Last updated October 2026
The Taieri River at Outram is where the river leaves the Taieri Gorge and runs out onto the Taieri Plain, about 23 km from Dunedin by way of Three Mile Hill. Fish & Game Otago rates the water around Outram, both up and downstream of the SH87 bridge, as the best fly water on the lower river.
The fish are brown trout, and a large share of them are sea-run. Most anglers walk in from the Outram Glen picnic area at the end of the gravel road, or take the track beside the bridge.
At a Glance
- Location
- Outram Glen picnic area, off Outram Mosgiel Road, at the foot of the Taieri Gorge
- Water
- Taieri River (freshwater), Otago Fish & Game region
- Main species
- Brown trout, both resident and sea-run
- Methods
- Fly, spinner and bait are all allowed
- Season
- Upstream of the SH87 bridge: 1 October to 30 April. Downstream of the bridge: open all year
- Best time
- Summer evenings for the caddis rise; dusk in November and early December for brown beetle
- Getting there
- 23 km from Dunedin via Three Mile Hill; turn right just after crossing the Taieri River bridge
- Flow
- Otago Regional Council gauge on the Taieri at Outram
- Licence
- Fish & Game sports fish licence required
No tides at Outram: the river flow sets the fishing, so check the Taieri at Outram gauge, especially after rain.
What Makes It Worth the Trip
The Taieri is one of Otago’s main trout rivers. In the 2021 to 2022 National Angler Survey it ranked as the region’s second most popular river fishery, behind only the Clutha/Mata-Au.
Outram is the point where the river changes character: above it the Taieri runs through a steep, bush-lined gorge, and below it the river slows and winds across the farmland of the Taieri Plain.
Outram Glen sits on the west bank just upstream of the bridge. It is a picnic and swimming spot on summer days, and the start of DOC’s Outram Glen to Lee Stream walk. The first 20 to 30 minutes of the walk is an easy riverside track.
After that it becomes a tramping track with a long traverse above the river, before dropping back to the water near the Lee Stream confluence, so anglers can use it to reach the river upstream.
Many of the Taieri’s trout are migratory fish that spend time in the sea and run back up the river. That is why spinning with lures that imitate small fish works so well on the lower river in winter and spring, when the sea trout are in.
Below Outram the river crosses the plain past Allanton and Henley, takes in the Lower Waipori, and reaches the sea at Taieri Mouth. Lake Waihola drains into the Waipori, so the lake, the lower Waipori and the lower Taieri are one connected system. For the lake, see our Lake Waihola fishing guide.
How to Fish the Taieri River at Outram
Where to fish
Fish & Game Otago names two ways in at Outram: the track on the right just before the SH87 bridge, and Outram Glen, the first right after you cross the bridge.
The gravel road to the glen runs beside the river, and the DOC walk from the car park follows the river upstream into the gorge. The water both up and downstream of the bridge is the best fly water on the lower Taieri.
When to fish
Sea trout are in the lower river in winter and spring. In summer, caddis hatch on good evenings, and brown beetles fly at dusk in November and early December.
Willow grub patterns work along the willow edges in February and March. Lure colour changes through the season, according to nzfishing.com: plain silver from August, black or green by November, and gold in December.
What to catch and what to use
- Brown trout on the nymph: weighted Hare’s Ear and Pheasant Tail nymphs in sizes 10 to 14, or a size 12 Gold Bead Hare’s Ear, during the day.
- Brown trout on the dry fly: Deer Hair Sedge (size 12), Coch-y-Bondhu and Humpy (sizes 10 to 14) for the evening rise. Yellow Willow Grub patterns along the willows in February and March.
- Sea-run trout on the spinner: a 10 g Banana Toby is the most popular lure on the lower Taieri, especially in winter and spring. Floating Rapalas and size 3 Veltic or Mepps blade spinners in black, or green and gold, also work.
- Bait: earthworms all season, and porina grubs in winter and spring. Fish & Game suggests the running worm rig: a swivel about 40 cm above the bait, with a round lead threaded above it so it slides freely.
- Perch: Fish & Game reports good numbers in the lower Taieri. Small spinners and worms take them.
Getting There and Facilities
- By car: Outram Glen is 23 km from Dunedin via Three Mile Hill. Approaching Outram, turn right immediately after crossing the Taieri River bridge and stay on the gravel road beside the river to the car park.
- Outram Glen: a picnic area at the road end and the start of the Outram Glen to Lee Stream walk (about 3 hours).
- Swimmers: the glen is popular for swimming in summer, so cast away from people in the water on warm days.
- Further down: Riverside Road runs across the plain from Allanton to SH87, with access points off its left side. Some cross farmland, so ask at the nearest farmhouse before you cross.
Rules and Safety
- You need a Fish & Game sports fish licence. Buy one online from Fish & Game, or from licence agents such as Fish & Game Otago’s office at 5 Hazlett Road, North Taieri, Mosgiel.
- The Otago sports fishing regulations split the river at the SH87 bridge. Upstream, including Outram Glen, the season runs from 1 October to 30 April and you can’t fish from a boat, canoe or float tube. Downstream of the bridge the river is open all year. Fly, spinner and bait are allowed in both reaches. Check the regulations for the daily bag.
- The Outram Glen track can flood in heavy or prolonged rain, and DOC warns there is no other way out. Check the forecast and the river flow before you walk in.
- DOC advises staying out of the water for 48 hours after rain or high flows, when bacteria from farm runoff can rise. Take care wading when the river is up.
- Respect private land on the plain: ask before crossing paddocks to reach the river.
Tackle and Bait Nearby
- Hunting & Fishing Dunedin (Allan Millars), 141 Crawford Street, Dunedin: fishing gear, and a Fish & Game licence agent.
- Fish & Game Otago, 5 Hazlett Road, North Taieri, Mosgiel: licences and local advice on what the river is doing.
Official Sources for Taieri River at Outram
Fish & Game: Half a day to fish from Dunedin to the south: access points, lures, flies and baits for the lower Taieri and Waipori.
Fish & Game Otago sports fishing regulations: seasons, methods and bag limits for each reach of the Taieri.
DOC: Outram Glen to Lee Stream walk: the track upstream from the glen, directions and flood and water quality warnings.
Common Questions
What can you catch in the Taieri River at Outram?
Brown trout, many of them sea-run fish that move between the sea and the river. Perch are also found in the lower Taieri.
When is the Taieri at Outram open for fishing?
Upstream of the SH87 bridge, including Outram Glen, the season is 1 October to 30 April. Downstream of the bridge the river is open all year.
Do I need a fishing licence?
Yes. You need a Fish & Game sports fish licence to fish for trout in the Taieri.
Can I use bait at Outram?
Yes. Fly, spinner and bait are all allowed. Worms work all season, and porina grubs in winter and spring.
What is the best lure for the lower Taieri?
Fish & Game says the 10 g Banana Toby is the most popular, especially for sea trout in winter and spring.
How do I get to Outram Glen?
Drive 23 km from Dunedin via Three Mile Hill. Turn right just after the Taieri River bridge at Outram and follow the gravel road along the river to the car park.
Can I fish from a kayak at Outram?
Not upstream of the SH87 bridge. The regulations ban fishing from any boat, canoe, pontoon or float tube there, except in the tidal reaches.
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