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Lake Pukaki?

Printed From: The Fishing Website
Category: Freshwater Fishing
Forum Name: Freshwater Fission
Forum Description: The place to discuss all matters related to freshwater fishing!
URL: https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=55810
Printed Date: 04 Jun 2026 at 6:05am


Topic: Lake Pukaki?
Posted By: kiwirich
Subject: Lake Pukaki?
Date Posted: 27 Jul 2010 at 3:25pm
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?


Replies:
Posted By: flyfisher
Date Posted: 27 Jul 2010 at 4:41pm
Very glacial colouration. I know there are fish around the clearer stream mouths as have caught fish there spinning with me dad when I was a lil whipper-snapper, but that's about it - apparently some good size fish taken at night but in lean-average condition, likely some Salmon escapees as well. Never caught big numbers there. Much better small lakes and tarns just "down the road", some of them hold some cracking fish... The whole Mckenzie basin is a trout-rich area as you'll no doubt know.

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Posted By: Te Awa Kairangi Angler
Date Posted: 27 Jul 2010 at 5:43pm

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.

 

Posted By: kiwirich
Date Posted: 27 Jul 2010 at 9:24pm
Cheers guys, I'll definitely give it a once over then, I do a fair bit of kayaking so will throw a rod on and see if anything turns up trolling. As for that tarn and the head of the lake, can't wait to dust off the fly-rod and have a flick around! 

Posted By: iank
Date Posted: 02 Aug 2010 at 5:07pm
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

Posted By: Te Awa Kairangi Angler
Date Posted: 02 Aug 2010 at 5:32pm
Hi Ian, it gets a hammering during the season. The fish are still there though, tucked under banks and staying hidden in the lower river. There's a big run of browns up there in the autumn to spawn. The scenery has to be seen to be believed,


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