Otago Weekly Fishing Report - 2 October 2025

Nice day for a white ‘wetting’

What a difference a few days make! We’ve gone from kids fishing in the sunshine at Take A Kid Fishing to die-hard grown-ups slogging it out in bitter cold on opening day.

Right on time, the season opening was christened with chilly winds and a snow dump to test the resolve of even the keenest anglers.

Pictured above: The smile says it all. Archie Senelale (3) reeled in a lovely rainbow (and probably claimed best fishing hat of the day) at Take A Kid Fishing at Southern Reservoir last weekend. Credit: Bruce Quirey.

The spring flurry temporarily closed hilly highways and back-country byways, but some resourceful fishers still found their way to the newly opened rivers and reservoirs.

Who can’t resist naïve trout that haven’t seen a fly or lure for months!

Many Otago rivers are high and dirty – snow melt will send levels up and temperatures down. Reservoirs will be a good option – but beware of backcountry road closures.

This weekend we’re expecting showers and rain, depending on your location. So fish heavy to get down, explore eddies, or find stream and river mouths.

Remember most Otago high country rivers don’t open until November 1, so be sure to check the  2025/26 fishing season regulations.
If you haven’t got your licence yet, click here or drop into your local licence agent or tackle shop.

Still time for family adventures

Ada Connor (5) carries her fresh catch to the cleaning table at Take A Kid Fishing. Credit: Bruce Quirey.

Otago Fish & Game’s Take A Kid Fishing events at Southern Reservoir in Dunedin reeled in plenty of smiles during the school holidays.

About 500 children plus their caregivers had a crack at fishing at the reservoir during the past two weekends.

Several hundred rainbow trout from Macraes Flat Hatchery at OceanaGold mine were liberated into Southern Reservoir for the events.

With just a few days of the school holidays left, Dunedin put-and-take fisheries are within easy reach for a family fishing adventure. Southern Reservoir is now open to public fishing, as are Tomahawk Lagoon and Sullivans Dam. Licences for children under 12 are free!

Thanks to our volunteers and supporters — Otago Community Trust, OceanaGold, and Dunedin City Council — for making the kids fishing events possible.

Watch these videos on Dunedin Trout Fishing Spots:

• Sullivans Dam
• Tomahawk Lagoon
• Southern Reservoir

Back-country road closures

Access to back-country lakes and other fisheries opening in Otago have been affected by snow.

Central Otago District Council advises:

• Nevis Rd from Commissioners Creek to the Southland District Council boundary: Due to snow and high river levels, the road closure has been extended to 7 October, subject to weather conditions.
   
• The following back-country roads would be opened from September 30.
  • Lake Onslow Rd from Linnburn Runs Rd to the boundary gate at Lake Onslow.
  • Old Dunstan Rd Track from Paerau Rd to Dunedin City Council boundary. (Access to Logan Burn Dam).
  • Bridge Huts Rd from Bridge 185 (Access to Lake Onslow).
  • Upper Manorburn Dam Rd from the intersection with Aston Rd.
• Old Dunstan Rd from Linnburn Runs Rd to Poolburn Dam will open on 30 October.

Before you go, check the Central Otago District Council website for latest updates on road alerts and  conditions.

Bexley Oliver-Hawkins with a upper Clutha trout caught recently. Photo: Supplied

Bexley from Dunedin Hunting & Fishing successfully fished the upper Clutha recently between Wānaka and Cromwell for browns and rainbows using a Black Magic Enticer spin lure and a Wooly Bugger fly variation.

Earlier, he also fly-fished on the Clutha near Beaumont for rising trout taking emerger patterns during hatches.

But the biggest talk around the coast this week has been the kahawai running in Taieri River.
While the water has been high and murky, the lower Clutha has been fishing well for sea trout during the whitebaiting season.

Clutha Lagoon has fished especially well. Bexleys says there have been some “awesome fish” coming out of the lower reaches of the Taieri in the past couple of months. One angler caught a 7lb brown trout and another angler landed a 8-9lber.

Colour choice

Sea-run brown trout caught about 7pm on Sunday in the lower Taieri River after three other groups of anglers had just fished the same location. 

“If it ain’t chartreuse, it ain’t no use!”

That was the line an Aussie mate used to quip about his favourite saltwater lure colour.

Last Sunday in the lower Taieri, after trying to no avail with natural-coloured soft baits to mimic baitfish, a switch to chartreuse quickly paid off. It’s a sensible colour option in stained water or low light due to its visibility.

