Fish & Game rangers have been out in force on the Central and Southern Lakes over the holiday period and reported very good compliance.

Otago Fish & Game officer Paul van Klink said there were rangers out on the lakes most days during the busy Christmas and New Years period.

“We checked more than 140 licences over a five day period leading up to the new year and all were compliant bar one,” Paul said. 

“This is incredibly pleasing to see – most anglers understand the rules governing freshwater angling and are keen to abide by them and support Fish & Game’s management of the resource”.

While the weather has been patchy at best, Paul said it had been great to see many boats and shore-based anglers out having a go.

The condition of landed fish has been excellent with many taken home for the smoker or pan, he said.

And rainbow trout seem to be the order of the day, especially on Lakes Wānaka and Hāwea, with the odd brown turning up and even a salmon caught by a boat angler on Lake Wānaka.

Otago Fish & Game is still collecting salmon data from Lake Wānaka, and Paul asks anyone who catches one to please contact him on 0210569146.

“My one reminder to make life easier for everyone – carry your licence or an image of it on your

phone,” Paul said. “This means rangers can check details on the spot and saves you having to prove you held a licence at a later date.”

Licences and regulations are easy to get from the Fish & Game website, which has lots of handy information for new and experiences anglers, including this ‘getting started’ guide, and this map which advises of the fishing spots around Queenstown Lakes.

Fish & Game NZ is a non-profit organisation which manages, maintains and enhances sports fish and game birds and their habitats.

PHOTO: Wanaka App