Fishing Regulations
OTAGO REGION
Contact:
Dunedin Office
Postal Address
Phone
Fax
e-Mail
Manager
Field Officers
Cromwell Office
Phone
Field Officers |
Cnr Hanover and Harrow Streets, Dunedin.
PO Box 76, Dunedin
(03) 477-9076
(03) 477-0146
skyle@fish-game.org.nz
Niall Watson
Ian Hadland, Richard Fitzpatrick
9b Rodgers Street, Cromwell
Phone (03) 445-4418
Cliff Halford, Morgan Trotter |
Angling Guides and Access Books
Otago region has an excellent guidebook to angling within the region—The Guide to Trout Fishing in Otago. This 127 page
book covers 140 waters throughout Otago (including Waitaki Valley and Eastern Southland). It gives good information on
access, the best angling methods to use, and the best times of the year to go fishing. The guide retails for $24.95 plus
$2 for postage and packing within NZ.
Access pamphlets including maps are available for the following waters: Poolburn and Upper Manorburn Dams, Lakes
Dunstan, Onslow, Wakatipu, Wanaka and Hawea, Waters of the Maniototo, Lower Clutha, and Dunedin’s Trout Fishing Spots.
Guide books and pamphlets are available at selected outlets or from the Dunedin and Cromwell offices. Please feel free
to contact us at the above address or by emailing skyle@fish-game.org.nz.
Angling Conditions
There are weekly reports on current river and lake conditions in Otago from mid-September throughout summer until end of
April in the following year. These reports are broadcast on regional radio stations and published in the Otago Daily
Times on Friday. Another source of information on angling conditions is the Otago Regional Council’s 24 hour “flowphone”
(03) 479 6493 or their website www.orc.govt.nz
Pollution Complaints
For complaints about pollution or damage to rivers, contact the Otago Regional Council’s 24 hour Pollution Hotline on
0800 800 033 in the first instance.
Reference to Description: New Zealand Gazette, No. 83, 24 May 1990, page 1861
1 DEFINITIONS
See First Schedule
2. OPEN SEASON, METHODS AND BAG LIMITS
(SUBJECT TO SECTIONS 3, 6, 8 & 9)
| 2.1 |
| Rivers/Lakes |
Season |
Permitted Method |
Bag Limit |
| All lakes, rivers and streams above the Clyde Dam not mentioned in 2.3 |
|
1 Nov--30 April |
All legal methods |
1 |
| 2.2 All lakes, rivers and streams below the Clyde Dam and any other
catchments flowing to the sea not mentioned in 2.3 |
|
1 Oct—30 April |
All legal methods |
3 |
| 2.3 Fishing Regulations for the Otago Rivers and Lakes: |
| Akatore Estuary |
All year |
All legal methods |
6 |
| Akatore River |
1 Oct—30 Apr |
All legal methods |
3 |
| Albert Burn |
1 Nov—31 May |
Artificial fly/spinner only |
1 |
| Arrow River |
1 Nov—31 May |
All legal methods |
1 |
| Blakely’s Dam |
1 Oct—30 Apr |
All legal methods |
1 |
| Butcher’s Dam |
All year |
All legal methods |
3 |
| Cadrona River |
1 Oct—30 Apr |
All legal methods |
1 |
| Caples River* Refer to clause 11 of this part of the notice. |
|
1 Nov—31 May* |
Flyfishing only |
1 |
|
Refer to clause 11 below |
|
| Carey’s Creek |
1 Oct—30 Apr |
All legal methods |
3 |
| Carey’s Creek downstream of rail line Bridge |
|
|
|
All year |
All legal methods |
3 |
| Catlins Estuary downstream of State Highway No. 92 Bridge |
|
|
All year |
All legal methods |
6 |
| Catlins River |
1 Oct—30 Apr |
All legal methods |
6 |
| Clutha River upstream from Luggate Bridge (except Dean’s Bank Section) |
|
All year |
Artificial fly/spinner only |
6 |
| Clutha River Dean’s Bank Section (defined by landmark posts 1 km below
Lake Wanaka and 600 m above Albert Town Bridge) |
|
1 Oct—31 May |
Flyfishing only |
6 |
| Clutha River downstream of Luggate Bridge |
|
All year |
All legal methods |
6 |
