Now more than ever, people needed time to unwind, reconnect with friends and family, and get outdoors among nature, Otago Fish & Game officer Bruce Quirey said.
“Fortunately, Otago residents don’t have to travel far to find good freshwater fishing,” Mr Quirey said.
“Fish your feet first.”
The opening of the 2022-23 freshwater sports fishing season lands conveniently on a Saturday, October 1.
Mr Quirey said many of Otago’s main urban centres were only minutes from “put and take” rainbow trout fisheries across the region which were regularly stocked.
Otago Fish & Game only released trout into confined reservoirs which had no natural recruitment.
Dunedin’s “put and take” fisheries included Southern Reservoir, Sullivans Dam and Tomahawk Upper Lagoon, he said.
“Anglers are itching to head out and fish for naive trout that have been undisturbed in closed waters for the past four months,” Mr Quirey said.
Most rivers and streams look in good shape early season as abundant snow thaws in the headwaters.
Anglers are reminded they will need to be able to show a valid 2022-23 sportsfishing licence.
