Lake Wanaka Fishing

Lake Wanaka lies north of Wanaka township, 3km west from the junction between SH6 and SH84. The lake covers 180km2 and is 300m at its deepest point.

The lake is a special holiday destination for families and tourists. Many small bays and deciduous trees provide shelter from the sun in warmer months.

Access map
Access map with topography

LINZ topographic maps: (260 Map Series, 1:50,000)

F40 Wanaka
F39 Matukituki

Shoreline fishing, where accessible, is possible but you’ll need a boat to reach the best fishing areas. Stevensons Arm, Glendhu Bay and Paddock Bay are popular fishing areas.

The type of fishing depends on the season. In summer, fish stay deep and feed in the morning and evening. In autumn, brown trout and salmon congregate near the river mouths and shoreline. In the winter and spring, rainbows congregate at the river mouths, brown trout near the drop-offs and close to the shore, and there salmon are also around.

When spin fishing, vary the length of the cast, the speed of retrieval, the depth and the lure. Fish are easily ambushed if you cast well in front of them across feeding areas like rocky and weedy spots.

Paddock Bay and Parkins Bay are good areas for stalking when fly angling and in mid to late November green beetles swarm over the water.

The east of the lake is accessible via roads off SH6. The southern part of the lake from Wanaka to West Wanaka.

Road access

There is a gravel road to Roys Bay just west of Wanaka, and foot access via the beach at the campground in Glendhu Bay.

Most of the western side of the lake is only accessible by boat. Ramps are available at Wanaka, the lake outlet (8km north from Wanaka, at Dublin Bay), Glendhu Bay (west of Wanaka), and at the Makaroa delta at Wharf Creek, off SH6.

4WD boat access is available from the Camp Creek and Dublin Bay beaches on the eastern side.

See the access map.

Nymphs: March Brown, Woolly Caddis, Hare’s Ear, Corixa, Black Gnat, Peacock, Damsel Fly, midge pupa, Pheasant Tail.

Dry flies: Jack Sprat, Coch-y-Bondhu, Humpy, Black Gnat, Royal Wulff, Zonkers, Dad’s Favourite, Twilight Beauty, Blue Dun, Kakahi Queen, Adams, Love’s Lure.

Wet flies/Streamers: Woolly Bugger, Hamill’s Killer, Mrs Simpson, Rabbit, Grey Ghost, Muddler Minnow.

Spinners: Tinker, Toby, Z-Spinner, small Rapala, small green or gold/silver finnies, green/red or black Veltic.