Otago Weekly Fishing Report - 20 November 2025

Dunstan Turning It On

It was a weekend full of angling action on Lake Dunstan with the Soft Bait Clinic on Saturday and the Lake Dunstan Fishing Classic on Sunday.

While Saturday brought mixed weather, Sunday cleared beautifully, providing stunning conditions across the region and some impressive catches. Tim, from Hunting & Fishing Central Otago, noted that the top of Lake Dunstan is proving to be a hotspot for anglers. Sight-fishing anglers from boats targeting trout cruising flats and among the weed — with darker, natural-coloured soft baits — are performing best. Trolling anglers had success using black Woolly Buggers with two colours of leadline out, landing and losing some truly impressive trout, according to their weigh-in stories.

Pictured above:Team Adams weighed in an impressive mixed bag of brown trout, rainbow trout, and perch at the 31st Annual Lake Dunstan Fishing Classic. Credit: Keith Morgan.

Looking ahead, the weekend promises excellent angling opportunities. Rivers are dropping and clearing, lake fishing is heating up, and warm conditions could trigger some exciting dry fly action, offering anglers plenty of options across the region.

Sharing the Water

With some rivers still running high or discoloured from snowmelt, anglers are reminded to be patient and respectful when sharing the limited fishable water.

These conditions naturally concentrate anglers into the same smaller streams, accessible edges, and holding runs, making courtesy more important than ever. A friendly wave or a quick chat with another angler can go a long way towards a positive experience.

Top tips for sharing water effectively include planning how much river you realistically need to enjoy your day and being prepared to compromise if opportunities are limited. Best practices also include leaving intentions at your vehicle whenever possible and letting other anglers know your plans if you’re heading further up the river or valley.

For more on angler etiquette, check out Nick King’s article, Untangling Angling Etiquette.

Catlins Calling

Jayde Couper fishes the Tahakopa Estuary in between heavy downpours. Credit: Erin Couper.

Looking to get out of Dunedin? The Catlins is a great scenic option just a couple of hours from Dunedin.

The Catlins Estuary near Owaka and the Tahakopa Estuary at Papatowai both provide lots of opportunities, particularly at high tide for resident and sea-run brown as well as a chance at a kahawai or flounder. Accommodation is easy and cheap at the DOC campsites, making it an excellent overnight option on a summer weekend.

Read our guide to the Catlins here: Fishing The Catlins - Fish & Game

Hāwea Salmon

Hāwea salmon schools are starting to show up at the lower end of Lake Hāwea, although locating them can still be hit-or-miss.

Nathan, from Southern Wild Wanaka, says that once you’re on the school, the action can be red-hot. If you’re fishing from a boat, use your sounder to pinpoint the depth the school is holding at, or if you don’t have one, aim for the 10–15m zone.

Shore-based anglers should ensure their lures are heavy enough to reach the school — compact, heavier-profile lures are often the most effective. Bright pink, blue and silver remain the go-to colours. Don’t forget to take ice for your chilly bin so these excellent eating fish stay in top condition.

A good place to start is the deep drop-off around the Lake Hāwea campground and dam, often a proven hotspot when the schools are in. Don’t forget the new Lake Hawea webcam, which gives real-time condition of this area.

Cromwell Soft Bait Fishing Clinic

Lance Gill, from OKUMA, demonstrates soft bait fishing at Lake Dunstan at the weekend. Credit: Bruce Quirey.

An overnight dusting of snow on Pisa Range provided a scenic backdrop for our soft bait clinic on the shore of Lake Dunstan in Cromwell at the weekend.

About 85 anglers learned tricks and tips at McNulty Inlet with our guest speaker OKUMA pro-angler Lance Gill.

The free clinic covered the essentials of soft bait fishing — rods, lines, soft bait lures, knots, rigging, and casting and retrieving techniques.

A few participants then fished along the lake edge — and there was at least one tale of “the fish that got away” — dropping off the hook right at an angler’s feet.

This Cromwell session followed our other soft bait clinic in Dunedin a week earlier — where 75 attended. That’s another 160 anglers now with the knowledge and skills for soft-baiting with confidence this fishing season.

Thanks again to all the participants, Lance and the Fish & Game staff and volunteers for making the day a success.

Reading a River

When you arrive at a river to fish, break it down into parts, focus your efforts on the productive areas, and look closely. Credit: Bruce Quirey.

For new anglers in freshwater fishing, knowing where to start in a river is a key to success. You don’t want to spend futile hours casting in the wrong places, and ultimately not catching fish.

