"We saw some great casting potential," Otago Fish & Game officer Bruce Quirey said.
"No fish came to the bank, and a few submerged rocks — not to mention nearby trees — proved a match for some of these eager anglers."
Opoho School senior classes teacher Sandor Toth said the afternoon of fishing at Sullivans Dam had been excellent.
"The students absolutely loved it, because it's not every day they get to learn how to fish or share their own fishing knowledge and skills with peers," Mr Toth said.
The pupils were lucky to be able to engage with local experts, who taught them skills, sparked their interest, and helped them to make connections with green spaces.
"We might not have gone back to school with any fish this time, but we did go back with some good stories," he said.
Located in the bush-clad hills north of Dunedin, Sullivans Dam is stocked with hatchery-reared rainbow trout and the occasional wild and wily brown trout.
Mr Quirey said the public were advised to bring fishing lures, because bait was not permitted at Sullivans Dam, as it was part of the city’s water supply network managed by Dunedin City Council.
"Grab a warm coat and hat and get out in the fresh air," he said.
