Fish and Game Otago ranger Steve Dixon said the Take a Kid Fishing event was booked out with keen young anglers yesterday, as was the corresponding event the previous Sunday.
The amateur anglers tried to catch some of the 900 hatchery-raised rainbow trout released in the Southern Reservoir.
On both days, more than 100 rainbow trout were caught in the two hours of fishing.
The biggest catch was a 3.5kg 3-year-old rainbow trout.
The calm and foggy conditions of the first weekend were more favourable for fishing than the sunny conditions yesterday, Mr Dixon said.
In sunnier conditions the trout tended to stay deeper, ''but they are still biting'', he said.
The Southern Reservoir would be open to anglers when the fishing season began tomorrow, he said.
Fish and Game Otago ranger Morgan Trotter said there was a positive outlook for most of the region's waterways.
''It all depends how much rain we get between now and open day.''
Exceptions might be the Shag, Kakanui and Waikouaiti Rivers, which were hit by flooding in early winter which would have affected brown trout spawning.
However, there were reports of sea-run trout being found in the lower Waikouaiti due to the good whitebait run in the river, he said.
The Taieri was normally discoloured at this time of year but its backwaters were usually good fishing early in the season.
Diamond Creek near Glenorchy had a good number of brown trout in it and in Central Otago lakes like Lake Onslow were looking good for early-season fishing, although four-wheel drive vehicles were needed for access.
The Manuherikia River was normally discoloured early in the season but the Nevis and Fraser Rivers usually ran clear.
In South Otago the Waipahi and Pomahaka Rivers might be all right on opening day but it paid to check the Otago Regional Council's website before heading down there, he said.
''The smaller streams in the area fish very well early in the season.''
Fish and Game administrator Sharon Milne said licence sales were going very strongly compared to other years due to the ability for anglers and agencies to buy online and from smartphones.
''It's very busy.''
About 700 full-season licences had been bought online through agencies and 400 anglers had bought online directly.
''I do think we are doing better than other years. Being able to do it at home has made a big difference.''
