New Zealand's best fly fishing guides
  • Home
  • About
  • Book a Trip
    • Rates and Bookings more info
    • Make a Deposit
  • Packages
    • Rites of Spring
    • High Country
    • Mataura River fly fishing guide
    • Out of Dunedin
    • Central South Island
    • Introduction to New Zealand Fly Fishing Techniqes
    • Corporate Retreats
  • References
  • General Info
    • New Zealand River Flows
    • New Zealand Fly Box
    • What to Bring
    • F.A.Q
    • New Zealand Fishing Regulations
  • 中文
    • 特惠
    • 价格及预约
  • 日本語
    • マタウラ川の神秘
    • 荒野渔夫的用户评价及推荐

Otago Fishing Regulations 2016-2017

Contact:

Dunedin Office: Cnr. Hanover and Harrow Streets, Dunedin.
Postal Address: PO Box 76, Dunedin 9054
Phone: (03) 477-9076
Email: s.milne@fish-game.org.nz
Administration Officer: Sharon Milne
Chief Executive: Niall Watson
Operations Manager: Ian Hadland
Fish & Game Officers: Steve Dixon, Cliff Halford, Helen Trotter, Paul van Klink, and Morgan Trotter
​Environmental Officer: Peter Wilson
Picture

r






Otago Fish and Game Region extends from Shag Point on the South Island’s East Coast south to The Brothers Point in the Catlins area. The region runs inland to include the whole of both the Clutha and Taieri River catchments as well as a number of smaller coastal river catchments such as the Catlins, Tahakopa, Tokomairiro, Waikouaiti and Shag.
The Otago Region has a range of fishing opportunities set in diverse landscapes from pristine high country and barren Central Otago to the lush lowland pastures of coastal Otago. All anglers and all methods are catered for. The large southern lakes Wanaka, Wakatipu and Hawea hold good stocks of salmon, rainbow and brown trout and are popular with boat anglers, but if smaller fly fishing water is your preference, then the productive coastal streams and the Taieri or Pomahaka Rivers are worth a visit.
     
Please respect our angling waters by obeying the angling restrictions applying to them, not leaving rubbish and obtaining the landowner’s permission where required.

ANGLING GUIDES AND ACCESS BOOKS

The Otago region has an excellent guidebook to angling within the region - The Guide to Trout Fishing in Otago, edited by poet and sportswriter Turner, is a 127-page book covering 140 waters throughout Otago (and includes the Waitaki Valley and eastern Southland waters like the Mataura). It gives good information on access, the best angling methods to use, and the most productive times to fish. The guide retails for $25.00 plus $2 for postage and packing within NZ.

Access pamphlets including maps are available for many of the popular waters. Pamphlets are available to download on the Otago pages of the website www.fishandgame.org.nz or from selected outlets. You may also visit the office or email us to have them posted to you.

ANGLING CONDITIONS

There are weekly reports on current river and lake conditions in Otago from mid-September through to the end of April. These reports are available in the Otago section of the website. Another source of information on river conditions is the Otago Regional Council’s ‘Water Flow’ website listed on 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. BACKCOUNTRY FISHERIES For more information on Otago backcountry fisheries or to obtain a backcountry licence go to www.fishandgame.org.nz.

Regulations

1. DEFINITIONS

See First Schedule.

2. OPEN SEASON, PERMITTED METHODS, DAILY BAG LIMITS

(Subject to clauses 3, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 for this region)

Permitted Methods definition F = Fly fishing only FS = Fly or Spin fishing only FSB = Fly, Spin or Bait fishing permitted
2.1
                                                                            
Rivers / Lakes                                            Season                 Methods      Daily Limits
Akatore Estuary                                        1 Oct – 30 Sep        FSB               2
Akatore River                                             1 Oct – 30 Apr        FSB               2
Albert Burn                                                1 Nov – 31 May       FS                 1
Arrow River                                                1 Nov – 31 May       FSB              1
Blakelys Dam                                             1 Nov – 15 Apr        FSB              1
Butchers Dam                                            1 Oct – 30 Sep        FSB              3
Caples River and tributaries
(refer to clause 11 for this region)           1 Nov – 31 May       F                  1
Cardrona River                                           1 Oct – 30 Apr        FSB              1
Careys Creek                                              1 Oct – 30 Apr        FSB              3
Careys Creek downstream
of the rail line Bridge                                 1 Oct – 30 Sep        FSB             3
Catlins Estuary downstream
of State Highway 92 Bridge                      1 Oct – 30 Sep        FSB              6
Catlins River                                                1 Oct – 30 Apr        FSB              6
Clutha River upstream from Luggate
Bridge (except Deans Bank Section)        1 Oct – 30 Sep        FS                6
Clutha River Deans Bank Section
(defined by landmark posts 1km
downstream of Lake Wanaka and

