Otago Weekly Fishing Report - 12 March 2026

Low Flows, High Action

Central Otago is finally starting to feel like autumn, with a couple of frosts this week contrasting sharply with the summer-like conditions of the past few weeks.

Despite early-week single-digit temperatures, the weekend looks set to deliver warmer weather, with highs pushing into the 20s and mostly clear skies. The main thing to watch will be the westerly winds sweeping through the region.

With limited rainfall and cool water temperatures, many rivers are in excellent condition. Low flows are concentrating fish, making them more active and easier to target.

Picture: Anglers taking advantage of the low flows of the upper Clutha side braids. Credit: Cole Brigg.

A touch of scattered rain is possible over the upper lakes. If rivers discolour or rise slightly, it is a great time to pull out early-season tactics, using spinners, soft baits, streamers, or “squirmy” worms. As the rivers drop and clear, it often provides the perfect opportunity to target larger, previously wary fish.

River Mouths Rewards

Tim Johnson with a chunky brown trout caught near one of Lake Wakatipu’s many river mouths. Credit: Kevin Johnson.

River mouth fishing in autumn is nothing new to many anglers.

At this time of year, fish often congregate around the drop-offs near river mouths, staging before their spawning runs and taking advantage of the influx of food coming down the rivers.

Tim from Hunting & Fishing Central Otago recently reported some excellent fishing around several of Lake Wakatipu’s river mouths. While fish numbers in the lower-river he initially intended to fish appeared slightly down, there were, in fact, large numbers holding just off the river mouth or cruising the lake edge nearby.

These fish can be effectively targeted from boats and the shore. Jigging the drop-offs can be productive, while casting small spinners or soft baits into the shallows and retrieving them back toward the drop-off and deeper water can also work well. Shore-based anglers can use the same approach by casting out and retrieving through the deeper edge.

Fly anglers can also do well using streamers or dry-dropper setups. One particularly effective technique is fishing a booby fly on a sinking line and retrieving it slowly along the drop-off.

A regulation for boat anglers: Anglers fishing from a boat being propelled by a motor must stay at least 100 metres away from anglers fishing from the shore.

Hard Going on the Pomahaka

Drew Couper chucking loops on the Pomahaka River. Credit: Jayde Couper.

Fish & Game staff member Jayde Couper recently took his brother Drew to the Pomahaka in search of the legendary Clutha sea-runs.

Unfortunately, they didn’t find any, and while the resident fish were impressive, they were tough to fool. On a hot windy day with cicadas blaring away, it was hoped that the fish could be drawn out of the deep dark pools with a cicada imitation, but no luck.

The odd fish out feeding in the shallows were easily spooked, leading to a no-fish day — a reminder to lengthen your leader and take your time when fishing these pressured waterways. Despite this, the excellent company, scenery, and weather as well as a swim in the river at the end of the day, made the trip well worth it.

Remember, the upper Pomahaka above Hukarere station bridge is a Designated Water, meaning that you need an additional licence endorsement to fish this area.

Low Flows on Large Rivers

The Deans Banks section of the Clutha/Mata-Au River is a popular fishery in low flows. Credit: Mason Court.

Lower flows on large rivers often help concentrate fish, as the amount of suitable holding water decreases. This can make it easier for anglers to identify and focus on productive sections. The upper Clutha River, particularly the Deans Bank section, is a great example of this.

As temperatures cool and daylight hours shorten, mayfly hatches can occur steadily throughout the day, while caddisflies tend to emerge in the evenings. On calm days, anglers can experience fantastic surface action, with trout eagerly rising to drifting insects.

There is also the added benefit that lower flows can make the river more accessible. Areas that were previously too deep to wade may now be reachable, often providing better positioning and a decent back cast where it may not have been possible before.

A reminder that the Deans Bank section of the Clutha is fly fishing only and is marked by yellow and black marker posts. Outside of these markers, both spin fishing and bait fishing are permitted.

There are plenty of other larger rivers that anglers often rule out because they are normally too swift or too deep. With flows currently lower, it’s a good time to give some of these waters a try—you might just be surprised at what you find.

Click here for more information on the upper Clutha/Mata-Au River.

Autumn Cicadas

A Lake Hāwea brown trout caught casting a last ciciada pattern at rising ripples. Credit: Cole Briggs.

Whilst conducting routine Designated Waters ranging, staff noted that despite the air temperature being only 7°C, there was still a noticeable chorus of cicadas on the tussock-lined river.

Anglers encountered that day reported that, despite the chilly conditions, fish were still willing to rise or were already sitting high in the water column.

Ryan from Dunedin Hunting & Fishing reported that anglers were still enjoying some excellent fishing at Lake Mahinerangi and Loganburn Reservoir last weekend, with trout continuing to look up for surface food. Ryan noted that when trout were refusing cicada patterns, switching to a brown or mānuka beetle imitation often proved effective.

If you’re unable to see the fish that is rising, try to anticipate where it is moving to rather than casting to where it last rose, as this often produces better results. When in doubt, spend some time watching the fish feed and see if you can discern a pattern in its movement.

