Fishing

Some of the Maniototo Dams were formed in the first instance to provide water for goldmining and subsequently for the irrigation of crops and grazing-land. They now provide good trout fishing sites. All of these dams, some on private land, are able to be fished from October through to April, while others are accessible all year round. You are asked to respect the landowners’ property by leaving your dog at home and taking your rubbish with you when you leave. Also, there will be times during the year when areas are closed due to lambing or property maintenance. Here in the Maniototo you can fish in all weathers and you will find there is little pressure on the fisheries.

Some of the best fishing dams are listed below:

1. Both the Hoffman’s Dam and the Coalpit Dam are close to Naseby and can be fished all year round. They are surrounded by the forest and are home to both brown and rainbow trout. There is a bag limit of 3 fish.

2. Blakely’s Dam and Mathias’s Dam are 15 minutes drive from Naseby and are open from October through to April and have a bag limit of 3 fish. Both dams are part of the Maniototo irrigation system and are stocked with both brown and rainbow trout.

3. From just below the Taieri River Gorge on the Styx to Patearoa Rd, the river winds slowly to Kokonga, making it a good long stretch to fish using all the different methods at your disposal. Again, the season runs from October though to April but has a bag limit of 6 fish.

All methods of fishing are allowed in the waters of the Maniototo. You can use worms as bait, and spinners like Wobblers and Tobys. Again, fly fishermen can explore different methods using wet or dry flies depending on the time of the season.

You can try your luck (or expertise) alone or we can arrange for any one of several leading fishing guides in the area to take you fishing if you prefer. If you would like us to organise a guide for you, let us know in plenty of time so that you don’t miss out on the day or days that you require.

For more information contact;
Otago Fish and Game
Email      n.watson@fish-game.org.nz
Website www.fishandgame.org.nz

Dean Whaanga
Email      dean@fishotago.co.nz
Website www.fishotago.co.nz