Last updated October 2026
Tomahawk Lagoon is a pair of shallow lagoons off Tomahawk Road near Ocean Grove, a short drive from central Dunedin. Only the upper (top) lagoon is stocked, with hatchery rainbow trout, and it also holds brown trout and perch. It is open all year and bait is allowed, which is unusual for Dunedin’s city waters.
Fish & Game Otago suggests worms or bullies under a float here as a good way to get young children started.
At a Glance
- Location
- Off Tomahawk Road near Ocean Grove, south-east Dunedin
- Type
- Two shallow lagoons; only the top lagoon is stocked; weedy, up to about 1.5 m deep
- Water
- Coastal lagoon, closed off from the sea (freshwater)
- Main species
- Stocked rainbow trout, brown trout and perch
- Season
- Open all year; best in winter, spring and early summer
- Methods
- Fly, spinner and bait; boats allowed
- Access
- Domain Hall car park off Tomahawk Road, or Oregon Street to a playground and car park by the water
- Licence
- Fish & Game sports fishing licence required
- Algae
- Toxic algae has been found here before: check for warnings before you go
- Rules
- Otago Fish & Game sports fishing regulations
No tides: the lagoon is shallow, so warm summer weather slows the trout and thickens the weed; winter, spring and early summer fish best.
What You'll Find Here
Tomahawk has two lagoons, near Ocean Grove on Dunedin’s south-east edge. The top lagoon used to be tidal, but it is now permanently closed off from the sea. It is shallow throughout, with a maximum depth of about 1.5 m, and weedy.
Food is plentiful, so fish grow quickly on perch fry, bullies and water insects. Fish & Game Otago stocks the top lagoon with rainbow trout from the hatchery at OceanaGold’s Macraes Mine, and it was restocked before the September 2025 school holidays. Brown trout and perch live there too.
Because it is so shallow, warm summers are hard on the trout. Winter, spring and early summer are generally the best times to fish.
The Otago Regional Council has issued warnings about potentially toxic blue-green algae in the upper lagoon in several summers, including 2014, 2017 and 2021. During a warning the council asks people and dogs to keep out of the water.
How to Fish Tomahawk Lagoon
Where and when
Fish the top lagoon: it is the stocked one. You can reach it from the Domain Hall car park off Tomahawk Road, or from the playground car park beside the water off Oregon Street.
The lagoon is shallow and weedy everywhere, so keep baits and lures up off the weed. Plan your trips for winter, spring and early summer rather than the heat of late summer.
What to catch and what to use
- Bait for trout and perch: worms or bullies suspended under a float or bubble. The float keeps the bait above the weed, and this is the easiest method for children.
- Rainbow and brown trout on the fly: Hamill’s Killer and Mrs Simpson imitate perch fry. Woolly Buggers and damselfly nymphs match the larger insects.
- Spinning: the lagoon is very shallow, so use a fast retrieve to keep the lure out of the weed.
- Perch: there is no bag limit for perch in Otago, so they are a good fish for children to keep catching.
Getting There and Facilities
- Road: Tahuna Road runs into Tomahawk Road at the top of the hill beside the Andersons Bay cemetery. Follow Tomahawk Road to the lagoon.
- Domain Hall car park: directly off Tomahawk Road, with access to the water.
- Oregon Street: turn left onto Oregon Street for about 30 m, then left down a gravel road to a playground and a car park next to the water.
- Boats: fishing from a boat, canoe or float tube is allowed here.
Rules and Safety
- You need a Fish & Game sports fishing licence. A family whole-season licence covers the people named on it.
- Under the current Otago regulations Tomahawk Lagoon is open all year to fly, spin and bait fishing.
- Sea fishing: the beach and sea beyond the lagoon are inside Ōrau Marine Reserve, which came into effect on 1 July 2026 and runs from St Clair to Harakeke Point. No fishing of any kind is allowed there, so fish the lagoon only.
- A daily bag limit applies to trout: check the current Otago regulations. There is no bag limit for perch.
- You may fish from any boat, canoe, pontoon or flotation device. Boats under motor must stay at least 100 m from anglers fishing from the shore.
- Toxic algae: check for an Otago Regional Council or LAWA warning before you go. If one is in place, keep yourself, children and dogs out of the water.
- Watch children at the water’s edge.
Tackle and Bait Nearby
- Hunting & Fishing Dunedin (Allan Millars), 141 Crawford Street, central Dunedin: floats, hooks, spinners and flies. Licences are also sold online by Fish & Game.
Helpful Resources
Fish & Game: Dunedin fishing spots: access and tips for Tomahawk Lagoon and the Dunedin reservoirs.
Otago sports fishing regulations: the current season, methods and bag limits for Otago waters.
LAWA: swimming and water quality: water quality results for swim sites around Otago.
Tomahawk Lagoon: Common Questions
Where is Tomahawk Lagoon?
Off Tomahawk Road near Ocean Grove in south-east Dunedin. Park at the Domain Hall car park or at the playground off Oregon Street.
Which lagoon is stocked?
Only the top (upper) lagoon. Fish & Game Otago stocks it with rainbow trout.
What fish are in Tomahawk Lagoon?
Rainbow trout, brown trout and perch.
Can I use bait at Tomahawk Lagoon?
Yes. Bait is allowed, and worms or bullies under a float work well because the lagoon is shallow and weedy.
Do I need a licence?
Yes. You need a Fish & Game sports fishing licence. A family whole-season licence covers the people named on it.
When is the best time to fish?
Winter, spring and early summer. Warm summers are poor because there is no deep water for the trout.
Is there toxic algae in Tomahawk Lagoon?
There has been in past summers. Check for an Otago Regional Council or LAWA warning before you go, and keep people and dogs out of the water if one is in place.
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