Fishermen who fall foul of the law are becoming more convincing liars, giving false names and details to rangers, Otago Fish and Game says.
As the anglers often appeared completely legitimate, rangers were being trained to look more closely to avoid being duped, Otago operations manager Ian Hadland said.
New systems were being developed to help rangers ''see through'' the lies, including asking for identification, noting vehicle numberplates and taking photographs.
''We've had a few more people having us on, giving false names and telling fibs to rangers, especially at the serious end of the scale, as a way to get out of the offence.''
Fish and Game was usually able to track down the ''real'' offenders but it cost the organisation in time and effort.
At least two fishermen were facing prosecution by Fish and Game for fishing without a licence and giving false information.
Giving false information increased the severity of the offence, with offenders receiving fines of about $800-$1000, up from the $500 to $700 fines issued for fishing without a licence, he said.
It also meant the fishermen were not eligible for Fish and Game's reparation scheme, which allowed them to settle out of court with a payment to the council's fund for maintaining and enhancing habitat.
''We take it seriously and they [those that give false information] go straight to court.''
During the summer, about 30 offenders had been dealt with by Fish and Game, about 20 of those settling out of court through the reparation system.
Unfortunately, four of those had defaulted on their payments and would be prosecuted, he said.
Rangers had also discovered ''higher than normal'' numbers of tourists in the Wakatipu and Central Otago areas fishing without a licence. They were asked to make reparation before leaving the country.
While all the information for the fishing season would not be in from rangers until winter, early indications weremost anglers were law-abiding and the region's compliance was above its 95% target.
