Lake Tekapo / Takapō

Tucked into Canterbury, New Zealand, Lake Tekapo / Takapō is a lake that fishes differently season to season. Spring brings fish into the shallows to spawn or feed on early baitfish; midsummer pushes them to cooler, deeper water; autumn turns them aggressive again as they pack on weight before winter. Anglers planning a trip to Lake Tekapo / Takapō should check water temperature and recent weather — a sudden cold front can shut a lake like this down for a day.

Location

-43.8935, 170.5134 · View on OpenStreetMap →

Species at This Spot

Chinook salmonBrown troutLandlocked atlantic salmonRainbow trout

Fishing Techniques

• For Chinook salmon

  Vary your retrieve speed and depth until you find what the fish are responding to, as their preferences can change daily.

• For Brown trout

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

• For Landlocked atlantic salmon

  Vary your retrieval speed and depth until you find what the fish are responding to on that particular day, as these salmon can be finicky.

Recommended Gear

Tackle commonly used to target the species at Lake Tekapo / Takapō.

Plan Your Trip

Before fishing Lake Tekapo / Takapō, make sure your licence covers Canterbury, 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 Canterbury

See all fishing spots in Canterbury →

Other Fishing Regions in New Zealand