New Zealand Sports Fishing Regulations

Except for the Taupo fishery area (see Taupo regulations), sports fishing for freshwater fish in New Zealand is managed by Fish and Game New Zealand. The Taupo fishery and whitebaiting are managed by the Department of Conservation.

National regulations apply to all regions except Taupo
Regional regulations apply to specific regions and include regulations for specific fishing waters
Taupo regulations apply to the Taupo fishery area
The Department of Conservation website contains details of:
Whitebait regulations for all of NZ except the West Coast
Whitebait regulations for the West Coast

Please contact the local Fish and Game office with any queries about fishing in their region: see Fish and Game contact details.

Fishing licenses

A licence is required to fish for trout, salmon and other sports fish anywhere in New Zealand. You must purchase and carry a current fishing licence wherever you fish.

Fish and Game issues license for all areas except for Taupo. Licenses for the Taupo fishery area are issued by the Department of Conservation.

Find out more at Fishing Licences

Lake Okataina

The Mataura River: the ultimate New Zealand trout fishing river for bown trout

The Mataura River

Streamdance Gallery

for paintings of New Zealand fly fishing flies and landscapes

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