Where to Fish for Trout and Salmon in the Otago Region

Challenging trout fishing

The Clutha River is the fastest flowing of any New Zealand river with a large population of brown and rainbow trout in the upper reaches. While offering excellent fishing, its sheer size can be daunting for inexperienced anglers.

Fishing near world-class tourist facilities

Lake Wakatipu is a well-stocked deep glacial lake surrounded by soaring mountains and fed by a number of rivers that are important fisheries in their own right. The resort town of Queenstown is situated on the lake.

Lake Wanaka is special holiday destination close to the township of Wanaka. The lake offers challenging and unpredictable fishing for self–sustaining populations of salmon and trout. It is best fished by boat.

Fishing in beautiful settings

Lake Hawea is located in a very beautiful valley amidst mountains and some of the very best scenery in the Otago region. A good population of trout and salmon provides excellent fishing amongst the extensive aquatic weed beds.

Makarora River is easy to access and heavily fished. The strong-flowing upper reaches provide exciting, unpredictable angling in a beautiful pristine environment.

Trout fishing for all skill levels

Taieri River is a large river that holds a good stock of brown trout throughout its length. It offers a wide diversity of terrain and waters that make it suitable for all angling methods and skill levels.

Lake Onslow is one of Otago’s best lake fisheries for brown trout offering excellent fishing for all skill levels and all methods.

Poolburn Dam is a quiet exposed water in Central Otago amidst some beautiful scenery. It's islands provide the habitat for a good population of brown trout. Spin and fly fishing are the best methods, though bait fishing with worms is popular with younger anglers.

Upper Manorburn Dam is a large, deep dam containing rainbow trout only and is a secluded spinning and fly fishing waterway with a good catch rate.