Otago Weekly Fishing Report - 23 January 2025

Hot days, hot lakes

The past week has brought some classic hot summer days to our large lakes, kicking the food chain into overdrive. Shoals of bullies are gathering in the shallows of Lake Wakatipu and Lake Wānaka, while clouds of water boatmen are filling the shallows of Lake Dunstan.

Pictured above: Annette Ching caught this nice brown trout trolling with Neil Russell and dog Anzac on Lake Wānaka recently. Credit: Bruce Quirey.

Trout are eager to take advantage of this annual bounty, but they’re not fond of the warm, oxygen-poor waters. Trout will be feeding in the shallows at first light but by mid-morning they’re retreating to cooler, deeper water.

Tiny brown soft baits are great for fishing the shallows, imitating bullies and juvenile trout. For flies, boatmen or damsel patterns are great, or a big blowfly pattern.

Another great spot to try in the lakes is where a cool stream or river meets the lake. The cool, oxygen-rich water provides a thermal refuge during warm weather.

 

Waiting on Loganburn

Caroline Quirey and Jayden Langham spin fishing on Loganburn Dam this week. Credit: Bruce Quirey.

Reports suggest that cicada activity at Loganburn Reservoir, also known as the Great Moss Swamp, has yet to reach its peak, especially compared with the cicada action occurring on backcountry rivers. Anglers have noted limited rises and a general lack of action during the middle of the day.

One angler reported seeing only five rises in an afternoon, with four of them to his fly, resulting in two catches. For spin anglers looking to improve their chances, the tried-and-true method of pairing a bubble float with a cicada fly is worth considering. This technique is especially effective for reaching distant fish or dealing with windy conditions later in the day.

Most success has been reported in the late evening, between 8pm and 9pm. Spin fishing with black soft baits and spinners has yielded occasional catches, while bait fishing with worms remains a dependable option.

Often the fishing at Loganburn does not reach its peak until February when the trout can become singularly focused on devouring cicada blown onto the water. Evening sedge rises can also be spectacular but, again, the surface activity seems quiet for this time of year.

For more details, the next article offers essential tips and tricks for cicada fishing.

 

Convincing cicadas

Angus Borrel with a brown trout that was unable to resist the temptation a cicada imitation drifted passed deep in the backcountry. Credit: Charles Smith.

Cicadas have been active in some areas for the past few weeks, and their numbers have increased over the past week. Trout are taking advantage of this annual bounty. You might even see them openly feeding in the middle of the day, gulping down cicadas from the surface.

Here are a few tips for successful cicada fishing:

• Use the right-sized imitation: Cicadas can vary greatly in size. In the western parts of our region, like the Makarora River, you might need a large #8 hook size imitation for the large ‘bush cicadas’ present. In other areas, like Poolburn Reservoir, the smaller ‘tussock cicadas’ may require a smaller #14 hook. Having a selection of sizes in your box is useful. Find a live cicada in your fishing area and match the fly size to the real bug. Colour is not as important as size, so having the right size in the wrong colour will get more hook-ups than the right colour in the wrong size.
• Use heavier line: A heavier tippet, such as 8lb test, can help your cast "roll over" more easily, especially in riffled water. This will help keep your tippet straight and allow you to present large flies more effectively, even in windy conditions. Heavy line also makes it easier to reel in the trout, shortening the fight and giving the fish a better chance to swim away safely.
• Try fishing in the afternoon: As the day warms up, insect activity increases, and the afternoon wind often blows cicadas onto the water. This can create great fishing conditions.

 

Lower Clutha still firing

Hadlee Edmunds with a lovely proportioned brown trout caught on the lower Clutha River. Credit: Hadlee Edmunds.

The Lower Clutha/Mata-Au River below Balclutha continues to deliver excellent fishing, with large numbers of perch and brown trout being caught. Hadlee, from Hunting & Fishing Dunedin, has been making the most of the action by drifting along weed edges and drop-offs in his boat, casting back towards the shore.

Small, naturally coloured soft baits have been effective for both trout and perch. For anglers targeting perch specifically, Hadlee suggests using brightly coloured soft baits in pink or chartreuse for the best results.

Hadlee has found success fishing the incoming tide, as fish moved into the shallows to hunt baitfish. For cruising trout, fishing with a small streamer or a dry-dropper set-up has proven productive. When casting, take care to minimise water disturbance or shadows, as the fish can be easily spooked.

 

Greenstone Controlled Fishery

Bookings for the Greenstone Controlled Fishery beats open at midnight on Monday, January 27. A Controlled Fishery Period applies from February 1 to March 31 each season on the Upper Greenstone River, from the swing bridge at McKellar Hut to the Sly Burn confluence.

The Controlled Fishery period requires anglers to make a booking to fish the Upper Greenstone River. This ensures anglers will have exclusive angling access to a determined stretch of river (a beat) for the period of their booking. Beats are booked via an online booking system that operates on a first-come, first-served basis.

A booking may be made for one primary angler and one companion angler who must both hold a valid Whole Season Fishing Licence and an Otago Designated Waters Licence. Bookings can only be made up to five days in advance of your intended fishing trip, including on the intended day of fishing. You can select up to a maximum of three consecutive days per booking.

To view a higher quality version of the map click here.

For more information: https://fishandgame.org.nz/freshwater-fishing-in-new-zealand/fishing-regulations/greenstone-river-controlled-fishery/

Lowell Smyth caught this healthy 1.8kg (4 pound) backcountry brown trout and says dry fly season is here.

 

Bullock Creek World Wetlands Day

11am – 2pm, Sunday, February 2, 2025
Bullock Creek Hatchery Springs, Stone Street, Wānaka

A fun day for all the family to explore the unique Wānaka urban wetland on World Wetlands Day hosted by Otago Fish & Game and Friends of Bullock Creek.  

Bring your picnic and rug and enjoy a free barbecue. 

There will be lots to see and do in the Bullock Creek Hatchery Springs.

Read the story here.

 

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