Winter fishing in Otago offers clear waters and fewer anglers.

Waters listed below are open all year unless a specific winter season is noted alongside the entry.

 

Key
  • F = Fly fishing
  • S = Spin fishing
  • B = Bait fishing
  • FSB = Fly, Spin, and Bait fishing permitted
  • FS = Fly and Spin fishing permitted only
  • Bag limit = maximum number of fish that may be taken or killed in one day

 

Bag Limits

Note: Clutha River/tributaries downstream of Roxburgh Dam - minimum length 450mm salmon. Maximum 6 sports fish, excluding Lake Onslow. Anglers fishing from motorised boats must stay 100m from shore anglers.

Waters

Key

Bag Limit

Akatore Estuary

FSB

2 trout

Butchers Dam

FSB

2 trout

Careys Creek – downstream of rail line bridge

FSB

2 trout

Catlins Estuary – downstream of Southern Scenic Route bridge

FSB

4 trout

Clutha River / Mata-Au – Lake Wanaka outlet to Roxburgh Dam (excluding Deans Bank section)

FSB

2 trout, 4 salmon

Clutha River – below Roxburgh Dam

FSB

4 trout, 1 salmon

Coal Pit Dam

FSB

1 trout

Conroys Dam

FSB

1 trout

Dart River / Te Awa Whakatipu

FS

1 trout

Diamond Lake, Glenorchy

FS

2 trout

Glenorchy Lagoons

FS

1 trout

Hamiltons Dam

FSB

1 trout

Hawea River

FS

2 trout, 4 salmon

Hoffmans Dam

FSB

1 trout

Kaikorai Estuary – downstream of Abbotts Creek confluence

FSB

2 trout

Kawarau River – Lake Wakatipu to Lake Dunstan

FSB

2 trout, 4 salmon

Lake Dunstan

FSB

2 trout, 4 salmon

Lake Hawea

FSB

2 trout, 4 salmon

Lake Hayes

FSB

2 trout

Lake Johnson

FSB

1 trout

Lake Mahinerangi

FSB

4 trout

Lake Onslow

FSB

10 trout

Lake Roxburgh

FSB

4 trout, 2 salmon

Lake Sylvan

FSB

6 trout

Lake Tuakitoto

FSB

4 trout

Lake Waihola

FSB

4 trout

Lake Waipori

FSB

4 trout

Lake Wakatipu – excluding closed areas

FSB

2 trout, 4 salmon

Lake Wanaka – excluding closed areas

FSB

2 trout, 4 salmon

Makarora River – downstream of Wilkin River confluence

FS

1 trout

Manuherekia River – below Shaky Bridge / Kerry Road

FSB

1 trout

Matukituki River – downstream of Motatapu River confluence

FS

1 trout

McAtamney's Head Pond

FSB

4 trout

Moke Lake

FSB

2 trout

Owaka River – downstream of Southern Scenic Route bridge

FSB

4 trout

Pomahaka River – downstream of Swans Bridge, Clydevale Road

FSB

4 trout, 1 salmon

Puerua Estuary – downstream of Southern Scenic Route bridge

FSB

4 trout

Rees River – downstream of Muddy Creek

FS

1 trout

Reid Lake

FS

1 trout

Shag River / Waihemo – downstream of State Highway 1 bridge

FSB

2 trout

Shotover River

FSB

2 trout, 4 salmon

Southern Reservoir (1 Oct- 31 Aug)

FS

1 trout

Styx Weir Pond

FSB

4 trout

Sullivans Dam

FS

1 trout

Taieri River – downstream of State Highway 87 bridge at Outram

FSB

4 trout, 1 salmon

Tahakopa River – downstream of Maclennan River confluence

FSB

4 trout

Tokomairiro River – downstream of Coal Gully Road bridge

FSB

4 trout

Tomahawk Lagoon

FSB

1 trout

Waipori River – downstream of Contour Channel confluence

FSB

4 trout

Waitati River – downstream of Orokonui Stream confluence

FSB

2 trout

Waikouaiti River – downstream of State Highway 1 road bridge

FSB

2 trout

Water of Leith – downstream of Leith Street Foot Bridge

FSB

2 trout, 1 salmon

Greenstone River – downstream of swing bridge at Greenstone Station Road car park

FS

1 trout