Image: DOC
A local whitebaiter and DOC ranger in the Kapiti/Wellington area
Whitebait fishing guidelines
It’s important all whitebaiters comply with the whitebait fishing regulations as this will help sustainably manage this precious taonga.

Whitebaiting season closed

Whitebaiting is only allowed during whitebait fishing season. Taking whitebait at all other times is prohibited.

  • New Zealand whitebaiting season - 1 September to 30 October (inclusive).
  • Chatham Islands whitebaiting season - 1 December to the last day of February (inclusive).

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.

What's on this page:

Regulations

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:

  • a $400 infringement fee, or
  • prosecution with a maximum penalty of $5000, and
  • seizure of your fishing gear.

Māori fishing rights and whitebaiting

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.

Guidelines

Print out a whitebait fishing regulations information leaflet in te reo or English.

Where you can fish for whitebait

Whitebait fishing gear

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.

All fishing gear must be:

  • actively monitored so that you can immediately remove and release any species that are not whitebait
  • removed from the water every time you move more than 10 m away from the net, even if it’s only to take a break or talk to someone for a short time
  • removed from the water when you finish fishing or at the end of the day, whichever comes first
  • no more than 6 m in total length, even if used from a licenced structure/stand.

Whitebait nets must not:

  • be more than 3.5 m in length.
  • have a mouth larger than 4.5 m when measured around the inside of the net frame
  • have framing material wider than 120 mm.

Graphic showing the dimensions of a set and scoop net. 4.5 metre maximum measurement of 4.5 metres around the inside of the net.
Image: DOC

A ‘drag net’ is any net or any rope, material or device used with the net that is weighted on the bottom edge. A drag net is drawn through the water and surrounds the whitebait.

All drag net type nets:

  • must be flat when laid on a flat surface
  • must not be more than 1 m in height
  • must not be more than 3.5 m in length, and
  • must not be used on the West Coast.

Diagram of drag net showing maximum dimensions. 6 metre wide in total. 3.5 metre net width. I metre net height. 1.25 metres either side of the net.
Image: DOC

Screens are the only device allowed to divert whitebait into a net. Screens must not be more than 3 m in length, unless used from a licensed structure (stand).

Diagram of screens showing three of five screens with green ticks. The other two have red crosses. Screens must not be more than 3 m in length.
Image: DOC

Using your net

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.

Diagram illustrating whitebaiters must be 20 metres apart
Image: DOC

When whitebait fishing, you must not:

  • use more than one net at a time
  • fish from a bridge or boat/vessel.
  • use gear that takes up more than one quarter of the width of the waterway, either separately or combined with someone else’s gear
  • create any diversion or alter or modify the natural bed or banks of any river, stream, estuary or channel
  • be within 20 m of any:
    • tide or flood gate
    • confluence
    • culvert
    • weir
    • groyne or seawall
    • outfall structure, or unlawful diversion.

Diagram showing whitebaiters not to fish from confluences and groynes and to be more than 20 metres away from them.
Image: DOC

Licensed structures (stands)

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:

  • one net at a time
  • a maximum fishing gear length of 6 m, including screens, ropes, nets, and pulley arrangements.

In the West Coast, only one net must be used from a stand. See Additional rules - West Coast. for more information.

Additional rules - West Coast

If you are fishing for whitebait on the West Coast, some specific rules apply:

  • Screens must always be set from the water’s edge. To keep the screens at the water’s edge, they must be moved with the ebb and flow of the tide.
  • Screens must never be on the outside of the net. They can only be on the bank side. Do not place a screen beyond the whitebait net.
  • Screens must not extend beyond the outer edge of the structure.
  • Nets set from licenced structures (stands) must be in a straight line with the edge of the structure.
  • Only one net must be used from a licenced structure (stand), whether by the fisher or any other person using that structure. This includes scoop nets as well as set nets.
  • You must not use drag nets on the West Coast.

Report illegal activity

It's important we all fish responsibly and sustainably. If you see anyone illegally whitebaiting, contact us on 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468).

Contacts

Contact your local DOC office for more information or email whitebait@doc.govt.nz.