| Fish type |
Brown and rainbow trout in good numbers averaging around 1 1/2 to 2 kg. |
| Situation |
Lake Camp is situated on a high sparsely vegetated valley surrounded by high hills and mountains at the headwaters of the Ashburton river. |
| Maps |
Access map
Lake Camp is also shown on the Lake Clearwater access map.
|
| Check conditions |
View the MetService weather forecast. |
| Description |
Lake Camp is a very cold water lake that is exposed to the strong northwesterly wind that blow uninterrupted from the Southern Alps. Approximately 1 1/2 kilometres long and and a half a kilometre wide, the lake can easily be accessed on foot and indeed the angler will often have to seek out areas of shelter around the shoreline during inclement weather. There are small stands of trees dotted around the shoreline to provide some protection from the elements.
As this is the only lake that is open to powerboats, anglers often have to compete with other water sport users including water skiers. It is therefore preferable to fish early in
the morning or in the evenings during the warmer months. |
| Access |
Access to the lake is easy as the road leading to Lake Clearwater skirts the eastern shoreline. Almost the entire length of the lake as easily accessible by foot. |
| Methods |
Both spinning and flyfishing are permitted (but although this is the only one of the Ashburton Lakes open to power boating, fishing from a boat is prohibited) |
| Recommended tackle and lures |
When the wind is strong, spinning is an obvious choice when fishing. Those dedicated to flyfishing however will need to use heavier tackle (line weights six or above). During those times of still clear weather however, much lighter lines are required and as the cruising trout are easily spooked in the clear light, false casting over the water should be avoided wherever possible.
Dry flies: Kakahi Queen, Mole Fly and Humpys during the day and Twilight Beauty and other darker flies in the evening.
Nymphs: Small dark flies such as Halfbacks, Pheasants Tail and Hare and Coppers in sizes 14 to 16
Wet flies:
Streamer flies that imitates small bully fish such as Mrs Simpson or Hamill's Killer during the day and small wet flies such as a Greenwells Glory or Invicta during the evening rise on warm evenings.
Spinners: Toby's, Rapalas, Mepps and Veltics. Remember the brown trout preferred subdued colours while rainbow trout get excited by brighter colours such as red.
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| Regulations |
| Applicable to |
Lake Camp |
| Region |
Central South Island regulations |
| Open season |
First Saturday in November to 31 May |
| Methods |
Artificial fly, spinner (Fishing from boats is prohibited) |
| Bag limit |
2 |
| Size limit (cm) |
No limit |
