A warning for locals to steer clear -- of Silverstream, near Dunedin

Hundreds of eels and trout have died in the water -- likely due to low oxygen inflows on warm, ponded floodwater from surrounding farmland.

Otago Fish and Game chief executive, Ian Hadland, says anyone thinking of going into the lower Silverstream this weekend -- should give it a miss.

Hadland says the Silverstream's teaming with dead material -- plant and fish -- and anyone thinking of going for a weekend dip, should head elsewhere.