Otago Weekly Fishing Report - 19 February 2026

Late-summer buzz brings action

The weather is keeping anglers on their toes this week, with windy spells punctuated by fresh rain and shifting river levels.

Pictured above: A large backcountry brown trout does its best to avoid the waiting net of Igor Slavik. Credit: Jakub Kanok.

Cicadas have been buzzing inland. If you’re looking for more cicada action, check local forecast temperatures for the area you plan to fish. You’ll want it to be typically in the 20s.

While unsettled conditions have limited time on the water for some, those adapting to the breeze and targeting sheltered water and shoreline structure are finding fish ready to capitalise on late-summer food sources.

Mixed methods paying off

Riley Anderson (15) with an excellent rainbow trout caught soft-baiting in Lake Hāwea and a brown trout caught on a self-tied Pheasant Tail nymph. Photos: Alex Ryan, George West.

Fifteen-year-old Riley Anderson from Hāwea says adapting to the conditions is half the battle in a tricky season.

Riley has been fishing consistently for seven years and, while he says he “likes it all – spin fishing and fly,” he’s deliberately worked to build skills across both methods. He took up fly fishing two years ago to complement his spin fishing, and that flexibility has paid off during a summer marked by unsettled weather and fewer opportunities.

“I only got out five days maximum because of the weather,” Riley said. “But the days that were good, I made the most of them.”

One of those good days was mid-January at Lake Hāwea, where Riley was fishing with mates from a boat near the mouth of the Hunter River. Rather than trolling, the trio cast soft baits towards shoreline structure — bushes and submerged logs — targeting fish holding tight to cover.

Riley’s 3½-pound rainbow trout took a paddle-tail soft bait rigged on a 1/8oz jig head. By focusing on structure and casting into likely holding water, the three anglers landed 10 fish between them — nine rainbows and one brown. Riley says he releases all his fish.

A month earlier, he tried a different tactic entirely while fishing a creek in Central Otago. There, a nicely conditioned jack brown trout fell to a Pheasant Tail nymph — a fly Riley tied himself.

Riley says anglers shouldn’t limit themselves.
“Don’t stick with one style of fishing, because then you can’t do it all the time. If you just fly fish, you can’t always do it off boats. If you just spin fish, it’s harder to catch fish sight fishing. So, it’s a mixture.”

It’s a mindset that will serve him well. Start young, keep learning, and adapt to the conditions.

Safety in the backcountry

Santiago Sosa and Andrew Woodmore from the Wakatipu Anglers Club play it safe crossing a back country river. Photo: Lowell Smyth.

When heading into the backcountry to fish, river safety should always be front of mind.

With rain being a frequent feature this summer, river levels can rise quickly and crossings that were safe in the morning may not be safe later in the day. Always let someone know your intentions, including where you’re going and when you plan to return. Assess every crossing carefully, looking for wide, shallow sections with slower flow, and avoid fast or discoloured water. Unbuckle your pack so it can be removed quickly if needed, and consider using a wading staff or crossing with a buddy for added stability. Taking the time to plan and reassess conditions can make all the difference to a safe and successful trip.

Shoreline cicada action

A chunky Lake Wakatipu brown trout that couldn’t resist the extra protein of a cicada pattern. Photo: Jakub Kanok.

Shoreline cicada fishing has been firing, says Otago honorary ranger Jakub Kanok, who recently enjoyed an excellent day on the shores of Lake Wakatipu with his close friend Igor Slavik.

The pair encountered cruising trout that were happy to rise through the water column to smash large cicada patterns.

Fish could be seen cruising the shallows throughout the day, particularly near steep cliffs and native bush, where trout were waiting for cicadas blown onto the water. Jakub and Igor both found success casting from the shore and from the boat. When fishing from the boat, they made sure to stay well back from the drop-off to avoid spooking cruising fish.

Jakub encourages anglers to focus on likely areas where cicadas are most likely to fall or be blown in by the wind. On lakes, steep bush-clad cliffs and shallow beaches where fish cruise are prime spots. Another hot tip when fishing from a boat is that once a fish is hooked, slowly reverse out into deeper water. This helps avoid shallow snags and reduces the chance of spooking other nearby fish.

Earlier in the week, the pair also experienced excellent cicada fishing in the backcountry, with trout feeding heavily into the evening. With warm and windy conditions forecast in parts of the region this weekend, there should be more opportunities to target cicada-focused fish on both rivers and lakes.

Staff analysing acoustic data

Staff surveying the deep Otago lakes for trout and salmon. Inset: Software readout showing two Glenorchy fish on the left with a weaker target on the right.

Staff have finished the 2026 acoustic surveying of lakes Hāwea, Wānaka and Wakatipu.

