Reel Life October 2024 - Otago

Otago
22/10/2024

Above: Jakub Kanok with an early season rainbow trout from the Manuherikia River. Photo: Santillan de Pinto.

Wet start to the season

Otago anglers faced an unexpected challenge at the start of the season, as they were greeted by significant floods. Dunedin and the lower Clutha Region bore the brunt of the downpour, which rendered almost all waterways unfishable for the first couple of weeks. However, as the waters receded, reports began to emerge indicating that the adult trout populations remained largely unaffected. Anglers found success once again, with many reeling in impressive catches from the Taieri and Clutha rivers, primarily using dark spinners and soft baits.

A few savvy anglers seized a brief opportunity to fish the short window before the heavy rains hit, and they were rewarded with excellent results in the waterways that officially opened on October 1. Meanwhile, the still waters across the region have yielded mixed outcomes. Larger lakes such as Hawea, Wanaka, and Wakatipu have proven fruitful, particularly near the mouths of rivers and streams. Lake Dunstan has seen some brown trout beginning to move into the shallows, although anglers can expect a significant increase in numbers over the coming month.

High-country rivers to open

Many anglers will be looking forward to November 1, which is the first day that many of the rivers in central Otago open for angling. Many rivers in the upper Clutha catchment open on November 1, rather than October 1. This is to allow rainbow trout in these areas to complete their spawning cycle, which occurs later than the brown trout spawning season.

The high-country opening falls on a Friday this year, perfect for anglers wanting to take a day of leave and make it a long weekend.

Designated Waters

Don’t forget your designated waters licence this season. If you want to fish Designated Waters in 2024-25, you need a valid Designated Waters Licence in addition to your whole season fishing licence. Print out or phone-screenshot your DW licence receipt and carry it with your whole season licence.

Since October 1, spring weather has mostly thwarted efforts to fish the earlier opening Designated Waters of the Upper Pomahaka (upstream of Hukerere Station Bridge) and Nevis rivers.

Designated Waters fisheries opening on November 1:

Greenstone
Caples
Upper Lochy
Hunter
Dingle Burn
Young
Wilkin

Click for more details about Otago Designated Waters Fisheries.

One of many successful young anglers from the 2024 Take A Kid Fishing Day. Photo: Ian Hadland.

Kids fishing events another success!

The Take a Kid Fishing event at Southern Reservoir was a memorable occasion, blending experience and success. Over four days, more than 600 children participated, with some landing impressive catches and others enjoying a sausage or chocolate fish from the Lions Club.

Despite all the lines cast, plenty of fish remain in the reservoir, with an estimated 500 still swimming, including around ten that weigh over ten pounds (4.5 kg). Southern Reservoir was closed during September to facilitate these fishing events, but with the new season now open, this urban fishery is available to all current licence holders.

Please remember that this waterway is closed to bait fishing, including scented soft baits. We also ask that you pick up any litter you see and dispose of it in the bin by the gate. Dunedin City Council has granted us the privilege of using this facility, and by taking care of it, we can ensure it continues to provide an inner-city fishery for years to come.

Soft bait Clinic

Want to learn how to catch more trout, salmon and perch? Soft baits are a highly effective spin-fishing method for beginners to advanced anglers. Join Otago Fish & Game and Lance Gill from Okuma for our free mid-week evening clinics.

DUNEDIN

Taieri River, Taieri Ferry Rd, next to the red bridge, Henley.

November 6, 6.30pm-8.30pm,

QUEENSTOWN

Shotover Delta, Shotover Delta Road, Frankton.

November 13, 6.30pm-8.30pm

Contact email
otago@fishandgame.org.nz

Please double-check you have entered all details correctly (especially your email address) as once you press 'done' you cannot change or add to your registration.

If you need to cancel a registration, please email otago@fishandgame.org.nz.

By participating at this event, you agree any photos taken there may be used for Fish & Game promotional purposes.

Select here to sign up.

Yearling rainbow trout being released into Mathias Dam in the Maniototo Photo: Steve Dixon

Liberations Underway

Otago’s put-and-take trout fisheries are designed to offer accessible fishing experiences for anglers of all skill levels, making them especially popular with families and beginners. These fisheries are regularly stocked with rainbow trout from Macraes Trout Hatchery.

This season’s liberations are well underway with over 700 ready to catch, two-year-old rainbow trout liberated. There is over 100 remaining two-year-old fish to be released to facilitate TAKF events in Central Otago. Keep your eyes peeled for those events.

We’ve also started releasing one-year-old fish into our put-and-take fisheries, these will be ready for anglers to catch in a year’s time. To ensure our stocked fisheries thrive and Kids Fishing Days continue, we’ve set aside 5 two-year-old jacks and 15 two-year-old hens to serve as next year’s brood stock.

In exciting news, we also have between 80,000 and 100,000 eggs that are in incubators, just days away from hatching.

Otago put-and-take fisheries include: