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Otago Fishing Regulations, 2012- 2013
The following is our understanding of the regulations that apply to trout and salmon fishing in the Otago region from 1 October 2012 to 30 September 2013. Where general rules do not apply, lakes and rivers are listed in alphabetical order for quick reference.
The information presented here is not meant to be taken as a complete statement of the law. Please refer to the South Island regulations booklet supplied with your fishing licence or view an online version at the Fish & Game New Zealand website.
| Fishing water | Season |
Size limit |
Bag limit |
Methods allowed |
| General rules | ||||
| All fishing waters | Because of the risk of spreading the invasive alga didymo, anglers must clean their fishing gear, waders and boots, especially when moving between rivers. See Didymo Biosecurity Alert. | |||
| All Otago fishing waters | When playing a salmon, a gaff may be used to secure or land that salmon in the Otago region only. | |||
| From all fishing waters combined | Total: 6 sports fish per day |
|||
| All waters below the Roxburgh Dam and all waters running into the sea | Salmon: 450mm minimum |
|||
| All waters in which sports fish are held in captivity for display, hatching or other purposes, or within 100m of any part of the outer boundaries of such waters. | Closed | Not applicable | N/A |
None |
| All lakes except Lakes Kirkpatrick, Dispute, Hayes, Johnson, Moke and Reid (please see below). | Fishing from boats is permitted. If fishing from a mechanically propelled boat, the boat must stay at least 100m from any angler fishing from the shore. | |||
| All rivers and streams except parts of the Clutha, Matukituki, Kawarau, Taieri and the Waipori (please see below). | Fishing for trout from a boat, canoe, pontoon or flotation device is prohibited. | |||
| All tidal reaches of rivers | Fishing for trout from a boat, canoe, pontoon or flotation device is permitted. | |||
| Fishing waters | ||||
| Akatore Estuary | All year |
None |
6 |
Artificial fly, spinner, bait |
| Akatore River | 1 Oct-30 Apr |
None |
2 |
Artificial fly, spinner, bait |
| Albert Burn | 1 Nov-31 May |
None |
1 |
Artificial fly, spinner |
| Arrow River | 1 Nov-31 May |
None |
3 |
Artificial fly, spinner, bait |
| Blakelys Dam | 1 Nov-15 April |
None |
1 |
Artificial fly, spinner, bait |
| Bullock Creek, from Lake Wanaka to source | Closed |
N/A |
N/A |
None |
| Butchers Dam | All year |
None |
3 |
Artificial fly, spinner, bait |
| Cardrona River | 1 Oct-30 Apr |
None |
1 |
Artificial fly, spinner, bait |
| Caples River | Backcountry
licence holders only: |
None |
1 |
Flyfishing only |
| Careys Creek upstream of rail line bridge | 1 Oct-30 Apr |
None |
3 |
Artificial fly, spinner, bait |
| Careys Creek downstream of rail line bridge | All year |
None |
3 |
Artificial fly, spinner, bait |
| Catlins Estuary downstream of State Highway No. 92 Bridge | All year |
None |
6 |
Artificial fly, spinner, bait |
| Catlins River | 1 Oct-30 Apr |
None |
6 |
Artificial fly, spinner, bait |
| Clutha River | ||||
| Clutha River upstream from Luggate Bridge (except Deans Bank section) | All year |
None |
6 |
Artificial fly, spinner |
| Clutha River Deans Bank section (defined by landmark posts 1km below Lake Wanaka and 600m above Albert Town Bridge) | 1 Oct-31 May |
None |
6 |
Flyfishing only |
| Clutha River downstream of Luggate Bridge | All year |
None |
6 |
Artificial fly, spinner, bait |
