Reel Life September 2024 - Otago
- Otago
- 20/09/2024
Matilda Kanok making the most of her school holidays last season at the top of Lake Wakatipu Photo: Jakub Kanok
Seasons Aligning
The countdown is on to the start of the new season. The start of the fishing season aligns with school holidays and daylight savings, perfect for outdoor adventures with family and friends.
With the hope that September's snow and thunderstorms have passed; clearer and more stable weather is likely ahead.
Otago lowland waters open on Tuesday, October 1, for the beginning of the 2024-25 season.
Opening rivers include the Taieri, Pomahaka, Shag/Waihemo and many smaller rivers and tributaries.
Another popular waterway that opens October 1 is the Deans Bank section of the Clutha River/ Mata-au, once thought to have held more fish per square metre than any water in New Zealand.
Please note the Deans Bank section of the Clutha River is fly fishing only.
Not sure which waters will be open on October 1? Click here for the Otago 2024-25 Sports Fishing Regulations.
Stocked up for school holidays
The local waters around Dunedin have recently received liberations prior to the start of the school holidays.
Sullivans Dam and Tomahawk Lagoon have recently been stocked with rainbow trout from the Oceana Gold Mcraes Hatchery.
Some of these fish were very large ranging from 3lb (1.3kgs) through to over 10lbs (4.5kgs).
After a few days to acclimatise to their new surroundings, they should come on the bite.
The Southern Reservoir has also been heavily stocked, however this fishery remains closed until October 1 in order to hold our four annual Take a Kid Fishing events over the next two weekends.
For an informative video on fishing Tomahawk Lagoon click here and for Sullivans Dam click here.
Regulation changes
The only regulation change for the Otago region this upcoming season involves the opening date of Blakelys Dam, which has been moved from November 1 to October 1.
This change is made possible due to landowner permission, allowing for increased angling opportunities earlier in the season.
Blakelys Dam, located on private property, was built by the Blakley family and has been stocked as a fishery since the 1970s. Anglers are generally permitted to fish unless a sign at the first gate indicates otherwise.
It is a "put and take" fishery stocked primarily with rainbow trout, with the occasional brown trout entering via the irrigation race.
Lakes often provides clean water even after heavy rain and snow, Shay-Ruby Wickham with a rainbow trout from the shore of Lake Wakatipu Photo: Caleb Marfell
High flows and snowmelt
With significant snow still sitting on the hills, expect river flows to be high for start of the season.
In large rivers with high flows, trout often shelter around permanent structures like rocks, logs, and undercut banks, providing relief from the current. Baitfish also gather in eddies and along river edges, making these spots productive. In coastal areas, incoming tides can bring clearer water.
If rivers are still heavily discoloured, still water can be a better option. Popular still waters include Mathias Dam, Poolburn Dam, Blakelys Dam, Hamiltons Dam (on Hamilton Diggings Rd), Coal Pit Dam, and the Southern Reservoir. Additionally, the large central lakes—Wakatipu, Dunstan, Hawea, and Wanaka—can also provide excellent fishing opportunities. Be mindful that due to lambing, Rutherfords and Hore’s Control Pond will remain closed until November 1.
Wanting to check the river or lake conditions before heading out save the ORC Environmental Data Portal link to your favorites and click on the dots for latest information.
This portal shows flows, temperature and lake levels, to name a few. All extremely handy information when it comes to planning a trip. There’s a good bet you’ll need it throughout the season.
Online access map
Looking for somewhere to go fishing this season? Or wanting to explore further? You can view the Otago Fish & Game online access map by clicking here. Create a shortcut on your phone, or save to favourites, for quick easy access. Each online access point has:
- Location description
- Open season
- Minimum size limit
- Fishing methods
- Daily bag limit
A dropdown menu lets you toggle on and off various waterbodies. If you want to focus on a certain fishery, just tick the one you want. You'll need internet coverage to access the maps. You can also find more access information and download pamphlets at our website here.
Designated Waters
Last season Fish & Game introduced the Designated Waters Licence to replace the Backcountry Endorsement. If you want to fish these waters, you require a valid Designated Waters Licence in addition to your whole season fishing licence. There are nine Otago Designated Waters fisheries. Two of these DW fisheries open on October 1:
- Upper Pomahaka River (upstream of Hukerere Station Bridge)
- Nevis River
Click for more details about Otago Designated Waters Fisheries.
Henley boat ramp toilets
Anglers and picnickers on the lower Taieri River hopefully won’t get caught short this fishing season. Clutha District Council has approved $30,000 funding for a new toilet at the Henley boat ramp. A budget allowance of about $6000 a year will allow for the toilets to be cleaned periodically. The new dunny will replace an old long-drop that was carted away.
Hats off to the Taieri Network who made a submission to Clutha District Council to reinstall a toilet. Otago Fish & Game wrote in support and provided angling data about the lower Taieri. No word yet on when it will be installed but cross legs it won’t be long!
Did you know the Taieri River is the second-most fished river in Otago Region? The latest National Angler Survey found that about 9900 freshwater angler days were recorded on the Taieri River from Outram to Taieri Mouth during the survey period.
Anglers, who recently undertook the beginner fishing classes, trying their luck at the Lowburn Inlet on Lake Dunstan after a classroom session the night before. Photo: Ben Sowry.
Adult Beginner Fishing Classes
Otago Fish & Game held our annual adult beginner fishing classes at the start of September.
With over fifty budding anglers attending our evening theory classes across Dunedin and Cromwell, they all learned the start up skills needed to enjoy the outdoors and harvest some delicious wild kai in the Otago region and beyond.
On Saturday, the attendees had a go at fishing, with some of the pupils landing some great fish.
For those interested in future classes, keep an eye on our Facebook page and website. Details of these events will be released around July 2025
Don’t have your licence yet?
Drop into your local agent or simply click here:
https://fishandgame.eyede.com.
Weekly fishing report
The Otago weekly fishing report returns on September 26. Click here to subscribe and the weekly report will be emailed to your inbox with up-to-date fishing conditions, weather and river flow information to help you improve your catch rate. Previous reports can be read in the Fishing News on our website.
New magazine
Don’t miss the latest issue of Fish & Game magazine. Issue 59 is packed full of interesting articles and photos to inspire you to get out into the wild, help you catch more fish, harvest some wild kai, and better understand the work of Fish & Game to improve habitat for trout and salmon. The magazine has been mailed to full-season licence holders from the previous season. Anyone can read it online by clicking here.
Want more info? Check out these links or contact our helpful Otago team.
- Otago Fish & Game office, corner of Hanover and Harrow streets, Dunedin.
- Tel: (03) 477 9076
- Email: [email protected]
Tight lines,
The team from Otago Fish & Game