With temperatures still forecast to push into the 20s this weekend, it should make for another great opportunity to get out and make the most of the cicada fishing before the season winds down.

Early Notice: Jet Boat Races 20-22 March

Jet boat races will be taking place on several Otago waterways over the Otago Anniversary weekend (Friday 20 to Sunday 22 March).

Races are planned for the Dart, Shotover, Kawarau, and Matukituki rivers, with the Lower Clutha River listed as a back-up venue if flooding affects other locations.

Anglers planning long-weekend trips should take these events into account, as river activity may be affected during race periods.

Fish & Game thanks the New Zealand Jet Boat River Racing Association for providing early notification of these races.

Pick The Next Licence Photo

You get to choose which pic goes on your fishing licence!

It's time for you to judge the ReWild Snap & Share: The Fish & Game Licence Photo Competition.

The images from left to right are: 
November winner – "The day was calm, the fish was cruising along the edge of a deep pool. I crawled close to the shore, set the trap, and the fly did the job perfectly." Credit: Radek Baus (pictured: Lucie Baus). 

December winner – "Conditions were challenging, but after spotting an empty stonefly nymph shuck on the riverbank, I switched to a matching imitation — and it paid off with this memorable 6-pound catch." Credit: Simon Zenzen, Nelson.

January winner – "My partner and his son fished the upper Ōreti River — no trout caught, but walking back together, rods over their shoulders, felt like everything." Credit: Belle Phelon, Southland. 

February winner – "A couple of days' walk into the backcountry near Nelson Lakes, my mate and I came across a pool with four trout. We took turns, two each — one of the most special memories I've ever had." Credit: Joe Fitzgerald, Nelson/Marlborough.

Have your say on these stunning images by casting your vote here.
Voting closes on Friday 20 March.

Club Updates

If your Otago club has an update or photo for inclusion in the Weekly Fishing Report, please email bquirey@fishandgame.org.nz by the Monday prior to publication on Thursday.

Women on the Fly Dunedin workshop

Women on the Fly NZ is hosting their first workshop in Dunedin, supported by the Otago Anglers' Association.

On March 29, they’ll be running an Introduction to Fly Fishing day designed for beginners and for women who’d like to build more confidence on the water.

It’s a welcoming, supportive day — and a lovely chance to connect with other local women who are curious about fly fishing.

• 29th March
• 10am (morning tea included)
• 3 Young Street, St Kilda, Dunedin
• $30
• Limited to 24 participants

Register here

Your place is confirmed once the registration form is completed and payment is received.

Don’t Forget Your Licence

Get your licence online or visit a local agent.

Click the link for a list of the agents in Otago where you can buy a licence

Event calendar

Click here for upcoming fishing events throughout New Zealand.

Lake Hāwea Webcam

A screengrab of the Clyde Dam webcam taken at the time of writing.

A real-time webcam at Lake Hāwea is provided by Snowgrass Solutions and Contact Energy and can be accessed through their website or directly via this link.

Please note conditions at the southern end of the lake (near the dam) may not always reflect those north of The Neck. Weather can change quickly, so be prepared

Lake Wānaka Live Webcam

A screengrab of the Lake Wānaka webcam taken at the time of writing.

Want to know conditions at Lake Wānaka? Check this live webcam from the Wānaka Watersports Facility.

Bookmark the ORC Environmental Data Portal for real-time flows, temperature, and lake levels.

Here’s the weekend outlook

Dunedin

The Taieri River is at good fishing levels and the water temperature is at an optimum to encourage fish activity. Conditions will be breezy due to westerlies. Tomorrow looks partly cloudy with the chance of a shower until afternoon. Saturday mainly fine, chance of a shower before dawn. Westerlies, becoming strong in the morning. Sunday mainly fine, chance of a shower until evening. Southwesterlies, easing in the evening.

The Taieri River at Outram was at 9.2 cumecs this morning. The water temperature was 13.8 ^oC.

Click here for live MetService weather updates.

Wānaka

The weekend outlook for fishing looks great. Tomorrow rain before dawn, then fine. Strong northerlies, turning lighter westerly in the morning. Saturday partly cloudy and Sunday fine. Westerlies in the afternoons on Saturday and Sunday.

Click here for live MetService weather updates.

Alexandra

The weather looks fine this weekend. Take care boating due to strong wind on the high-country tussock lakes. Strong westerlies develop on Saturday morning and should ease on Sunday afternoon.

Click here for live MetService weather updates.

Clutha Regional Forecast

The Clutha and Pomahaka rivers look great for fishing. Tomorrow expect a few showers. Westerlies, easing for a time in the morning. Saturday fine, apart from isolated showers at night. Westerlies, becoming strong in the morning. Sunday a few showers clearing to fine in the afternoon. Westerlies, easing in the evening.  

The Pomahaka River at Burkes Ford was at 5.5 cumecs.

The lower Clutha River at Balclutha was at 346 cumecs, a good level for fishing.

Click here for live weather updates.

For more ORC water monitoring and alerts information click here.

Grab your licence online and let the angling adventures begin.

Got Any Otago Fishing News?

Send your fishing news and photos (with anglers’ names) to otago@fishandgame.org.nz for consideration in the weekly report.