Lake Dunstan

Lake Dunstan, in Otago, New Zealand, is the kind of reservoir where a careful approach pays off. Shore anglers do well casting parallel to the bank along reed lines and overhanging trees, where ambush predators wait. Boat anglers can fan-cast points and submerged humps — anywhere the bottom changes depth quickly. Lure choice at Lake Dunstan usually mirrors the local forage: small baitfish imitations in spring, larger profiles through summer.

Location

-44.9784, 169.2300 · View on OpenStreetMap →

Species at This Spot

Brown troutRainbow troutEuropean perchChinook salmonLandlocked atlantic salmon

Fishing Techniques

• For Brown trout

  When fishing streams, focus on seams and current breaks, where trout hold to ambush prey.

• For Rainbow trout

  Vary your retrieve speed when using spinners to find what triggers a strike; sometimes a slow, steady retrieve works best, while other times a faster, erratic retrieve is more effective.

• For European perch

  Vary your retrieve speed and lure depth until you find what the perch are responding to on that day, and use light line.

Recommended Gear

Tackle commonly used to target the species at Lake Dunstan.

Plan Your Trip

Anglers heading to Lake Dunstan should sort licences and confirm seasonal regulations for Otago before the trip. A quick weather check the morning of helps too — wind direction in particular can make or break a session at a spot like Lake Dunstan.

Nearby Spots in Otago

See all fishing spots in Otago →

Other Fishing Regions in New Zealand