Reel Life December 2024 - Otago

Otago
18/12/2024

William Horlsey with a lovely rainbow trout caught on a green humpy. Photo: Lennon Bright

Things are looking up

To say it has been a mixed start to summer would be an understatement, with snow falling in December and what seems like weekly rain keeping many rivers fresher than usual when they would normally be running low. However, the rising temperatures have kicked insect life into gear, and warm conditions and prolific hatches are bringing trout to the surface, creating exceptional opportunities for anglers.

The region's rivers offer excellent conditions for sight fishing with their crystal-clear waters. Anglers have been finding success using classic dry flies like Parachute Adams, Royal Wulff, and Elk Hair Caddis, which closely imitate the local mayfly and caddis hatches. As summer intensifies, terrestrial patterns—such as blowflies and cicadas—come into their own, enticing hungry trout looking for a big meal.

Fishing during the morning and evening rise is particularly productive when trout are most active and focused on emerging insects. Don’t shy away from blind fishing likely runs, as big fish have been known to emerge from deep pools to smash large, stimulator-style patterns.

Boat trolling is an easy way to get the kids into fishing over summer. Photo: Bruce Quirey

Boat angling tips

Boat anglers in Otago are spoiled for choice with hot spots including lakes Wakatipu, Wānaka, Hāwea and Dunstan. Other good options are Poolburn Dam, Upper Manorburn Dam, Lake Onslow and Lake Mahinerangi.

The golden rule for boat fishing is the lure needs to be within 1-2m of the bottom. Select your depth and troll along the contour of the lake drop-off.

Here are 10 tips:

In busy areas, get out early before other boats or late in the day.
Start in deep water and then move to the fishing area after the trolling gear is out.
Drop-offs, river and stream deltas and edges are prime areas to fish.
Sudden changes in lake-bed shape, such as points or holes, tend to concentrate fish.
Use the sounder and landmarks to stay at the chosen depth and to plan your trolling path.
The clearer the water, the longer and lighter the trace.
The best strike zone is within 2m of the bottom.
Vary the trolling speed (between 1 and 4kmh, or walking pace) and direction.
When a fish is hooked, slow the boat and only stop when the fish is under control.
Re-fish areas where you have hooked or caught trout as they are often in groups.

Weekly reports

Otago Reel Life is mainly a compilation of highlights from the Otago Weekly Fishing Report over the past month.

To sign up for our weekly reports, please select here.

Here’s what you may have missed in our weekly reports …

Fish & Game rangers will be out conducting surveys and compliance checks over the busy holiday period. Photo: Richie Cosgrove

Don’t get caught out this summer

Boat? Check. Fishing rod and tackle? Check. Chilly bin and ice? Check. Fishing licence? Whoops!

Every season, one of the most common offences detected is fishing without a valid licence. Often, it’s a case of someone tagging along with a fully licensed friend for a day on the water. Unfortunately, this can result in the rod being seized and an infringement notice being issued.

Remember, there’s a range of licences available, from 24-hour day licences to full-season options. Before heading out, take a moment to ensure everyone in your group is covered. It’ll save you — and your gear — a lot of trouble.

Also, remember it is an offence not to carry your licence on you when fishing, so make sure to pack it with your fishing gear.

Two classy catches - Ben Sowry with a thumper of a perch caught on the lower Clutha. Photo: Bruce Quirey

Summer perch

Perch have been highly active recently, making them an excellent option for family fishing over summer. They thrive in warm water, are relatively easy to catch, and their firm white flesh makes for great eating. Perch are highly responsive to brightly coloured soft plastics, red lures, and natural baits like worms and maggots. Feathered lures, nymphs, and spinners such as Mepps, Jensen, Rapalas, and Zeds are also effective.

