Otago Fish and Game is trying to lure women towards the joys of fishing.
Ranger Steve Dixon said the idea of hosting a female-only fishing class in Dunedin sprang from a month he recently spent in the US states of Missouri and Massachusetts researching angler education.
Fishing was a popular pastime for American women and all-female fishing trips were common.
The number of female anglers in New Zealand was not recorded because gender was not requested when a fishing licence was issued, he said.
In the first fishing class, women would learn how to target rainbow trout.
''The first class is going to be spin-fishing only. If it's quite popular, we could advance and do another class on beginner fly-fishing for women.''
The four-hour course would start with a theory session, followed by a practical session at Dunedin's Southern Reservoir.
Males had not been excluded, as they could attend a mixed gender class, Mr Dixon said.
The novice adult fishing class will be held on September 4, the women-only beginner fishing class on September 5 and the practical lesson for both classes will be at the Southern Reservoir on September 6.
Fish stocks at Macraes Hatchery will be released to give the anglers a greater chance of success.
Course bookings could be made at Otago Fish and Game, Mr Dixon said.