Last weekend we fished a Central Otago river for a couple of hours. The river level was up slightly. We spooked a fish in a likely run but otherwise did not spot fish in the places where we might have expected to find them. The water was slightly discoloured – but not impossible to spot fish. Where to look:

• Below drop-offs
• At the head of pools
• Current seams behind obstacles
• Where side streams enter
• Near undercut banks
• Backwaters and eddies

A favourite spot for big browns is backwaters or eddies formed where trees have fallen into the river. This is where we spotted a big brown trout last weekend. As luck would have it, the first fly snagged in the willows overhead. A bow-and-arrow cast sent the next fly to the right spot — but the fish was not having it, probably spooked.

There’s always next time!

So, when you arrive at a river to fish it, break it down into its parts. Focus your efforts on the productive areas and look closely.

For more information, read this article Reading Water, Finding Fish - Fish & Game

Otago Fish & Game Engagement Survey

You may have received an email this week from Otago Fish & Game for our annual Engagement Survey.

We’re conducting a quick survey to see how we’re tracking — to improve our service for your fishing and game bird hunting experiences. You may have received a similar survey in recent years. We’d appreciate your input.

Thanks for your participation!

Club Updates

Rotary Club of Cromwell —31st Annual Fishing Classic

Two excellent rainbow trout caught by Team Hunter. Credit: Keith Morgan.

The weather truly turned it on for the 31st Annual Fishing Classic, with Lake Dunstan putting on its very best: clear blue skies, light winds, and perfect conditions that encouraged anglers of all ages to hit the water.

Organiser Phil Henderson said this year’s Classic drew “one of the highest entry numbers we’ve ever had,” with a particularly strong turnout from young anglers, including 38 children under 12. Many participants signed up on Sunday morning after seeing the promising forecast.

A wide mix of species crossed the scales throughout the afternoon, including rainbow trout, brown trout, perch, and even a couple of salmon, which have been scarce in Lake Dunstan in recent years. The heaviest fish of the event was a 2.24 kg rainbow trout, edging out the top brown trout at 2.23kg. Perch over a kilo and salmon over 800 grams also featured, with many fish in excellent condition.

Fish & Game officer Mason Court, who served as weighmaster, said it was fantastic to see so many families getting involved. Many young anglers proudly shared plans to cook their catch for dinner. One competitor was especially thrilled to land his fish using soft-baiting techniques he had learned just the day before at the Cromwell Soft Bait Clinic.

Teviot Angling Club — Take A Kid Fishing Day

• Teviot Angling Club is running a Take A Kid Fishing Day this Sunday, November 23.
• Remarkables Orchard, Awaikiki Road, Roxburgh East
• Start 8.30am (Please do not enter the property before 8.30am.)
• Inquiries contact secretary.teviotanglingclub@gmail.com

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.

New Lake Hāwea Webcam

A new webcam has been installed to provide a real-time view of conditions on Lake Hāwea. The webcam is provided by Snowgrass Solutions and Contact Energy and can be accessed through their website or directly via this link.

This is a great tool for anglers wanting to check lake conditions before travelling to Hāwea, or even to keep an eye on things from work before an afternoon fishing.

Please note that 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 it always pays to be prepared.

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

Friday will see showers turning to rain with strong northwesterlies easing later for Dunedin. Saturday is forecast to start fine with clear skies with northeasterlies developing, and a chance of afternoon showers. Sunday is forecast to be partly cloudy with afternoon showers and southwesterlies developing. Early starts will offer the best conditions for rivers and streams.

The Taieri River at Outram was at 6.8 cumecs this morning. The water temperature was 14.5 degrees C.

Click here for live MetService weather updates.

Wānaka

An excellent weekend is forecast for Wanaka, with light winds, warm air temperatures, and clear skies expected on Saturday and Sunday. Conditions will be ideal for taking the boat out on the lakes or heading into the backcountry. Some rivers may rise slightly from Friday’s showers, but with the relatively small amount of rain expected, they should clear quickly, providing good fishing opportunities throughout the weekend.

Click here for live MetService weather updates.

Alexandra

Saturday morning looks to be the pick of the weather around Alexandra, with clear, warm skies and light winds. Southerly winds are expected to build in the evening. Sunday is forecast to be mostly overcast with light winds and a chance of an isolated shower.

Click here for live MetService weather updates.

Clutha Regional Forecast

Westerly winds and overcast conditions, with the occasional isolated shower, are the theme for the Lower Clutha this weekend. Saturday and Sunday are forecast for strengthening westerlies in the afternoons, making the mornings the best opportunity for angling. Reports of fishing the Lower Clutha have been positive, particularly around the incoming tide, now that flows have eased slightly.

The Pomahaka River was flowing at 7.4 cumecs this morning.

The lower Clutha River at Balclutha was at 969 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.