Have a Go at Trout Fishing with a 'Bargain' Licence

If for some reason you never got around to buying a trout fishing licence for summer, special winter trout fishing licences on sale now are a bargain!

The winter season started on 1 April 2016 and runs until the end of September.

Communications Manager Don Rood says that at a cost of $74, an adult winter licence gives you the chance to target trout which are in top condition before spawning.

“That’s a whole lot of fishing pleasure, not to mention taking home some nice healthy wild food for the table, for a pretty modest spend.”

A winter licence can be used at various locations throughout the country except Taupo which has a separate licence. Anglers are advised to check local regulations.

Mr Rood says that New Zealanders who are planning autumn or winter holidays are reminded there are other licence options aside from a winter licence, if they only plan to fish for one day to a week or so.

Fish & Game caters to New ZealanderS on holiday with One Day, Short Break (3 day) and Long Break (9 day) licences.

“With a Short Break you’re geared up to fish a three day holiday weekend – with Anzac Day on Monday April 25 that opportunity is just around the corner.”

There are plenty of opportunities to fish right around the country over coming months with a winter licence, says Mr Rood.

There are many lakes, rivers and streams that remain open in both islands – so again, it’s just a matter of checking the regulations that apply to the place you intend to fish, he says.

Please check local regulations on the Fish & Game website:http://fishing.fishandgame.org.nz/content/freshwater-fishing-regulations.

Or pick up some brochures at your local Fish & Game office.

© Scoop Media

90-pound, 9-ounce Almaco Jack

Angler: Maximilian Hampl, Cartago, Costa Rica

Age: 15

Location: Golfo de Papagayo, Costa Rica

Date: June 2010

Reel: Accurate Boss Magnum 870

Method: Drift fishing a live pompano

Fight time: 25 minutes

Note: Also the men's 20-pound line-class record

The leaves may not be out on most of our trees just yet, but spring has already sprung as far as fishermen are concerned.

Following one of the warmest winters on record, local freshwater anglers have found the fish ready and waiting. With water temperatures already pushing to nearly 50 degrees on some of the shallower lakes and ponds, panfish and largemouth bass have begun edging toward the banks, carp are prowling the channels, and trout fishing has matched early-season expectations.

Especially solid has been the trout action. That isn’t as surprising as it is just plain reassuring to feel those first few tugs at the end of a line. By now all of roughly 20 Long Island waters scheduled for stocking have received their first deposits. Many will see a second or even third shot of fish added during April and May. The DEC and New York State Parks release nearly 30,000 browns and rainbows across Nassau and Suffolk counties. Most of these are eight- to nine-inch yearlings but more than 3,000 are two-year-old browns measuring 12 to 13 inches. Those are real quality fish and their numbers should be slightly augmented by holdover fish from last fall’s stockings at some locations.

Traditional spring trout hot spots include Upper Twin Pond in Wantagh, Massapequa Reservoir, Argyle Lake, Oyster Bay Mill Pond, Centerport Twin Ponds, Upper Yaphank Lake and West Lake in Patchogue. All of these are worth a try using garden worms, Power Bait, corn kernels or small Panther Martin and Mepps in-line spinners. You can review the entire trout stocking list at www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/30465.html.

If you don’t mind fishing with a little company, head over to Belmont Lake Saturday for the annual Spring Family Fishing Festival. DEC and NYS Parks load the big lake with plenty of trout to ensure anglers have a super chance of hooking-up. The festival runs from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. and a freshwater fishing license is not required to participate. The DEC will have free loaner rods and bait available for those lacking their own gear (but bring your own if you have it,) the Art Flick Chapter of Trout Unlimited will offer free fly-fishing instruction, and the Seaford Knights of Columbus will run a Spring Fling Casting Contest for the kids.

On the saltwater front, big news arrived this week in the form of thick schools of codfish invading the waters south of Block Island. The Montauk open boat Viking Star was in on the fun, limiting out and heading home early Wednesday. Bajram Lleshi of Staten Island took the pool with an 18-pounder while Joe Volpe of Port Washington finished second with a respectable 15-pound baccala. Several Montauk charter boats limited out with cod last week, too.

With gusty winds expected Friday, it’s doubtful the fleet will be sailing but the forecast looks good for Saturday. Several boats in the Captree fleet also plan to head out this weekend, some for cod and others for a shot at winter flounder. Call ahead to make reservations and confirm sailing schedules.

If you still haven’t had your fill of herring, a few can still be found after dark at Magnolia Pier.

Governor Rick Scott announced that Saturday, April 2 and Sunday, April 3, will be a license–free freshwater fishing weekend for Florida residents and visitors.

Governor Rick Scott said, “License-free fishing weekends are a great way for Floridians and visitors to enjoy the fishing capital of the world and to experience every fishing opportunity Florida has to offer. I hope everyone enjoys springtime in our state and takes advantage of license-free fishing this weekend.”

“This is a great opportunity to expose new anglers to Florida’s rich fishing heritage,” said FWC Chairman Brian Yablonski. “We hope residents and visitors alike are inspired to enjoy a weekend on the water here in Florida, the Fishing Capital of the World. We want hooked fish and hooked anglers!”

This free fishing weekend is a part of the four total license-free fishing weekends the FWC offers each year. All bag limits, closed areas and size restrictions apply on these dates.

To learn more about license-free fishing days, visit MyFWC.com/License. For fishing tips visit MyFWC.com/Fishing.