Overseas Visitors
International Visiting Anglers - New Zealand offers some of the best trout fishing in the world – hard fighting, well-conditioned brown and rainbow trout in gin-clear rivers and lakes. And don’t forget the salmon!
The freshwater fishing is great value for money by international standards.
If you are a visiting angler and want to fish for longer than a couple of days or want access to our Designated Waters fisheries, you will need to buy a full-season adult Non-Resident licence (NRL).
For shorter trips and non Designated Waters fisheries, you can purchase a non-resident day licence for adults, juniors and children.
An NRL allows the holder the freedom to fish as often as they like over several visits within the same season if they wish (usually from 1 October to 1 30 September, but check the local regulations as season length can vary from water to water). The Taupo fishery requires a separate licence, whether you are a Kiwi or a non-resident. The Taupo licence is available from the Department of Conservation.
Our back country rivers are wild and wonderful places but are inherently sensitive and need careful management of fish populations and angling pressure.
Fish & Game has introduced a new Designated Waters system to manage these fisheries, you can learn more here.
If you are fishing for only a few hours, or perhaps one or two days, a One-day licence gives you the best value.
The way New Zealand’s freshwater fishing and game bird hunting is managed by Fish & Game is an historic system dating back more than 150 years. The core principle is that freshwater sports fish anglers and game bird hunters pay for and manage the resources they enjoy. Fish & Game doesn’t receive any funding from central or regional government and doesn’t benefit from international visitor spending on local transport, accommodation or attractions.
As a result, the entire cost of protecting, managing and administering the country’s world famous freshwater fishery falls on licence holders. Each fishing licence sold represents that angler’s contribution to the total cost. Any increased revenue to Fish & Game NZ from this NRL category goes specifically towards the improvement of fisheries management.
So enjoy the fishing knowing that you are contributing to the cost of managing and protecting this country’s unique resources.
Visit Fish & Game’s regional offices and talk to staff about where to go, or ask for the free informative brochures detailing local rivers and fishing techniques. These are also available at sports shops where Fish & Game licences are sold.
Enjoy one of the world’s best fisheries in the knowledge that you are also contributing to its protection and maintenance for future generations.