Beginner Anglers Reel in New Skills Ahead of Fishing Season

More than 50 adults learned how to catch trout in Otago last weekend, gaining confidence and skills ahead of the new fishing season.

In Dunedin, 40 participants joined Otago Fish & Game staff and volunteers at Southern Reservoir on Saturday (October 6) after completing free adult beginner fishing classes.

Pictured: Queenstown resident Andre Hoarau hopes to catch more trout like this one, which he caught at the adult beginner fishing sesson in Central Otago at the weekend. Photo: Mason Court, Otago Fish & Game

“It was great to see such a strong turnout of people learning new skills to go fishing and enjoy the outdoors,” said Otago Fish & Game officer Steve Dixon. “Many of them had never picked up a rod, so this was about building confidence to give it a go.

“It was also fantastic to see so many women getting involved, with almost half of the participants being female.”

In Cromwell, 14 aspiring anglers started with a classroom session covering gear, regulations, and fish species before heading to a local pond.

Otago Fish & Game officer Steve Dixon (left) and adult beginner fishing class participants get set to wet a line at Southern Reservoir at the weekend. Photo: Bruce Quirey, Otago Fish & Game

Both Southern Reservoir and the Cromwell pond were stocked with rainbow trout from OceanaGold’s Macraes Flat hatchery.

With help from staff and volunteers, the anglers tried spinners and soft bait lures, landing trout and learning how to prepare them for the table.

Several participants said they were excited to try their new skills across Otago’s rivers and lakes this season.

Queenstown resident Andre Hoarau said the course was a way to reconnect with fishing after many years away from it.

“I thought the course was really good,” he said. “Fishing is something me and my dad did a long time ago when I was a kid. Dad passed away a couple of years ago, and I thought I’d like to get back into it while I’m in New Zealand.

“I saw it was a free course and an opportunity to learn the proper way, following the rules and regulations.”

Mr Hoarau said he enjoyed learning about different lures and baits, and the practical session was “super well run and well organised”.
“Talking to the other anglers, I think everyone had a super time and we landed a few fish. It was a really good initiative by Fish & Game.”

Cromwell-based Fish & Game officer Mason Court said the sessions were about giving people the tools to fish independently.

“It’s awesome to see people pick up the basics so quickly and then apply what they’ve learnt to be successful,” he said.

“Fishing is such a great way to spend time outdoors, and hopefully these sessions inspire people to keep at it.”

The 2025-2026 freshwater sports fishing season opens on October 1.

Rainbow trout was on the dinner menu for Negar Amiri (left) and Hossein Valikhani after the adult beginner fishing class at Southern Reservoir in Dunedin on Saturday, October 6. Photo: Bruce Quirey, Otago Fish & Game