Lake Hawea

Lake Hawea is situated between Wanaka and Makaroa, on SH6, on the Haast Highway.

The lake is surrounded by a small gravel beaches and tussock-covered banks and is located in a very beautiful valley amidst mountains and some of the very best scenery in the Otago region.

Access map
Access map with topography

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

The stocks of fish depend on the fluctuating level of the lake which rises and falls as water is drawn off for power generation. When the level rises in the warmer months, trout move close to the shore to feed on the insects that have colonised the previously exposed lake bed.

Much of the shoreline is inaccessible making a boat the only way to reach most of the productive fishing areas. Favoured spots are the Neck, on the north-west side about halfway up the lake, the Hunter River delta at the northern tip, the camping ground at the southern end and Silver Island, on the eastern side of the lake opposite the Neck.

The section 2km from the access road to the Neck, called Hunter Valley Junction, offers good spinning or fly fishing and can have a very good evening rise. Fish can be spotted cruising the shoreline along this section.

Roads along the east and west of the lake provide numerous access points. Access to The Neck is possible from SH6 and from the road to Hunter Valley Station off SH6, although only by foot after heavy rain. Exposed mud makes even foot access difficult when the lake level is low.

There are boat ramps:

- Next to the campground, off SH6 near Hawea township

- Off SH6, south of Hunter Valley Station Road

- Off Hunter Valley Station Road

See the Lake Hawea access map.

Gates locked at head of Hawea River

28 July 2008

The actions of a rogue motorcyclist have prompting Contact Energy to lock the gates to the head of the Hawea River that provide access to the dam and the Hawea river head area, preventing public access to the downstream face. The area is owned by Contact Energy and the power generator has been happy to provide kayakers and anglers with vehicle access to the river. The Lake Hawea Community Association appealed to the community to help stop the sort of stupid activity that risks having the dam area and Hawea river head area closed off for public access by a chain-link fence.

Nymphs: Hare and Copper, March Brown, Woolly Caddis, Hare’s Ear, Corixa, Black and Peacock.

Dry flies: Black Gnat, Twilight Beauty, Dad’s Favourite, Coch-y-Bondhu, Royal Wulff, Royal Coachman, Adams.

Wet flies / Streamers: Hamill’s Killer and large yellow or brown streamer patterns such as rabbit .

Spinners: Gold or black Toby, Z spinner, King Cobra.