Reel Life September 2026 - Otago

Ready, Set, Cast! 

The 2026-2027 fishing season opens on Thursday, October 1, with anglers ready to cast out across our abundant lowland rivers and stillwaters.

Check the Otago Sports Fishing Regulations 2026-2027 for which waters will be open. Most high-country waters remain closed until November 1.

Opening rivers will include the Taieri, Pomahaka, Shag/Waihemo, Deans Bank section of the Clutha River/Mata-Au (fly fishing only), and many other smaller streams.

Opening stillwaters include Poolburn, Loganburn, Blakelys and Mathias dams.

Get your licence now by clicking here or dropping into your local agent.

Rangers will be out and about this season.

 

Image above:Siobhan De La Mare reeled in the first fish of the day during the Adult Beginner Fishing Class practical session at Southern Reservoir this month. Photo: Bruce Quirey

 

New Season, New Regulations

Changes allowing scented soft baits to be used when actively fished, reduced salmon bag limits in parts of the upper Clutha/Mata-Au catchment, and new fishing opportunities in Dunedin and the Catlins are among the new regulations for the 2026-2027 season.

Otago Fish & Game Council has completed its triennial review of the regulations, forms and fees, which have been approved by the Minister for Hunting and Fishing.

We thank all the anglers, fishing clubs, guides and other stakeholders who provided feedback during the consultation process.

• For a summary of the 2026-2027 Otago regulation changes, click here.
• For the full 2026-2027 Otago sports fishing regulations, click here.
• For the Anglers Notice Consultation Summary Report, click here.

Stocked and Ready for School Holidays

 Rainbow trout from Macraes Hatchery are liberated into Tomahawk Lagoon, Dunedin, this month. Photo: Steve Dixon

School holidays start on Saturday, September 26, and there’s plenty of options where the kids can fish before the 2026-2027 season opens.

• Sullivans Dam, Tomahawk Lagoon, and Southern Reservoir have been restocked with rainbow trout.
• Southern Reservoir remains closed until October 1 for Take a Kid Fishing events.
• Coal Pit Dam at Naseby, Butchers Dam at Alexander, and Moke Lake near Queenstown are other year-round put-and-take fisheries.

Stocking of Otago put-and-take fisheries will be completed over the next few weeks. These fisheries are stocked with rainbow trout from Macraes Hatchery in partnership with OceanaGold, offering easy access and great odds for beginner and family anglers. Hatchery rainbows are only released into selected dams and reservoirs — wild brown trout populations in Otago’s rivers sustain themselves naturally.

Weekly Fix of Otago Fishing News 

The Otago Weekly Fishing Report will return on Thursday, September 24, for the 2026-2027 fishing season.

• If you haven’t subscribed for free already and want to be ready for next season, you can click here.
• The weekly report will be emailed to your inbox with up-to-date fishing conditions, weather and river flow information to help improve your catch.
• You’ll also get a behind-the-scenes look at the work Otago Fish & Game does for our licence holders.
• We’re also happy to provide Club Updates, connecting you and local fishing clubs.

You can catch up on previous regional reports on the Fish & Game website: Regional Fishing Reports - Tagged with Otago

Fly-Casting Class

Fly-fishing guide Chris Dore teaches fly-casting with Otago Anglers Association and Women on the Fly NZ participants at the Edgar Centre in Dunedin this month. Photo: Bruce Quirey

Otago Fish & Game was pleased to see a strong group of female anglers attending a fly-casting class with professional guide Chris Dore in Dunedin this month.

The class was hosted by Otago Anglers Association with support from Women on The Fly NZ at the Edgar Centre. About 20 anglers attended, including 15 women who also attended an introductory fly-fishing course run by the club in March.

We were delighted to support the event, helping foster new skills and confidence among anglers through classes, educational materials and partnerships with fishing clubs. These initiatives help beginners and experienced anglers get more from their outdoor pursuits.

Coastal Action

The lower Taieri River on September 13. Soft baits and smelt fly patterns can imitate baitfish in coastal rivers. Photo: Bruce Quirey

Early spring sees baitfish entering coastal rivers — and the trout are ready to ambush them.