The fuzzy photo taken in late light doesn’t do justice to this trout. Silver-flanked and full of fight, it was clear the fish had recently entered the river from the sea in pursuit of the seasonal migration of baitfish.

Smelt flies, lures or soft baits that imitate baitfish are great options for smelting trout on the prowl in the lower reaches at this time of year.

Reflections of a UK angler

New Zealanders should appreciate how lucky they are to have accessible waters for anybody who has a fishing licence, says Bexley, who is moving back to England after living here for almost five years.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in New Zealand and felt very lucky to fish some amazing water.

“I found it very strange and exciting how many access points and facililities there are for everyone to access and be able to go fishing, and I will be making the most of these in my last couple of weeks.”

He and his Kiwi partner Rebecca have their first child on the way. Bexley, who grew up on a fish farm on the River Test, is looking forward to winter fishing for pike and grayling in his home county of Hampshire.

“In the UK, only a very few people get to fly fish.”

The Fish & Game online access map is a great resource, he says.

While his favourite fisheries have been the crystal blue rivers of Central Otago and the West Coast, he says the farmland and tannin rivers near Dunedin offer cracking fish.

River mouths hot spot

Ollie, from Queenstown Hunting and Fishing, with his first trout on a small Rapala on the lower Greenstone last week. Ollie lost a couple of much bigger fish but blamed his saltwater-like drag set-up for his downfall. No hooks remained with fish in process thankfully. Photo: Supplied.

Sam, from Hunting & Fishing Queenstown, says that due to high and dirty water in Southland rivers, a lot of Queenstown anglers headed to freshly opened rivers in Central Otago for the season opening.

In the upper catchments, while high country rivers remain closed, there has been continuously good river mouth fishing at the mouths of the Rees and Dart through September.

Likewise the mouth of the Greenstone River has been good fishing for rainbows. Sam recently hooked a decent rainbown at the bottom of the Hawea River fly fishing. He fished one pool and caught a 3lb rainbow on a weighted egg pattern below an indicator. The river was big and coloured near the camping ground.

Dirty water fishing

Similar to last week’s advice, fly anglers fishing in high and dirty water should try worm patterns, says Tim, from Hunting & Fishing Central Otago.

“Worms get dislodged from the eroded soil of undercut banks and washed downriver, making easy meals for trout.”

“As the rivers start to clear and drop, the fishing can be pretty good if you time it right.

“If you’re fishing rivers that you would normally fly fish but are still open to spin-fishing, then good options are dark or solid-coloured soft baits - or go the opposite and fish with bright colours.

“Fish the runs and pools with movement and flash.”

Bait is also a good option where it’s applicable.

Focus on creek and river mouths if there’s dirty water spilling into a lake. Fish often sit and gorge themselves on food drifting down. Boat anglers in Lake Dunstan should take extra caution due to logs and debris.

River wading – be safe, be sure

Don’t get too eager when crossing rivers if they’re high and dirty.

While anglers will be wearing waders to stay warm, it puts them at risk if they slip and are not able to regain their footing.

If in doubt, don’t cross. Use a wading staff or link arms with your fishing buddy. Always let people know where you’re going fishing and when you’ll be back. Wear a personal floation device around river mouths – such as the mouths of Buckler Burn at Glenorchy and the Dart and Rees where tragedies have occurred.

The most important thing is to return home safely.

Lake trolling delivers

Ollie (13) and his dad Mark Russell show their successful catch from lead-line trolling on Lake Wānaka yesterday, including the salmon [inset]. Photos: Supplied.

Anglers prepared to brave the 2025-26 season opener on Lake Wānaka reaped rewards yesterday, says Mark, from Southern Wild.

“We’ve had a fair bit of rain over the past few days and the weather has been cold and windy. But the anglers who are keen to get out have been successful.”

Ollie (13) and his dad Mark Russell had a great day lead-line trolling the lake, catching two rainbows, a brown trout and a 38cm Chinook salmon.

With the lake a cool 9 deg C, the productive trolling was in shallow water of 3-4 metres in depth, where the higher water column was warmer and fish more active.

Fast and furious

The Clutha River is flowing fast, but anglers who look for the right spots have been having more luck, says Mark.

“Concentrate on eddies where the water is swirling and cast above that area. Drag your soft bait or lure, with a few jigs of the line. Fish have been coming out of the still water and hitting the lures.