We do this survey by snaking our way up the relative shallows of the lakes, following paths that have been surveyed previously. To ensure year-to-year consistency, we calibrated the sounder using a target of known strength which confirms that what we count as a fish is consistent over each year's survey. The data will take a few days’ office work to analyse, but a quick check suggests similar fish numbers to last year. You can read the 2023 through 2025 reports on the Council download sections of the Otago Fish & Game website.

Field observations seem to confirm what many anglers know — fish are generally located around drop-offs or around the thermocline, which is often located deeper than 10m.

ReWild photo competition

The ReWild Snap & Share entries continue to impress, showcasing the best of Aotearoa’s fishing experiences.

From misty mornings on the water to quiet afternoons beneath the mountains, first casts to trophy catches, solo trips to family adventures, these images capture the moments that make fishing truly special.

They are more than just photos – they highlight how memorable experiences are created simply by getting out on the water.

Photos from licence holders across the region demonstrate life on rivers, lakes, and coasts. With February marking the final chance to enter, anglers are encouraged to secure a licence, take a camera, and capture their own fishing moment.

Prizes include $250 for this month’s winner, and a grand prize featuring the winning photo on next season’s fishing licence plus a $1,000 Kilwell voucher.

Fish & Game thanks Kilwell for their ongoing support of ReWild Snap & Share: The Fish & Game Licence Photo Competition.

Enter now: https://www.fishandgame.org.nz

Bush, Balls and Breaking Barriers

Wānaka is set for an evening of raw honesty and resilience when Bush, Balls and Breaking Barriers comes to the Lake Wānaka Centre on Saturday 28 February.

MC Matt Chisholm will lead the night, with former international cricketer Lou Vincent speaking candidly about his own mental health journey. Mental Hunts founder Glen Thurston will share his experience navigating the mental health system, and mental health professional Kathryn Wright talks about pushing boundaries and breaking barriers.

Aimed at the hunting and wider rural community, the event creates a relaxed space for real conversations about mental health. Proceeds support Mental Hunts, with an auction, bar and food available on the night.

Doors open 5pm, programme 5.30–10pm. Tickets $35 via Humanitix. Click on this link.

Please note: Discussions will include mental health challenges, including suicide. Recommended 16+.

Fly fishing course

Mike Weddell’s fly-fishing course teaches how to fish rivers and stillwaters for trout. Photo: Bruce Quirey

Learn fly casting, tackle, trout behaviour, what trout eat, flies that imitate that food and how to fish them. These 2-hour sessions over four evenings with Mike Weddell will also cover how to read the water, and how to fish rivers and stillwaters.

• March 9, 16, 23, 30, from 7pm-9pm
• Otago Fish and Game office, 5 Hazlett Road, North Taieri, Mosgiel
• Contact Mike Weddell 027 577 2439 or mike@mikeweddellflyfishing.co.nz

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

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 Lake Hāwea 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 rivers are up but falling after this week’s rain. Fish sheltered water ahead of strong westerlies and southwesterlies. For still water look for lee banks if you want to escape the wind, or brace the elements and find edges where wind pushes food in. Tomorrow, northerlies are forecast, turning to strong westerlies before dawn. On Saturday, partly cloudy, with the chance of a shower until afternoon. Westerlies, turning to strong northerlies in the afternoon. Sunday looks partly cloudy. Strong southwesterlies, easing in the afternoon.

The Taieri River at Outram was at 27.3m cumecs this morning. The water temperature was 14.9 ^oC.

Click here for live MetService weather updates.

Wānaka

Tomorrow, expect northwesterlies, turning strong southwesterlies later in the day. On Saturday morning looks calmer before strong northwesterlies in the afternoon. Partly cloudy with chance of an afternoon shower. Sunday is the pick of your weekend fishing forecast — fine, light winds.

Click here for live MetService weather updates.

Alexandra

Friday is mainly fine, with the chance of a shower until afternoon and strong westerlies. Saturday is partly cloudy, with a chance of an evening shower. Northwesterlies will become strong in the afternoon. Sunday looks ideal for sight-fishing — fine with light winds.  

Click here for live MetService weather updates.

Clutha regional forecast

The Pomahaka and lower Clutha/Mata-Au are at good fishing levels, but look for shelter from the strong wind. Tomorrow, expect a few showers and strong southwesterlies. On Saturday, it will be partly cloudy, with showers in the afternoon and evening. Northwesterlies will become strong in the afternoon. On Sunday, it will be partly cloudy with isolated showers. Strong westerlies will ease in the afternoon.

The Pomahaka River at Burkes Ford was at 6.9 cumecs.
The lower Clutha River at Balclutha was 588 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.