NEW ZEALAND FISHING REGULATIONS 2016-2017
The regulations printed in this guide are subject to the Minister of Conservation’s approval. A copy of the published Anglers’ Notice in the New Zealand Gazette is available on www.fishandgame.org.nz .
New to New Zealand fly fishing? Please consider the following elements of common courtesy and sporting ethics.
CODE OF CONDUCT
Anyone planning to fish New Zealand for the first time should be aware of our fishing etiquette, as well as our regulations. This is important for novices to New Zealand fly fishing. Kiwi fly fishing techniques are unique. This is especially true of South Island dry-fly fishing. While North Island traditions evolved with lure-like flies on Lake Taupo, and the nymphing revolution spread from the Tongariro River, where steep fast water requires weighty bombs, South Island dry fly culture is different. More subtle. We often target individual trout as we walk upstream sight-fishing. Fishing conditions such as these mean an unthinking angler can easily spook fish. On the smaller rivers an angler needs 4-6 kilometres a day. So if you see a car at an access point, don't crowd them. And whatever you do, don't leapfrog nearby upstream without talking to them first. If you want to fish a section of river upstream of them, leave them enough undisturbed water to fish for the day. Dropping down on someone else's section of water who was on the river first is the height of bad manners. At best, it's ignorant, selfish and insensitive. If you know better, it's an aggressive act like cutting in line or outright theft, so don't be surprised if the offended parties call you out--or worse.
Spin fishers should also be aware of the needs of fly fishers. If you see someone fly fishing the tail of a pool, and looking upstream, don't barge in ahead of them and cast your Toby in the head of the pool. You'll ruin it for the angler who was there first, especially if they were targeting rising trout. Walk over to the angler and have a chat instead. Most are happy to share the water. They simply don't want you to put fish down. New Zealand dry-fly anglers live for the magic moments when trout heads come up, and it can be as brief as a half hour a day.
It's also good practice to leave a note on your own vehicle about your intentions, such as to whether you're fishing upstream or downstream, when you arrived and when you anticipate leaving. Beyond being common courtesy, such information comes in handy should you get injured during your day.
If you want to fish a river famous for large trout, plan to share the river with others. Don't camp out on the river for days on end if others want to fish it. In some areas this isn't just bad manners--it's against regulations.
If you encounter children fishing, or the elderly, for whom mobility is sometimes an issue, yield the easier to reach water to them. If you're fit, skip the water near the car park and walk upstream a half an hour before you begin.
Most of this is common sense. But there's nothing like big trout, or anglers on vacation, to bring out a sense of entitlement. So please consider the best parts of the fishing experience--a sense of wonder, connection to the natural world, and sporting ethics.
Please observe the anglers’ code of conduct.
• If no Fish & Game access sign is present, always ask permission from the land occupier before crossing private property.
• Do not park vehicles so that they obstruct gateways or cause a hazard on the road or access way.
• Do not interfere with livestock, crops, machinery or other property.
• Always use gates, stiles or other recognised access points and avoid damage to fences.
• When driving on riverbeds keep to marked tracks or park on the
bank and walk to your fishing spot. Driving on riverbeds and braided gravel islands threatens our endangered birds.
• Always fish in a sporting manner.
• Never push in on a pool occupied by another angler. If you are in any doubt ask those already there whether it is okay to join them.
• Always enter a pool behind the direction being fished by any angler already there.
• Move upstream or downstream with every few casts (unless you are alone).
• Avoid unnecessary wading or any avoidable disturbance to the water.
• Keep 'em wet. Fish being returned to the water should be released as carefully and quickly as possible. Remove the hook and return the fish facing upstream until it swims away. Do not move fish back and forth, as their gills work only with water flowing into their mouths and out the gills. Keep them underwater if possible. Magazines want these photos over "grip 'n' grins" as it's easier on the fish.
• Fish being retained should be killed as quickly as possible by a blow to the head with a rock (or similar tool), or by cutting the fish’s throat with a knife.
• Always respect the environment, wildlife, other anglers and members of the public.
• Remove waste nylon and personal litter from the river banks and parking places.
• Leave everything as you found it. If a gate is open or closed leave it that way.
• The only way we can protect our rivers in the long term is to CHECK, CLEAN and DRY all your gear before entering another river or lake anywhere in New Zealand.
Methods of sterilising gear include submerging in hot water (a minimum of 45 °C for 40 minutes), or 35 minutes in a 5 percent solution of detergent or nappy (diaper) cleaning solution, or freezing until solid. For further information on how to prevent the spread of pests like Didymosphenia geminata see the links here and here.
REMEMBER TO TREAT OTHERS AS YOU WOULD WISH TO BE TREATED YOURSELF.
