Whitebaiting is only allowed during whitebait fishing season. Taking whitebait at all other times is prohibited.
Whitebaiting is allowed from 5 am to 8 pm or 6 am to 9 pm during daylight savings. Daylight savings started 29 September 2024.
Remember to be Safe in the water and check up to date Check, Clean and Dry advice for whitebaiters to protect our waterways. Ensure you check with your local council or water authority for water quality information, especially after heavy rain.
This information is based on the Whitebait Fishing Regulations 2021. It is only a guide and does not contain all the rules.
Ensure you’re familiar with the Whitebait Fishing Regulations 2021 at legislation.govt.nz. Note that whitebaiting regulations differ in the West Coast to the rest of New Zealand.
Or watch our Regulations for whitebaiting short video.
Penalties for not complying with the regulations may result in:
The Whitebait Fishing Regulations 2021 don’t apply and have never applied to Māori fishing rights exercised by tangata whenua.
Visit Māori fishing rights and whitebaiting for more information.
Print out a whitebait fishing regulations information leaflet in te reo or English.
Fishing gear includes anything that is used for the purpose of whitebait fishing, such as nets, screens, stakes, ropes, and spotter boards. Fishing gear doesn’t include licenced structures, also known as stands.
When setting up your gear, any configuration of nets and screens is allowed, except on the West Coast. For example, you could use a 2 m screen, then your net, then a 1 m screen on the outside of your net. See Additional rules - West Coast for the different rules that apply on the West Coast.
Fixed fishing gear doesn’t need to be held in place, it is fixed to the riverbed by stakes.
You must maintain at least 20 m between fixed fishing gear, except when fishing from a licenced structure. There is no minimum distance between scoop or drag nets.
Image: DOC
When whitebait fishing, you must not:
Image: DOC
A licensed structure, commonly called a “stand”, is any structure authorised to be used to fish for whitebait under the Resource Management Act 1991. The licensing of stands is managed by regional councils.
If you are whitebaiting from a licensed structure, you are only allowed to use:
In the West Coast, only one net must be used from a stand. See Additional rules - West Coast. for more information.
If you are fishing for whitebait on the West Coast, some specific rules apply:
It's important we all fish responsibly and sustainably. If you see anyone illegally whitebaiting, contact us on 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468).
Contact your local DOC office for more information or email whitebait@doc.govt.nz.