Keep waterways pest-free

Check, clean, dry to keep our waterways free of pests. 

Moving wet gear between waterways can spread freshwater pests like didymo, invasive freshwater clams and weeds. These pests can reduce water quality, clog nets and choke waterways – including whitebait habitats.

Check, clean, dry your gear

Protect New Zealand’s waterways by following:

• South Island Check Clean Dry for whitebaiters and powerboat users (PDF, 304K)
• North Island Check Clean Dry for whitebaiters (PDF, 288K)

Help whitebait thrive

These factsheets contain information about whitebait and simple actions you can take to help them thrive.

Learn about the species that make up the whitebait catch, and their different lifecycles.

Whitebait are a mixture of young native fish (PDF, 580K)

Find out how you can protect the habitat that whitebait need to spawn and grow.

Improving habitat for whitebait (PDF, 609K)

Culverts and dams stop whitebait moving upstream and growing into adult fish. Identifying and fixing these structures across the country is helping increase populations.

Stay safe while whitebaiting

Before you go:

• Get to know the area – do some research, talk to locals, and follow any signs or warnings.
• Check the weather – if conditions look rough, wait for a better day.
• Take a friend and tell someone your plans – don’t go alone and tell someone when you expect to be back. Ask them to check on you if you’re late and call 111 if they’re concerned.

While whitebaiting:

• Carry two waterproof ways to call for help on your person, like a mobile phone in a waterproof bag, a VHF radio, or a distress beacon.
• Always wear a life jacket and wader belt.
• Avoid standing on wet rocks, which can be slippery and dangerous.

Fish fairly and follow the rules

Whitebait fishing regulations help protect native fish, especially the rarer species, and ensure whitebaiting can continue for future generations.

DOC rangers carry out compliance patrols during the season to help whitebaiters understand and follow the rules. They provide information, answer questions, and check that fishing gear, locations and activities comply with the Whitebait Fishing Regulations 2021.

Most whitebaiters do the right thing. Where rules are broken, DOC may issue infringement notices, seize fishing gear, or prosecute serious offences.

You can help protect whitebait by:

• • knowing the regulations before you fish
  • only fishing during the legal season and permitted hours
  • using legal fishing gear
  • respecting whitebait refuges and other protected areas
  • reporting suspected illegal activity to info@doc.govt.nz

Whitebaiters talk safety

Perceptions and histories of whitebaiters

These reports record whitebaiters describing themselves and their fishing experience.

• Perceptions of Aotearoa New Zealand whitebait fishery 2025 (PDF, 5,093K)
• Perceptions of Aotearoa New Zealand whitebait fishery 2022 (PDF, 9,269K)

A 2023 oral history project recorded whitebaiters talking about why, where and how they fish. Email whitebait@doc.govt.nz if you would like to use the recordings and transcripts for research.