Otago Weekly Fishing Report - 19 March 2026

Excellent weather for the long weekend

If the weather plays out as forecast, Otago Anniversary couldn’t have fallen on a better weekend for fishing.

Significant rain on Wednesday, followed by a stretch of calm, clear weather, has allowed rivers to drop to near-ideal levels. With warm, still conditions, fish are still looking up, chasing large terrestrial insects.

Don’t forget sunblock and plenty of water, with plenty of sun expected over the long weekend. Other events, like the jetboat river races (details below), may affect some areas, so plan accordingly.

Picture - Clear skies, clear water and casting to a rising fish. What more could one ask for out of autumn? Credit: Mason Court.

With good conditions and a long weekend, more anglers will be out. Take a moment to leave your intentions at your vehicle or chat with fellow anglers to share the water considerately. You don’t need to go far—many lakes and rivers nearby are fishing well.

Finally, don’t forget your fishing licence. There are options to suit most plans, from day licences, short breaks and whole seasons. If heading into the backcountry, check whether your river requires a Designated Waters licence.

Click here to explore the Otago access map.
Click here for licence options.

Two casts then you’re out

Mike Teasdale nets a trout that took a parachute Adams dry fly on the Taieri River at the weekend under the close eye of Duncan. Credit: Bruce Quirey.

Make your first cast count. Trout were spooky in low flows on the Taieri River on a fine autumn day at the weekend.

Mike Teasdale and Bruce Quirey enjoyed a day fly-fishing to sighted fish that consistently went shy if the first couple of presentations weren’t perfect. Bright, mostly calm conditions called for long leaders and careful approaches.

Casting from a high bank, they watched a solid-sized trout close its mouth on Mike’s parachute Adams dry fly, not once but twice, but on both occasions the hook didn’t stick. From the same pool, Bruce landed a 4-pound brown that rushed a corixa pattern after he gave the fly a twitch. Mike, accompanied by his canine buddy Duncan, later fooled another smaller brown on the Adams.

The rest of the day was about the ones that wouldn’t be tempted, with only a few mayfly duns seen, the odd adult damselfly, and sporadic rises. Patience and accuracy are needed — and don’t be afraid to move on if a fish won’t cooperate.

Streamer success

Cole Briggs with a great brown trout caught on a lightly weighted streamer in tight conditions. Photo supplied.

Changing up methods proved to be the key to success for Fish & Game staff member Cole Briggs on a day off over the weekend.

Cole spotted a brown trout rising to terrestrial insects in a large pool. He initially tried a dry fly, cycling through several patterns without success. He then added a nymph dropper. Despite presenting a full smorgasbord of options all while trying to remain hidden, the fish continued feeding unconcerned. Finally, Cole switched tactics again and tied on a lightly weighted streamer. Two casts later, bang, he was hooked up in tight, bushy water with little room to move. After a short but tense fight, and one broken rod tip later, the fish was landed, quickly photographed, and released.

Cole’s hot tip, not the broken one, is to allow lightly weighted streamers time to sink when fishing them on a floating line before starting your retrieve. Often counting out loud can ensure you give it the appropriate time to sink.

Also, when landing fish on a fly rod or light spin gear, be careful to avoid point loading the rod tip. This occurs when the rod bends too sharply back on itself and often results in breakages just below the second guide. It can be avoided by gripping further down the rod, using a long-handled net, or fishing with a mate.

Maniototo reservoirs

Maniototo reservoirs at the weekend. Credit: Steve Dixon.

With a just a few weeks of the regular season remaining, be sure to make the most of our fine fisheries.

All the Maniototo reservoirs checked by a Fish & Game ranger at the weekend are full, however, few anglers were seen about. Trout were cruising and rising to midges around the edges.

While the Taieri River was low and clear, anglers at Daisybank were having success on small veltic lures.

Tussock lakes low

Loganburn Dam next to Howells Hut on Sunday. Credit: Bruce Quirey.

