Otago Weekly Fishing Report - 9 April 2026
- Otago
- 9/04/2026
Do your mate a favour — take them fishing
With only a few weeks of the main season to go, conditions are lining up nicely for one of your last shots on some rivers — settled autumn weather this weekend ahead of rain should keep rivers clear and fish active.
It’s a great time to make the most of it, or better yet, take a mate along and share what makes fishing in Otago so special.
There's not much better than stalking up a river, catching up and chatting about fishing. Here's a little snippet from Tim Read who enjoyed a day out fishing after a mate offered to show him around a local river.
"After being interested in trying my hand at some fly fishing but never quite making the effort, my friend kindly offered to take me out for a day to do just that,” Tim said. “Once my friend confirmed the conditions were good, I sorted myself out with a $25 day pass, and we were into it. I enjoy my hunting and was worried fly fishing would be too slow, but I couldn't have been more wrong.
“I spent as much time tangling lines as I did pulling off okay casts, but I enjoyed it the whole time. Walking up the stream, trying to spy fish while working to improve my technique with a patient teacher, was a rewarding experience.
“While learning about the finer points of fly fishing in such stunning country, I ultimately helped net a rainbow trout! To anyone who is on the fence about fly fishing, I implore you to get out there and have a go, you may just surprise yourself. I went from uncertain to loving the feeling of standing in the river, taking it all in while practising my cast with netting a fish being the cherry on top and I know I will be out there again in no time."
Fly fishing newcomer Tim Read enjoys a day out on a local river at the weekend. Credit: Photo supplied.
Rivers in fine form
Torsten Kleffmann fly fishing on the Taieri River last weekend. Credit: Bruce Quirey.
Anglers were out enjoying low and clear conditions on the Taieri River over the Easter holiday break — bearing in mind the naturally tannin colour of this river.
Today the Taieri is still at low levels making wading and siting fish easier. Get out there before the tail end of the tropical cyclone from up north whips up conditions next week.
Rangers met Torsten Kleffmann fishing with a buddy, swinging small soft-hackle wet flies in the late afternoon light. Torsten hadn’t had a hook-up yet but was getting nibbles and trout were occassionally rising.
The good news at this time of year is that mayfly hatches are often triggered during the warmer parts of the day, so you don’t need to be out too early or too late for the best fishing.
Putting new skills into action
Lydia Quirey fly fishing on the lower Clutha River on Good Friday. Credit: Bruce Quirey.
After taking part in a recent introductory fly-fishing workshop for women, Lydia Quirey bought a day licence and put her new skills to the test for an afternoon on the lower Mata-Au/Clutha River on Good Friday.
Well done to Women on the Fly NZ and Otago Anglers Association for holding the workshop! After more than 30 years of marriage to a slightly fishing-obsessed husband — and now being two empty-nesters — just maybe, we might have a new convert to fly-fishing!
The Clutha above Balclutha was flowing around 400 cumecs. At this level, many of the river’s gravel and cobble beaches are accessible to anglers for wading. It’s a great area to practice casting and line control on the water — and there’s a good chance of hooking a trout.
Small rainbow and brown trout were feeding on the pebble bottom and rising occasionally to mayflies. While Lydia is still waiting for the thrill of that first trout on fly, hubby hooked a couple of fish on Bead-Head Hare’s Ear and Copper John nymphs. The Clutha River, except for Deans Bank, is open to fishing year-round!
Contact Otago Anglers Association and Women on the Fly NZ if you’re interested in learning more.
Click here for more information about fishing on the lower Clutha.
Lake Dunstan debris
Keep your eyes peeled. Not every floating hazard on Lake Dunstan will be this obvious. Credit: Cole Briggs.
An influx of logs and debris on Lake Dunstan calls for extra care on the water this weekend.
Fish & Game rangers conducting a creel survey on Wednesday had to be extra vigilent and avoided parts of the lake due to the large amount of debris brought in by recent heavy rain and high winds.
Some hazards may be semi-submerged and difficult to see. Keep a look out!
New maimai removes barriers for mobility-impaired hunters
Hunters and project supporters joined Otago Fish & Game at the launch of a new wheelchair-accessible maimai in South Otago this week. Credit: Bruce Quirey.
Many of our angling licence holders are dedicated game bird hunters, too, so please read on...
