Otago Weekly Fishing Report - 30 April 2026

Final edition for 2025/26 season

This week marks the final edition of the Otago Weekly Fishing Report for the 2025–2026 season. A big thank you to all the anglers and licence agents who have contributed throughout the year — your support has been greatly appreciated.

Many lowland rivers close today (April 30). This closure generally applies to waterways within the Clutha catchment downstream of Clyde Dam, as well as other Otago catchments flowing to the sea that are not specifically named in the regulations. If you’re unsure, refer to the 2025–2026 Otago Sports Fishing Regulations for clarification.

Pictured: Hadlee Edmunds with a stunning brown trout from one of Otago’s many waterways that are open all year round. Photo: Supplied. 

High-country fishing continues for another month, with many Upper Clutha tributaries and designated waters open until May 31. These include rivers feeding Lakes Wakatipu, Wānaka, and Hāwea, and can offer excellent late-season trout fishing.

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

To stay up to date, follow the Otago Fish & Game Council Facebook. Thanks again for following along this season, tight lines!

Farewell to Ian Hadland

The restoration of Takitakitoa wetland is one of several project highlights of former Otago Fish & Game chief executive Ian Hadland, who has moved on after three decades of service to Fish & Game. Credit: Bruce Quirey.

Otago Fish & Game Council announces that Ian Hadland has resigned from his position as chief executive.

His departure ends 31 years of dedicated service — eight as a field officer for West Coast Fish & Game and the remainder with Otago Fish & Game, including the last eight as chief executive.

Mr Hadland said it had been a privilege to represent angling and game bird hunting licence holders, and to advocate for species and habitats alongside such a passionate group of staff and councillors.

“Thirty-one years has flown by. I'm immensely proud of what’s been achieved,” he said.

Otago Fish & Game Council chair Adrian McIntyre said Mr Hadland had been a strong and consistent advocate for the organisation.

“Ian’s commitment over three decades has left a lasting mark on this organisation and on the angling and hunting community,” Cr McIntyre said. "I’m confident Ian has left the organisation in a good position to face future challenges. We thank him sincerely and wish him well in whatever comes next.”

Read more on the Otago Fish & Game Facebook page.

Duck-hunting season

Large numbers of duck hunters will be out at their stands on rivers, lakes, estuaries, and ponds from Saturday, May 2, marking the opening weekend of the game bird season.

Anglers who prefer not to be disturbed are advised to avoid popular waterfowl hunting areas over opening weekend.

While most duck hunting activity occurs during opening weekend, the Otago mallard season runs through to July 26, so some hunting activity can be expected beyond this period.

Bright and white

The floating nature of a booby fly paired with a fast-sinking line makes them effective around river mouths and drop-offs. Photo: Ben Sowry

Cool conditions have done little to slow the fishing at the top of Lake Dunstan, says Tim from Hunting & Fishing Central Otago. Brightly coloured or white soft baits have been working well for targeting trout in the area.

Tim also recommends fishing booby flies on a sinking line around river mouths at this time of year. The key is a slow retrieve to keep the fly in the strike zone for longer and tempt more strikes. For more information on fishing booby flies, former Otago Fish & Game officer, now Eastern Fish & Game officer Ben Sowry, has produced an excellent video which can be viewed here.

Catch and release tips

A rainbow trout about to be quickly raised for a photo, keeping the fish out of the water for the least amount possible. Credit: Allan Carpenter.

With the spawning season starting to get underway, many fish are in poor condition after spawning and should be released, as they make poor table fare. This includes our lake-locked salmon in the upper lakes.

When selecting a fish for the table, look for fish in good condition — bright, silvery colouring, firm flesh, and a solid, well-rounded body. Fish that are darkened, thin, or show signs of spawning such as hooked jaws (kype) or worn fins are best released.

How anglers handle their fish can have a significant impact on their recovery and survival, so take care when landing, handling, and releasing fish during this period.

