"It's very pleasing that in the large central North Island Eastern Region for example, ranging operations in the past year have found more than 98% of people doing the right thing by having a licence. This high compliance rate is similar to previous years."
Mr Van Dorp said for the small percentage who forgot to buy a licence, the mistake could be costly.
"Occasionally someone fails to update their licence - this is a risk as they face fines and the loss of their expensive fishing gear.
"With the maximum penalty set at $5000, it makes much more sense to just buy a licence and not have to worry about getting caught," he said.
Mr van Dorp said it was pleasing to find that people who had been caught without a licence learnt their lesson.
"In the past year, officers have encountered people fishing legally who in the past have been caught without licences.
"We congratulate these anglers for doing the right thing and it is good to see them out there enjoying their fishing without having to look over their shoulder."
Fish & Game rangers would be out on patrol throughout New Zealand when the season opened on Sunday, October 1 to make sure everyone had a licence and was playing by the rules.
Mr Van Dorp reminded all anglers - veteran and novice - to check the regulations in force for the lake or river they intend to fish.
"In past years, we've found the odd person who has slipped up by using illegal tackle, or methods such as trolling with more than one rod per angler - again something we keep an eye on.
"It's much better they check the regulations first and avoid having the excitement of fishing season opening spoilt by being caught doing something illegal."