| 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 |
