Create Profile or Login

Forum Menu

Home > Forum Home > Saltwater Fishing > Newbies Corner

Noobie's got questions about boating and fishing:)

  New Posts New Posts RSS Feed - Noobie's got questions about boating and fishing:) Forum Search Events FAQ FAQRegister RegisterLogin Login

 Post Reply Post Reply
Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote cellosi Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Noobie's got questions about boating and fishing:)
    Posted: 24 Jan 2019 at 3:12pm
cellosi View Drop Down
Bronze
Bronze


Joined: 24 Jan 2019
Status: Offline
Points: 10
Hi yall :) I've just moved and settled down in this beautiful country about 3 years ago. 
I've been too busy working so far but Now I finally got some chances to do some real Kiwi stuffs.
I've bought myself a rod, kayak, and a craypot. (Also a jet ski coming in soon)

I've read and heard about regulations and safety rules about fishing and boating around NZ but I thought it would be safer for me to ask here to make sure. 
Cuz I know there are things I shouldn't do as stated but I'm worried about what's not stated. So in respect to nature of NZ, I would like to ask...

1. I heard that fishing on the sea or beach is not restricted but on rivers or lakes you are. does that mean that one cannot go fishing on lakes or rivers without licenses or permission?(ex: Lake Taupo or any rivers flowing thru) As long as I'm not going for those fish which are classified as 'sports fish', could I go freshwater fishing anywhere?
 On the other hand, on the beaches or ocean, as long as it is not included in a restricted area, I can simply go fishing anywhere?

2. With Kayaking or Jet skiing, just like fishing, I can just set sail anywhere(lake, river, ocean..)? and go as far as I want, as long as I keep those safety rules without any regulations? (like should slowdown within 50m near the shore or having safety gears and flags for kayaks and stuffs) 
I know I gotta have a license for the jet ski to use it.

3. Lastly, with using crab pots or crayports, am i allowed to use it any ocean area around NZ as long as I observe size, amount regulations and it's not a restricted area? 
and with dive&catch, am I required to have proper gears to catch them? or can I just jump in with just a snorkel on my mouth and get them?

I do know some of those questions look silly to Kiwis but I do not want to violate any rules or customs respected by many, and I would love to contribute to healthy fishing&game culture. 
Hope there are some clear answers for them. 
Thank you. :)


Back to Top
Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote shaneg Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Jan 2019 at 10:47pm
shaneg View Drop Down
Titanium
Titanium
Avatar

Joined: 12 Jul 2009
Location: New Zealand
Status: Offline
Points: 4948
Questions in no order if in kayak unlikely you paddle too fast to break any restrictions, , fresh water to catch trout most places need a licence, observe minimum size and numbers taken restrictions recreational limit for fish shellfish and crays and crabs... see MAF website
Back to Top
Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote shaneg Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Jan 2019 at 10:49pm
shaneg View Drop Down
Titanium
Titanium
Avatar

Joined: 12 Jul 2009
Location: New Zealand
Status: Offline
Points: 4948
Don't fish in marine reserves either.. again MAF website or local signage will tell you.
Back to Top
Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote MB Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Jan 2019 at 11:13pm
MB View Drop Down
Titanium
Titanium
Avatar

Joined: 08 Jan 2016
Location: Northland
Status: Offline
Points: 6005
Well done for asking the questions. You might be surprised at how few boating and fishing rules there are in comparison to other countries. 

You don't need a licence as such for a jetski, they just have to be registered. This applies to Auckland, Northland and Waikato at least. Not sure about other places.

As for diving, you can jump in the water with gear in any condition, or no gear at all. No one really cares if as a private individual you kill yourself. Obviously, it would be wise to use the right equipment, get the equipment serviced and do some training if you haven't already.
Back to Top
Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote cellosi Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Jan 2019 at 11:24pm
cellosi View Drop Down
Bronze
Bronze


Joined: 24 Jan 2019
Status: Offline
Points: 10
Sry bruv. Maybe trying to start everything at once got me all confused. I know there are many different types of rules and stuffs. Just don't wanna violate any of them.  Thanks for your reply though :)
Back to Top
Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote cellosi Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Jan 2019 at 11:46pm
cellosi View Drop Down
Bronze
Bronze


Joined: 24 Jan 2019
Status: Offline
Points: 10
Originally posted by MightyBoosh MightyBoosh wrote:

Well done for asking the questions. You might be surprised at how few boating and fishing rules there are in comparison to other countries. 

You don't need a licence as such for a jetski, they just have to be registered. This applies to Auckland, Northland and Waikato at least. Not sure about other places.

As for diving, you can jump in the water with gear in any condition, or no gear at all. No one really cares if as a private individual you kill yourself. Obviously, it would be wise to use the right equipment, get the equipment serviced and do some training if you haven't already.


