Backcountry Fishing Licences

A Back Country Licence is required for:

• the Caples River in the Otago region
• the Greenstone River in the Otago region
• the Upper Oreti River in the Southland region

There is no extra charge but you need to register to provide Fish and Game with a full list of backcountry fishery users and to enable it to monitor angler use on those fisheries.

The backcountry fisheries licence is effectively an endorsement on a whole season licence. A whole season licence holder can use the Backcountry Fisheries Licence in either Southland or Otago's back country fishery catchments, subject to the regulations that apply in each area.

Obtaining a Back Country Licence

You ned to apply to either the Otago Fish and Game Council or to the Southland Fish and Game Council to have your licence endorsed as a backcountry licence.

If you want to obtain a backcountry licence over the internet:
go to https://www.southlandfishgame.co.nz/backcountry/

As well as a Backcountry Licence,  a Controlled Fishery Licence is required to fish:

• on the Upper Greenstone River in Otago
• during the period between 1st February and 31 March each year.

Angling opportunity is limited during this time so that anglers can have a reach of the river or ‘beat’ to themselves for a one or two day period. The aim of this restriction is to preserve the quality of angling experience by limiting angler density.

Obtaining a Controlled Fishery Licence

Anglers must hold a Backcountry Licence in order to apply for a Controlled Fishery Licence.

You must have licence details ready (whole season licence number and backcountry licence number) when making your booking. Booking periods are only available between five days in advance and the same day.

Controlled Fishery Licences are obtainable through an online booking system which operates five days in advance. Go to https://www.southlandfishgame.co.nz/backcountry/

Note: Bookings for the 2008 season are not open unitl December 2007.

For more information see the Southland Fish & Game website

For enquiries, contact the following:

Otago Fish & Game:

Email: s.kyle@fish-game.org.nz

Phone: +64 3 477 9076

Southland Fish & Game:

Email: information@southlandfishgame.co.nz

Phone: +64  3 215 9117