HomeCentral South IslandCSI: Where to FishLake Alexandrina

Lake Alexandrina

Lake Alexandrina is a easily accessed and beautiful high country lake that and regularly produces large brown and rainbow trout and even the occasional salmon. Fish can be seen cruising the margins though the close vegetation makes the use of a small boat advantageous.

Fish type Good numbers of brown and rainbow trout averaging around 1 to 2 kg, some of which reach trophy size.
Situation

Lake Alexandrina is a long narrow lake lying parallel to the much larger Lake Tekapo.

Maps

Access map

Check conditions

View the MetService weather forecast.

View the rainfall.

Description

Lake Alexandrina lies between tussock covered hills amidst a panorama of snow-covered mountains. It is a very deep, cold lake with few natural beaches. It can be very exposed to the prevailing nor'west wind which means the lake can chop up very quickly. Mostly the banks are covered with tussock though there is the occasional stand of bulrushes or trees along the bank providing some cover from the wind.

As the drop-off from the shore into the lake is very pronounced, fish are not usually spotted cruising the shoreline. Consequently blind lure fishing, particularly for the rainbow trout which tend to stay in deeper water, is the most popular method.

Access

From SH8 near the township of the Lake Tekapo, take the Godley Peaks road.

To reach the southern shore:

Turn off after approximately 4 km on the small track, sign-posted "Alexandrina".

To reach the central eastern shore:

Continue on the Godley Peaks road Take the Lake McGregor turnoff. Follow this to Lake Alexandrina.

To reach the deeper northern end of the lake:

Continue further up the Godley Peaks road Take the Glenmore Station turnoff and follow this down to the lake. See the upper Waitaki access map.

Methods and tackle

The depth of the water and the fact there is no discernible beach to fish from restricts shoreline angling. Harling from a mechanically powered boat is popular.

Weight six or greater rods with a sinking line and streamer flies are recommended. When harling, use a sinking fly line to get the lure down well below the surface.

Recommended lures

Dry fly: Not noted as a dry fly lake. However during the height of summer there may be some success using a blowfly pattern, Humpy or beetle pattern

Nymphs: Well weighted nymphs capable of getting down deep in patterns such as Pheasant Tail

Wetflies: Streamer patterns such as a Woolly Bugger, Rabbit pattern, Parsons' Glory or a bully pattern such as a Hamill's Killer or Mrs Simpson.

Tributaries

A number of small streams and creeks enter the lake on its western shore most of which can only be reached by boat.

Regulations (1):
Applicable to Lake Alexandrina and its tributaries
Region Central South Island regulations
Open season First Saturday in November to 30 April
Methods

Artificial fly and spinner.

Down-riggers, paravanes, metal-cored or wire lines and weights to assist sinking of trolled lures are prohibited in the lake.

Bag limit Trout: 4 (of which only 1 brown trout)
Salmon: 2
Size limit (cm)

Trout: No limit

Salmon: Minimum 300 mm minimum

Regulations (2):
Applicable to Lake Alexandrina
Region Central South Island regulations
Season 1 Jun-31 Jul (winter season)
Methods

Artificial fly and spinner.

Down-riggers, paravanes, metal-cored or wire lines and weights to assist sinking of trolled lures are prohibited in the lake.

Bag limit 2 rainbow trout or salmon; nil brown trout

Other fishing waters of the region



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