The coastal reaches of most major rivers are open all year to fishing, and this can be highly rewarding in late winter and early spring. Aim to fish two hours either side of high tide for the best action.

Trout will be cruising the edges looking for prey. Smelt flies or soft baits are good imitations of the baitfish moving in. Here’s six rivers where the fishing is open and promising right now.

• Catlins Estuary (downstream of the Southern Scenic Route bridge)
• Lower Clutha River (all year)
• Tokomairiro River (downstream of Coal Gully Rd bridge)
• Taieri River (downstream of State Highway 87 bridge at Outram)
• Shag River/Waihemo (downstream of State Highway 1 bridge)
• Waikouaiti River (downstream of State Highway 1 bridge)

Finding Fish After Rain

Always check conditions before you head out.

Spring storms can make rivers run high or discoloured. To improve your odds:

• Seek clearer tributaries where fish shelter.
• In big rivers, target around rocks, logs, and undercut banks.
• Eddies and margins provide shelter and food.
• Get to the bottom - fish with heavier lures, jigs or split shot
• On estuaries, incoming tides bring clearer water.
• Stillwaters and the big lakes stay fishable after rain.

Bookmark the ORC Environmental Data Portal for real-time flows, temperature, and lake levels.

Designated Waters Reminder

The Designated Waters Licence is required in addition to your whole-season licence to fish in Otago Designated Waters Fisheries.

In Otago, we have nine Designated Waters Fisheries.

Two Otago Designated Waters — Upper Pomahaka (above Hukerere Station Bridge) and Nevis River — open October 1. The other seven Otago Designated Waters open on November 1.

Read more

Soft Bait Fishing Clinics 

Free soft bait fishing clinics will be held near Dunedin and Alexandra in November.

• Wednesday, November 11,30pm, Lake Waihola
• Thursday, November 12,30pm, Butchers Dam, Alexandra

Keep an eye on the Otago Fish & Game Facebook page and the Otago Weekly Fishing Report for details soon on how to register.

Take A Kid Fishing

This spring Take A Kid Fishing sessions are being held on September 19-20 and 26-27 at Southern Reservoir. These events are a highlight for more than 400 registered kids and their families each year. At the time of writing, spaces were available on Sunday, September 27. Other days were fully booked. Thanks to our volunteers, the Dunedin City Council, OceanaGold and Green Islands Lions Club for supporting this major event.

Read more

Adult Beginner Fishing Classes 

Adult beginners learned how to catch trout in Cromwell, Wānaka and Dunedin, gaining confidence and skills ahead of the new fishing season. Photo: Cole Briggs

Dozens of adults have been introduced to freshwater fishing through Otago Fish & Game’s latest Adult Beginner Fishing Classes in Mosgiel, Cromwell and Wānaka.

Participants attended evening theory sessions this month before putting their new knowledge into practice, learning everything from selecting appropriate lures, bait or flies and locating fish, through to playing, landing and safely harvesting or releasing their catch.

For many, the highlight was catching their first-ever fish during the practical sessions, whether at Southern Reservoir in Dunedin or in Central Otago. Despite some challenging weather – and even an earthquake evacuation during one theory session – participants showed plenty of enthusiasm and adaptability.

The programme is designed to give new anglers the practical skills and confidence to continue fishing independently, supporting our wider goal of encouraging more people to enjoy freshwater fishing.

Fishing Knowledge Hub

This month, Fish & Game NZ launched a free online knowledge hub packed with resources for freshwater anglers at every experience level.

The knowledge hub is a living resource, and Fish & Game is keen to hear from anglers about what else would be useful. Click on this Fishing Knowledge Hub link to explore on the Fish & Game and share your feedback with [email protected]

Don’t Forget Your Licence

Buy early to get best value for the 2026-2027 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.

 

Want more info? Check out these links or contact our helpful Otago team. 

• Trout Fishing Made Easy 

• Otago Fish & Game Facebook page 

• Otago Fish & Game webpage 

• 5 Hazlett Road, Mosgiel 9092
• Tel: (03) 477 9076 

 

Tight lines, 

The team at Otago Fish & Game Council