NATIONAL REGULATIONS
THE SPORTS FISHING REGULATIONS
These regulations are set to ensure that:
• fish populations are maintained and that the number of fish caught does not threaten the sustainability of the fishery
• the quality of the fishing experience is maintained
• spawning areas are protected
• angling opportunities are not unnecessarily restricted
• incompatible methods of fishing are kept separate
• anglers use sporting methods.
The main angling rules and catch limits are shown in this booklet, but there are other rules in the Conservation Act, Freshwater Fisheries Regulations and other legislation which affect sports fishing. For example, a current fishing licence is required to fish for the species listed in the First Schedule, and it must be carried with anglers at all times when fishing. The licence is to be produced upon demand by a Fish & Game Ranger.
If you are in any doubt about sports fishing regulations, please contact your
local Fish & Game office.
These regulations are approved by the Minister of Conservation on the advice of the 12 regional Fish & Game Councils. The Fish & Game licence allows an angler to fish New Zealand wide (except Taupo) and every attempt has been made to make the regulations as consistent nationwide as possible.
ANGLERS’ NOTICE
FOR FISH AND GAME REGIONS
CONSERVATION ACT 1987 FRESHWATER FISHERIES
REGULATIONS 1983
Pursuant to section 26R (3) of the Conservation Act 1987, the Minister of Conservation approves the following Anglers Notice, subject to the First and Second Schedules of this Notice, for the following Fish &Game Regions:
Regulations
NOTICE
This Notice shall come into force on the 1st day of October 2016.
FIRST SCHEDULE
Fishing conditions generally common to all Fish and Game regions.
SECOND SCHEDULE
Regional specific fishing conditions, bag limits, closed and open waters, and the like.
New to New Zealand fly fishing? Please consider the following elements of common courtesy and sporting ethics.
CODE OF CONDUCT
Anyone planning to fish New Zealand for the first time should be aware of our fishing etiquette, as well as our regulations. This is important for novices to New Zealand fly fishing. Kiwi fly fishing techniques are unique. This is especially true of South Island dry-fly fishing. While North Island traditions evolved with lure-like flies on Lake Taupo, and the nymphing revolution spread from the Tongariro River, where steep fast water requires weighty bombs, South Island dry fly culture is different. More subtle. We often target individual trout as we walk upstream sight-fishing. Fishing conditions such as these mean an unthinking angler can easily spook fish. On the smaller rivers an angler needs 4-6 kilometres a day. So if you see a car at an access point, don't crowd them. And whatever you do, don't leapfrog nearby upstream without talking to them first. If you want to fish a section of river upstream of them, leave them enough undisturbed water to fish for the day. Dropping down on someone else's section of water who was on the river first is the height of bad manners. At best, it's ignorant, selfish and insensitive. If you know better, it's an aggressive act like cutting in line or outright theft, so don't be surprised if the offended parties call you out--or worse.
Spin fishers should also be aware of the needs of fly fishers. If you see someone fly fishing the tail of a pool, and looking upstream, don't barge in ahead of them and cast your Toby in the head of the pool. You'll ruin it for the angler who was there first, especially if they were targeting rising trout. Walk over to the angler and have a chat instead. Most are happy to share the water. They simply don't want you to put fish down. New Zealand dry-fly anglers live for the magic moments when trout heads come up, and it can be as brief as a half hour a day.
It's also good practice to leave a note on your own vehicle about your intentions, such as to whether you're fishing upstream or downstream, when you arrived and when you anticipate leaving. Beyond being common courtesy, such information comes in handy should you get injured during your day.
If you want to fish a river famous for large trout, plan to share the river with others. Don't camp out on the river for days on end if others want to fish it. In some areas this isn't just bad manners--it's against regulations.
If you encounter children fishing, or the elderly, for whom mobility is sometimes an issue, yield the easier to reach water to them. If you're fit, skip the water near the car park and walk upstream a half an hour before you begin.
Most of this is common sense. But there's nothing like big trout, or anglers on vacation, to bring out a sense of entitlement. So please consider the best parts of the fishing experience--a sense of wonder, connection to the natural world, and sporting ethics.
Please observe the anglers’ code of conduct.
• If no Fish & Game access sign is present, always ask permission from the land occupier before crossing private property.
• Do not park vehicles so that they obstruct gateways or cause a hazard on the road or access way.
• Do not interfere with livestock, crops, machinery or other property.
• Always use gates, stiles or other recognised access points and avoid damage to fences.
• When driving on riverbeds keep to marked tracks or park on the
bank and walk to your fishing spot. Driving on riverbeds and braided gravel islands threatens our endangered birds.
