A Milton man was prosecuted for fishing without a licence and obstructing a Fish & Game ranger while fishing at the Pūkaki Canal near Twizel in May this year.
Shane William Pritchard, of Milton, appeared in the Timaru District Court this week facing charges of fishing without a sports fishing licence and obstructing a Fish & Game ranger.
Pritchard was convicted on both charges and ordered to pay $1530 in fines and costs.
Pritchard refused to hand over his fishing rod to the ranger for seizure upon demand and, in doing so, committed obstruction.
Central South Island Fish & Game compliance co-ordinator Hamish Stevens said a sports fishing licence cost as little as $24 per day for an adult which was "a much cheaper and sensible option than getting caught out flouting the law and being ordered to pay hefty fines and costs in court".
