At a fishing competition in Dunedin at the weekend, 195 anglers participated, but only six fish were caught.
The winning 5.78kg catch was reeled in by Lofi Kalolo from the jetty at the harbour basin.
Otago Salmon Anglers' Association president Colin Williams said the lack of productivity was indicative of a wider season when salmon were scarce in the harbour.
"Fish aren't coming back in the numbers that they used to.''
He was told this was partly due to scarcity of food for the fish in the ocean, and rising temperatures.
There were also fewer people fishing in the harbour.
This would be helped next season with a new fishing area once the Fryatt St asbestos sheds were removed.
"Port Otago really are coming to the party with that.''
Otago Fish and Game Council president Ian Hadland said its salmon monitoring in Otago rivers also showed a "poor season''.
"Nobody is really holding out a lot of hope.
"We've only heard of a few catches.''
This was due to many factors such as food supply and ocean temperature, Mr Hadland said.
"here is a lot going on at sea which we don't understand. River fisheries haven't had returns like we would expect.''
As to what would happen in future seasons, it was "crystal ball stuff'', he said.
"We just need to keep a little bit of hope.''