• Always fish in a sporting manner.
• Never push in on a pool occupied by another angler. If you are in any doubt ask those already there whether it is okay to join them.
• Always enter a pool behind the direction being fished by any angler already there.
• Move upstream or downstream with every few casts (unless you are alone).
• Avoid unnecessary wading or any avoidable disturbance to the water.
• Keep 'em wet. Fish being returned to the water should be released as carefully and quickly as possible. Remove the hook and return the fish facing upstream until it swims away. Do not move fish back and forth, as their gills work only with water flowing into their mouths and out the gills. Keep them underwater if possible. Magazines want these photos over "grip 'n' grins" as it's easier on the fish.
• Fish being retained should be killed as quickly as possible by a blow to the head with a rock (or similar tool), or by cutting the fish’s throat with a knife.
• Always respect the environment, wildlife, other anglers and members of the public.
• Remove waste nylon and personal litter from the river banks and parking places.
• Leave everything as you found it. If a gate is open or closed leave it that way.
• The only way we can protect our rivers in the long term is to CHECK, CLEAN and DRY all your gear before entering another river or lake anywhere in New Zealand.
Methods of sterilising gear include submerging in hot water (a minimum of 45 °C for 40 minutes), or 35 minutes in a 5 percent solution of detergent or nappy (diaper) cleaning solution, or freezing until solid. For further information on how to prevent the spread of pests like Didymosphenia geminata see the links here and here.
REMEMBER TO TREAT OTHERS AS YOU WOULD WISH TO BE TREATED YOURSELF.
NATIONAL REGULATIONS
THE SPORTS FISHING REGULATIONS
These regulations are set to ensure that:
• fish populations are maintained and that the number of fish caught does not threaten the sustainability of the fishery
• the quality of the fishing experience is maintained
• spawning areas are protected
• angling opportunities are not unnecessarily restricted
• incompatible methods of fishing are kept separate
• anglers use sporting methods.
The main angling rules and catch limits are shown in this booklet, but there are other rules in the Conservation Act, Freshwater Fisheries Regulations and other legislation which affect sports fishing. For example, a current fishing licence is required to fish for the species listed in the First Schedule, and it must be carried with anglers at all times when fishing. The licence is to be produced upon demand by a Fish & Game Ranger.
If you are in any doubt about sports fishing regulations, please contact your
local Fish & Game office.
These regulations are approved by the Minister of Conservation on the advice of the 12 regional Fish & Game Councils. The Fish & Game licence allows an angler to fish New Zealand wide (except Taupo) and every attempt has been made to make the regulations as consistent nationwide as possible.
ANGLERS’ NOTICE
FOR FISH AND GAME REGIONS
CONSERVATION ACT 1987 FRESHWATER FISHERIES
REGULATIONS 1983
Pursuant to section 26R (3) of the Conservation Act 1987, the Minister of Conservation approves the following Anglers Notice, subject to the First and Second Schedules of this Notice, for the following Fish &Game Regions:
Regulations
NOTICE
This Notice shall come into force on the 1st day of October 2016.
FIRST SCHEDULE
Fishing conditions generally common to all Fish and Game regions.
SECOND SCHEDULE
Regional specific fishing conditions, bag limits, closed and open waters, and the like.
|
|
|
Regulations
NOTICE
This Notice shall come into force on the 1st day of October 2016.
FIRST SCHEDULE
Fishing conditions generally common to all Fish and Game regions.
SECOND SCHEDULE
Regional specific fishing conditions, bag limits, closed and open waters, and the like.
Regulations
1. INTERPRETATION
Words and expressions in this Notice, which are defined in the Conservation Act of1987, the Freshwater Fisheries Regulations of 1983 or the Sports Fish Licences, Fees, and Forms Notice of 2015, shall be so defined.
“Artificial fly” means any lure of feather, fur, wool or other material of any kind customarily used in the making of artificial flies.
“Bait” means:
• Natural insect.
• Natural spider.
• Natural worm or worms.
• Natural crustacean.
• Natural fish, excluding fish ova, or any portion of a fish, or shellfish (mollusc), except where stated otherwise in the second schedule of this notice.
• Uncoloured bread dough.
• Any scented lure, soft bait and other synthetic imitations with chemical attractant properties, except where stated otherwise in the second schedule of this notice.
“Bait assembly” means either a hook rigged with a number of baits or a single bait rigged with a number of hooks.
“Bait fishing” means to fish for sports fish with bait.
“Boat” means any manned flotation device.
“Coarse fish” means perch, tench (all New Zealand) and rudd (Auckland/Waikato Fish and Game Region only).
