🎣 What Fish Are in Lake Wakatipu?

Lake Wakatipu is a true angler’s paradise, teeming with vibrant fish species that thrive in its deep, cold glacial waters. Here’s what you and your guests can expect to hook:

🐟 Rainbow Trout

• The most abundant fish in the lake-often weighing 1-2 kg, but occasionally pushing beyond 5 kg! They live up to 9 years and are identifiable by small spots and white tipped fins .

🐠 Brown Trout

• Although fewer in number, these gold and brown beauties average 2-3 kg and can reach 15 years old. They tend to patrol lake edges and feed near vegetation zones, recognizable by larger spots .

🎣 Land‑locked Chinook Salmon

• A thrilling catch: average around 1 kg, with a mix of shallow and deep water seasonal movements. They school near shore in spring, run rivers in autumn, and hang deep in summer best targeted by trolling or spinning .

🌊 Other Species

• While not common in charters, the lake also hosts native longfin eels and smelt, plus small native fish and invertebrates making for a rich freshwater ecosystem .

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🎣 Where & How to Fish Them

• Rainbow & Brown Trout:
• Shallow water and shoreline including Frankton Arm and Glenorchy are your best bet for fly or spin fishing .
• For trout in deeper water, trolling with downriggers is highly effective .
• Land‑locked Salmon:
• Use trolling with leadlines or downriggers near Glenorchy, Frankton Arm, and river mouths especially in summer and autumn .

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🌟 Summary: Your Lake Wakatipu Fish Line‑Up

Species Avg Weight Key Habitats
Rainbow Trout 1–2 kg (up to 5 kg) Throughout lake, especially shallows
Brown Trout 2–3 kg Near lake edges & vegetated areas
Land‑locked Salmon ~1 kg Nearshore in spring, deep in summer
Eels & Smelt N/A Part of broader lake ecosystem

⏭️ Bookable Experience

We supply all gear tackle, rods, downriggers and guide you through the best techniques and locations. Whether you’re a spin, fly, or trolling angler, our trips are tailored to get you on fish in Lake Wakatipu’s stunning terrain. Book now.

🎣 Your next adventure starts here.
explore. fish. repeat.