Otago Fish and Game Council

28/09/2026

Day 3 of Take A Kid Fishing on Saturday at Southern Reservoir in Dunedin was another shining success.
The fish were biting as more than 100 kids, along with their parents and grandparents, showed up on a sunny day with a light breeze.
About 45 rainbow trout caught by the young anglers were gutted and cleaned to take home for dinner with their whanau. Many other fish were released or added to the yarns about the ones that got away.
Thanks again to all our volunteers who gave up their Saturday to help make the event happen. The fish are reared at Macraes hatchery by Otago Fish & Game in partnership with OceanaGold Macraes Operation. Appreciation, too, to Dunedin City Council for allowing us to stock trout in this put-and-take fishery.
We’ll share more photos from Day 4, the final event held last Sunday, soon.
Southern Reservoir remains closed to public fishing and reopens to valid fishing licence holders this Thursday, October 1, the start of the new season.

24/09/2026

The Otago Weekly Fishing Report is back for 2026-2027.
With the new fishing season just around the corner, this week’s report has plenty to get anglers ready for October 1.
Highlights include:
• What’s open and fishing well before Opening Day
• New fishing regulations for the 2026-27 season
• Rainbow trout stocked for the school holidays
• Good trout fishing reported in the lower Clutha/Mata-Au and Taieri
• A look back at the opening weekend of Take A Kid Fishing
• Weekend weather, river conditions and fishing outlooks
Read the full Weekly Fishing Report via the link in the comments.
And if you have fishing news or photos from around Otago, we’d love to hear from you.

23/09/2026

Have your say to protect your angling and game bird hunting heritage and their habitats.

The Government has replaced the Resource Management Act with two new laws that do not properly recognise angling, game bird hunting, or the habitats our species depend on. The debate is not over, and there is a real chance to shape what comes next. Fish & Game has made this case at every stage, and....

22/09/2026

The weather can make a big difference, and you never quite know what the fish are going to do.
That was certainly the case on Day 2 of Take A Kid Fishing at Southern Reservoir on Sunday.
Around 70 children, along with parents and grandparents, came along in overcast, windy and cold conditions.
The fishing was slower than Saturday, with six trout gutted and cleaned for families to take home. But there were still some good fish caught and plenty of young anglers out having a go.
That’s fishing.
A big thank you again to all our volunteers who gave up their weekend to help make the event happen.
More two-year-old rainbow trout have now been released ahead of the final two Take A Kid Fishing days this coming weekend.
The fish are reared at our Macraes hatchery in partnership with OceanaGold Macraes Operation, while Southern Reservoir is managed by Dunedin City Council.
The programme is fully booked.
Southern Reservoir remains closed to public fishing for our Take A Kid Fishing events and will reopen on October 1.

21/09/2026

Opening day of Otago Fish & Game’s Take A Kid Fishing programme produced one of the most memorable days of fishing in its 16-year history at Southern Reservoir.
Around 95 children, along with parents and grandparents, turned up in sunny conditions on Saturday for the first of four Take A Kid Fishing days this spring.
Around 40 to 50 trout were gutted and cleaned for families to take home, while many tens more were landed and released — or released themselves.
The reservoir was stocked with 400 two-year-old rainbow trout and four broodstock fish, from Macraes hatchery, weighing more than 8lb ahead of Events 1 and 2.
It was one of those days when things just came together.
The weather was good, the fish were active and there were plenty of young anglers who managed to catch a fish. This season’s hatchery two-year-olds are larger and feistier than usual.
A big thank you to all our volunteers who gave up their Saturday to help make the event happen. The Green Island Lions Club provided the sausage sizzle, while The Shot kept everyone supplied with hot drinks. Fish are supplied from our hatchery in partnership with OceanaGold Macraes Operation and the reservoir is managed by Dunedin City Council.
Another 300 two-year-old fish will be released this week for Events 3 and 4 this coming weekend.
Take A Kid Fishing is fully booked.
Southern Reservoir is closed to public fishing for our Take A Kid Fishing events and reopens on October 1.
We’ll share more photos from Day 2 on Sunday soon.

09/09/2026

New to freshwater fishing, or looking to brush up on your skills? Check out the new Fishing Knowledge Hub.

🐟 New this season: the Fishing Knowledge Hub. Your one-stop online home for everything freshwater fishing in New Zealand. 🐟

🎣 Whether you're picking up a rod for the first time or you've fished our rivers and lakes for years, there's something for you. Guides and how-to videos covering licences, where and when to fish, gear, techniques and preparing your catch, all in one place.

Explore the Hub. https://www.fishandgame.org.nz/freshwater-fishing-in-new-zealand/fishing-knowledge-hub/

New to freshwater fishing or after handy tips and info? We've got you covered. Everything you need for freshwater fishing in New Zealand, all in one place. 🪝

08/09/2026

Adult Beginner Fishing Classes
It was a busy week for our Adult Beginner Fishing Classes in Central Otago, with two new theory courses delivered in Wānaka and another in Cromwell.
The classroom sessions introduced participants to the basics of freshwater fishing, which they then put into practice during a combined practical session.
There were a few real-world challenges along the way. One class had a shaky start when an earthquake meant the group had to briefly evacuate the classroom before returning to continue the session. Out on the water, changing weather conditions provided another reminder that successful fishing often means adapting your approach and trying different techniques.
Several participants successfully caught fish, with many landing their first-ever fish.
The practical sessions covered the full process, including choosing an appropriate lure, bait or fly, identifying where fish are likely to be found, hooking and playing a fish, landing it, and appropriate techniques for harvesting or releasing fish. A filleting demonstration also covered safe and effective fish preparation.
The aim is to give new anglers the practical skills and confidence to continue fishing independently.
If you missed our classes or want more information, check out our new Fishing Knowledge Hub – link below in the comments.

07/09/2026

Adult Beginner Fishing Classes
Dozens of new anglers have been developing their fishing skills over the past week at our Adult Beginner Fishing Classes in Mosgiel, Cromwell and Wānaka.
Our Southern Reservoir photos show some of the students putting their new skills into practice at the weekend, after attending evening theory sessions during the week. Other students fished in Central Otago.
We’re delighted to say that almost every student caught a fish – although there were a few “long-distance” releases!
Please note: Southern Reservoir is currently closed to fishing while we run our beginner classes and Take A Kid Fishing events. It is stocked with trout from the Macraes Flat hatchery through our partnership with OceanaGold Macraes Operation, and will open for fishing on October 1.
Big thanks to our honorary rangers who helped on the day.
If you missed out on our classes, there is plenty of information available to help you get started or improve your skills ahead of the new fishing season.
Check out the new Fishing Knowledge Hub – link below in the comments.
And keep an eye on our page for more photos from our Central Otago class soon.

04/09/2026

Still looking for a Father’s Day idea?
If Dad enjoys freshwater fishing — or has been thinking about giving it a go — a fishing licence could be a useful gift.
The 2026–27 freshwater fishing season opens on October 1, so there’s time to sort the gear, make a few plans and get ready for the season.
The new Fishing Knowledge Hub also has plenty of information to help, whether he’s an experienced angler or just starting out.
Licences can be bought online in a couple of minutes.
So, to all the Dads out there, thank you! The team at Otago Fish & Game wishes you a great weekend.
Links in the comments below.

03/09/2026