Lake Alexandrina Trout Fishing

Lake Alexandrina is a long narrow lake lying parallel to the much larger Lake Tekapo.

Access map

Access map with topography

LINZ topographic maps: 1:50,000 (260 series)

Rainfall

View graphs at the Environment Canterbury website of recent recent rainfall at Mt Gerald.

Weather forecast

View the MetService weather forecast for Timaru.

Lake Alexandrina lies between tussock covered hills amidst a panorama of snow-covered mountains. It is a very deep, cold lake with few natural beaches. It can be very exposed to the prevailing nor'west wind which means the lake can chop up very quickly. Mostly the banks are covered with tussock though there is the occasional stand of bulrushes or trees along the bank providing some cover from the wind.

As the drop-off from the shore into the lake is very pronounced, fish are not usually spotted cruising the shoreline. Consequently blind lure fishing, particularly for the rainbow trout which tend to stay in deeper water, is the most popular method.

From SH8 near the township of the Lake Tekapo, take the Godley Peaks road.

To reach the southern shore:

Turn off after approximately 4 km on the small track, sign-posted "Alexandrina".

To reach the central eastern shore:

Continue on the Godley Peaks road
Take the Lake McGregor turnoff
Follow this to Lake Alexandrina.

To reach the deeper northern end of the lake:

Continue further up the Godley Peaks road
Take the Glenmore Station turnoff
Follow this down to the lake.

See the upper Waitaki access map.

The depth of the water and the fact there is no discernible beach to fish from restricts shoreline angling. Harling from a mechanically powered boat is popular.

Weight six or greater rods with a sinking line and streamer flies are recommended. When harling, use a sinking fly line to get the lure down well below the surface.

Dry fly: Not noted as a dry fly lake. However during the height of summer there may be some success using a blowfly pattern, Humpy or beetle pattern

Nymphs: Well weighted nymphs capable of getting down deep in patterns such as Pheasant Tail

Wetflies: Streamer patterns such as a Woolly Bugger, Rabbit pattern, Parsons' Glory or a bully pattern such as a Hamill's Killer or Mrs Simpson.

A number of small streams and creeks enter the lake on its western shore most of which can only be reached by boat.

Artificial fly and spinner.

Down-riggers, paravanes, metal-cored or wire lines and weights to assist sinking of trolled lures are prohibited in the lake.

Trout: No limit

Salmon:

Minimum 300 mm minimum

Maximum: 450 mm maximum from 1 Mar-30 April

Artificial fly and spinner.

Down-riggers, paravanes, metal-cored or wire lines and weights to assist sinking of trolled lures are prohibited in the lake.