Backcountry fisheries to be checked for angling pressure

Fish & Game staff will be keeping a close eye on how much angling pressure is being placed on back country fisheries in the South Island as they open later this week.

Fish & Game CEO Martin Taylor says that a number of overseas or “non-resident” anglers will be among those heading into the back country for its prime trout fishing.

Above Right: The Lochy River in Otago is one of New Zealand’s designated Backcountry fisheries - Photo: Paul van Klink.

He says that most South Island back country and high country lakes and rivers open to fishing this week (November) and the fantastic fishing on offer is in demand from visitors and locals alike.

“With social media and the ease of international travel now, New Zealand’s more remote rivers are under increasing pressure from anglers arriving here wanting to experience our backcountry waterways.

“Non-resident anglers are typically only here for a short time but fish more intensively than New Zealand based anglers which means the fish are put under more pressure,” Mr Taylor says.

“This heavy pressure affects the angling experience for the anglers that follow,” he says.

“Fish and Game as an organisation has to ensure everyone gets a fair go at our best fisheries and that they are protected for future generations.  This means there are likely to be changes in this area to ensure the kiwi angler on his weekend off can have a great back country experience as well as non-residents.

Mr Taylor says Southland faces more pressure that other regions.

“More than 34 per cent of non-resident anglers visiting New Zealand fish in Southland, which has double the number of anglers from overseas than the next region of Otago, which is followed by the West Coast and the Nelson/Marlborough Region.”