Lake Coleridge lies between the Torlesse and Mt Hutt ranges near Rakaia, at the foot of the Southern Alps.

From Christchurch, take SH73 to Darfield, turn onto SH77 and drive towards the Rakaia Gorge Bridge. At Windwhistle, turn onto Coleridge Road, then into Homestead Road at Acheron Cutting.

Access map

• The Lake Coleridge Brass Monkey Fishing Competition is held in August each year.
• Ryton Bay, Lake Coleridge is the location for a fishing competition which is held on high country opening day each year (the first, Saturday in November). The competition is organised by North Canterbury Fish & Game and sponsored by Hamills Christchurch

The most common catch is the rare chinook salmon. Trout are hard to spot so blind fishing is necessary, usually along the eastern shoreline. In calm, bright conditions you might spot trout in some of the smaller lakes just to the east of Lake Coleridge.

The lower reaches of the tributaries all hold trout but they’re shingly and unstable, so stick to the lake.

The season runs from November to the end of April.

The best access points are:

• at the Intake which is off Mt Algidus Road
• Ryton Bay on the eastern shore. Turn left off Harper Road before Ryton River bridge.
• Harper Bay After crossing the Harper River, continue up Harper Road, through the Harper village and turn left after crossing the Harper River.

Deep troll a spinner or fly from a boat.

Spin from the shore on a blustery day at the downwind end and into the wind.

Bait fishing is not permitted.

Dry flies: Blowflies, Coch-y-Bondhu, Manuka Beetle, Black Gnat

Wet flies: Twilight Beauty, March Brown and emerger patterns

Spinners: Rapalas, Tasmanian Devils, Ticers

From the first Saturday in November to 30 September.

Note: Within 100 metres of any inflowing tributary is closed during the winter period (1 May - 30 September).