| Clutha River and its tributaries below Roxbugh Dam | Salmon: 450mm minimum | Total: 6 Salmon: 2 |
||
| Clutha River from Albertown Bridge to the sea | Fishing for trout from a non-mechanically propelled boat, a canoe, pontoon or flotation device is permitted. | |||
| Clutha River downstream from Balclutha | Trolling from a boat which is being mechanically propelled is permitted, provided that the boat stays at least 100m from any angler fishing from the shore. |
|||
| Clutha River from below the Roxburgh Dam to the Roxborough Township Bridge | Fishing with a float or floating device on the line is prohibited. | |||
| Coalpit Dam | All year |
None |
1 |
Artificial fly, spinner, bait |
| Conroys Dam | All year |
None |
1 |
Artificial fly, spinner, bait |
| Contour Channel | 1 Oct-30 Apr |
None |
3 |
Artificial fly, spinner, bait |
| Dart River | All year |
None |
1 |
Artificial fly, spinner |
| Deep Stream | 1 Oct-30 Apr |
None |
3 |
Artificial fly, spinner, bait |
| Diamond Creek | 1 Oct - 31 May |
None |
1 |
Artificial fly, spinner |
| Diamond Lake | All year |
None |
3 |
Artificial fly, spinner |
| Dingle Burn catchment above the bridge on the Dingle Burn Station access road | Backcountry
licence holders only: 1 Nov-31 May |
None |
1 |
Artificial fly, spinner |
| Dingle Burn catchment below the bridge on the Dingle Burn Station access road | 1 Nov-31 May |
None |
1 |
Artificial fly, spinner |
| Dispute, Lake | 1 Oct-31 May |
None |
3 |
Artificial fly, spinner. |
| Dunstan, Lake | All year |
None |
6 |
Artificial fly, spinner, bait |
| Falls Dam | 1 Oct-30 Apr |
None |
6 |
Artificial fly, spinner, bait |
| Fraser River | ||||
| Fraser River | This river is affected by didymo. See Didymo Biosecurity Alert for details. | |||
| Fraser River Upper | 1 Oct-30 Apr |
None |
1 |
Artificial fly, spinner, bait |
| Fraser Dam | 1 Oct-30 Apr |
None |
3 |
Artificial fly, spinner, bait |
| Fraser River below dam | 1 Oct-30 Apr |
None |
3 |
Artificial fly, spinner, bait |
| Glenorchy Lagoons | 1 Oct-30 Apr |
None |
1 |
Artificial fly, spinner |
| Greenstone River above the Slyburn confluence | Controlled Fishery licence holders only: 1st Feb - 31 Mar |
None |
1 |
Flyfishing only |
| Greenstone River upstream of the swingbridge at the car park | Backcountry
licence holders only: |
None |
1 |
Flyfishing only |
| Greenstone River downstream of the swingbridge at the river mouth where it enters Lake Wakitipu | 1 Nov - 31 May (No backcountry licence is required for this section) | None | 1 | Artificial fly, spinner |
| Hamiltons Dam | 1 Oct-30 Apr |
None |
1 |
Artificial fly, spinner, bait |
| Hawea River | All year |
None |
6 |
Artificial fly, spinner. |
| Hawea, Lake | All year |
None |
6 |
Artificial fly, spinner, bait |
| Hayes, Lake | All year |
None |
3 |
Artificial fly, spinner, bait. Fishing or towing a lure from a mechanically propelled boat is prohibited. |
| Hoffmans Dam | All year |
None |
1 |
Artificial fly, spinner, bait |
| Hores Control Pond | All year |
None |
6 |
Artificial fly, spinner, bait |
| Horne Creek, from Lake Wakatipu to source | Closed |
Not applicable |
N/A |
None |
| Hunter River | Backcountry
licence holders only: 1 Nov-31 May |
None |
1 |
Artificial fly, spinner |
| Ida Burn Dam | 1 Oct-30 Apr |
None |
3 |
Artificial fly, spinner, bait |
| Johnson, Lake | All year |
None |
1 |
Artificial fly, spinner, bait. Fishing or towing a lure from a mechanically propelled boat is prohibited. |
| Kaihiku Stream | 1 Oct-30 Apr |
None |
3 |
Artificial fly, spinner, bait |