600m upstream of Albert Town Bridge)    1 Oct – 31 May      F                6
Clutha River dwnstrm of Luggate Bridge   1 Oct – 30 Sep       FSB           6
Coalpit Dam                                                  1 Oct – 30 Sep       FSB            1
Conroys Dam                                                1 Oct – 30 Sep       FSB            1
Contour Channel                                          1 Oct – 30 Apr       FSB            3
Dart River                                                       1 Oct – 30 Sep      FS               1
Dart River tributaries not mentioned
in clause 2.3 for this region                          1 Nov – 31 May    FS              1
Deep Stream                                                  1 Oct – 30 Apr      FSB           3  
Diamond Creek                                              1 Oct – 31 May     FS             1
Diamond Lake                                                1 Oct – 30 Sep     FS             3
Dingle Burn (refer to clause 11)                   1 Nov – 31 May    FS              1
Falls Dam                                                        1 Oct – 30 Apr      FSB           6
Fraser Dam                                                     1 Oct – 30 Apr      FSB           3
Fraser River downstream of dam                 1 Oct – 30 Apr      FSB           3
Fraser River Upper                                         1 Oct – 30 Apr      FSB           1
Glenorchy Lagoons                                        1 Oct – 30 Apr      FS              1
Greenstone River and tributaries
(refer to clause 11 for this region)                1 Nov – 31 May    F                1
Greenstone River
downstream of Greenstone Station Rd

car park swing bridge                                    1 Nov – 31 May    FS              1
Greenstone River upstream of Sly Burn     1 Feb - 31 March
confluence (see clause 11)                           Controlled fishery F                1
Hamiltons Dam                                              1 Oct – 30 Apr      FSB            1
Hawea River                                                   1 Oct – 30 Sep      FS              6
Hoffmans Dam                                              1 Oct – 30 Sep      FSB            1
Hores Control Pond                                      1 Oct – 30 Sep      FSB            6
Hunter River and tributaries
(see clause 11 for this region)                      1 Nov – 31 May    FS               1
Ida Burn Dam                                                 1 Oct – 30 Apr     FSB             3
Kaihiku Stream                                               1 Oct – 30 Apr     FSB             3
Kaikorai Stream                                              1 Oct – 30 Apr     FSB             3
Kaikorai Estuary downstream of
Abbotts Creek confluence                            1 Oct – 30 Sep    FSB             3
Kawarau River                                                1 Oct – 30 Sep   FSB              6
Knights Dam                                                   1 Oct – 30 Apr    FSB              3
Kuriwao Stream                                              1 Oct – 30 Apr    FSB              3
Kye Burn                                                          1 Oct – 30 Apr    FSB              3
Lake Dispute                                                   1 Oct – 31 May   FS                3
Lake Dunstan                                                 1 Oct – 30 Sep      FSB              6
Lake Hawea                                                    1 Oct – 30 Sep    FSB              6
Lake Hayes                                                     1 Oct – 30 Sep    FSB              3
Lake Johnson                                                 1 Oct – 30 Sep    FSB              1

