Reel Life January 2025 - Otago

Otago
17/01/2025

Summer fishing hotter than the weather

With a mostly southerly flow over the South Island over the holiday period, many holidaymakers were met with cool, cloudy conditions over much of the start of January.

Although it hasn’t been great for those trying to get a tan, the conditions have been perfect for anglers.

Pictured above: Jude Nolan (10) caught this salmon boat trolling a pink lure in Lake Wānaka with his grandfather Stephen Richmond and father John Nolan over the summer holiday period. Photo: Bruce Quirey

Those fishing the lakes have had fish feeding in shallower water than usual for this time of year.
Usually, the high water temperatures cause trout to seek cooler, more oxygenated water, especially as the day wears on. Lake fish will head deeper, and fish in rivers will be searching out the agitated water from riffles and the calm pockets in rapids.
As January has progressed, the fish have slowly been moving to these areas.

Using the right imitation can be the key to consistent success.

Time and tide wait for none

In the lower coastal reaches of our rivers, adult smelt are at the peak of their annual spawning run. These fish inhabit the tidal sections and lower stretches of all our coastal rivers, sometimes reaching very high numbers.

Silver Tobies and golden soft baits are ideal for imitating these fish.

The best fishing times are during the incoming tide and in the first two hours following high tide. While sea-run trout are a common catch, the bycatch in our rivers can include perch, kahawai, and even flounder and stargazers. Although no licence is required for catching kahawai or other saltwater species, a licence is necessary if anglers are using gear or techniques that may reasonably be expected to catch a sports fish.

This requirement applies to all freshwater waterways and within 500 metres of any location where, at low tide, the waters of a river or stream meet the waters of the sea.

Otago weekly fishing reports

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

If you haven’t already subscribed, you can get the latest Otago freshwater fishing info emailed directly to you each week. We’ll send latest fishing conditions, weather and river flow info, and tips for your next fishing trip. Click here to subscribe. You can also read the fishing reports here.

Here’s what you may have missed …

Otago Fish & Game officers Mason Court (left) and Ben Sowry patrol on Lake Wānaka over the summer holiday period. Photo: Bruce Quirey

Praise for well-behaved anglers

Anglers across Otago are congratulated for their exceptional compliance with fishing regulations during the summer season.

Despite a notable decrease in angler numbers on the lakes and rivers, compliance has been at a stand-out level, with only two offences recorded in the region.

Fish & Game officers have been actively patrolling popular fishing spots across the region, with more than 200 anglers checked.

The two offences recorded were one instance of fishing without a licence and another involving an angler trolling with two rods — an offence that remains the second most common after fishing without a licence.

Read the story here.

Hadlee Taylor caught this nice brown trout trolling in Lake Wānaka with his grandparents Debbie and Darryl Thompson. Photo: Bruce Quirey

Wanna fish in Wānaka?

Boat anglers on Lake Wānaka have been enjoying exceptional fishing recently, thanks to colder-than-usual water temperatures keeping trout active in shallower waters. With the thermocline—a temperature-defined layer in the lake—sitting at 10 to 15 metres, anglers have a prime opportunity to target feeding fish effectively. Here’s how to make the most of your time on the water:

Thermocline Insights: The thermocline, where cooler water meets warmer surface layers, is the prime zone for trout activity. Target this depth (10-15m) to improve your chances.

Lead Line Tips: Deploy all 10 colours of your lead line and troll at a very slow speed for best results.

Downrigger Settings: Set downriggers to 10-15 metres to keep lures in the most productive zone.

Using Paravanes: Ensure paravanes are set to their deepest diving setting to reach the thermocline.

Ideal Depths: Troll in water 12-16m deep where the thermocline meets the lake bottom layer for optimal success.

Best Fishing Times: While fish can be caught throughout the day, the first and last three hours of daylight are particularly productive.

Lure Selection: Copper-coloured Tobies, traffic light Tasmanian Devils, and brown trout Rapalas have been highly effective.

Adapt to Conditions: With shallow-feeding trout, flexibility in techniques and lure presentation is key.

Make the most of these prime fishing conditions!

Mason Court with a cracker-sized perch, which was kept for the table, caught on an olive-pearl soft bait in the lower Clutha River/Mata-Au in December. Photo: Ian Hadland

Dinner is served

Almost a quarter of freshwater sports fish caught in the lower Clutha River/Mata-Au have been kept for the table, a year-long survey shows.