| Kaikorai Stream | 1 Oct-30 Apr |
None |
3 |
Artificial fly, spinner, bait |
| Kaikorai Estuary downstream of Abbotts Creek confluence | All year |
None |
3 |
Artificial fly, spinner, bait |
| Kawarau River | All year |
None |
6 |
Artificial fly, spinner, bait. Boats may be used for fishing in the Kawarau River from its source at Lake Wakatipu to Lake Dunstan. But trolling from a mechanically propelled boat is not permitted. |
| Kirkpatrick, Lake | All year |
None |
3 |
Artificial fly, spinner. Fishing from a boat is prohibited. |
| Knights Dam | 1 Oct-30 Apr |
None |
3 |
Artificial fly, spinner, bait |
| Kuriwao Stream | 1 Oct-30 Apr |
None |
3 |
Artificial fly, spinner, bait |
| Kye Burn | 1 Oct-30 Apr |
None |
3 |
Artificial fly, spinner, bait |
| Lee Stream | 1 Oct-30 Apr |
None |
3 |
Artificial fly, spinner, bait |
| Leith: Waters of Leith upstream from Leith Street foot bridge | 1 Oct-30 Apr |
Salmon: 450 mm minimum |
3 |
Artificial fly, spinner, bait |
| Leith: Waters of Leith downstream from Leith Street foot bridge | All year |
Salmon: 450 mm minimum |
3 |
Artificial fly, spinner, bait |
| Lindis River | 1 Oct-30 Apr |
None |
1 |
Artificial fly, spinner, bait |
| The Lochy River catchment above the confluence with Disputed Creek | Backcountry
licence holders only: 1 Nov-31 May |
None | 0 (catch & release only) | Flyfishing only |
| Lochy River downstream from the Disputed Creek confluence | Backcountry
licence holders only:1 Nov-31 May |
None |
1 |
Flyfishing only |
| Loganburn Dam | 1 Oct-30 Apr |
None |
6 |
Artificial fly, spinner, bait |
| Maclennan River | 1 Oct-30 Apr |
None |
6 |
Artificial fly, spinner, bait |
| Mahinerangi, Lake | 1 Oct-30 Apr |
None |
6 |
Artificial fly, spinner, bait |
| Makarora River upstream of Wilkin River confluence | 1 Nov-31 May |
None |
1 |
Artificial fly, spinner |
| Makarora River downstream of Wilkin River confluence | All year |
None |
1 |
Artificial fly, spinner |
| Manorburn Dam Lower | 1 Nov-30 Apr |
None |
6 |
Artificial fly, spinner, bait |
| Manorburn Dam Upper | 1 Nov-31 May |
None |
6 |
Artificial fly, spinner, bait |
| Manuherikia and tributaries | 1 Oct-30 Apr |
None |
1 |
Artificial fly, spinner, bait |
| Mathias Dam | 1 Oct-30 Apr |
None |
3 |
Artificial fly, spinner, bait |
| Matukituki River | ||||
| Matukituki River upstream from Mototapu confluence | 1 Nov-31 May |
None |
1 |
Artificial fly, spinner |
| Matukituki River downstream from Mototapu confluence | All year |
None |
1 |
Artificial fly, spinner |
| Matukituki River from Glenfinnan Stream confluence to Lake Wanaka | Fishing for trout from a non-mechanically-propelled boat, a canoe, pontoon or flotation device is permitted. | |||
| McAtamney's Head Pond | All year |
None |
6 |
Artificial fly, spinner, bait |
| Meggat Burn | 1 Oct-30 Apr |
None |
3 |
All legal methods |
| Mill Creek (which flows into Lake Hayes), from the Speargrass Flat Road Bridge to the source | Closed. Mill Creek above Waterfall Park is now
open to junior anglers up to the age of 17. |
Not applicable |
N/A |
None |
| Moke Lake | All year |
None |
3 |
Artificial fly, spinner. Fishing or towing a lure from a mechanically propelled boat is prohibited. Bait now allowed for juniors. |
| Molyneux Pond | All year |
None |
1 |
Artificial fly, spinner, bait |
| Motatapu River | 1 Nov-31 May |
None |
1 |
Artificial fly, spinner |
| Nenthorn Stream | 1 Oct-30 Apr |
None |
3 |
Artificial fly, spinner, bait |
| Nevis River | 1 Oct-30 Apr |
400mm |
1 |
