Although freshwater fishing is widely enjoyed in New Zealand, more people are now urbanised and may not understand or appreciate the importance of responsible fishing and protecting our freshwater environments. We encourage anglers to be ethical, promote safe fishing practices, respect other anglers and recreational users, and take care of the rivers, lakes and streams where we fish.
Finally, our chosen pursuit, freshwater fishing, is about much more than catching fish. It is about enjoying the outdoors, experiencing our rivers and lakes, learning about the fish and their environment, and respecting the resource we are fortunate to have. Remember, the joy should be in the doing, not the getting!