Up to 20 boats of anglers took to the chop on Friday, while 35 boatloads battled waves on Saturday, organiser John Shea said.
Central Otago Fish and Game Council ranger Bill Wells said some people had come off the boats "a bit green about the gills" but he was impressed with the catch and the condition of rainbow trout.
"It surprised me. Usually there's a couple of months yet to put condition back on after spawning."
One group of four friends enjoyed an overnight boating excursion and took shelter in a "secret location" behind Silver Island.
Athol Budge, of Lake Hawea, Paul Cunningham, of Hawea Flat, Fred Donaldson, of Mosgiel and Lyndon McKenzie, of Dunedin, have fished together for most of the hotel competitions since they began in 1996.
Between the four of them they caught 15 fish during the competition, and although Mr Donaldson hauled in a 2.5kg rainbow trophy contender, it was not quite big enough to win the day.
Lake Hawea was providing "nice fat fish", they said.
