Fishing guides might have to pay up to three times the price of a standard fishing licence from next year and be New Zealand citizens to carry out their work.
The Fish & Game Council says at present all guides, whether from New Zealand or overseas, pay the same as recreational fishers - $116 per season.
Guides in New Zealand can earn between $500 and $700 per day.
Council chief executive Bryce Johnson says under the proposal, guides would also have to be New Zealand residents.
Mr Johnson says this is because many overseas guides come to New Zealand in the off-season, severely denting business for local operators.
