There has been a 54% increase in internet sales of whole season sportsfishing licences and a doubling of 24-hour licences through the same channel, operations manager Ian Hadland said.
"The healthy increase in sales by this channel demonstrated that it's an easy and helpful option that's working."
It meant anyone could buy a licence through the internet, at any time, print out a copy and go fishing.
The permanent season card was then posted to the angler.
"It's way more accessible and means they can be out there before the ink dries. There is no excuse for non-compliance."
Retail agencies still accounted for more than 80% of fishing licences sold in the region.
Fish and Game had about 40 agents, mainly sports goods shops but some garages, dairies and information centres, around the region which sold the licences.
It had already ended the arrangement with the smallest agents and at least five more would end before the start of the new fishing season, he said.
"Servicing a sizeable number of agencies handling small volumes of licences is a fairly inefficient use of resources, so some will be closed this season," Mr Hadland said.
As well as convenience for anglers, internet sales had the bonus of improving compliance for Fish and Game, reducing the financial risk and providing more accurate and immediate data on licence numbers.
Internet sales also meant former agents would still be able to provide licences for customers if needed, Mr Hadland said.
The internet fishing licence had an added advantage of whole season and family licences coming in a plastic credit-card style instead of on paper, he said.
"The anglers love them, the cards are tougher, waterproof, fit into the wallet and are collectable."
New season's plastic credit card-style licences will go online on the Fish and Game NZ website in the first week of September, a month ahead of the October 1 opening day.
