Anglers were smiling on the opening day of the fishing season yesterday.
"We're seeing some pretty happy faces out there," Otago Fish and Game ranger Steve Dixon said yesterday.
"We're not seeing a lot of fish being caught, but they've been a pretty decent size. It's been a bit windy in places and there's been some water discolouration ... but, overall, conditions have been excellent."
Fish and Game staff were also pleased at licence compliance, with no action being taken against any anglers yesterday for failure to produce a fishing licence, Mr Dixon said.
Rangers were authorised to write offence notices and seize fishing tackle for licence non-compliance, and anglers caught could be prosecuted and fined up to $600, plus court costs.
"It would be one of the best days anglers have experienced on opening day," Cromwell Fish and Game officer Cliff Halford said of conditions in Central Otago yesterday.
Tributaries of Lakes Wanaka, Hawea and Wakatipu would not open until November 1, he said.