Lake Kirkpatrick                                             1 Oct – 30 Sep    FS                 3
Lake Mahinerangi                                          1 Oct – 30 Sept  FSB               6
Lake Onslow                                                   1 Oct – 30 Sep   FSB             10
Lake Roxburgh, Highway Bridge at
Alexandra downstream to the
Roxburgh Dam.                                              1 Oct – 30 Sep    FSB              6
Lake Sylvan                                                     1 Oct – 30 Sep    FSB              6
Lake Tewa                                                       1 Oct – 30 Sep    FS                1
Lake Tuakitoto including the outlet
channel and inlet channel.                           1 Oct – 30 Sep    FSB              6
Lake Waihola including the outlet
and waterways interconnected
with Lake Waipori.                                          1 Oct – 30 Sep    FSB             6
Lake Waipori                                                   1 Oct – 30 Sep    FSB             6
Lake Wakatipu                                                1 Oct – 30 Sep    FSB             6
Lake Wanaka                                                  1 Oct – 30 Sep    FSB              6
Lee Strea                                                         1 Oct – 30 Apr    FSB              3
Lindis River                                                      1 Oct – 30 Apr    FSB              1
Lochy River and tributaries
downstreamof Disputed Creek
confluence.                                                      1 Nov – 31 May  F                   1
Lochy River and tributaries
upstream of Disputed Creek
confluence (see clause 11).                           1 Nov – 31 May  F                   0
Loganburn Dam                                             1 Oct – 30 Apr   FSB               6
Maclennan River                                            1 Oct – 30 Apr   FSB                6
Makarora River and tributaries                    1 Nov – 31 May  FS                  1

Makarora River downstream of
Wilkin River confluence                                 1 Oct – 30 Sep    FS                  1
Manorburn Dam Lower                                1 Oct – 30 Apr    FSB                6
Manorburn Dam Upper                                1 Nov – 31 May  FSB                 6
Manuherikia and tributaries                         1 Oct – 30 Apr    FSB               1
Mathias Dam                                                  1 Oct – 30 Apr    FSB               3
Matukituki River and tributaries                   1 Nov – 31 May  FS                  1
Matukituki River downstream of
Motatapu confluence                                    1 Oct – 30 Sep   FS                  1
McAtamney’s Head Pond 1                           1 Oct – 30 Sep   FSB               6
Meggat Burn                                                   1 Oct – 30 Apr    FSB              3
Mill Creek junior fishery above
Waterfall Park
(see clause 12)                                                1 Oct – 30 Apr     FSB             1
Mill Creek downstream of
Speargrass Flat Road Bridge                         1 Oct – 30 Sep    FSB              1
Moke Lake                                                       1 Oct – 30 Sep    FSB              3
Molyneux Pond                                               1 Oct – 30 Sep    FSB              1
Motatapu River and tributaries                     1 Nov – 31 May   FS                1
Nenthorn Pond                                               1 Oct – 30 Apr     FSB             1
Nenthorn Stream                                            1 Oct – 30 Apr     FSB             3
Nevis River and tributaries
(see clauses 10 and 11 for this region)        1 Oct – 30 Apr      F                 1
Owaka River                                                    1 Oct – 30 Apr      FSB             6

Owaka River downstream
of State Highway 92.                                      1 Oct – 30 Sep     FSB             6
Perkins Pond                                                   1 Oct – 30 Apr     FSB             1
Pinders Pond                                                   1 Oct – 30 Apr     FSB             1
Pleasant River                                                  1 Oct – 30 Apr     FS               3
Pomahaka River                                              1 Oct – 30 Apr     FSB             6
Pomahaka River downstream of
Swans Bridge (Clydevale Road)                      1 Oct – 30 Sep   FSB              6
Pomahaka River upstream of
Park Hill Bridge (Switzers Road)                     1 Oct – 30 Apr   FSB              3
Poolburn Dam                                                 1 Oct – 30 Apr   FSB               3
Puerua Estuary downstream of
State Highway 92 Bridge.                                1 Oct – 30 Sep  FSB              6
Puerua Stream                                                1 Oct – 30 Apr    FSB             3
Rees River and tributaries                             1 Nov – 31 May   FS               1
Rees River downstream of Muddy Creek    1 Oct – 30 Sep     FS               1
Reid Lake                                                         1 Oct – 30 Sep    FS                1
Routeburn River and tributaries                   1 Nov – 31 May   F                  0

