Fish and Game remind anglers to stick to the rules this season

With the summer holidays here, Fish and Game is reminding anglers to purchase a 2025/2026 sports fishing licence and to carry it with them, ready to show a ranger.

All anglers who target trout, salmon, perch and other sport fish in freshwater are required under the Conservation Act 1987 to hold a valid sports fishing licence and adhere to the sports fishing regulations.

Anglers are also reminded to check the sports fishing regulation guide, as regulations can differ between various waterways.

Central South Island Fish and Game compliance co-ordinator Hamish Stevens says: “Fish and Game rangers will be active over the holiday season to observe the success of anglers and that rules are being followed.

“Anglers who choose to fish for sports fish without a licence or otherwise break the regulations can expect to end up in court.

“It’s not a risk worth taking and it is much cheaper and less stressful to purchase a licence and follow the rules.”

Anglers who are unsure of regulations or requirements should contact their local Fish and Game office for advice.

Staff are happy to help and, in addition to regulations, can also provide information on where to go and how to fish the waterways in our region.

During the 2024/25 season, which ended on September 30, Fish and Game rangers undertook their duties at 44 waterways across the Central South Island Fish and Game region, interviewing 3,290 anglers, over a 30 per cent increase on the previous season.

Sixty-nine people were found offending, accounting for a total of 82 offences.

Most offences were detected at the Mackenzie hydro-electric canals near Tekapo and Twizel.

The most common offence detected was fishing without a current sports fishing licence with 33 unlicenced anglers found by rangers last season.

Other common offences detected by rangers were using unauthorised bait, fishing out of season, providing false and misleading information to a ranger, using more than one bait assembly and using more than one rod.

Rarer offences detected included continuing to fish after having taken a bag limit, breaching the requirements of the sea-run salmon licence, obstruction, fishing from a boat where it is prohibited, and being more than 15m from rod.

In 44 of these cases, offenders were charged and summonsed to appear in the District Court.

Fish and Game rangers have interviewed 552 anglers already in the current fishing season, detecting 18 people offending.

The maximum penalty for fishing without a licence, and most regulation breaches, is a criminal conviction, fine of up to $5,000 and forfeiture of fishing gear used.

In recent years, persons found fishing without a licence have been ordered by the court to pay up to $1,000 in fines and costs.