Lake Aviemore Fishing Waters

Lake Aviemore was formed from the upper reaches of the Waitaki River by a hydro-electric power dam. It is 15km long and is  located inland along SH83 between Aviemore and Otematata. The north-west and south-west winds that blow up and down the Waitaki Valley can be a problem.

Access map
Access map with topography

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

Water level

View a graph of the current Lake Aviemore water level at the Meridian Energy website.

Weather forecast

For an up-to-date weather forecast:

• see the MetService website
• call MetPhone on 0900 999 03
  See the current cost per minute.

Spinning and trolling from a boat are most productive, though there are some good fly fishing spots as well.

Good spots include:

• along the shallow shoreline adjacent to SH83 for fly fishing
• the Otematata River mouth and its lower reaches
• some of the small stream mouths where cruising fish can be spotted
• at night, the deep water above the Aviemore Dam and at the mouth of Deep Stream, for shore or boat fishing

Boat launching:

You can launch a boat at:
- Otematata on the southern shore
- Waitangi Station on the northern shore

Road access:

Roads encircle Lake Aviemore. SH83 runs along the southern side of the lake between Aviemore and Otematata.

See the access map.

Use small lightly-weighted nymphs, dry or wet flies.

Nymphs: Hare and Copper, Halfback, Pheasant Tail

Dry flies: Coch-y-Bondhu, Royal Wulff, Adams, Green Beetle

Streamers: At night use a black lure such as Hairy Dog, Black Phantom, Mrs Simpson, Fuzzy Wuzzy

Spinners: Black Toby, Flatfish

Tributaries to Lake Aviemore include:
- Deep Stream
- Stony Stream
- Sutton Stream
- Otematata River

Artificial fly, spinner, bait.