Otago Weekly Fishing Report - 16 October 2025
- Otago
- 16/10/2025
Wind, Rain, Repeat
With another weekend of windy and wet spring weather forecast, finding shelter will be key to enjoying your fishing.
Stalking lake edges with softbait spinners or dry-dropper combos can produce excellent results, especially on larger lakes and reservoirs, many of which have sheltered arms or bays that protect from the wind.
With rain likely to cause discoloured and rising rivers, adjusting your techniques will maximise success. Larger, darker-profile or bright lures often work best in these conditions. Alternatively, hunkering down out of the wind with a worm or prawn on a ball sinker is another effective option, as fish forage in discoloured water.
Remember, when the water is disturbed or murky, it often allows you to get closer to the fish, reducing your cast distance—a real advantage in high winds.
Pictured above:The edges of the large southern lakes often provide clear water and exciting angling opportunities, especially when rivers are running high and dirty. Credit: Jakub Kanok.
We’re Moving Next Week
Apologies in advance to our readers – next week there will be no Otago Weekly Fishing Report. Otago Fish & Game Council is moving to a purpose-built headquarters at 5 Hazlett Rd, Mosgiel.
Moving day is Wednesday, October 22. Thanks for your understanding around this period as we prepare to vacate our old office in central Dunedin and get the new premises up and running.
The new facility will replace our ageing premises and reflects a future-focused, financially responsible approach to delivering better value for fishing and hunting licence holders.
The Otago Weekly Fishing Report will be back on Thursday, October 30.
On the Drop
Henry McCook with one of many healthy-looking brown trout caught on a pheasant tail nymph. Credit: Sam Fisher.
Henry and Sam, from Queenstown Hunting & Fishing, found clear water early this week while exploring a Central river that was dropping after recent floods.
Fishing around the middle reaches, they discovered trout were happy to chase almost any pheasant tail nymph presentation. In areas with limited visibility, blind fishing proved a viable option, still enticing active fish.
In the afternoon, a few trout rose to take small mayfly dries, providing some exciting surface action. The trout were energetic and willing to move, making runs, riffles, and shallow edges particularly productive.
The ORC Environmental Data Portal is a excellent tool for monitoring flow levels and when rivers are dropping.
Preying on Perch
Juvenile perch are common prey for rainbow and brown trout in Lake Dunstan — or for that matter, anywhere trout occur alongside perch.
Tim, from Central Otago Hunting & Fishing, says this has worked recently in favour of a few anglers, with trout actively feeding on yearling-size perch. These young perch are typically about 5cm long, an ideal size to imitate using spinners, softbaits, or even streamers in a range of bright colour patterns.
Large perch are often cannibalistic, so bright, perch-like colour patterns can also attract strikes from them.
If you catch a large perch, consider keeping it for the table — their white, firm flesh makes for excellent eating.
Popular areas where perch congregate (and where trout are likely to be tuned in to them) include Lowburn Inlet, Pisa Moorings, and the Bendigo boat ramp.
Tough Spotting in the Wind
This brown trout took a weighted nymph offered by Robbie Natta. Credit: Dan Natta.
If it’s too windy for sight-fishing, sometimes blind fishing is the way to go.
Father and son Robbie and Dan Natta fished in North Otago on Saturday. “It was very hard fishing,” Robbie says. “We only saw two fish all day. Conditions were very windy.”
The fish pictured was the first one they spotted, which took a size 12 weighted nymph. With a large head, the fish could have been a few pounds heavier if it put on condition, Robbie says.
Chocolate Factory
Fish & Game officers Jayde Couper and Steve Dixon ranging on the lower Taieri River this week. Credit: Bruce Quirey.
Otago Fish & Game officers were out on the lower Taieri River around Henley this week for boat training and ranging operations — and the river looked more like the old Cadbury chocolate factory than a trout stream.
Recent rain has the Taieri running high, with the colour of milky coffee in the lower reaches. Local anglers might be better off searching for clearer water in tributaries and smaller streams this weekend.
Dozens of whitebaiters were set up along the banks in the tidal zone this week — a sure sign there’s life in the lower river.
If you do want to fish the discoloured water, trout and perch are likely to move to the edges where visibility is better and food is washed in. The water can be clearer on an incoming tide. Cast weighted soft baits or heavier spinners along edges, current seams and eddies where whitebait and smelt are likely to attract attention. Kahawai are following baitfish up the lower river. You might be surprised what’s lurking in the murk.