Rutherford's Dam                                           1 Nov – 15 Apr    FSB             1
Shag River                                                       1 Oct – 30 Apr     FSB              3
Shag River downstream of
Highway 1 Bridge.                                          1 Oct – 30 Sep     FSB             3
Shotover River                                                1 Oct – 30 Sep     FSB             6
Silverstream                                                    1 Oct – 30 Apr     FSB             3
Southern Reservoir (see clause 3)                1 Oct – 31 Aug     FS               1
Styx Weir Pond                                                1 Oct – 30 Sep     FSB            6
Sullivans Dam                                                  1 Oct – 30 Sep     FS               1
Sutton Stream                                                 1 Oct – 30 Apr     FSB             3
Tahakopa                                                         1 Oct – 30 Apr     FSB             6
Tahakopa River downstream of
Maclennan River confluence.                        1 Oct – 30 Sep     FSB            6
Taieri River                                                       1 Oct – 30 Apr     FSB            6
Taieri River downstream of
Silverstream confluence.                                1 Oct – 30 Sep    FSB             6
Teviot River                                                      1 Oct – 30 Apr     FSB             6
Three O’Clock Stream                                     1 Oct – 30 Apr     FSB             3
Timaru River and tributaries                          1 Nov – 31 May   FS                1
Timaru River downstream of
Timaru Road Bridge.                                      1 Oct – 30 Sep     FS                1
Tokomairiro River                                           1 Oct – 30 Apr     FSB              3
Tokomairiro River downstream of
Coal Gully Road Bridge                                   1 Oct – 30 Sep    FSB             6
Tomahawk Lagoon                                          1 Oct – 30 Sep    FSB            1

Tuapeka River                                                  1 Oct – 30 Apr     FSB            3
Victoria Dam                                                    1 Oct – 30 Apr     FSB            3
Von Lake                                                          1 Nov – 31 May    F                1
Von River and tributaries                               1 Nov – 31 May    F                1
Waipahi River                                                   1 Oct – 30 Apr    FSB             6
Waipori River upstream of Lake Waipori      1 Oct – 30 Apr    FSB              3
Waipori River downstream of Lake Waipori 1 Oct – 30 Sep   FSB              6
Waitahuna River                                              1 Oct – 30 Apr    FSB              3
Waitati River                                                    1 Oct – 30 Apr     FSB             3
Waitati River downstream of
Orokonui Stream confluence.                        1 Oct – 30 Sep    FSB             3
Waiwera River                                                  1 Oct – 30 Apr    FSB             6
Waikouaiti River                                               1 Oct – 30 Apr    FSB             2
Waikouaiti River downstream of
State Highway 1 Road Bridge.                        1 Oct – 30 Sep    FSB             2
Waters of Leith downstream
of the Lindsay Creek confluence to the
Leith Street Foot Bridge.                                 1 Oct – 30 Apr     FSB           3
Waters of Leith downstream of Leith
Street Foot Bridge                                           1 Oct – 30 Sep    FSB            3
Wilkin River and tributaries (see clause 11)  1 Nov – 31 May   FS              1
Young River and tributaries (see clause 11) 1 Nov – 31 May   FS               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 150m 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).
• Mill Creek (which flows into Lake Hayes), from the Speargrass Flat Road Bridge to Waterfall Park.
• Southern Reservoir in September except for Otago Fish and Game Council controlled fishing events.
• 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.
• Waters of Leith upstream of the Lindsay Creek confluence and including Lindsay Creek.

4. AUTHORISED TACKLE

4.1 When playing a salmon in the Clutha River downstream of Roxburgh Dam, a gaff may be used to secure or land that salmon if it is greater than 450mm. Refer to 2.3 of this part of the Notice.

5. FLY FISHING ONLY WATERS

Refer to 2.3 of this part of the Notice.

​6. BAIT FISHING WATERS

6.1 Refer to 2.3 of this part of the Notice.
No person shall fish with a float or floating device on the line in that section of the Clutha River downstream of Roxburgh Dam to the Roxburgh Township Bridge.

7. COARSE FISHING WATERS

There are no designated coarse fishing waters in Otago.

