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Ettrick Burn - Required Licences
Southland Backcountry Licenses - Ettrick Burn:
The Ettrick Burn the only designated Backcountry Fishery in Southland for the 2011/2012 fishing season. All anglers fishing this river will be required to carry a Backcountry Licence in addition to their Whole Season or Family fishing licence.
Enquiries about Southland Backcountry or Controlled Fishery licences should be directed to southland@fishandgame.org.nz or (03) 2159117.
There is no extra charge for a Backcountry Licence but you do need to register to provide Fish & Game with a full list of backcountry fishery users and to enable Fish & Game to monitor angler use on those fisheries. Backcountry licence holders are also required to cooperate in the collection of information on their angling experience if requested to do so by Fish & Game. This can take the form of field interviews, online surveys or both.
An angler cannot fish a Backcountry Fishery, such as Ettrick Burn, with a 24 hour or winter fishing licence.
To obtain a backcountry licence anglers should either apply online or contact the Otago, Southland or Wellington Fish & Game Council to have his or her licence endorsed as a backcountry licence. If you experience any difficulty in obtaining a Backcountry Licence online please contact Southland Fish & Game Council.
Anglers must hold a Backcountry Licence in order to apply for a Controlled Period Licence (see below).
Controlled Period Licence - Ettrick Burn:
(Murchison Mountains Special Takahe Area)
Access to this restricted area has been negotiated for you by Fish and Game. Obtaining a Backcountry Licence is the first step towards getting a special Controlled Period Licence to allow you to enter this river valley to fish.
A Controlled Period on the Ettrick Burn applies from 1st November 2011 to 31st May 2012, and extends from its confluence with Lake Te Anau to a point (NZ Topo 50-CC07 796753) approximately 7 km upstream. Angler access is not permitted upstream of this point.
The allocation of Controlled Period Licences will be operated on a first come first served booking basis through our online booking system. Permit days will be set three days apart. This is intended to limit angler pressure and maintain the fishery's wilderness values.
The Controlled Period Licence will entitle you and a maximum of three other Backcountry Licenced companions ( ie max party size of 4) to fish in solitude on the river on one given day. No over-nighting is permitted.
Applications for Controlled Period Licences may be made up to 5 days in advance of the designated fishing period using the online booking system.
* Please note that the Controlled Fishery Permit will not be available for periods that will conflict with Department of Conservation deer control operations in the Ettrick Valley. The first of these is scheduled for 14th - 27th November.
Etiquette for Ettrick Anglers:
- Remember that while you are on the Ettrick you are fishing a special river, and angler actions and behaviour will largely dictate future of your access that Fish and Game has worked hard to obtain for you.
- Should you encounter Takahe, keep sufficient distance from them so that they are not disturbed. Blue Duck/Whio are present on the river, again do not disturb.
- When releasing fish, do so with great care and try to keep the fish in the water as much as possible.
Compliance Monitoring:
Fish & Game look forward to your cooperation in the management of this fishery that we have negotiated access for you.
Fish & Game will be monitoring compliance on the Ettrick backcountry fishery during the season.
Non-compliance with the Backcountry Licence and Controlled Period Licence requirements is an offence under the Conservation Act and subject to a maximum fine of $5000. Infringing anglers will be prosecuted.
