Fish and Game are pointing to a near-miss in Canterbury, as a warning to summer anglers.

A young man was swept to sea while fishing in the Waimakariri River mouth earlier this month.

Spokesman Andrew Currie says it shows how important preparedness and vigilance are.

"It is a timely reminder of what can go wrong and how quickly it can go wrong.

"In those tidal reaches of the waters, it's incredibly important to be aware of the tide."

Andrew Currie says practising with waders, and checking the fit of lifejackets is vital.