Source: Fish & Game New Zealand
A joint Fish & Game ranger-training and night-ranging operation at the Mackenzie hydro canals, over the weekend of 21-23 August, found all anglers bar one were compliant.
Ten Central South Island and Southland Fish & Game rangers were active across the Mackenzie Basin hydro canal fishery on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with a focus on checking on night-time canal fishing and that closed waters were being respected.
Central South Island Fish & Game Compliance Coordinator Hamish Stevens says, “The canal fishery is one of the most popular trout and salmon fisheries in New Zealand, and licensing and regulations are in place to help manage and maintain sustainable fish populations.”
“A regular ranger presence helps reinforce the rules, detect offending when it occurs, and reassure compliant anglers that everyone is being held to the same standard.”
“It was great to have Southland rangers join our team and gain experience at the canals. The combined team gave us strong coverage across the fishery during the operation.”
The operation resulted in rangers completing 122 angler interviews and the detection of one individual offending.
The single offence detected involved a tourist angler from USA fishing with a bare hook intentionally separated from the lure, which is legal in some states of USA under specified regulations, but is not an authorised lure in New Zealand.
“Similar compliance operations in recent years have resulted in several offences being detected, so it was particularly pleasing to see the near 100% compliance rate including that all anglers held valid sports fishing licences,” Stevens said.
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Captions
“Rangers Nikki Dellaway and Brett Cairns check on a compliant angler at night on Ōhau B Canal, August 2026 — photo by Rhys Adams, Central South Island Fish & Game”
“Ranger Hamish Stevens checks compliant angler Andrew Stuart on the Ōhau A Canal — photo supplied”