“Coarse fishing waters” means named locations where anglers can fish for coarse fish:
(a) with a rod which has either a fixed or running line.
(b) with no restriction on the type or number of baits in use.
(c) with no restriction on the use of preparations to attract fish.
“Fly fishing” means to fish for sports fish with fly rod and fly reel and fly line and artificial fly.
“Fishing” and “fish” in this Notice means the catching, taking or
harvesting of sports fish; and includes:
(a) any other activity that may reasonably be expected to result in the catching, taking or harvesting of sports fish.
(b) any attempt to catch, take or harvest sports fish.
(c) any operation in support of, or in preparation for, any activity
described in this definition.
“Freshwater” means
(a) all waters of rivers, streams, lakes, ponds, lagoons, wetlands, impoundments, canals, channels, watercourses, or other bodies of water whether naturally occurring or artificially made.
(b) all waters of estuaries or coastal lagoons.
(c) all other fresh or estuarine waters where freshwater fish indigenous to or introduced into New Zealand are found.
(d) all waters in the mouth of every river or stream, and the mouth
of every river and stream shall be deemed to include every outlet thereof and the seashore between those outlets and the waters of the sea or lying within a distance of 500 metres from any place where at low tide the waters of a river or stream meet the waters of the sea.
“Foul hook” means to hook a sports fish other than from within the mouth.
“Landmark” means a black, yellow and white ringed post or buoy.
“Length” is the measurement from the tip of the snout to the fork of the tail.
“Lure” means any authorised artificial fly or spinner or bait.
“Spinner” means any artificial lure other than an artificial fly.
“Spin fishing” means to fish for sports fish with a spinner.
“Sports fish” means those freshwater fish described in the First Schedule of the Freshwater Fisheries Regulations 1983, namely:
• Brown trout.
• Rainbow trout.
• American brook trout or char.
• Lake trout or char.
• Atlantic salmon.
• Quinnat or chinook salmon.
• Sockeye salmon.
• Perch.
• Tench.
• Rudd (Auckland/Waikato Fish and Game Region only).
• Any hybrid of the above species.
2. AUTHORISED TACKLE
2.1 No licence holder shall fish for sports fish except by using a rod and running line and authorised lure (as defined in clause 7 of this First Schedule).
2.2 Nets and gaffs:
2.2.1 When playing a sports fish, a landing net may be used to secure or land that fish.
2.2.2 For keeping coarse fish alive, a keep net may be used in the water from which the fish was caught.
2.2.3 No licence holder shall use a gaff to secure or land a sports fish except where provided for in the second schedule of this notice.
2.3 No licence holder when fishing for sports fish shall:
2.3.1 Use more than 1 assembled rod and running line.
2.3.2 Use more than 3 artificial flies or spinners.
2.3.3 Use more than 1 bait assembly.
2.3.4 Be more than 15m from the rod being used.
2.3.5 Use in waters other than those where bait fishing is permitted any lure treated with any chemical preparation other than that used solely to control the buoyancy of an artificial fly, except where stated otherwise in the second schedule of this notice.
2.3.6 Use any preparation not attached to a lure to attract fish except when fishing for coarse fish in coarse fishing waters.
2.4 No person shall fish for sports fish by using felt-soled waders or footwear incorporating or having attached a sole of felted, matted or woven fibrous material when sports fishing.
3. FOUL HOOKING OF FISH
3.1 No licence holder shall attempt to foul hook any sports fish.
3.2 Any licence holder who foul hooks a sports fish shall return
it immediately to the water with as little injury as possible.
4. FISH LENGTH
Every licence holder who catches a sports fish which does not exceed
the specified minimum length, or exceeds the specified maximum
length, shall immediately return it with as little injury as possible into
the water from which it was taken.
5. OPEN SEASON
No licence holder shall fish for any sports fish except during an open season.
6. DAILY LIMIT BAGS
6.1 No licence holder shall continue to fish for a particular species of sports fish on any day in which he or she has already killed the limit bag for that species except where provided for in the Second Schedule.
6.2 It shall be permissible to make up the difference between a lesser limit bag prescribed in one place and a higher limit bag prescribed in another if the extra fish are taken in the area with the higher bag limit.
7. AUTHORISED LURES
Authorised lures (subject to any regional restrictions specified in the Second Schedule) are:
• Artificial fly.
• Spinner.
• Bait.
North Island Fishing Regulations 2016-2017
Northland
Auckland/Waikato
Eastern
Taranaki
Hawke’s Bay
Wellington
South Island Fishing Regulations 2016-2017
Nelson-Marlborough
West Coast
North Canterbury
Central South Island
Otago
Southland
* * *
iTunes app
Fish and Game New Zealand PDF