HomeNorth CanterburyNorth Canterbury: Where to fishWaimakariri High Country Lakes

Waimakariri High Country Lakes

See the North Canterbury regulations for the regulations that apply to each lake.

Most waters are open to fishing on the first Saturday of November each year until 30 April. Lake Pearson is open all year and Lake Blackwater  opens on the 10th Dec and closes on 30 April.

Lake Sarah

Travel approximately 2km past Lake Grasmere on SH73 and turn right into a gravel road. The lake is a five minute drive along this road.

Lake Grasmere

Lake Grasmere has both rainbow and brown trout averaging between 1 and 2 kg. Trout can be spotted along the shoreline in good conditions, but as the shoreline is generally swampy fishing can be challenging but productive. Read more about Lake Grasmere.

Lake Pearson

A number of small tracks lead off SH73 down to parking areas at the edge of the lake. Open all year.

Lake Hawdon

Continue down the shingle road beyond Lake Sarah. Just after crossing the railway line for the fourth time, a track can be seen on the right hand side. Vehicle access is no longer permitted and a fifteen minute walk is required to reach the lake.

Lake Marymere

Continue along the road past the Lake Hawdon track for 700m and another track will come into view on the right. Once again, vehicle access is no longer permitted and a fifteen minute walk is required to reach the lake.

Lake Blackwater

This lake lies on Flock Hill Station and is a one-hour walk from the road which leads to Lakes Hawdon and Marymere. Anglers must obtain permission to use the track from the station. (Note this lake has a very limited opening season - see regulations)

Lake Letetia Cross the Mt White Bridge over the Waimakariri River just past the Cass township, travel downstream on the shingle road for about an hour until reaching Mt White Station Homestead. The lake is at the end of the road just past the station cookshop.

Other fishing waters of the region