Thanks MightyBoosh. So I guess what's written on MAF regulation is all I gotta care about ocean fishing and dive&catch lol :)
As for freshwater fishing, I'm not really interested in any of sports fish such as trouts and salmons. Well all I care about is pretty much freshwater eels for pudding. But since they live in rivers and stuff I kinda wanted to know if I need a license for them. 
Do I need a license to even go freshwater fishing? or I can just go do it without one as long as I don't catch any of sports fish or release them?  
Back to Top
Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote MB Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Jan 2019 at 12:12am
MB View Drop Down
Titanium
Titanium
Avatar

Joined: 08 Jan 2016
Location: Northland
Status: Offline
Points: 6005
For diving, check Maritime NZ. There a few rules relating to diving and boats.


I believe that you can fish for eels without a licence. Just make it very obvious that you are not trout fishing! I know this has come up a few times. I even asked the same question on this forum a little while ago for a friend. They are not hard to catch and grow quite big, but numbers are declining apparently, so just take what you need.
Back to Top
Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Steps Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Jan 2019 at 9:51am
Steps View Drop Down
Titanium
Titanium


Joined: 14 Oct 2013
Location: Franklin
Status: Offline
Points: 12854
There is a app  NZ Fishing at  google app store etc

It has an update function that updates the very latest rules regulations and warnings
 eg 24 jan 2019   think it is the shell fish alge issue  bay of Plenty

Has all the limits , bag sizes, fish size for each area, closures restrictions, diving ,  potting and netting rules

 doesnt have fresh water stuff, including white bait.. Does have eels in salt water.. limit 6
Back to Top
Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote cellosi Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Jan 2019 at 10:53pm
cellosi View Drop Down
Bronze
Bronze


Joined: 24 Jan 2019
Status: Offline
Points: 10
Originally posted by MightyBoosh MightyBoosh wrote:

For diving, check Maritime NZ. There a few rules relating to diving and boats.


I believe that you can fish for eels without a licence. Just make it very obvious that you are not trout fishing! I know this has come up a few times. I even asked the same question on this forum a little while ago for a friend. They are not hard to catch and grow quite big, but numbers are declining apparently, so just take what you need.

Thanks bruv. I gotta look out for what I be doing. 
and of course, there's a sayin, 'Don't get greedy with what the mother nature offers to ya.'

Guess now it's a matter of finding a spot for them lolSmile

Back to Top
Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote smudge Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Jan 2019 at 11:01pm
smudge View Drop Down
Moderator - Ninja
Moderator - Ninja
Avatar

Joined: 17 Jul 2002
Location: Te Toro
Status: Offline
Points: 33517
Originally posted by cellosi cellosi wrote:

Originally posted by MightyBoosh MightyBoosh wrote:

For diving, check Maritime NZ. There a few rules relating to diving and boats.


I believe that you can fish for eels without a licence. Just make it very obvious that you are not trout fishing! I know this has come up a few times. I even asked the same question on this forum a little while ago for a friend. They are not hard to catch and grow quite big, but numbers are declining apparently, so just take what you need.

Thanks bruv. I gotta look out for what I be doing. 
and of course, there's a sayin, 'Don't get greedy with what the mother nature offers to ya.'

Guess now it's a matter of finding a spot for them lolSmile


you stick around 'bruv' you can learn a lot from us lot 
Best gurnard fisherman in my street
Back to Top
Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote kitno Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 Jan 2019 at 6:31am
kitno View Drop Down
Titanium
Titanium


Joined: 06 Sep 2015
Location: Papamoa
Status: Offline
Points: 12101
Originally posted by shaneg shaneg wrote:

Don't fish in marine reserves either.. again MAF website or local signage will tell you.


Don't Google MAF. You'll just get a whole lot of rubbish about a reality TV show. Go to the app store or MPI website and download the regulations guide. This app will work outside of cell coverage areas and update as you move around the country.
Chat with locals, including tackle shops, can save a lot of hit n miss if you're new to the area.
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply
Forum Jump
Forum Permissions View Drop Down


This page was generated in 0.941 seconds.

Most Thanked Forum Posts

3 Manukau Harbour & West Coa...
3 Manukau Harbour & West Coa...
2 Manukau Harbour & West Coa...
2 Manukau Harbour & West Coa...
2 Out with the "Twelves&quo...
2 New anchor setup, could use so...
2 Manukau Harbour & West Coa...
2 Freeing a stuck anchor ...
2 Freeing a stuck anchor ...
2 Freeing a stuck anchor ...

Fishing Reports Visit Reports

Saltwater Fishing Reports
Top of the South Fishing Report - 23/01/26

Snapper, cod and marlin on the menu Despite the weather we have had recently, when... Read More >

23 Jan 2026
Saltwater Fishing Reports
Bream Bay Fishing Report - 23/01/26

Snapper out deep in cooler water As happens at this time of the year, the... Read More >

22 Jan 2026
Saltwater Fishing Reports
Inner Hauraki Gulf Fishing Report - 23/01/26

Small snapper the norm Over the last 10 years I have noticed with great concern the... Read More >

22 Jan 2026
Freshwater Fishing Reports
Rotorua Fishing Report - 23/01/26

Fishing will be exceptional when water clears The massive amount of rainfall to hit the... Read More >

22 Jan 2026
Fishing bite times Fishing bite times

Major Bites

Minor Bites

Major Bites

Minor Bites

All information © 2026 The Fishing Website