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.