the odd landlocked quinnat salmon. Rowboats and canoes may be used to fish but beware of the nor’wester which may quickly chop up the lake. Maori Lakes bypassed on the way to Lake Heron is surrounded by wetland and raupo swamp. Fishing from anchored rowboats is permitted here.

Lakes Roundabout, Emma and the Spider Lakes 
On the road to Lake Clearwater 5kms from Hakatere Corner, a signpost marks the gate and vehicle track to Lakes Roundabout and Emma. On the opposite side of the road 4kms from the Corner there is a track which leads off to Spider Lakes. A short 1km walk is necessary if the track is muddy. Fishing from a moored row boat is permitted on Lake Emma, however boats are prohibited on Lakes Roundabout and Spider.

Lake Camp 
Lake Camp, 9kms from the Corner, is the only lake where powerboating is permitted. Swimming, boating, and water skiing activities tend to dominate but during quiet periods the odd quality rainbow often rewards angler effort.

Lake Clearwater
In comparison Lake Clearwater is a place of relative peace and solitude. This scenic lake with its picturesque fishing village is 10km from the Haketere Corner. The Lake is open to both fly and spin fishing. While fishing from an anchored rowboat is permitted, most anglers prefer to walk the lake margins stalking the cruising browns with polaroids and an accurate cast. To reach the northern side away from the prevailing nor’westers drive past the village about 2km to the head of the lake and walk from there.

Many thanks to Fish & Game New Zealand for the content of this page