An angler who broke the rules at the Mackenzie Basin hydro canals has been fined $3,530 in the Timaru District Court on Wednesday (17 May).

Tare Tare of Ashburton pleaded guilty to four charges against the Conservation Act. 

He was convicted of fishing without a sports fishing licence, providing false and misleading information to a Fish & Game ranger, exceeding the daily bag limit and continuing to fish after having already taking a daily bag. 

The hydro canals are a popular fishing spot for anglers from throughout New Zealand and are famous for their oversized sized fish (up to 15kgs), who benefit from the canals pristine water and resident salmon farms.

Central South Island Compliance Coordinator, Hamish Stevens said, “While it was disappointing our rangers encountered repeat offending, this result sends a clear message to those who flout the rules that offending of this nature will be taken seriously by the Courts”.

“Anglers who are tempted to break the rules or fish without a sports fishing licence need to realise they are risking criminal conviction and fines.”