| Coalpit Dam |
All year |
All legal methods |
1 |
| Conroy’s Dam |
All year |
All legal methods |
1 |
| Contour Channel |
1 Oct—30 Apr |
All legal methods |
3 |
| Dart River |
All year |
Artificial fly/spinner only |
1 |
| Deep Stream |
1 Oct—30 Apr |
All legal methods |
3 |
| Diamond Creek |
1 Oct—31 May |
Artificial fly/spinner only |
1 |
| Diamond Lake |
All year |
Artificial fly/spinner only |
3 |
| Dingleburn River |
1 Nov—31 May |
Artificial fly/spinner only |
1 |
| Falls Dam |
1 Oct—30 Apr |
All legal methods |
6 |
| Fraser Dam |
1 Oct—30 Apr |
All legal methods |
3 |
| Fraser River below dam |
1 Oct—30 Apr |
All legal methods |
3 |
| Fraser River Upper |
1 Oct—30 Apr |
All legal methods |
1 |
| Glenorchy Lagoons |
1 Oct—30 Apr |
Artificial fly/spinner only |
1 |
| Greenstone River* Refer to clause 11 of this part of the notice. |
|
1 Nov—31 May |
Fly fishing only |
1 |
| Hamilton’s Dam |
1 Oct—30 Apr |
All legal methods |
1 |
| Hawea River |
All year |
Artificial fly/spinner only |
6 |
| Hoffman’s Dam |
All year |
All legal methods |
1 |
| Hore’s Control Pond |
All year |
All legal methods |
6 |
| Hunter River |
1 Nov—31 May |
Artificial fly/spinner only |
1 |
| Ida Burn Dam |
1 Oct—30 Apr |
All legal methods |
3 |
| Kaihiku Stream |
1 Oct—30 Apr |
All legal methods |
3 |
| Kaikorai Estuary downstream of Abbotts Creek confluence |
|
All year |
All legal methods |
3 |
| Kawarau River |
All year |
All legal methods |
6 |
| Knight’s Dam |
1 Oct—30 Apr |
All legal methods |
3 |
| Kuriwao Stream |
1 Oct—30 Apr |
All legal methods |
3 |
| Kye Burn |
1 Oct—30 Apr |
All legal methods |
3 |
| Lake Dispute |
1 Oct—31 May |
Artificial fly/spinner only |
3 |
| Lake Dunstan |
All year |
All legal methods |
6 |
| Lake Hawea |
All year |
All legal methods |
6 |
| Lake Hayes |
All year |
All legal methods |
3 |
| Lake Johnson |
All year |
All legal methods |
1 |
| Lake Kirkpatrick |
All year |
Artificial fly/spinner only |
3 |
| Lake Mahinerangi |
1 Oct—30 Apr |
All legal methods |
6 |
| Lake Onslow |
All year |
All legal methods |
10 |
| Lake Roxburgh |
All year |
All legal methods |
6 |
| Lake Sylvan |
All year |
All legal methods |
6 |
| Lake Waihola including the outlet and waterways interconnected with Lake
Waipori |
|
All year |
All legal methods |
6 |
| Lake Waipori |
All year |
All legal methods |
6 |
| Lake Wakatipu |
All year |
All legal methods |
6 |
| Lake Wanaka |
All year |
All legal methods |
6 |
| Lee Stream |
1 Oct—30 Apr |
All legal methods |
3 |
| Lindis River |
1 Oct—30 Apr |
All legal methods |
1 |
| Lochy River downstream from Billy Creek confluence |
|
1 Nov—31 May |
Fly fishing only |
1 |
| Loganburn Dam |
1 Oct—30 Apr |
All legal methods |
6 |
| Maclennan River |
1 Oct—30 Apr |
All legal methods |
6 |
| Makarora River |
1 Nov—31 May |
Artificial fly/spinner only |
1 |
| Makarora River downstream of Wilkin River confluence |
|
All year |
Artificial fly/spinner only |
1 |
| Manorburn Dam Lower |
1 Nov—31 May |
All legal methods |
6 |
| Manorburn Dam Upper |
1 Nov—31 May |
All legal methods |
6 |
| Manuherikia and tributaries |
1 Oct—30 Apr |
All legal methods |
1 |
| Mathias Dam |
1 Oct—30 Apr |
All legal methods |
3 |
| Matukituki River |
1 Nov—31 May |
Artificial fly/spinner only |
1 |
| Matukituki River downstream from Mototapu confluence |
|
All year |
Artificial fly/spinner only |
1 |
| McAtamney’s Head Pond |
All year |
All legal methods |
6 |
| Meggat Burn |
1 Oct--30 Apr |
All legal methods |
3 |
| Moke Lake |
All year |
Artificial fly/spinner only |
3 |
| Molyneux Pond |
All year |
All legal methods |
1 |
| Motatapu River |
1 Nov—31 May |
