Anglers enjoyed sunny and calm conditions and caught healthy, large fish.
Many reported afterwards it was one of the best competitions on the lake in recent years.
Contestants brought in 134 fish to be weighed and the fish were in such good condition several anglers were hoping they had the winner.
The title went to Mosgiel's Laurie Sheldon, who brought in his 3.284kg rainbow early.
Most people stayed out all day and Tapanui farmer Murray Robertson found plenty of admirers for his 2.85kg rainbow trout when he arrived at the camping ground just before 5pm for the final weigh-in.
Mr Robertson and his fishing companion Jim McColl, a retired Tapanui farmer now living in Bluff, caught eight fish between them at the top of Lake Hawea.
While there were slightly fewer anglers than last year, tmore fish were caught.
"We had 153 entries with 98 adults, 14 juniors and 41 children. All in all, a very good day had by all and plenty of smiling faces," event volunteer Mike Clark said.
Results:
Heaviest fish: Laurie Sheldon, Mosgiel, rainbow trout, 3.284kg; heaviest fish by a female: Rebecca Cotter, Lake Hawea, rainbow, 2.196kg; heaviest fish by a junior (12-17 years old): Chloe Wigg, Hawea Flat, rainbow trout, 2.276kg; heaviest fish by a child: (under 12) Anika Smith, Gore, rainbow trout, 2.296kg; under-12 overall winner: Holly Wigg, Hawea Flat; heaviest brown trout: Michael Hutton, Alexandra, 1.558kg; heaviest salmon, Darrin Rowe, Lake Hawea, 0.554kg; best family catch, Devereux family, Tapanui, combined condition factor score of 122.864.
