Otago Weekly Fishing Report - 29 October 2026

High-country fisheries open on Sunday

Otago’s high-country fishing season opens this Sunday, November 1, giving anglers access to a wide range of rivers, streams and small lakes across the region’s backcountry.

Pictured above: Angela Taylor, from Canterbury, with her children Andre and Audra Davis fishing the mouth of the Greenstone River mouth at Lake Wakatipu on Labour Weekend. Photo: Bruce Quirey.

Heavy rain in the upper catchments has affected river conditions.

On Monday night in the Wakatipu catchment, the Dart River rose almost 30-fold reaching 1260 cumecs, according to ORC monitoring. In the Wānaka catchment, the Matukituki and Wilkin rivers rose by around 20-fold.

Anglers should check river levels before setting out, allow extra time on backcountry roads and tracks, and be ready to change plans if rivers are high or discoloured.

With many anglers planning trips away this weekend, rangers will be out patrolling on High-Country Opening Day and during the days beforehand, so don’t jump the gun on closed waters.

For a full list of which rivers, streams, lakes and reservoirs open on November 1, check the official 2026–27 Otago Sport Fishing Regulations, as well as any local rules and licence requirements.

If you haven’t already got your fishing licence, buy one online, or drop into your local licence agent.

Share the water

Conditions may concentrate anglers on a smaller number of suitable fisheries. Leave your intentions on your vehicle’s dashboard, talk to other anglers on the water, and share the available fishing spots considerately.

Anglers have responsibilities to the environment and to each other. Following the Angler Code of Conduct helps ensure a positive experience for everyone.

Click here to read the Angler Code of Conduct and watch a video about angler etiquette.

A rich choice of fisheries

Otago’s backcountry fisheries are open to explore for the 2026-2027 season. Photo: Jakub Kanok.

Otago’s high country offers plenty of variety, from small streams and large braided rivers to small lakes, including Designated Waters fisheries.

The opening of high-country season provides opportunities for anglers of all experience levels, whether they’re experienced backcountry anglers seeking solitude on remote waters or beginners exploring smaller local tributaries.

Designated Waters Fisheries

Seven of Otago’s nine Designated Waters Fisheries open on Sunday. The Nevis and Upper Pomahaka have been open since October 1. 

Anglers fishing any Designated Water need a Designated Waters licence in addition to a Whole Season Licence. This requirement applies to waters already open as well as those opening Sunday.

Click here for more information about Otago’s Designated Waters Fisheries and licensing requirements.

Fish & Game ranging on Upper Manorburn Dam last season. Photo: Bruce Quirey.

Fishing Manorburn Upper Dam on Opening Day on November 1 is an annual tradition for many anglers in Central Otago.

Strong winds are forecast at the large irrigation reservoir this weekend, so boaters should keep a close eye on conditions.

The reservoir holds rainbows only. It is popular for bait fishing, but spin and fly fishing can also be rewarding in the right conditions.

November and December are regarded as the best months for fishing. Access is via Poolburn/Moa Creek road, followed by a gravel road to the dam.

Maniototo reservoirs

Rutherfords Dam is stocked with hatchery-reared rainbow trout. Credit: Bruce Quirey.

On the Maniototo Plains, Rutherfords Dam and Hore’s Control Pond open on Sunday, November 1. Both reservoirs are on private property.

Across Otago, many angler access points are on or near private land, and access may involve passing through farm gates. Always leave gates and tapes exactly as you find them. Leaving gates open or removing tapes can put stock at risk and may result in anglers losing access.

Soft bait fishing clinics

Practical tips and techniques for anglers of all experience levels.

Want to catch more trout, salmon and perch? Soft baits are an effective spin-fishing method worth adding to your tackle box.

Join us with Lance Gill, from Okuma NZ, for a free clinic at Lake Waihola and Butchers Dam. Each session from 6.30pm-8.30pm includes a one-hour talk and demonstration, followed by a chance to try your luck catching a trout or perch. Learn about lure types, rig setups, braid-to-mono knots, casting techniques and retrieves that trigger strikes. 

