Otago Weekly Fishing Report - 26 March 2026

Long weekend magic

This year the Otago Anniversary public holiday fell on a Monday, giving anglers the perfect long weekend to enjoy some calm, settled weather.

Fish & Game rangers were out over the weekend carrying out compliance checks and angler surveys, and they spotted plenty of anglers making the most of the great conditions.

Pictured: Logan Greer and Gabriel Vilgalys had some success fishing new water on the Pomahaka after running into other anglers at their usual spots. Credit: Jayde Couper.

Up around Central Otago, fish were seen cruising along the shoreline on the neck of Lake Hāwea. Even with the big lake levels high and depths over five metres, trout were feeding near the surface, chasing insects — a sure sign the fishing can be productive for those willing to focus on surface patterns.

Some of the upper rivers were looking a little skinny, with fish numbers lower than earlier in the season. Anglers targeting the lower sections reported better success. Over at Lake Dunstan, anglers taking part in a creel survey said the drop-offs were fishing well again now that lake levels have risen.

While this weekend may not look quite as picture-perfect as last, it still offers plenty of opportunities for anglers. The additional rain and gusty winds are likely to stir up insect activity and other food sources, which could get the fish moving. Anglers will need to adapt to the changing conditions and make the most of the weather windows available to find success on the water. Don’t be afraid to revert back to early season high-water tactics and change up your methods.

Ben Gazeley and his daughter Meadow fishing the upper Clutha River/Mata-Au below Roxburgh Dam after hearing local rumours of the odd salmon landed. Meadow had a trout chasing her lure when rangers arrived, however, none on the bank. Earlier this month, Meadow caught a 450mm land-locked salmon in Lake Roxburgh.

Sea-run success

Harry Brennan (aged 8) from Roxburgh with a Clutha/Mata-Au sea-run salmon. Credit: Jack Brennan.

Last Sunday, Harry Brennan caught a nice sea-run salmon in the Clutha/Mata Au in the Ettrick area.

Like the salmon we reported in a previous report this season, this one was caught on trout gear. It shows that trout gear is a versatile option, giving you a small chance of a salmon and a good chance of a trout. Harry’s salmon was caught on a favourite trout lure — the rainbow Tassie.

If you happen to catch a salmon this season, please contact us. We would be happy to collect the fish head from you, as we are interested in a small bone known as the otolith, which retains information on the water chemistry across the salmon’s life. Using this data we can track the salmon’s age, where it was born and where it spent different stages of its life. This information helps us protect those places.

We are most interested in salmon from the lower Clutha River/Mata-Au or Pomahaka River. However, if you’ve caught a salmon in the upper river or lakes (except Hāwea, because we have loads of those!) we are keen to organise a time to collect them off you. Just keep the head in the freezer with details on the fish length, and when and where you caught it. Email otago@fishandgame.org.nz.

Fishing local

Cameron Stobie with an excellent rainbow trout caught off his kayak on Lake Hāwea. Photo supplied.

With fuel prices continuing to climb, more anglers are rediscovering just how rewarding fishing close to home can be.

You don’t need to burn a tank chasing distant waters when Otago’s main centres are surrounded by quality fisheries offering a variety of species and experiences.

Most towns in Otago have fishing nearby — whether it’s a local reservoir, dam, lake, or a larger river, there are plenty of options often within a short drive.

For example, in Dunedin, anglers have easy access to the Taieri River, Waipori River, and Lake Mahinerangi, all offering excellent opportunities for trout and perch. Inland, Wānaka anglers are spoiled with Lake Wānaka, Lake Hāwea, the Upper Clutha River, and the Hāwea River on their doorstep. Local angler Cameron Sobie has been making the most of Lake Hāwea while saving fuel, using his kayak with a recently added electric trolling motor. On low speed, it provides the perfect pace for trolling.

Alexandra anglers also have plenty of options, including Butchers and Conroys Dams, as well as the Lower Manuherikia River, all just a short drive away.

There are many spots close to town to explore — use our Otago Access Map or our handy Where to Fish in Otago guide to plan your trip.

Mahinerangi ‘hit and miss’ as lake sits high

Lake Mahinerangi is full with the Edgar Stark Memorial Bridge boat ramp well under water. Inset: Dave Young’s bait fishing set-up — simple and deadly.

Long-time angler Dave Young from Taieri Anglers Club checked in from Lake Mahinerangi this week ahead of an Easter trip, marking more than 40 years fishing the lake.

He found water levels high and says the fishing in the lake can be a bit “hit and miss” at this time of year but brown trout will be making their way towards river mouths. There is plenty of water for launching at the Edgar Stark Memorial Bridge boat ramp.

Dave says Mahinerangi Road near the lake township is in rough shape — take care heading in.

His advice for the next few weeks is to keep it simple. Banana Tobys and spotted Veltics are go-to lures, while soft baits are always worth a crack.

For bait fishers, a garden worm with a light sinker is the way to go — no need to go heavy. He recommends setting your rod with the bail arm open, resting it on a rod holder. When a fish starts taking line, adjust the tension, close the bail arm and strike.

Young River access

The Department of Conservation has repaired the access stile and reopened the Young access track north of the Makarora township. This access is frequently used by anglers to reach both the Young and Makarora rivers.

Please note the access stile is now located about 200m upstream from its previous position. Follow the orange DOC markers from the car park to the river.

A reminder that the Young River is one of Otago’s Designated Waters and requires a Designated Waters licence in addition to a full-season licence to fish.

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

Registrations have been successful for Women on the Fly NZ’s first workshop in Dunedin, supported by the Otago Anglers' Association this Sunday, March 29.

All available spots are full for the Introduction to Fly Fishing day for female beginners and other women who’d like to build more confidence on the water.

However, if you missed out this time and are keen, please register for the wait list and they will do another class later. Register here:  https://wotfnz.short.gy/Dunedin-Intro

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

Making the most of calm weather on Saturday morning will be key for anglers this weekend in Dunedin with brisk southwesterlies forecast to develop in the evening as well as rain showers. The Sunday forecast is also mixed with rain clearing in the morning and north easterlies easing slightly, providing some respite for the anglers looking to head out Sunday afternoon. Expect the local rivers to rise slightly with rain leading into the weekend and throughout.

The Taieri River at Outram was low at 5.9 cumecs this morning. The water temperature was 15.3 ^oC.

Click here for live MetService weather updates

Wānaka

A wet start to the weekend for Wānaka is expected, with rain showers and northerlies on Saturday morning. Rivers are likely to have risen following Thursday and Friday’s rainfall.

Sunday morning looks to be the pick of the weekend, with calm, overcast conditions — perfect for a morning on the boat or casting from the shore.

Click here for live MetService weather updates.

Alexandra

Alexandra is shaping up as the pick of the region for this weekend’s weather. Saturday is expected to be fine but cloudy at times, with northerlies developing in the afternoon. Sunday looks even better, with a few showers clearing in the morning and light winds for the rest of the day.

Click here for live MetService weather updates.

Clutha Regional Forecast

The forecast for the Lower Clutha this weekend sees mostly cloudy skies on Saturday, with isolated showers clearing by the afternoon. Westerlies will shift to easterlies later in the day.

On Sunday, showers return, with easterly winds easing. Expect the Pomahaka River to rise following rain in the days leading up to the weekend.

The Pomahaka River at Burkes Ford was at 3.7 cumecs.

The lower Clutha River at Balclutha was at 340 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.