Key perch hotspots include Lake Waihola, the lower Taieri, Clutha rivers, and Tomahawk Lagoon. In Central Otago, you’ll find them in Butchers and Conroys dams, the Manuherikia River, and Fraser Dam. Around Queenstown, Lakes Hayes and Lake Johnson are also productive. Focus on areas near underwater structures or snags, as perch often swim in small schools. Once you find them biting, stick around for consistent action.

Handle perch with care due to their sharp spines, including one on each gill cover. While there’s no bag limit for perch, remember that a current sports fishing licence is required. Check out West Coast Fish & Game's video for more tips on targeting perch.

Brown trout like this 3lb specimen are commonly seen cruising the weed beds of the lower Clutha. Photo: Ian Hadland

Fishing the Lower Clutha area

The Lower Clutha offers plenty of fishing opportunities, with the Clutha River/Mata-Au, Pomahaka River, Waipahi River, and Lake Tuakitoto catering to anglers of all skill levels.

The Clutha is renowned for brown trout, sea-run trout, and rainbow trout. Effective lures include Banana Tobys and white/yellow Tasmanian Devils.

The mid reaches of the Pomahaka have plentiful brown trout. Spin with Veltic Tobys or try willow grub flies in summer. Rainbow trout are also in the lower sections.

The Waipahi River shines early season with brown trout. Mayfly nymphs and small spinners are top choices.

For adventure, Lake Tuakitoto’s perch fishing is unique but best attempted with calm weather and a small boat.

Trout can be focussed on a particular colour of damselfly nymph. Having both light green, brown or orange in your box gives you the option of swapping colours to find what they’re eating. Photo: Ben Sowry

Give a lake a look

Lake fishing can be fantastic in the lead up to Christmas, where fish and insect activity is peaking in the shallows before the water warms up too much.

Damselfly nymph hatches are intense around the weed beds at the top of Lake Dunstan currently. Calm days are best for spotting fish, with the brown trout often feeding in less than 30cm of water. The trout tend to either be taking orange, brown or green imitations, with the preferred colour changing from day to day. Having both fly colours in your box allows you to swap colours if the one you are using gets refused.
Trout have been seen feeding heavily under the willow trees around the lake, feeding on willow grubs. Willow grub feeding fish are notoriously difficult to hook, so anglers can either try a willow grub imitation, or move on and find an easier fish!

Salmon in Hāwea

Salmon catches have been consistent in Lake Hāwea. Late spring and early summer mark a peak period in Hawea's fishing calendar, as anglers from both near and far converge to catch salmon as they school up.

The two main hot spots are the area adjacent to the boat ramp at Hawea Campground and the Neck. Bright or shiny lures are a go-to choice for salmon fishing, and a slow retrieve helps keep the lure in the strike zone for longer.

Salmon schools can be found holding anywhere from the surface to around 10 to 15 meters below the surface. To reach these deeper schools, a downrigger is ideal. For those not looking to invest in a downrigger, paravanes are a more affordable and effective option for getting deeper.

As for the shore anglers, bright and flashy lures are especially effective at catching the attention of salmon when trolling.

There are also some very healthy rainbow trout in the lake, which are a welcome bycatch for those targeting salmon. The larger size of the rainbow trout makes them a worthy sporting opponent and adds an extra layer of excitement to the fishing experience. Like the salmon, the rainbows are top-notch eating, so be sure to bring some ice and a chilly bin to keep your catch fresh.

Clean gear certificates

Otago anglers heading to Southland to fish Fiordland’s rivers and lakes can now get Clean Gear Certificates from Patagonia Tāhuna/Queenstown, one of Otago’s Fish & Game’s licence agents.

These certificates are required for most Fiordland waterways and ensure your gear is free from invasive species before fishing. The certificate must be obtained at an approved cleaning station within 48 hours of fishing. With this new location, anglers can conveniently have their gear checked the day or night before heading to Fiordland, saving time and hassle.

To learn more about Clean Gear Certificates and other special conditions for fishing in Fiordland National Park, click here.

Want more info? Check out these links or contact our helpful Otago team. 