Lake Monowai

Lake Monowai, in Southland, New Zealand, is the kind of lake 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 Monowai usually mirrors the local forage: small baitfish imitations in spring, larger profiles through summer.

Location

-45.8561, 167.4345 · View on OpenStreetMap →

Species at This Spot

Rainbow troutBrown trout

Fishing Techniques

• 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 Brown trout

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

Recommended Gear

Tackle commonly used to target the species at Lake Monowai.

Plan Your Trip

Anglers heading to Lake Monowai should sort licences and confirm seasonal regulations for Southland 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 Monowai.

Nearby Spots in Southland

See all fishing spots in Southland →

Other Fishing Regions in New Zealand