An activity survey of the Clutha River below Roxburgh Dam found that about 14,500 brown trout, rainbow trout, perch and salmon were caught in the 2023-24 season.

The Lower Clutha/Mata-Au Angler Survey report can be accessed by selecting this link.

Otago Fish & Game officer Jayde Couper says the lower river has always been a rich source of wild-caught food for local communities. “This survey highlights the importance of maintaining and protecting the environments where these activities take place.”

Murray Smart fishes at Mathias Dam in the Maniototo last weekend. Inset: a 1.7kg brown trout caught on a damselfly nymph pattern. Photos: Bruce Quirey

Hidden gems to beat bad weather

The Waters of the Maniototo have a lot to offer.

Several days this season, with poor weather affecting rivers, the Maniototo reservoirs have been some of the best fishing options. However, rangers and anglers say they have seldom seen other anglers in the area this summer.

These put-and-take fisheries have provided enough well-conditioned fish to keep regular anglers interested, catching not only hatchery rainbows but wild browns.

For more info on the Waters of the Maniototo, click here.

Richard Fitzpatrick with a great Clutha salmon from the 1995/96 season, caught in the Roxburgh area, weighing around 24lb. Unfortunately, due to the strong decline in the run, more recent salmon and photos of them, especially of that size, are tough to come by.

Head-hunting for science

Otago Fish & Game and the Clutha/Mata-Au Sportsfish and Habitat Trust are looking for salmon heads from the Clutha River below the Roxburgh Dam. 

If you catch a salmon or find a spawned-out carcass below the dam, cut off the head and freeze in a plastic bag with a label showing the date and location found. 

For pick-up, please call the office 03 477 9076 or email otago@fishandgame.org.nz to arrange for it to be collected. 

Information gained from analysing the fish heads will help understand how best to try and restore the sea-run salmon runs in the lower Clutha.

Restoring the salmon runs and improving sports fish habitat in the lower river and tributaries are the objectives of the Trust. The work is being funded by Contact Energy as part of mitigation measures under its consent conditions for the Roxburgh Dam.

Enjoying a lovely day on Lake Mahinerangi are (from left) Chontel Kimiia, Mardy Kimiia, Paul Kimiia, Roydon Kimiia, Madison and Shane Pringle. They caught a brown trout on a pink and black Tasmanian Devil. Photo: Bruce Quirey

Loving lake life

Anglers using all legal fishing methods – fly, lure and bait – have been enjoying success at Lake Mahinerangi this summer.

Trout have been taking brown beetle fly imitations near the windward shore. Trout have been rising to crane flies in shallow bays the evenings.

Boat trollers have been having luck on tried and tested Tassie Devils and Tobys. Paddletail soft baits have been fooling the perch.

But probably the deadliest method here is a hook baited with a tussock worm.

The lake is long and exposed to windy weather so is best on a fine day. The boat ramp is at Edgar Stark bridge currently still reaches the water’s edge, as the level fluctuates for energy generation. You can check the lake level on the Manawa Energy Waipori Power Scheme website here. The lake’s full level is at 388.4 metres above sea level. At the time of writing it was at 385.397 metres.

It is mostly surrounded by locked forestry owned by City Forests and by farmland. However, shoreline access can be found near the village; around the Edgar Stark bridge; the bridge on the Lammerlaw Arm; or Loch Luella at the Waipori Falls Rd bridge. To request access through the forestry, contact City Forests.

Bullock Creek World Wetlands Day

A fun day for all the family to explore the unique Wānaka urban wetland on World Wetlands Day hosted by Otago Fish & Game and Friends of Bullock Creek.  
11am – 2pm, Sunday, February 2, 2025

Bullock Creek Hatchery Springs, Stone Street, Wānaka

Bring your picnic and rug and enjoy a free barbecue.

There will be lots to see and do.

Read the story here.

January photo competition - Share your summer fishing pics!

If the weather is playing ball in your area, it’s the perfect time to hit the water and make some fishing memories! Whether it’s your favourite spot, a stunning catch, or just a day out enjoying nature, we’d love to hear your stories. Share your photos and enter them into the Monthly Fishing Licence photo competition.

The monthly winner will receive a $250 Kilwell Sports voucher and the major prize winner will receive: