The Clinton and Worsley rivers and their tributaries are Controlled Fisheries.
Special licencing requirements apply to these rivers - you must hold one of the Adult whole season licences.
To help manage angling pressure on the Clinton and Worsley rivers, a fortnightly ballot operates throughout the sports fishing season (1 November-31 May).
Winners of the ballots are issued with a Controlled-Period Licence.
Please note, if you are successful in the ballot, you will need to obtain a clean gear certificate within 48 hours of going fishing in the Clinton and Worsley.
Your certified clean gear must not be used in any other waters before reaching your Fiordland river.
It must be carried with you whilst fishing, clean gear certificates are available free of charge from:
Rangers will be checking for clean gear certificates and if anglers are found without a clean gear certificate, enforcement action will be taken.
The potential spread of aquatic pests (like didymo) into Fiordland is a serious threat to these fisheries.
How does the ballot work?
The Clinton River downstream of the Prairie has been split into two actively managed beats.
The Lower Clinton Beat includes the Clinton River North Branch, the Clinton River downstream of the confluence with West Branch, and the Neale Burn.
The Middle Clinton Beat includes the West Branch of the Clinton River below ‘The Prairie’ to the North Branch confluence.
The Upper Clinton River above the ‘The Prairie’ has no beat controls but normal angling etiquette applies.
The Worsley River Beat is one actively managed beat.
Click here to see a map of the whole Clinton River showing the fishing beat boundaries.
To enter the Clinton or Worsley ballot, applications will open on October 5 check back here then.
These regulations have been adopted to provide a better angling experience in response to increasing complaints regarding crowding and angler conflict on these fisheries.
While we appreciate it won’t suit all anglers, we urge people to ensure they only fish these waters if they have the correct controlled period licence.
To maximise the benefits of these changes, Fish & Game will be monitoring compliance on designated waters fisheries during the season.
Non-compliance with the designated waters and controlled period licence requirements is an offence under the Conservation Act and subject to a maximum fine of $5000 and will be treated the same as fishing without a licence offence.
We look forward to your cooperation in the management of these fisheries, and hope you enjoy your season.
For more information please contact Southland Fish and Game on 03 215 9117 or southland@fishgame.org.nz
To help prevent the spread of aquatic pests, remember to check, clean and dry your equipment.
Please be aware that didymo is present in Lake Te Anau. Boots, waders and equipment that gets wet with lake water should not be used in the river.
No watercraft (boats, pack rafts etc) are permitted in the Clinton River catchment.
NOTE: The Worsley River is situated within the Glasisnock Wilderness Area. No commercial activities, including fishing guiding, are permitted in this area.
Please open, fill out, save and then email the editable PDF below to enter the ballot for the period when applications open: ballots@southlandfishgame.co.nz
Period |
Date |
Ballot entries open |
Ballot entries close |
Approximate notification date |
Download application form |
1 |
1 Nov – 10 Nov |
7 October |
20 October |
21 October |
Period 1 form |
2 |
11 Nov – 24 Nov |
21 October |
3 November |
4 November |
Period 2 form |
3 |
25 Nov – 8 Dec |
4 November |
17 November |
18 November |
Period 3 form |
4 |
9 Dec – 22 Dec |
18 November |
1 December |
2 December |
Period 4 form |
5 |
23 Dec – 5 Jan |
2 December |
15 December |
16 December |
Period 5 form |
6 |
6 Jan – 19 Jan |
2 December |
15 December |
16 December |
Period 6 form |
7 |
20 Jan – 2 Feb |
30 December |
12 January |
13 January |
Period 7 form |
8 |
3 Feb – 16 Feb |
13 January |
26 January |
27 January |
Period 8 form |
9 |
17 Feb – 2 Mar |
27 January |
9 February |
10 February |
Period 9 form |
10 |
3 Mar – 16 Mar |
10 February |
23 February |
24 February |
Period 10 form |
11 |
17 Mar – 30 Mar |
24 February |
9 March |
10 March |
Period 11 form |
12 |
31 Mar – 13 Apr |
10 March |
23 March |
24 March |
Period 12 form |
13 |
14 Apr – 27 Apr |
24 March |
6 April |
7 April |
Period 13 form |
14 |
28 Apr – 11 May |
7 April |
20 April |
21 April |
Period 14 form |
15 |
12 May – 25 May |
21 April |
4 May |
5 May |
Period 15 Form |
16 |
26 May – 31 May |
5 May |
18 May |
19 May |
Period 16 Form |