Otago Weekly Fishing Report - 24 April 2025

ANZAC edition

This week marks the final edition of the Otago Weekly Fishing Report for the 2024–2025 season.

A big thank you to all the anglers and agents who have contributed throughout the year — your support has been greatly appreciated.

Pictured above: Queenstown Hunting & Fishing store manager Marty with an excellent 5lb rainbow from one of Otago’s Designated Waters early this week. Credit: Sam Fisher.

With an excellent weather forecast for the upcoming long weekend, it’s a great opportunity to fish those rivers set to close on April 30. As a general rule, the April 30 closure applies to waterways within the Clutha catchment downstream of Clyde Dam, and to other Otago catchments flowing to the sea that aren’t specifically named in the regulations. If you’re unsure, you can easily check the 2024–2025 Otago Sports Fishing Regulations for clarity.

High-country fishing continues for another month, with many Upper Clutha tributaries and Designated Waters open until May 31. These include rivers that feed lakes Wakatipu, Wānaka and Hāwea and offer excellent late-season trout fishing.

Several Otago waters are also open year-round, including lakes Wānaka, Wakatipu, Hāwea  and Dunstan. The Clutha River/Mata-Au (excluding Deans Bank) and the Kawarau River are both open all year and support good winter trout runs. Many lower sections of coastal rivers also remain open through the winter months.

To stay up to date, follow us on the Otago Fish & Game Council Facebook page.

Thanks again for following along this season — enjoy the long weekend, and tight lines!

School holiday success

Louis Oskam-Schmidt with a cracking-proportioned brown trout from the Taieri River, caught on a juvenile brown trout imitation soft bait. Credit: Matthew Oskam-Schmidt.

Here at Otago Fish & Game, we’ve really appreciated the steady stream of fishing photos sent in over the school holidays — some excellent fish have been caught!

The recent spell of good weather gave anglers plenty of opportunities to get out, and it’s been fantastic to see people of all ages enjoying time on the water.

Keep those photos coming — we’ll continue to share them throughout the off-season on our Facebook page.

A quick tip for helping us showcase your catch:

• If photographing a fish to be released, try to hold it over water and keep it brief — ideally no more than five seconds out of the water with hands away from the gills.
• If you’re keeping the fish, a quick rinse or wipe-down often makes for a much more appealing photo.
• Thanks again, and keep the great shots coming!

Sam Soper with a stunning brown trout caught at the apparently well named “Big Fish Bluff” on Lake Wānaka. Credit: Angus Ives.

Hot action in cold conditions

Wading belt, fishing in pairs, and not walking out too deep are all important ways to keep safe while fishing river mouths. Credit: Mason Court.

River mouth fishing and cold winter conditions go hand in hand, with some of the best fishing of the year kicking off as the temperature drops.

Good numbers of rainbow trout, brown trout, and lake-locked salmon can often be found holding in the drop-offs where rivers meet lakes.

Streamer flies, soft baits, and spinners all produce solid results, especially when worked through deeper channels or across the current. And don’t forget the classic — a booby fly on a sinking line, slowly retrieved, can be absolutely deadly when fish are sulking near the bottom.

But with that winter bite comes risk:

• Cold air temperatures and steep drop-offs into deep water make for a dangerous combination.
• Always wear a wading belt, bring extra layers, and fish with a mate if you can.
• Keep a close eye on changing weather and water conditions, and never underestimate how quickly things can turn.

Rivers fishing well

A brown trout comes to the net for Mike Weddell on the Pomahaka River last weekend. Credit: Bruce Quirey.

The middle reaches of the Taieri and Pomahaka Rivers were fishing well on fly last weekend.

On Saturday Mike Weddell had one of his best sessions of the season on the Taieri River near Middlemarch.

On Sunday he fished the Pomahaka near Tapanui with Bruce Quirey. Some duns and spinners were present, but the trout rises were fairly sporadic and most fish were caught sub-surface.

While not usually large, many of the trout were feisty, silver maidens that gave a good account of themselves. The largest weighed about 1.5kg.

They took #12 weighted and #14 unweighted Hares Ear Nymphs and #14 CDC Emergers.

Yesterday the Taieri River at Kokonga was slightly discoloured below Kyeburn, as this photo illustrates. Credit: Bruce Quirey.

Something old, something new

This Scottish wet fly pattern, a Black Pearly Pennell, took a 1.5kg brown trout on the Pomahaka River last weekend. Credit: Bruce Quirey.

Sometimes it’s fun to do something different.

Fish & Game officer Bruce Quirey tied some wet flies for a trip to Scotland last year.

On his return, he planned to fish these flies during the South Island 2024-25 season. More often than not, the flies stayed in the fly box, because old habits die hard. But each time the wet flies came out, they caught trout.

We shouldn’t be surprised. Wet flies were the choice of our fishing forebears during the first trout season in Otago 150 years ago and onward for many generations.

An excellent online resource is Scottish fly tier Davie McPhail’s YouTube videos. They’re worth a look and might give you some ideas at the fly-tying vice over winter.

Why not give them a go?

A juvenile brown trout from the last workshop held at the Bullock Creek.

Stream health workshop: Get your feet wet

Join WAI Wānaka for a stream health workshop at Bullock Creek. You'll learn about, measure and record a selection of indicators that reflect water quality. Otago Fish & Game staff will be there assisting with a fish survey and electric fishing demonstration.

Date: Thursday 24 April 
Location: Bullock Creek (opposite Speights Ale House)
Time: 4-5pm

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.

Here’s the weekend outlook:

Dunedin

An excellent forecast is shaping up for Dunedin this long weekend, with ANZAC Day looking like the pick of the bunch — clear skies and calm conditions are on the cards. Saturday morning also looks favourable, although northerly winds are expected to develop during the afternoon. Sunday is forecast to be overcast with continued northerlies.

Make the most of the settled weather early in the weekend and take the opportunity to fish those waterways due to close at the end of the month.

The Taieri River at Outram was flowing at 20 cumecs this morning. The water temperature was 10.1 degrees C.

Click here for live weather updates.

Wānaka

Throw on the waders and make the most of this long weekend around the Upper Clutha. Like much of the region, ANZAC Day is shaping up to be a stunner — clear skies and light winds make for ideal angling conditions. Just be sure to wrap up warm, with a morning frost predicted.

Saturday is also looking fine, with northerlies developing in the afternoon, while Sunday brings similar conditions with a touch more cloud cover. A great opportunity to get out before the April 30 season closures.

Click here for live weather updates.

Alexandra

Early morning fog is the only blemish for Alexandra this ANZAC Day, with stunning weather forecast for the rest of the day. Saturday and Sunday are also looking favourable, with light northerlies and the occasional patch of cloud. Ideal conditions for heading up to Poolburn or finding a stretch along the Manuherikia to fish before the river closes next week.

Click here for live weather updates.

Clutha Regional Forecast

For once, it seems the sun is shining on the Lower Clutha this long weekend, with Friday and Saturday bringing clear skies and light winds. Sunday’s only blemish is some overcast conditions. These calm, settled days are ideal for anglers keen to explore the Lower Clutha tributaries before they close next week. Expect the Clutha to be carrying a little colour from the snow melt in the upper catchment.

The Pomahaka River was flowing at 17 cumecs.

The lower Clutha River at Balclutha was flowing at 433 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 [email protected] for consideration in the weekly report.