Backcountry Fishing Licences

A Backcountry licence means an endorsement on an adult or junior whole-season fishing licence or a family fishing licence that adds an entitlement to fish for sports fish in 1 or more fisheries designated as a backcountry fishery. No fee is payable for a backcountry licence.

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More About Backcountry Licences:

The backcountry fisheries licence is effectively an endorsement on a whole season licence. Once endorsed, a whole season licence holder could use the Backcountry Fisheries Licence in Otago, Southland and Wellington back country fishery catchments, subject to the regulations that apply in each area.

Anglers are required to hold a Backcountry Licence when fishing on the Greenstone, Caples, upper Lochy Rivers, the Dingle Burn, Nevis River, Hunter River, Young River and Wilkin River in Otago, the Ettrick Burn in Southland and upper Rangitikei in Wellington. A backcountry licence is not required for any other catchments.

There is no extra charge for a Backcountry Licence but you do need to register to provide Fish & Game with a full list of backcountry fishery users and to enable Fish & Game to monitor angler use on those fisheries.  Backcountry licence holders are also required to cooperate in the collection of information on their angling experience if requested to do so by Fish & Game. This can take the form of field interviews, online surveys or both.

An angler cannot fish a Backcountry Fishery with a 24 hour or winter fishing licence.

How to apply for a Backcounty Licence:

To obtain a backcountry licence anglers should either apply online or contact the Otago, Southland or Wellington Fish & Game Council to have his or her licence endorsed as a backcountry licence.

Anglers must hold a Backcountry Licence in order to apply for a Controlled Fishery Licence.

Please only apply for ONE Backcountry Licence. Abuse of the system may result in your Licences being cancelled!  Upgrade your Backcountry Licence to include another region ONLY IF NEED BE.

Backcounty Licence Contacts:

Enquiries about Otago Backcountry or Controlled Fishery licences should be directed to s.milne@fish-game.org.nz or (03) 4779076.

Enquiries about Southland Backcountry or Controlled Fishery licences should be directed to southland@fishandgame.org.nz or (03) 2159117.

Enquiries about Wellington Backcountry Fishery licences should be directed to swray@fishandgame.org.nz or (06) 3590409.