Fishing the Rakaia River on the South Island of New Zealand

The Rakaia River in the North Canterbury region on the South Island of New Zealand is a large braided river supporting the best Pacific-bred Chinook Salmon run. Mention the Rakaia to any New Zealand angler and Salmon is the first thing that comes to their mind. Salmon fishing on the Rakaia stretches from the spectacular scenery of the Southern Alps to the river mouth with the Pacific Ocean.

Anglers live for the moment when the giant silver salmon strikes their lure and heads for the safety of deeper waters taking all your experience to land your catch. Considered by many anglers as the king of fish, this great quest offers an alluring and invigorating feast of angling enjoyment during the salmon run. The salmon fishing in the upper reaches is best between January and March.

Mid January to mid March are the best months for salmon at the mouth. Surf salmon fishing is variable; the best time to try is when the sea is calm and clear.
Not to be overshadowed the Rakaia River is an important trout fishery home to sea-run brown and resident populations of rainbow trout in the head waters.
Trout fishing is best in the many tributaries however large fish can be stalked in small clear waters or in the lower reaches by chasing the good population of sea-run trout.
The glacier snow fed Rakaia is a large braided river with an unstable shingle bed causing discolouring to the river (especially during the spring melt).

Trout fishing is good, especially in the pools and more stable reaches. November to February are the months for sea run trout fishing, especially after a fresh. The best time is the last hour of daylight, especially after a warm day. The trout feed on smelt in shallow fast-flowing riffles, so toward low tide when the flow is greater is ideal.

Fishing the Rakaia River above the Coleridge Tailrace confluence

Fishing the Rakaia River below the Coleridge Tailrace confluence

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