Lake Benmore Trout and Salmon Fishing

Lake Benmore was formed from the upper reaches of the Waitaki River by a hydro-electric power dam. It has two arms: the Ahuriri Arm and the Haldon Arm. The latter has some swift-flowing water as a result of the Benmore Dam.

Lake Benmore is located in the Mackenzie Country between Twizel, Omarama and Otematata.

Access map
Access map with topography

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

Water level

View a graph of the current Lake Benmore 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.

Trolling: Deep trolling is popular even in winter when snow covers the surrounding the counryside.  In favourable conditions in summer, you may spot cruising fish in the shallower bays.

Fly fishing: The clear snow-fed water of the Ahuriri delta and mouth make for good fly fishing either at night or stalking the brown trout that lie in the shallows during the day. In calm clear conditions, cast into a sandy patch and wait for a trout to approach before actiuvting the fly. Rainbows tend to cruise the edges of the deeper water. Keep low to avoid being spotted by them and cast ahead of them.

Boat ramps:

There are boat ramps:
- At Sailors Cutting on Ahuriri Arm
- Off Grays Road at the Haldon Boat Harbour

Haldon Arm:

Near Burke Pass, turn off SH8 at Dog Kennel Corner and take the Halson Road to the east side of Haldon Arm.

In dry weather only, from SH8, take the Tekapo Canal Road and its extension which follow the true right bank of the Tekapo River from the Tekapo powerhouse to Haldon Arm (there are unbridged fords to cross).

From Ruataniwha Dam, a road leads to the west side of Haldon Arm. However, the Timaru Herald reported on November 13 2008 that the road to Falstone on the west side of Lake Benmore's Haldon Arm is closed apparently due to a dispute over responsiblity for its maintainence.

Ahuriri Arm:

From SH83, take the road to the Benmore Dam and Ahuriri delta.

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

Nymphs: Possum pattern, Pheasant Tail, dragon fly nymph.

Dry flies: Coch-y-Bondhu, Royal Wulff, green or yellow Humpy. Palmer varieties

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

Spinners: Black Toby, Flatfish

Tributaries to Lake Benmore include:
- Ahuriri River
- Tekapo River
- Falstone Creek
- Otematapaio River
- Black Forest Stream
- Stony River

Trout: No limit
Salmon: 300 mm minimum; 450 mm maximum 1 Mar-30 Apr.

Artificial fly, spinner, bait.
Exception: Bait fishing is not permitted if fished from a boat or flotation device.