Has anyone ever fished here? Successfully? I'm moving down to Mount Cook for a job in a few months and was wondering why I never hear anything about this lake, I know, I could just head up the road to Benmore/Tekapo/Ohau or Ruitaniwha but thought I'd see what you guys have to say. I must have driven by dozens of times but never see any boats out, come to think of it, I don't think there is even a ramp. For such a large area of water and with the seemingly identical Lake Tekapo being a decent fishery shouldn't this be on a par?

Sorry to chip in so late but the top of Lake Pukaki was a favourite haunt. Access in behind the Glentanner cattle yards, out from the air strip. With a very high lake level, the shore line floods and fish cruise up and down the recently flooded tussock ground. The fresh water pushes in to the lake, depending on the wind and you can make out fish cruising close in. My experience of them was superbly conditioned fish. Very little colour on them but power. Oh my goodness, they ripped off line like there was no drag.

These fish were much heavier than they looked in the water. Be careful of quick sand getting out towards the Tasman River.

You might want to explore for a football field sized tarn connected by a tiny stream to the Lake. It had only a small area not choked with weed. From a vantage point, settle down and watch. The size of the fish that swim in to view will blow you away. They’re trout and not salmon.

 

There is also a small stream flowing into the head of the lake behind Glentanner airfield. It looks nothing much but a few years ago used to hold one or two fish in the order of 5 - 10 pound in each pool!. I do not get to this area much these days so are now prepared to let others know ( I also suspect the local guides have been aware for a few years ) You can go up the stream almost as far as the Mt. Cook airstrip and fish all the way. There are a series of small side streams coming from the Alps that feed the creek.
Ian K