• LAKE WAIHOLA: Wednesday, November 11
• BUTCHERS DAM: Thursday, November 12

  Click here for more details and register now

Bendigo Wildlife Management Reserve

The group got busy helping to restore Bendigo Wildlife Management Reserve, part of  Otago Fish & Game’s EcoFund project. Credit: Supplied.

It was great to bring together the Lowburn Catchment Group, Otago Catchment Community, Otago Regional Council (ORC) and young people taking on the William Pike Challenge for a day of restoration work at Bendigo Wildlife Management Reserve.

After a tour of the reserve to explore Otago Fish & Game’s work and future plans, everyone rolled up their sleeves to weed around established natives, replace plant guards and plant another 50 natives.

The guard replacement work is part of the Otago Fish & Game EcoFund project, funded by ORC, supporting ongoing weed control and revegetation at the reserve.

With ducks overhead and trout feeding in the nearby side braids over lunch, it was a great reminder of the wildlife these wetlands support. As spring progresses, we look forward to seeing more nesting activity and ducklings around the reserve.

Thank you to everyone who gave their time to suppport the restoration work.

The Forgotten Fish

Otago Fish & Game officer Mason Court searches for landlocked salmon. Credit: Callum Wood.

For decades, chinook salmon in Lake Wānaka have quietly adapted to a world reshaped by dams.

But where do these landlocked fish go to spawn? A combination of science, eDNA and countless hours in the field is helping uncover the mystery of the Clutha/Mata Au’s forgotten fish.

Read "The Forgotten Fish" by Dougal Rillstone on Aotearoa Stories at https://bit.ly/48fj8m7

Club updates

Women on the Fly NZ

Cast & Connect: Women’s Fly Fishing Weekend
The Camp, Lake Hāwea | 11–13 December 2026

Join Women on the Fly NZ for a weekend of fly fishing, new friendships and time together supported by The Camp, Lake Hāwea.

We’ll start with a shared meal and local fishing insights on Friday evening, explore local rivers and lakes on Saturday and Sunday morning, and enjoy dinner together on Saturday night.

This is a relaxed social fishing weekend for women with fly fishing experience, rather than a beginners’ workshop or guided fishing event. Come with a friend or come on your own. Women new to Women on the Fly NZ are very welcome.

The Camp will be our base for accommodation, shared meals and getting together throughout the weekend, with accommodation options to suit different preferences and budgets.

Registrations are open.
Full details and registration: https://womenonthefly.nz/thecamp2026

Why not join a local fishing club?

Select here for a list of Otago fishing clubs.

If your club has any news or photos for inclusion in the Weekly Fishing Report, please email [email protected] by the Monday prior to publication on Thursday.

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

Sunday looks to be the best day for fishing. Saturday mainly fine, but a few showers in the morning and afternoon. Westerlies dying out for a time in the afternoon and evening. Sunday partly cloudy, with northerlies developing in the morning.

The Taieri River at Outram is falling, at 18.9 cumecs this morning. The water temperature is 14.9 degrees C.

Click here for live Dunedin weather updates.

Wānaka

Saturday looks best for fishing, provided you can find fishable rivers. Saturday will be fine, with northwesterlies developing in the afternoon. Sunday occasional rain from morning, with northerlies developing. 

Click here for live Wānaka weather updates.

Alexandra

River levels and wind will be the deciding factors for anglers. Saturday fine, northwesterlies dying out for a time in the morning. Sunday partly cloudy, with a few showers developing in the evening. Northerlies developing in the morning.

Click here for live Central Otago weather updates.

Clutha Regional Forecast

South Otago streams rose last night but the weather looks reasonable for fishing this weekend. Saturday mainly fine, isolated showers clearing in the afternoon with westerlies. Sunday partly cloudy with northerlies.

The Pomahaka River was at 23 cumecs at Glenken this morning. Check updated river conditions before heading out.

The lower Clutha River at Balclutha is flowing at 931 cumecs.

Click here for live lower Clutha 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.

Tight lines, 

The team at Otago Fish & Game