Don’t forget your fishing licence

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

Fish and Game says it hopes the region’s anglers continue to ensure they have an up-to-date licence in the build-up to the new freshwater fishing season.

Licences are on sale now for the new season, which starts on October 1 and runs until September 30, 2018.

Fish and Game officer Anthony van Dorp said each year rangers checked more than 10,000 anglers and hunters around the country.

“It’s very pleasing that in the large central North Island Eastern Region, ranging operations in the past year have found more than 98 percent of people doing the right thing by having a licence. This high compliance rate is similar to previous years.”

For the small percentage who forgot to buy a licence, the mistake could be costly.

“Occasionally someone fails to update their licence — this is a risk as they face fines and the loss of their expensive fishing gear.

“With the maximum penalty set at $5000, it makes much more sense to just buy a licence and not have to worry about getting caught.”

However, it was pleasing to find that people who had been caught without a licence learn their lesson.

“In the past year, officers have encountered people fishing legally who in the past have been caught without licences. We congratulate these anglers for doing the right thing and it is good to see them out there enjoying their fishing without having to look over their shoulder.”

All anglers should also check the regulations in force for the lake or river they intend to fish.

“In past years we’ve found the odd person who has slipped up by using illegal tackle, or methods such as trolling with more than one rod per angler — again something we keep an eye on.”