HomeCentral South IslandCSI: Where to FishLake Emily

Lake Emily

Lake Emily is a remote and exposed high country lake and is unique in that as well as a small population of brown trout it has a rare, if small, population of American brook trout.
Fish type Brown trout and a few American brook char. Brown trout numbers are very low making the chance of catching the rare (in New Zealand) brook char the main draw for fishing this lake. Fish and Game have not stocked this water for at least 10 years and so it is possible that all the brown trout have now gone.
Situation Lake Emily is a remote lake that is surrounded by swampy tussock land.
Maps and conditions

 

Access map by Google

View the MetService weather forecast.

Description A very remote high country lake that has high tussock banks along one shoreline and swampy relatively flat land on the other. The lake is shallow and most of the shoreline is accessible to the angler. The water is gerally ruffled by wind and so sight fishing is at best very difficult. Due to its altitude and exposure the wind can be very cold and makes fishing very difficult at times.
Access Access to Lake Emily requires a steep 3km walk from the Hakatere - Lake Heron Road.
Methods This lake is fly fishing only.
No boats are allowed
Recommended tackle A good powerful rod and line capable of punching through  the strong winds that invariably blow.
Recommended lures

Dry flies: Not a particularly good dry fly water but big bushy caddis patterns or Coch-y-bondhu styles can work when the wind is not too strong.

Nymphs: Damsel nymphs

Wet flies:
Bully patterns such as Kilwells, Mrs Simpson or Hamills Killer.

Regulations
Applicable to Lake Emily
Region Central South Island regulations
Open season First Saturday in November to 30 April
Methods Fly fishing only
Fishing from boats is prohibited on the lake
Bag limit Trout: 2
Size limit (cm) No limit

Other fishing waters of the region



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