This month New Zealand is marking a milestone in angling history: the 150th anniversary of the nation’s first licensed freshwater sports fishing season.

On December 1, 1874, the Otago Acclimatisation Society (the forerunner to Otago Fish & Game Council) launched the three-month trout fishing season, laying the foundations for a Kiwi tradition of freshwater angling.

On that first opening day, Alexander Campbell Begg cast his line in the Water of Leith, Dunedin, and made history by catching the first legal trout under licence in New Zealand.

That day, Mr Begg basketed 20 fish weighing 13lb (almost 6kg), all caught on the fly, historical records show.

What began in Otago has grown into a popular national pastime today with more than 130,000 anglers each year heading to New Zealand’s rivers, lakes, and streams.

“While rods and reels may have changed, the core experience endures — the pursuit of an elusive fish with a fly, lure or bait,” Otago Fish & Game chief executive Ian Hadland said.

“Freshwater angling is deeply embedded in our national identity. For generations, angling has connected Kiwis to a shared passion to escape into nature, reflect and unwind, enjoy each other’s company, and bring home fish for the table.”

The anniversary was not only a celebration of sporting history but also a testament to anglers’ enduring commitment to conservation, Ian said.

Securing a licence in 1874 cost one pound — equivalent to about $160 today — for access to Otago waters for three months. In comparison, today an adult whole-season fishing licence, covering most of the country for 12 months, costs slightly less.

The licensing system remains central to Fish & Game’s efforts to manage freshwater fisheries across most of New Zealand, and to protect and enhance freshwater ecosystems. Anglers’ licences fund vital conservation programmes, habitat restoration projects, and water quality monitoring.

“Looking back on the last 150 years, we are proud of the unbroken history of fisheries management for people to enjoy, and the benefits that has brought to the environment,” Ian said.

“We encourage all New Zealanders to celebrate this anniversary by casting a line, exploring a nearby river, or simply appreciating the beauty of our natural environment.”