2026-27 Fishing Licences Available Now!

The new season is almost here. Grab your licence, dive into our brand-new 'Fishing Knowledge Hub', and get set for some awesome angling adventures.

The 2026-27 freshwater fishing season opens on October 1 and licences are available to purchase now.

Get in early so you can spend the run-up to Opening Day on the good stuff, sorting your gear, lining up trips with mates, and learning how to be more successful.

The Full Season Licence offers the best bang for buck. At just $158, allowing you to fish throughout the country (except Taupo) right through to the end of September next year!
 
Buy your licence now

New This Season - Fishing Knowledge Hub

We want to help you get out there and get more from every trip, so we have launched a new Fishing Knowledge Hub, a one-stop online home for everything freshwater fishing.
Whether you are picking up a rod for the first time or you have fished our rivers and lakes for years, there is something for you. It brings together practical, easy-to-follow guides covering:

• Licence requirements and where to fish.
• Choosing your gear and reading the water.
• Techniques from spin and fly fishing through to boat fishing.
• Preparing your catch for the table.
• A growing library of how-to videos sits alongside the guides, with more being added over time.

New to freshwater fishing or after handy tips and info? We've got you covered. Everything you need for freshwater fishing in New Zealand, all in one place.

Fishing knowledge hub

 

Fishing Knowledge Hub

Fishing Is Good For You - Reap The Rewards This Season...
We know it has been a tough year for many Kiwis. All the more reason to get out on the water this coming season
Research shows that fishing is great for body and mind... it is hard to dwell on your worries when your attention is on a trout at the end of the line.

It is also a great way to spend time with family and friends, get some wild food for the table, teach the kids new skills, and pass on your love for the outdoors.

New Zealand is rated among the best trout fishing destinations anywhere in the world, and it is right on your doorstep. We will see you out there.

Licence options and regulations

Enjoy The Season Without Breaking the Bank

The price of fuel and cost of living are high on some anglers minds but there's no need to cut back on time spent on the water this season.

The good news is successful trout fishing doesn't have to be expensive:

• Fish close to home: Explore local lakes, rivers and streams to save on fuel and make more time for fishing.
• Keep tackle simple: A modest rod and a small selection of proven lures or flies will cover most situations.
• Look after your gear: Basic maintenance and repairs can extend the life of rods, reels and other equipment.
• Invest in knowledge: Learning to read water and understand trout behaviour can be more valuable than buying expensive new gear.
• Tie your own flies: Fly tying can save money over time and adds extra satisfaction when you catch a fish.
• Share the costs: Carpool with friends or join a fishing club for affordable trips and shared experiences.
• Take a fish for the table: Within bag limits, harvested trout can provide a delicious meal and help offset grocery costs.
• Use free resources: Fish & Game provides regulations, maps, access information and fishing tips online.

With a little planning, trout fishing can remain an affordable and rewarding way to enjoy New Zealand’s great outdoors.
 
Grab Your Licence Now
 
Your licence card will feature the stunning image at the top of this email, taken by Radek Baus.

His photo of Lucie with her catch was voted the overall winner of ReWild Snap & Share: The Fish & Game Licence Photo Competition.

Decided by public vote, this image captured what the competition is all about – those special moments on the water that stay with us long after we've packed up the rods.

Radek takes home the grand prize: a $1,000 Kilwell voucher.

Thank you to everyone who entered and shared their fishing moments with us last season. From first casts to trophy catches, quiet sunrises to laughs with mates – you showed us the heart of what it means to get out there and ReWild.

Fish & Game would like to thank Kilwell for their continued support of ReWild Snap and Share: The Fish & Game Licence Photo Competition.

See you on the water this coming season and follow us on social media for your chance to win.
 
We look forward to seeing you out on the water for the 2026-27 season!