Flyfishing only A backcountry licence is required . |
| Onslow, Lake | All year |
None |
10 |
Artificial fly, spinner, bait |
| Owaka River upstream from SH 92 | 1 Oct-30 Apr |
None |
6 |
Artificial fly, spinner, bait |
| Owaka River downstream from SH 92 | All year |
None |
6 |
Artificial fly, spinner, bait |
| Pleasant River | 1 Oct-30 Apr |
None |
3 |
Artificial fly, spinner, bait |
| Pomahaka River | ||||
Pomahaka River upstream from Park Hill Bridge (Switzers Road) |
1 Oct-30 Apr |
None |
3 |
Artificial fly, spinner, bait |
Pomahaka River between Park Hill Bridge and Swans Bridge |
1 Oct-30 Apr |
None |
6 |
Artificial fly, spinner, bait |
| Pomahaka River downstream of Swans Bridge (Clydevale Road) | All year |
None |
6 |
Artificial fly, spinner, bait |
| Poolburn Dam | 1 Oct-30 Apr |
None |
3 |
Artificial fly, spinner, bait |
| Puerua Estuary downstream of State Highway No. 92 Bridge | All year |
None |
6 |
Artificial fly, spinner, bait |
| Puerua Stream | 1 Oct-30 Apr |
None |
3 |
Artificial fly, spinner, bait |
| Rees River upstream from Muddy Creek | 1 Nov-31 May |
None |
1 |
Flyfishing, spinner |
| Rees River downstream from Muddy Creek | All year |
None |
1 |
Artificial fly, spinner |
| Reid Lake | All year |
None |
1 |
Artificial fly, spinner. Fishing or towing a lure from a mechanically propelled boat is prohibited. |
| Routeburn River | 1 Nov-31 May |
None |
0 (catch & release) |
Flyfishing only - catch and release only |
| Roxburgh, Lake | All year |
None |
6 |
Artificial fly, spinner, bait |
| Rutherfords Dam | 1 Nov-15 April |
None |
1 |
Artificial fly, spinner, bait |
| Shag River upstream of SH1 Bridge | 1 Oct-30 Apr |
Salmon: 450 mm minimum |
3 |
Artificial fly, spinner, bait |
| Shag River downstream of SH1 Bridge | All year |
Salmon: 450 mm minimum |
3 |
Artificial fly, spinner, bait |
| Shotover River | All year |
None |
6 |
Artificial fly, spinner, bait |
| Silverstream | 1 Oct-30 Apr |
None |
3 |
Artificial fly, spinner, bait |
| Southern Reservoir | All year |
None |
1 |
Artificial fly, spinner |
| Styx Weir Pond | All year |
None |
6 |
Artificial fly, spinner, bait |
| Sullivans Dam | All year |
None |
1 |
Artificial fly, spinner |
| Sutton Stream | 1 Oct-30 Apr |
None |
3 |
Artificial fly, spinner, bait |
| Sylvan, Lake | All year |
None |
6 |
Artificial fly, spinner, bait |
| Tahakopa River upstream of Maclennan River confluence | 1 Oct-30 Apr |
None |
6 |
Artificial fly, spinner, bait |
| Tahakopa River downstream of Maclennan River confluence | All year |
None |
6 |
Artificial fly, spinner, bait |
| Taieri River | ||||
| Taieri River upstream of Silverstream confluence | 1 Oct-30 Apr |
Salmon: 450mm minimum |
6 |
Artificial fly, spinner, bait |
| Taieri River downstream of Silverstream confluence | All year |
Salmon: 450mm minimum |
6 |
Artificial fly, spinner, bait |
| Taieri River from the bridge on State Highway 1 at Otokia to the sea | All year | 6 | Trolling from a boat which is being mechanically propelled is permitted, provided that the boat stays at least 100m from any angler fishing from the shore. | |
| Teviot River | 1 Oct-30 Apr |
None |
6 |
Artificial fly, spinner, bait |
| Three O'Clock Stream | 1 Oct-30 Apr |
None |
3 |
Artificial fly, spinner, bait |
| Timaru River upstream from Timaru Road Bridge | 1 Nov-31 May |
None |
1 |
Artificial fly, spinner |
| Timaru River downstream from Timaru Road Bridge | All year |
None |
1 |
Artificial fly, spinner |
| Tokomairiro River upstream from Coal Gully Road Bridge | 1 Oct-30 Apr |
