A Milton angler's been prosecuted for fishing at the Pukaki Canal near Twizel without a sports fishing licence in May

Shane William Pritchard has also been pinged for obstructing a Fish & Game range and refusing to hand over his rod.

He appeared in the Timaru District Court yesterday and has been fined 15-hundred dollars.

Fish & Game Central South Island Compliance Coordinator, Hamish Stevens, reminds a license costs as little as 24-dollars a day.

He says it's a much cheaper -- and sensible option -- than having to pay hefty fines.