Two months into the new sports fishing season, the Central South Island Fish & Game Council (CSI Fish & Game) is pleased that 98% of anglers are following the rules.

Since October 1, 445 anglers have been interviewed with eight offenders encountered. The most common offence detected was fishing without a valid sports fishing licence, other offences detected were: using more than one rod; being more than 15 metres from their rod and using illegal bait.

CSI Fish & Game Compliance Coordinator Hamish Stevens said, "The fact that nearly 98% were sticking to the rules shows that current ranging efforts are working with anglers’ deciding not to flout the law."

With holiday season just around the corner CSI Fish & Game are reminding anglers to purchase a 2020-2021 season licence and have it on them, ready to show a Ranger.

Angling opportunities abound this summer, particularly with the absence of overseas anglers on some of the New Zealand’s premium Backcountry fisheries. There simply has never been a better time to get out on the water and experience these world renowned fisheries.

Domestic tourism is filling up the regions campgrounds with many of these sites quite literally a cast away from the productive fisheries of the Waitaki lakes.

All freshwater anglers that fish for trout, salmon, perch and other sports fish, must hold a valid sports fishing licence and adhere to the sports fishing regulations in their regulation guides ,which can differ between waterways.

During the 2019/20 season, CSI Fish & Game Rangers checked 1800 anglers on 36 waterways and 38 people were caught committing 47 offences, most near the hydro-electric canals around Tekapo and Twizel.

The most common offence (21) found by Rangers last season was fishing without a valid sports fishing licence.

Other offences were: fishing out of season; providing false and misleading information; and using more than one fishing rod.

Rarer offences included: submitting fraudulent documents; being more than 15m from rod; using more than one bait assembly and using berley to attract fish.

Twenty five offenders were summonsed to appear in the District Court.

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

Stevens says, "Anglers who choose to fish without a licence or otherwise break the rules can expect to end up in Court. It’s not a risk worth taking and it is much cheaper and less stressful to simply get a licence and follow the rules."

CSI Fish & Game Rangers look forward to meeting plenty of anglers out enjoying their fishing this summer and encourage anyone with questions to contact CSI Fish & Game for information.

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