Salmon: 450 mm minimum |
3 |
Artificial fly, spinner, bait |
| Tokomairiro River downstream from Coal Gully Road Bridge | All year |
Salmon: 450 mm minimum |
6 |
Artificial fly, spinner, bait |
| Tomahawk Lagoon | All year |
None |
1 |
Artificial fly, spinner, bait |
| Tuapeka River | 1 Oct-30 Apr |
None |
3 |
Artificial fly, spinner, bait |
| Victoria Dam | 1 Oct-30 Apr |
None |
3 |
Artificial fly, spinner, bait |
| Von Lake | 1 Nov-31 May |
None |
1 |
Flyfishing only |
| Von River | 1 Nov-31 May |
None |
1 |
Flyfishing only. This river is affected by didymo. See Didymo Biosecurity Alert for details. |
| Waihola, Lake including the outlet and waterways interconnected with Lake Waipori | All year |
None |
6 |
Artificial fly, spinner, bait |
| Waipahi River | 1 Oct-30 Apr |
None |
6 |
Artificial fly, spinner, bait |
| Waipori River and Lake Waipori | ||||
| Lake Waihola including the outlet and waterways interconected with Lake Waipora | All year |
None |
6 |
Artificial fly, spinner, bait |
| Waipori River upstream of Lake Waipori | 1 Oct-30 Apr |
None |
3 |
Artificial fly, spinner, bait |
| Waipori River downstream of Lake Waipori | All year | None | 6 | Artificial fly, spinner, bait |
| Waipori River downstream from the Contour Channel | Fishing for trout from a boat, canoe, pontoon or flotation device is permitted. Trolling from a boat which is being mechanically propelled is permitted, provided that the boat stays at least 100m from any angler fishing from the shore. |
|||
| Waitahuna River | 1 Oct-30 Apr |
None |
3 |
Artificial fly, spinner, bait |
| Waitati River upstream of Orokonui Stream confluence | 1 Oct-30 Apr |
None |
3 |
Artificial fly, spinner, bait |
| Waitati River downstream of Orokonui Stream confluence | All year |
None |
3 |
Artificial fly, spinner, bait |
| Waiwera River | 1 Oct-30 Apr |
None |
6 |
Artificial fly, spinner, bait |
| Wakouati River upstream of State Highway No. 1 Road Bridge | 1 Oct-30 Apr |
None |
2 |
Artificial fly, spinner, bait |
| Waikouati River downstream of State Highway No. 1 Road Bridge | All year |
None |
6 |
Artificial fly, spinner, bait |
| Lake Wakatipu | ||||
| Wakatipu, Lake except the areas below | All year |
None |
6 |
Artificial fly, spinner, bait |
Wakatipu, Lake within the waters of Queenstown Bay bounded by a straight line drawn from the outermost point of Queenstown Gardens to the point where the south bank of One Mile Creek meets Lake Wakatipu. |
Closed |
Not applicable |
N/A |
None |
| Wakatipu, Lake within 100m of any part of the wharf in Black Bay (commonly known as the Walter Peak Jetty) | Closed | Not applicable | N/A | None |
| Wanaka, Lake except the area below | All year |
None |
6 |
Artificial fly, spinner, bait |
| Wanaka, Lake within 150 m of any part of the launch wharf at the township of Wanaka, within 150m of any part of the public jetty at the Wanaka Marina, and anywhere within 150m of the shoreline between the wharf and the jetty | Closed |
Not applicable |
N/A |
None |
| Waters of Leith upstream from Leith Street foot bridge | 1 Oct-30 Apr |
Salmon: 450 mm minimum |
3 |
Artificial fly, spinner, bait |
| Waters of Leith downstream from Leith Street foot bridge | All year |
Salmon: 450 mm minimum |
3 |
Artificial fly, spinner, bait |
| Wilkin River | Backcountry
licence holders only:1 Nov-31 May |
None |
1 |
Artificial fly, spinner |
| Young River | Backcountry
licence holders only:1 Nov-31 May |
None |
1 |
Artificial fly, spinner |
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