Artificial fly/spinner only |
1 |
| Nenthorn Stream |
1 Oct—30 Apr |
All legal methods |
3 |
| Nevis River |
1 Oct—30 Apr |
Fly fishing only |
1 |
| Owaka River |
1 Oct—30 Apr |
All legal methods |
6 |
| Owaka River downstream State Highway No. 92 |
|
All year |
All legal methods |
6 |
| Pleasant River |
1 Oct—30 Apr |
All legal methods |
3 |
| Pomohaka River |
1 Oct—30 Apr |
All legal methods |
6 |
| Pomohaka River downstream of Swan’s Bridge |
|
All year |
All legal methods |
6 |
| Pomohaka River upstream from Park Hill Bridge |
|
1 Oct—30 Apr |
All legal methods |
3 |
| Poolburn Dam |
1 Oct—30 Apr |
All legal methods |
3 |
| Puerua Estuary downstream of State Highway No. 92 Bridge |
|
All year |
All legal methods |
6 |
| Rees River |
1 Nov—31 May |
Fly fishing only |
1 |
| Rees River downstream from Muddy Creek |
|
All year |
Artificial fly/spinner only |
1 |
| Reid Lake |
All year |
Artificial fly/spinner only |
3 |
| Routeburn River |
1 Nov—31 May |
Fly fishing only |
0 |
| Rutherford’s Dam |
1 Oct—30 Apr |
All legal methods |
1 |
| Shag River |
1 Oct—30 Apr |
All legal methods |
3 |
| Shag River downstream of State Highway No. 1 Bridge |
|
All year |
All legal methods |
3 |
| Shotover River |
All year |
All legal methods |
6 |
| Silverstream |
1 Oct—30 Apr |
All legal methods |
3 |
| Southern Reservoir |
All year |
Artificial fly/spinner only |
1 |
| Styx Weir Pond |
All year |
All legal methods |
6 |
| Sullivan’s Dam |
All year |
Artificial fly/spinner only |
1 |
| Sutton Stream |
1 Oct—30 April |
All legal methods |
3 |
| Tahakopa River |
1 Oct—30 April |
All legal methods |
6 |
| Tahakopa River downstream Maclennan River confluence |
|
All year |
All legal methods |
6 |
| Taieri River |
1 Oct—30 Apr |
All legal methods |
6 |
| Taieri River downstream of Silverstream confluence |
|
All year |
All legal methods |
6 |
| Teviot River |
1 Oct—30 Apr |
All legal methods |
6 |
| Three O’Clock Stream |
1 Oct—30 Apr |
All legal methods |
3 |
| Timaru River |
1 Nov—31 May |
Artificial fly/spinner only |
1 |
| Timaru River downstream from Timaru Road Bridge |
|
All year |
Artificial fly/spinner only |
1 |
| Tokomairiro River |
1 Oct—30 Apr |
All legal methods |
3 |
| Tokomairiro River downstream from Coal Gully Road Bridge |
|
All year |
All legal methods |
6 |
| Tomahawk Lagoon |
All year |
All legal methods |
1 |
| Tuapeka River |
1 Oct—30 Apr |
All legal methods |
3 |
| Victoria Dam |
1 Oct—30 Apr |
All legal methods |
3 |
| Von Lake |
1 Nov—31 May |
Flyfishing only |
1 |
| Von River |
1 Nov—31 May |
Flyfishing only |
1 |
| Waipahi River |
1 Oct—30 Apr |
All legal methods |
6 |
| Waipori River upstream of Lake Waipori |
|
1 Oct—30 Apr |
All legal methods |
3 |
| Waipori River downstream of Lake Waipori |
|
All year |
All legal methods |
6 |
| Waitahuna River |
1 Oct—30 Apr |
All legal methods |
3 |
| Waitati River |
1 Oct—30 Apr |
All legal methods |
3 |
| Waitati River downstream of Orokonui Stream confluence |
|
All year |
All legal methods |
3 |
| Waiwera River |
1 Oct—30 Apr |
All legal methods |
6 |
| Wakouaiti River |
1 Oct—30 Apr |
All legal methods |
3 |
| Wakouaiti River downstream of State Highway No. 1 Road Bridge |
|
All year |
All legal methods |
6 |
| Waters of Leith |
1 Oct—30 Apr |
All legal methods |
3 |
| Waters of Leith downstream from Leith Street footbridge |
|
All year |
All legal methods |
3 |
| Wilkin River |
1 Nov—31 May |
Artificial fly/spinner only |
1 |
| Young River |
1 Nov—31 May |
Artificial fly/spinner only |
1 |
3. CLOSED SEASON
Fishing for sports fish is not permitted at any time in the following specified waters:
Bullock Creek, from Lake Wanaka to source.
