Research project benefit

Anglers fishing the Tekapo Canal over the summer holidays had an early Christmas present with a boost in their chances due to Genesis Energy and Central South Island Fish and Game. A research project that aims to understand the contribution that trout which migrate from the headwater lakes make to the world-famous canal fishery has provided a benefit to anglers in the Tekapo Canal. During 2020, CSI Fish and Game relocated about 900 trout from the upper Tekapo riverbed to the Tekapo Canal and 550 of those trout have been tagged for research. The latest relocation of 400 trout (250 of which were tagged) occurred on the eve of the Christmas holiday period, significantly boosting the chances of a successful fishing trip at a popular time to spend time on the water. Lake Tekapo and the upper Tekapo River are managed by Genesis Energy for hydroelectricity generation and this is an important pathway for trout to migrate from the lake to the Tekapo Canal. A combination of high rainfall events and infrastructure upgrades led to extended periods of flow release from the Tekapo control structure to the upper river from December 2019 to December 2020. Genesis Energy has helped the trout relocations by pumping-out of the control gate pond on two occasions and that has enabled CSI Fish and Game to capture, tag and relocate hundreds of trout to the Tekapo Canal. CSI Fish and Game is asking anglers to help out with the research project by reporting the capture of tagged trout, even if that fish is released. CSI Fish and Game officer Rhys Adams said the tags are small, yellow-coloured, strips inserted by the dorsal fin and each tag has a unique four-digit number which must be reported.