| Fish type |
Brown and rainbow trout averaging 1 to 2 kg in good numbers
and some small landlocked sockeye salmon. |
| Situation |
Lake Ohau lies to the southwest
of the township of Twizel. It is surrounded by high hills and
is fed by a series of tributaries including the important Dobson
River and man made canals that are part of the hydro-electric
power scheme. |
| Maps |
Access
map
Access
map with topography
LINZ
topographic maps: 1:50,000 (260
series)
|
| Waitaki lakes pamphlet |
The Waitaki Lakes Recreational
Information pamphlet, available at the Environment
Canterbury website, includes sections on the lakes, safe
boat navigation, camping, hydro power station statistics, wildlife
and plants, local walks, and important contact information. |
| Description |
Lake Ohau
is one of three lakes that have been affected by hydroelectric
power production. It is a large U-shaped Lake that can be
very exposed to the prevailing Norwest wind making it a lake
to ensure appropriate care is taken when boating as it can
chop up very quickly.
Trolling from a boat or spinning from the
shore the preferred methods when fishing this lake though
there is ample opportunity for the dry fly or wet fly angler.
Trout can be spotted and fish to as they cruise the shoreline
and under ideal conditions there can be a very good rise.
The most popular area for the shoreline
angler is at the head of the lake where there is good fishing
conditions, particularly where the large Dobson river flows
into the lake. As well, the surrounding hills can provide
some shelter from the wind.. Care should be taken however
in this section as the lake bed can be very soft and muddy.
As the water shelves slowly out from the shore it is possible
to stalk cruising trout that are feeding around the weed beds.
Many regard this as an under fished lake
they can provide greater opportunities when the conditions
are correct.
|
| Access |
Turn off
State Highway 8 (at Clearburn) onto the Lake Ohau Lodge Road
to gain access to the southern shores and to the head of the
lake.
A road leading to Glen Lyon Station gives
access to the northern shores as well as to the Dobson river. |
| Methods |
All methods work on this lake
with trolling lures from a boat and spinning from the shore
being the most popular methods. For the fly fisherman however
there is ample opportunity on this large expanse of water. |
| Recommended tackle |
As wind can be a problem on
this lake, fly rods are best in heavier weights of 7 or above.
|
| Recommended lures |
Dry
flies: Humpys,
Moleflies and
Coch-y-Bondhu
patterns when the water is ruffled by a (slight) wind. Otherwise
try a Twilight Beauty or similar pattern when the water is
calm.
Nymphs: Use
un-weighted nymphs when sub surface activity is observed.
The best method is to cast ahead of cruising or rising fish
and then twitch the fly as they pass. Try patterns such as
Pheasant Tail
and Halfbacks
or Hares Ear
in sizes 12 -14.
Wet flies: Woolly
Buggers, Hamill's
Killer, Mrs
Simpson or other small fish imitators.
Spinners: Black
and gold Tobys, Rapalas,
Cobras and Flatfish |
| Tributaries |
The major tributary is the Dobson
River which also has a number of important tributaries such
as the Maitland Stream and the Hopkins River. These are open
to fishing from the first saturday in Nov and close 30 April. |
| Regulations |
| Applicable to |
Ohau, Lake |
| Region |
Central
South Island regulations |
| Season |
All year |
| Methods |
Artificial fly, spinner, bait
Exception: Bait fishing is not permitted from a boat or flotation
device. |
| Bag limit |
Trout: 4
Salmon: 2 |
| Size limit (cm) |
Trout: No limit
Salmon from 1 Mar-30 Apr:minimum 300 mm; maximum 450 mm |
