Clearwater River

Running through Otago, New Zealand, Clearwater River is the kind of river that fishes well at the right water level. Drop a lure or fly into the bubble line at the head of a pool and let the current swing it past holding fish. Long, slow glides at Clearwater River hold the bigger fish; the broken water above and below holds the smaller, more aggressive ones. Stay quiet on the bank — river fish are easily spooked.

Location

-44.9333, 169.4170 · View on OpenStreetMap →

Species Reported in Otago

These species are commonly caught at fishing spots across Otago. Conditions at Clearwater River may vary.

Brown troutRainbow troutEuropean perchChinook salmonEastern Australian 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 reported in Otago.

Plan Your Trip

Before fishing Clearwater River, make sure your licence covers Otago, New Zealand and that any species-specific seasons are open. Local regulations change year to year, so check the current rules rather than going from memory.

Nearby Spots in Otago

See all fishing spots in Otago →

Other Fishing Regions in New Zealand