Here are our Quick six tips for handling fish with care: 

• Cool your hands and landing net by wetting them before touching the fish.
• Keep the fish in the water while removing the hook.
• Do not squeeze the fish and never touch the gills.
• Photograph the fish in or over the water and make it quick — the fish should not be out of the water for more than 5 seconds.
• Revive the fish facing into the current long enough for it to regain its swimming strength.
• In the unfortunate instance that a fish you intended to release bleeds from the gills, so long as you can legally take that fish, you should keep it as part of your bag limit and utilise it.

We recommend checking out this video to see a good example of a fish handled with care.

May mayflies

An example of popular commercial mayfly imitations with spinners in the first row. Credit: Tim Johnson.

May can be an underrated time for mayfly hatches in Otago, with cooler, settled conditions often creating ideal opportunities for anglers.

While the intensity of summer hatches has eased, consistent autumn hatches still occur, particularly on milder days with overcast skies and light winds.

Late morning through to mid-afternoon is typically the key window, when water temperatures lift slightly and insects begin to emerge. Anglers may notice steady trickles of mayflies rather than large, obvious hatches, but fish are often still actively feeding — especially in slower runs, pools, and along edges.

Don’t forget the technology

Over winter, a few simple tools can make a big difference to your fishing success before you even leave home.

The ORC Environmental Data Portal is a great starting point for checking river flows, lake levels, and recent rainfall to help you decide where conditions are most fishable. 

Regional webcams are also useful for a quick look at water colour, snowmelt, and general river conditions in real time. Satellite tools such as Sentinel and CawthronEye can further help track clarity changes and spot rivers that are clearing or likely to fish well after floods.

Club Updates

Upper Clutha Angling Club — guest speaker Mike Weddell

The Upper Clutha Angling Club invites all interested anglers to their next meeting on Tuesday May 5 at The Hub, McDougall Street, Wānaka, at 7pm

Mike Weddell: Angling author, fly tier and exceptional fly caster (world champion, 5x British champion) for a no-nonsense approach to increasing your catch.

All welcome. Non-members a gold coin donation.

Fly-tying course

Join Mike Weddell for a four-night fly-tying course this winter.

• Dates: May 25, June 1, June 8, and June 15
• Time: 7pm-9pm
• Venue: Otago Fish and Game office, 4 Hazlett Road, Mosgiel

For beginners and improvers. Learn to tie flies that catch fish in Otago waters and the skills to tie many other patterns.

Tools provided if you have none, and materials for the patterns tied in the class.  
Also, tools and materials available for purchase.

Contact Mike Weddell on 027 577 2439 or [email protected]

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 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

Many anglers will be wondering where this weather has been all season, with an excellent fishing forecast on the cards for this weekend. Clear skies and mild temperatures are expected from Friday through to Monday. Northeasterlies are forecast to ease during the afternoon on Saturday, with light winds expected to continue through Sunday, setting up ideal conditions for time on the water.

The Taieri River at Outram was low at 9.6 cumecs this morning. The water temperature was 9 ^oC.

Click here for live MetService weather updates

Wānaka

Fine conditions with light winds and mild air temperatures are forecast for Wānaka this weekend, making it ideal for getting out on the boat on the large lakes or making the most of the final month of the high-country fishing season heading into the back country. Rivers should have dropped back nicely and be running at clear, fishable levels following last week’s rain, providing good opportunities across both lake and river systems.

Click here for live MetService weather updates.

Alexandra

Another stunning weather forecast is shaping up for Alexandra, with clear skies and mild air temperatures expected throughout the weekend. Stiff northeasterlies are forecast for Saturday before easing later in the evening. Sunday looks ideal for getting out on the still-open waterways, with light winds expected to prevail.

Remember to wrap up warm and take care in the mornings, as frosty conditions are likely.

Click here for live MetService weather updates.

Clutha Regional Forecast

Sunday is shaping up as the pick of the weather forecast for the Lower Clutha or the lower Pomahaka downstream of Swans Bridge (Clydevale Road) this weekend, with clear skies, light winds, and mild air temperatures providing ideal conditions for fishing.

Saturday is expected to start off cloudy, becoming fine in the morning, before westerlies strengthen for a time through the morning and afternoon.

The Pomahaka River at Burkes Ford was at 12.6 cumecs.

The lower Clutha River at Balclutha was at 553 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.