2026 Take A Kid Fishing

Archie Senelale loves fishing. He also loves eating fish.

This September, the four-year-old will return to Southern Reservoir with his dad Corey and younger brother Oakly for Otago Fish & Game's annual Take A Kid Fishing event.

For Archie, fishing is about much more than catching trout.

"Archie loves the whole process of fishing — catching the fish, gutting it, smoking it or baking it," Corey says. "He's got a fascination with eating the eyeballs."

Corey says fishing has become a great way to spend time together while teaching the boys where food comes from.

"It's a good beginner stage to get the kids involved. Any opportunity to get him out fishing, I'll try and do it."

Register now

Take A Kid Fishing is free, but registrations are essential. Children may register for one day only.

Click to choose your preferred date:

• Saturday 19 September - Full 
• Sunday 20 September - Full
• Saturday 26 September - Full
• Sunday 27 September

Event information

Take A Kid Fishing is open to children and young people aged 17 years and under. Events are held between 10am and noon over two weekends at Southern Reservoir, Dunedin.

Otago Fish & Game staff and volunteers will be on hand throughout the events to help young anglers cast lures, untangle lines, land fish and clean their catch. A limited number of fishing rods and lures are available to borrow, making it easy for first-time anglers to give fishing a go. A sausage sizzle and coffee cart will also be on site.

Southern Reservoir

Southern Reservoir is the perfect place for children to learn. It's easy to fish, and we stock it with rainbow trout from the OceanaGold Macraes hatchery to give kids a genuine chance of catching one.

Please note that Southern Reservoir is closed to public fishing throughout September to support Otago Fish & Game's Take A Kid Fishing events and adult beginner fishing classes. The new trout fishing season opens on 1 October.

Take A Kid Fishing is proudly supported by OceanaGold, Dunedin City Council and Green Island Lions Club.