This week Otago Fish & Game officially launched a new wheelchair-accessible maimai in South Otago — a big step forward for inclusive hunting. Thanks to the Otago Daily Times and 1News for coming along to cover the story. Keep an eye out for their reports.
Joining us at Inch Clutha on Wednesday were two mobility-impaired duck hunters — Pip and Brendon — alongside an incredible group of supporters — W Hamilton Building Ltd, Carters Building Supplies, Livingwell Disability Resource Centre, Freeman Roofing Dunedin, SouthRoads, Mike Hurring Logging & Contracting, with Otago Fish & Game officer Steve Dixon and councillor John Cruden.
What a team effort!
This project helps open up game bird hunting by delivering:
• Inclusive access — making it easier for mobility-impaired hunters to take part with friends and family
• Safe, practical design — purpose-built access via boardwalk and maimai
• True collaboration — made possible by a standout partnership between Fish & Game, disability advocates, contractors and sponsors.
We’re hugely grateful to everyone involved.
The maimai is ready for the 2026 game bird season, opening May 2. Access to the Inch Clutha Wildlife Management Reserve is by Fish & Game permit. For enquiries, contact [email protected].
Select here to read more.
Otago Fish & Game is excited to be taking part in the Wild Dunedin – NZ Festival of Nature this month. We’re showcasing how fishing and game bird hunting are intrinsically tied to conservation. For us, looking after habitat is just as important as the activity itself. You’ll find us at three events:
NatureDome — Wild Dunedin (Forsyth Barr Stadium)
Sunday 12 April 2026 | 11-am – 4pm
“Hooked on Nature” Otago Fish & Game interactive display
- Have-a-go spin and fly casting
- Fly tying demonstration
- Live trout (guess-the-number-of-fish competition — go in the draw to win an Okuma spin rod and reel combo thanks to Dunedin Hunting & Fishing NZ)
- Fishing, game bird hunting and habitat information
Click here to find out more.
From Ideals to Outcomes - links between how we think, legislate and shape our environment - Wild Dunedin Ticketing
Thursday 16 April 2026 | 2pm
- Barclay Theatre, Tuhara Otago Museum, 419 Great King Street, Dunedin North
- Free talk by Otago Fish & Game environmental officer Nigel Paragreen
Click here to find out more.
Takitakitoa Wetland Nature Walk - Otago Fish & Game - Wild Dunedin Ticketing
Saturday 18 April 2026 | 10am – noon
Click here to find out more.
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.
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 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.
Bookmark the ORC Environmental Data Portal for real-time flows, temperature, and lake levels.
Here’s the weekend outlook:
Dunedin
The weekend looks great for fishing! Rivers will be in great nick. Spotting your fly among the autumn fallen leaves is always fun! Orange-post parachute dries help with visibility. Friday, fine with westerlies turning northeasterly in the afternoon. Sunday, fine but becoming cloudy with northerlies easing in the morning.
The Taieri River at Outram was low at 9.4 cumecs this morning. The water temperature was about 13 oC.
Click here for live MetService weather updates.
Wānaka
Get onto the water and enjoy perfect autumn conditions before the change comes. Friday, fine with light winds then northerlies developing in the evening. Saturday, fine with light winds. Sunday, a few showers mainly from the afternoon with light winds.
Click here for live MetService weather updates.
Alexandra
The weekend looks great — but mind the strong afternoon wind if heading to high country lakes on Saturday afternoon. Friday, fine with light winds then northerlies developing in the evening. Saturday, fine with northerlies becoming strong in the afternoon. Sunday, partly cloudy with light winds.
Click here for live MetService weather updates.
Clutha Regional Forecast
The Pomahaka is at good levels for fishing. Friday, fine apart from isolated showers before dawn and westerlies turning northeasterly in the afternoon. Saturday, partly cloudy with northerlies. Sunday, cloudy with occasional rain and northerlies easing from the afternoon.
The Pomahaka River at Burkes Ford was at 5.82 cumecs.
The lower Clutha River at Balclutha was at 511 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.
Disclaimer:
The information presented in these news items is based on the context and regulations in place at the time of publication. Please note that some articles may include reference to laws and regulatory standards that have since changed. For the most current and accurate information please check our Fishing Licences & Regulations pages or our Hunting Licences & Regulations pages.