Fish and Game officers are concerned at the high number of anglers unable to produce a fishing licence when requested by staff.

The number of fisherman without licences in Fish and Game's eastern region is three times the normal for summertime, says officer Anthony van Dorp.

Staff issued notices to 22 anglers fishing the Rotorua Lakes and Lake Waikaremoana, over the holiday period ending January 15.

He says it's an intriguingly large increase compared with the previous years.

'Practically all these folk appear to have licences – it's just a case of, ‘oh, I left it in my wallet,' or ‘it's in the ute,' or ‘I walked out the door and left it on the kitchen bench'.

'They're almost all good people who aren't trying to get around the rules,” says Anthony.

'It's interesting to see an increase of this size when we check hundreds of people every year at this time.”

He says this is a marked increase over the past two summers.

'I believe it's a case of people checking off things – their lunch, fishing gear, clothing and fuel, but neglecting to take your licence along is as important as having enough fuel onboard.”

Anglers are given seven days to produce proof of their licence when asked to show it, but they don't have it on them.

'It's another job to do when we could be spending our time more fruitfully.”

Anthony says most of the 22 cases have already been dealt with, aside from about three where they are still trying to confirm the anglers hold licenses.

'Please be sure to carry your licence in the same place every time – whether it's your wallet, tackle box, or a place on the boat, so that it's ready to hand over for inspection.”

Anglers caught without a licence can face a fine of $5000 for not having the document and can also face charges of giving false or misleading particulars, which is an offence under the Conservation Act.

Over the holiday period, officers also intercepted two anglers fishing from a boat with two rods each.

Anthony says in some cases, it comes down to anglers not making themselves familiar enough with the regulations contained in a booklet which is always handed out with the purchase of a licence.

'Or else they are simply trying to get away with it.”