If you’re ready to level up your lake fishing game, downrigger trolling is one of the most effective ways to target deep-dwelling trout and salmon – especially on Queenstown’s alpine lakes like Wakatipu, Hawea, and Wanaka.

In this guide, we’ll cover how downriggers work, the types of fish you can catch, gear options, and why this method is perfect for beginners and pros alike.

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🎣 What Is Trolling (and What’s a Downrigger)?

Trolling is a fishing method where your bait or lure is pulled slowly through the water – either by reeling or by letting the movement of the boat do the work.

A downrigger is a device that allows you to fish at a specific depth. It uses a weighted cable to lower your line and hold it steady at the exact depth where your target fish are feeding.

A typical downrigger setup includes:

• A rod holder
• A boom and spool (manual crank or electric motor)
• A weight (aka “cannonball”)
• A line release clip that detaches when a fish bites

Once the fish hits, the clip releases your line and you fight the fish on your rod – no extra tension from the downrigger.

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⚙️ Electric vs. Manual Downriggers

You’ll usually see two types:

✅ Electric Downriggers

Perfect for larger boats and experienced setups. These include:
• Powered retrieval
• Digital depth counters
• Optional depth-cycling (automatically moves the bait to mimic live prey)

✅ Manual Downriggers

Simple, reliable, and great for small boats or those who enjoy a hands-on approach. No electronics – just a crank and your skill.

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🐟 What Can You Catch with Downriggers?

Downrigger trolling lets you target species that stay in deeper, cooler water  which means:

🎯 Salmon
• Love flashy baits, spoons, and hoochies
• Use natural-colored or UV-reflective lures
• Ideal lure distance behind the weight: 30–50 ft

🎯 Trout (Rainbow & Brown)
• Prefer natural baits or vibrant lures
• Fish deeper and farther back: 50–200+ ft behind the weight

The ability to control your depth with precision gives you a major edge — especially in larger alpine lakes where fish can be hard to reach using surface techniques.

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📍 Why Try Downrigger Trolling in Queenstown?

Our alpine lakes are deep, clear, and packed with trout and salmon – and downriggers let you fish where these species actually are.

Queenstown Fishing offers:
• Private and shared trolling charters
• All equipment provided (including downriggers and training)
• Experienced guides to help you find the right depth, speed, and lure combo
• Beautiful settings on Lakes Wakatipu, Hawea, and Wanaka

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🚤 Learn from the Pros

Downrigger trolling might sound technical, but it’s surprisingly beginner-friendly. Our team will:
• Set up the gear
• Teach you how to use it
• Help you understand how fish behave at different depths
• Make sure you’re comfortable and having fun

Whether you’re an experienced angler or trying lake fishing for the first time, this method is one of the best ways to consistently catch fish in Queenstown’s deeper waters.

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🎟️ Book a Trolling Charter Today

Ready to try downrigger trolling for yourself? Join a Queenstown Fishing charter and we’ll help you explore the deeper parts of New Zealand’s most beautiful lakes – with the right tools, tips, and support to reel in something big.

Book now and experience the thrill of deep-water trolling with Queenstown’s most trusted guides.