The aim of a Controlled Fishery is to manage angling pressure to preserve a high quality angling and wilderness experience.
A Controlled Fishery Licence allows backcountry anglers to book or enter a ballot for certain river beats during a specified period.
For rivers managed via a booking system, the Controlled Fishery Licence is received in the form of a ’booking confirmation receipt’ sent via the online booking system once a booking is confirmed. This receipt should be carried at all times when fishing within the Controlled Fishery and produced if requested by Fish & Game staff.
For rivers managed via an online ballot, anglers will enter the ballot for the river beats and periods they wish to fish and after the ballot is drawn, if successful, they will be issued with a Controlled Fishery Licence via email. This licence should be carried at all times when fishing within the Controlled Fishery and produced if requested by Fish & Game staff.
In order to obtain a Controlled Fishery Licence, you must have a qualifying Whole Season Sports Fishing Licence and a Designated Waters Licence for that region.
A Controlled Fishery Period operates on the Greenstone River (and its tributary streams) between 1 February and 31 March each year. Please read the following information and click the link at the bottom of the page to make a booking and obtain your Controlled Period Licence
The Clinton and Worsley Controlled Fisheries.
In the Southland region, a Controlled Fishery booking is required to fish the Ettrick Burn during the period from November 1 to May 31.
The upper section of the Ōhau River from its confluence with Lake Ruataniwha upstream to the Lake Ōhau Weir, commonly known as the Upper Ōhau River, is a controlled area. Special controlled period licencing requirements apply to this river during the months of September and October. The controlled period is commonly referred to as the “Spring Season”.
A Trial Controlled Fishery Period will operate on the Upper Hurunui Designated Waters for the 2024/2025 season between 1 October and 30 April