Protecting Our Streams
Participants at the Lowburn Stream Health Monitoring Workshop at Lowburn this week. Credit: Otago Catchment Community
This week, our Central Otago team joined a collaborative workshop at Lowburn on stream health monitoring.
Juvenile brown trout, kōaro and upland bullies were all living in the section of the creek we sampled. Working alongside groups such as Otago Catchment Communities, Otago Regional Council, and Wai Wanaka helps us share knowledge and strengthen best-practice management.
Healthy waterways benefit native fish while supporting and encouraging sustainable sport fishing opportunities, in line with Otago Fish & Game’s commitment to responsible fisheries management and our species interaction policy.
Soft Bait Fishing Clinics
Learn how to catch more trout, salmon and perch at free soft bait fishing clinics this November.
The hands-on sessions, hosted by Otago Fish & Game and Okuma pro-angler Lance Gill, will be held at two locations:
DUNEDIN
- Taieri River, near the red bridge on Taieri Ferry Road, Titri.
- 6.30pm to 8.30pm, Wednesday, November 5
CROMWELL
- Lake Dunstan, McNulty Inlet
- 10am to noon, Saturday, November 15
The clinics will cover the essentials of soft bait fishing — lure selection, rig set-ups, casting techniques, and how to retrieve soft baits to trigger strikes.
Free to attend. Select here to register online on the Fish & Game website.
The Patron's Prize is Here
Fish & Game Patron Dame Lynda Topp wants to help make your fishing season one to remember.
Fish & Game, Dame Lynda and Manic Tackle are giving away a prize pack worth $1,000 to one lucky licence holder.
The prize includes premium Manic Tackle gear such as a Primal Revel CS Fly Rod and FlyLab Glide Fly Reel set, a Simms Headwaters Sling Pack with Loon accessories, and a selection of hand-tied flies sourced from top New Zealand fly tiers including Peter Carty, Russ Anderson, Steve Gerard and Dame Lynda herself.
To enter, simply buy your whole season 2025–26 fishing licence by 24 October 2025. There are no forms to fill out — purchase your licence and you’re in the draw (licences already purchased are already in the draw).
The winner will be announced shortly after the draw closes. Get your licence before 24 October to be in to win.
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.
Don’t Forget Your Licence
Buy early to get best value for the 2025-2026 season. 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.
Clyde Dam live webcam
A screengrab of the Clyde Dam webcam taken at the time of writing.
Want to know conditions at Clyde Dam? Check this live webcam sponsored by Contact Energy, updated every 15 minutes.
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
Another weekend of spring weather is on the way for Dunedin. Strong northerlies are expected, easing in the afternoon as showers develop. On Sunday, the wind is forecast to switch to the southwest, bringing more showers and cooler air temperatures. Finding sheltered spots will be key for anglers this weekend.
The Taieri River at Outram was at 34.4 cumecs this morning. The water temperature was 11.2 degrees C.
Click here for live MetService weather updates.
Wānaka
Saturday is expected to bring gale northwesterlies and rain showers, easing later in the day. Sunday looks to be the pick of the weekend, with isolated showers and light westerlies forecast to strengthen in the late afternoon.
Click here for live MetService weather updates.
Alexandra
A windy start to the weekend is forecast for Alexandra, with gale northwesterlies and scattered showers expected on Saturday. On Sunday, the weather is set to ease, bringing light winds and the odd shower — much more favourable for fishing the larger reservoirs.
Click here for live MetService weather updates.
Clutha Regional Forecast
The Clutha River/Mata-Au at Balclutha looking downriver yesterday evening. Credit: Jayde Couper.
For the Lower Clutha, Saturday is expected to bring isolated showers, becoming more widespread and heavier for a time in the afternoon. Strong northerlies will ease, turning to lighter westerlies. On Sunday, the wind is forecast to ease, with mostly cloudy skies and a few showers developing, while westerlies gradually pick up. Expect the Clutha to continue to run high and discoloured with the forecasted rain in the upper catchment.
The Pomahaka River was flowing at 19 cumecs this morning.
The lower Clutha River at Balclutha was at 1030 cumecs.
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.
Disclaimer:
The information presented in these news items is based on the context and regulations in place at the time of publication. Please note that some articles may include reference to laws and regulatory standards that have since changed. For the most current and accurate information please check our Fishing Licences & Regulations pages or our Hunting Licences & Regulations pages.