Horne Creek, from Lake Wakatipu to source.
Lake Wakatipu, 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.
Lake Wanaka, 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.
Lake Wakatipu, within 100m of any part of the wharf in Black Bay (commonly known as the Walter Peak Jetty).
Lochy River catchment upstream from the Billy Creek confluence.
Mill Creek (which flows in to Lake Hayes), from the Speargrass Flat Road bridge to the source.
All waters in which sports fish are held in captivity for display, hatching or other purposes, or within a distance of
100m from any part of the outer boundaries of such waters.
4. AUTHORISED TACKLE
Refer to 2.3.
5. FLY FISHING ONLY WATERS
Refer to 2.3.
6. BAIT FISHING WATERS
Refer to 2.3.
No person shall fish with float or floating device on the line in that section of the Clutha River from below the
Roxburgh Dam to the Roxburgh Township Bridge.
7. COARSE FISHING WATERS
There are no designated coarse fishing waters in Otago.
8. USE OF BOATS
No anglers shall fish from, or tow any lure from, any boat which is being mechanically propelled on Lake Dispute, Lake
Hayes, Lake Johnson, Moke Lake or Reid Lake.
No anglers shall fish from a boat on Lake Kirkpatrick.
Subject to subclause (4) of this clause, anglers fishing from boats, which are being mechanically propelled, must stay
at least 100 m from any anglers fishing from he shore.
No anglers in fishing for sports fish shall troll from any boat, which is being mechanically propelled on any river or
stream except the Taieri River downstream from Henley Ferry ridge, the Waipori River downstream from the Contour Channel
and the Clutha River downstream from Balclutha.
No anglers shall fish for trout from any boat, canoe, pontoon or any flotation device on any river or stream except:
Clutha River from Albertown Bridge to the sea
Matukituki River from Glenfinnan Stream confluence to Lake Wanaka
The Taieri River from Outram to the sea
Waipori River from Contour Channel confluence to the Taieri River confluence
All tidal reaches of rivers.
9. DAILY LIMIT BAG
Except in the case of perch for which there is no daily limit, no person shall on any one day take and kill or be in
possession of more than the prescribed daily limit from the waters specified in 2.3.
No more than 2 salmon: All waters below the Roxburgh Dam and all waters running into the sea.
No more than 6 sports fish per day:
Subject to the restrictions set out in 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 9.1 and 9.2 above, no person shall on any 1 day take or kill or be
in possession of more than 6 sports fish per day from any waters except Lake Onslow (refer to 2.3).
10. FISH LENGTH
No person shall take or be in possession of any salmon less than 450mm taken from the Clutha River or its tributaries
below Roxburgh Dam and all other waters running into the sea. In all other waters, there shall be no minimum length.
11. GREENSTONE BACKCOUNTRY FISHERY
The Greenstone River and Caples River are part of the Greenstone backcountry fishery (which means the Greenstone River
catchment) as defined in the Sports Fish Licences, Fees and Forms Notice 2006 and the provisions of that notice apply to
this notice (see below)
BACKCOUNTRY LICENCE
This season a backcountry licence will be required to fish three rivers, the Greenstone and Caples Rivers in Otago and
the upper Oreti River in Southland. The purpose of this backcountry licence is to simplify monitoring and where
necessary, manage the issue of high angler use in backcountry waters.
The backcountry licence, which is available to all whole season and family licence holders at no extra cost, can be
obtained at some Southland and Otago licence agencies at the time of purchase, or by contacting either Fish & Game
office directly.
A backcountry licence will also be required to apply for a controlled period licence to fish the Greenstone River during
the two month controlled period. It is hoped that limiting angler numbers within the controlled fishery will increase
angler satisfaction and preserve the wilderness experience.
Further information on backcountry licences or applications for controlled period licences for the Greenstone River is
provided under Section 11 of the regional pages. For more detailed information, please visit
https://www.southlandfishgame.co.nz/backcountry/index.php or contact Southland or Otago Fish & Game.
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