In contrast to the Maniototo reservoirs, water levels are low at the high-country irrigation dams Loganburn and Poolburn.

Boaties should be extra cautious and on the lookout for exposed and semi-submerged rocks.

Jet boat races this weekend

Jet boat races will be taking place on several Otago waterways over the Otago Anniversary weekend, Friday 20 March 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.

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

Lennox’s first trout

Lennox Nitis with his first trout, which was caught on the Taieri River last weekend. Credit: Sarah Nitis.

Every angler remembers the first trout they caught.

For 13-year-old Lennox Nitis, that moment came at the weekend after he’d bought a rod with his pocket money just days earlier. His mum Sarah took Lennox and his mate Mason Johnson to the lower Taieri River to give it a go.

Lennox credits Mason with helping him get started.

“He was good at teaching me how to set everything up,” Lennox says. “He’s quite good at fishing. He does quite a bit.”

The pair began fishing soft baits at a couple of angler access points but had no luck at first. Still determined, they moved to another spot and changed tactics — using worms dug out of tree logs.

Then Lennox felt a tug on the line and landed this wee brown trout.

“It was my first fish! I’m real keen to catch another one.”

Nice work, Lennox. Here’s hoping it’s the first of many trout and a lifetime of exploring our rivers and lakes.

Tomahawk Lagoon algae

Toxic algae at Tomahawk Lagoon. Credit: ORC.

Please note the Otago Regional Council has issued a toxic algae warning for Tomahawk Lagoon — make sure you follow all precautions if you intend to fish there.

For the latest toxic algae warnings and how to spot toxic algae: Toxic algae warnings | Otago Regional Council

• Fish caught in areas affected by toxic algae are generally safe to eat as long as they are cleaned, gutted, and washed thoroughly
• Avoid eating the gut or liver, where any toxins may accumulate.
• If the fish looks or smells unusual, or you’re unsure, it’s best not to eat it.

If you think you have spotted toxic algae elsewhere in Otago, call the ORC 24/7 Pollution Hotline 0800 800 033 or email: pollution@orc.govt.nz

Last chance: 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 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

An excellent run of weather is forecast for most of Otago this long weekend, and Dunedin is no exception, with clear skies and light winds expected. Light northerlies are set to strengthen throughout the day on Saturday, while Sunday will see light southerlies and the odd cloud. Monday is shaping up as the pick of the weekend, with very light winds and clear skies — ideal for making the most of some autumn fishing.

The Taieri River at Outram was low at 8.1 cumecs this morning. The water temperature was 14.4 ^oC.

Click here for live MetService weather updates.

Wānaka

It would be hard to dream up a better forecast for around Wānaka this weekend, with clear skies and light winds expected through most of the long weekend. Sunday may bring the odd cloud, while a northerly breeze is forecast to strengthen on Monday afternoon.

With rain on Wednesday topping up many of the rivers, the settled weather leading into the weekend should see flows drop and freshen to ideal levels. These calm, warm conditions are also perfect for getting out on the lakes and targeting river mouths, where fish are likely to congregate.

Click here for live MetService weather updates.

Alexandra

Don’t forget your sunblock this weekend. Like much of the region, the Alexandra area is in for a stunning forecast, with warm air temperatures, clear skies, and light winds expected throughout the long weekend. The odd cloud may drift through on Sunday and Monday.

These conditions are ideal for heading up to the larger local reservoirs and targeting terrestrial-feeding fish. Anglers heading out by boat should take extra care, as many of these reservoirs are currently low.

Click here for live MetService weather updates.

Clutha Regional Forecast

For the Lower Clutha, westerly winds on Saturday, along with the odd isolated shower, and southwesterly winds on Sunday are the only slight blemishes in an otherwise good forecast. Monday is shaping up as the pick, with light winds and clear skies.

Saturday will also offer near-perfect conditions, and when paired with favourable river flows, should make for some excellent fishing.

The Pomahaka River at Burkes Ford was at 5.6 cumecs.

The lower Clutha River at Balclutha was at 402 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.