8. USE OF BOATS

8.1 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.
8.2 No anglers shall fish from a boat on Lake Kirkpatrick.
8.3 Subject to clause 8.4 for this region, anglers fishing from boats, which are being mechanically propelled, must stay at least 100m from any anglers fishing from the shore.
8.4 No anglers fishing for sports fish shall troll from any boat, which is being mechanically propelled on any river or stream except the Taieri River downstream of the Otokia Bridge on State Highway 1, 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 the Albertown Bridge to the sea.
• Matukituki River from Glenfinnan Stream confluence to Lake Wanaka.
• Kawarau River from its source at Lake Wakatipu to Lake Dunstan.
• 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 BAG LIMITS

9.1 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.
9.2 No more than 2 salmon: All waters except the Clutha River catchment upstream of Roxburgh Dam.
9.3 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 Otago Fish & Game 49 possession of more than 6 sports fish per day from any waters except Lake Onslow (refer to 2.3).
9.4 A licence holder may continue to fish for a particular species of sports fish on any day on which he or she has already killed the limit bag for that species as long as any fish taken are immediately returned with as little injury as possible into the water from which it was taken.

10. FISH LENGTH

10.1 No person shall take or be in possession of any salmon less than 450mm taken from the Clutha River or its tributaries downstream of Roxburgh Dam and all other waters running into the sea.
10.2 No person shall take or be in possession of any fish greater than 400mm taken from the Nevis River.
10.3 In all other waters there shall be no minimum length.

11. OTAGO BACKCOUNTRY FISHERIES

Backcountry fishery


​11.1 Definition: backcountry fishery in this Region is defined as--
(a) the Greenstone River backcountry fishery which means the Greenstone River catchment, namely— (i) the Greenstone River upstream of the swing bridge at the car park end of Greenstone Station Road; and (ii) all tributary streams flowing into the Greenstone River, including the Caples River.
(b) the Dingle Burn backcountry fishery which means the Dingle Burn upstream of the bridge on the Dingle Burn Station access road.
(c) the Lochy River backcountry fishery which means the Lochy River catchment upstream of the confluence with Disputed Creek.
(d) the Nevis River backcountry fishery which means the Nevis River catchment upstream of the confluence with the Kawarau River.
(e) the Hunter River backcountry fishery which means the Hunter River catchment upstream of the river’s mouth where the river enters Lake Hawea.
(f) the Young River backcountry fishery which means the Young River catchment upstream of the confluence with the Makarora River.
(g) the Wilkin River backcountry fishery which means the Wilkin River catchment upstream of the confluence with the Makarora River.
11.2 All anglers who fish in the backcountry fishery (as defined by the Sports Fish Licences, Fees, and Forms Notice 2016) must first obtain a backcountry licence (as defined in the Sports Fish Licences, Fees, and Forms Notice 2016) and the provisions of that notice apply to this Notice: Controlled area
11.3 Definitions:
​• controlled area means the Greenstone River (and its tributary streams) between the river’s source and its confluence with the Sly Burn.
• controlled period means the period beginning on 1 February 2017 and ending on 31 March 2017.
• controlled-period licence means a licence that entitles the following persons to fish for sports fish in the controlled area during the controlled period, but only during the day, and on the reach, specified in the licence:
(a) the holder of the controlled-period licence; and
(b) if the holder also holds a backcountry licence that is endorsed on a family licence, the holder’s spouse or partner and, if accompanied by the holder or the holder’s spouse or partner, any member of the holder’s family; and
(c) any 1 or more companion anglers named in the controlled-period licence who hold backcountry licences.
11.4 In the controlled area, a controlled period applies. All anglers who fish in the controlled area must first obtain a controlledperiod licence (as defined by the Sports Fish Licences, Fees, and Forms Notice 2016).

12 WATERS RESTRICTED TO PERSONS UNDER THE AGE OF 18 YEARS

12.1 No person shall fish in waters designated as a “ junior fishery” in clause 2.3 for this region unless they are a child or junior licence holder under the age of 18 years on 1 October 2016.
​12.2 The Waters this clause applies to is: Mill Creek upstream of Waterfall Park.
​
​
























  • Home
  • About
  • Book a Trip
    • Rates and Bookings more info
    • Make a Deposit
  • Packages
    • Rites of Spring
    • High Country
    • Mataura River fly fishing guide
    • Out of Dunedin
    • Central South Island
    • Introduction to New Zealand Fly Fishing Techniqes
    • Corporate Retreats
  • References
  • General Info
    • New Zealand River Flows
    • New Zealand Fly Box
    • What to Bring
    • F.A.Q
    • New Zealand Fishing Regulations
  • 中文
    • 特惠
    • 价格及预约
  • 日本語
    • マタウラ川の神秘
    • 荒野渔夫的用户评价及推荐