“The front of the Wānaka Outlet is always a good spot for fish lined up as it’s the first food source coming out of the lake.”

Lake Hāwea low

Boat access at Lake Hāwea is currently difficult at The Neck due to low levels leaving the ramp high and dry.

Be aware of soft edges – walk over the ground first to make sure your vehicle doesn’t get stuck and ruin your fishing day. While it’s a long run up the lake, a more accessible launch spot would be the boat ramp near the dam.

Trout with PHDs

Farmers, anglers and conservationists … Janine Smith and Simon Norwick own and manage a 280-hectare sheep and beef farm on the Maniototo, including this pond enhanced with fencing and native planting. Credit: Bruce Quirey, Otago Fish & Game.

Patearoa farmer and keen fly angler Simon Norwick says the trout in his local river have “PHDs in fishermen”.

But that wasn’t about to stop anglers from all over Otago heading out to test their skills against wily trout for the opening of the new fishing season this week.

Mr Norwick and his partner Janine Smith own and manage a 280-hectare sheep and beef farm on the Maniototo.

Like many landowners across the region, they contribute to the health of fisheries through involvement in community catchment groups and by supporting anglers’ access to the rivers, lakes and reservoirs that make Otago such a special place to fish.

Ms Smith brings another perspective through her role as project executive for Tiaki Maniototo, a community catchment group working on riparian planting, fencing, and habitat restoration.

“You can never underestimate the value of collaboration,” she says.

Read more

Soft Bait Fishing Clinics

Next week we will be announcing details how to register for our free soft bait fishing clinics to be held near Dunedin and Cromwell in November.

• Wednesday, November 5, 6.30pm, Taieri Ferry Bridge Road, Henley
• Saturday, November 15, 10am, McNulty Inlet, Cromwell

Keep an eye on our Facebook page and the next Otago Weekly Fishing Report for details.

Casting for Recovery Casino Fundraiser

Casting for Recovery are hosting a fun casino night. The aim is to raise funds for their annual fly-fishing retreats for local women with breast cancer.

Tickets enable entry and an initial kit of ‘funny money’ to play casino games. Supper is included.

• Date: Saturday 11 October 7pm.
• Location: Taieri Rugby Club room, 35 Reid Ave, Mosgiel

Come along with friends and family. Book tickets online:
https://www.trybooking.com/nz/ZJT

Reminder: we’re moving soon

Otago Fish & Game Council is preparing to move to a purpose-built headquarters in Hazlett Rd, Mosgiel. The transition is expected to take place from October 22 and please bear with us around this period.

We are currently still in our old office on the corner of Harrow and Hanover Streets, central Dunedin.

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.

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.

The Shag River/Waihemo was flowing low and clear on opening day yesterday, despite overnight rain and snow in the headwaters. Credit: Jayde Couper.

Here’s the weekend outlook:

Dunedin

Falling water temps as snow melts might slow the fish activity. Tomorrow partly cloudy with the chance of a shower from afternoon. Northerlies, turning easterly late. Saturday a few showers, clearing in the afternoon. Northeasterlies turning southeasterly. Sunday rain clearing. Southerlies, easing.

The Taieri River at Outram peaked at about 18 cumecs this morning. The water temperature was dropping, at 7.8 degrees C.

Click here for live MetService weather updates.

Wānaka

Friday looks fine for an evening fish with light winds. Saturday mostly cloudy with a few showers in the afternoon. Southerlies developing. Sunday showers clearing and light winds. Take care of high flows in rivers.

Click here for live MetService weather updates.

Alexandra

Tomorrow fine but becoming cloudy in the evening. Saturday cloudy, making sight-fishing tricky, so be prepared to explore likely holding water with weighted nymphs or lures. Occasional rain from afternoon. Sunday rain, clearing. Southerlies developing.

Click here for live MetService weather updates.

Clutha Regional Forecast

Tomorrow partly cloudy but another wet weekend ahead. Rivers will be carrying colour, so try dark, solid lures or extra bright to get noticed by fish. Saturday morning looks cloudy for fishing but occasional rain developing inland in the afternoon. Northeasterlies turning southeasterly. Sunday rain easing to isolated showers. Southerlies.

The Pomahaka River was flowing high at 46 cumecs this morning but starting to fall.

The lower Clutha River at Balclutha remains high like the past week - 932 cumecs this morning.

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.