Got your rod, got your line, but have you got your fishing licence?
Over the Christmas period, about 10 people had been apprehended for unlicensed fishing and more cases were coming in from the region's rangers, Fish and Game Otago operations manager Ian Hadland said.
"We are not surprised, but we are disappointed."
He believed people took more risks due to the "silly season" which he described as a frustrating time for Fish and Game.
Two men were caught, unlicensed, by a ranger in the lower Taieri area and both faced prosecution.
One offered "one of the biggest excuses" rangers had heard as the man said he did not believe he was fishing.
However, under the Conservation Act, "any act in preparation of fishing is classed as fishing", Mr Hadland said.
In this case, the man was setting up his rod within 3m of the water.
He later admitted he would have had his line in within five minutes.
Another common excuse was being unable to obtain a licence.
However, Mr Hadland said the organisation's website, selling licences around the clock, meant it had "never been easier to obtain a licence".
The first step when people were caught was gear seizure, which "stops the offence continuing" and ensured the offender gave correct names and details.
People often gave fake names, Mr Hadland said.
However, either the rangers or the police usually caught up with them.
The fines for unlicensed angling were also becoming a bigger deterrent, he believed.
In Southland, after a spate of prosecutions, one judge said he would be handing down $800 fines.
When court costs were added, the bill could go up to about $1000, Mr Hadland said.
"It's an uneconomic proposition," he said, for the sake of buying a $21 day licence.
"Carrying their licence is just about as important as the bung in their boat."
