DOC urges whitebaiters to check, clean and dry gear as season opens
Last Updated on August 24, 2026
Whitebaiters across the country are being asked to check, clean and dry their nets and gear between waterways this season, as the Department of Conservation warns that pests such as invasive freshwater clams and didymo can hitch a ride from one river to the next.
The Department of Conservation says the whitebaiting season opens on 1 September, giving people time to prepare before heading to their local rivers. DOC Freshwater Species Manager Emily Funnell says the advice is straightforward: check gear before leaving a waterway, clean it thoroughly, and let it dry fully before using it somewhere else.
Why moving between rivers is risky
Funnell says freshwater pests, including didymo, invasive weeds and freshwater clams, can damage water quality, clog whitebait nets and choke the very habitats whitebait rely on. The risk grows when people move their gear from one river system to another without cleaning it first.
Invasive freshwater clams were discovered in Waikato waterways three years ago, and turned up again last year at Lake Rotomanu in Taranaki. Since then, DOC has been encouraging whitebaiters fishing in those areas to stick to a single river for the entire season rather than shifting between waterways.
“But no matter where you fish in Aotearoa, always make sure you follow the Check, Clean, Dry advice and follow the whitebaiting rules,” Funnell said. “By doing this, you’re helping take the pressure off whitebait species and their habitat.”
What Check, Clean, Dry actually involves
For whitebaiters who can’t use a separate set of gear for each waterway, DOC and the Ministry for Primary Industries recommend three steps before moving to a new river or lake:
- Check: remove any weed, mud or visible pests before leaving, and drain all river or lake water from gear.
- Clean: blast gear with tap water, and treat absorbent materials with an approved treatment, as detailed in MPI’s Check, Clean, Dry resources.
- Dry: once gear is dry to the touch, leave it for a further two days before using it in another waterway.
Safety gear also part of the message
Alongside the pest warnings, Funnell is reminding whitebaiters to sort out their safety equipment before the season begins. She said DOC wants people “to have a fun time down at the river and get home safe,” which means wearing a wader belt and life jacket, carrying two waterproof communication devices, fishing with a companion, and avoiding fishing from rocks where waves could wash over them.
DOC has published whitebaiting rules, safety information and full Check, Clean, Dry guidance on its website ahead of the 1 September start.
Source: Department of Conservation.
Photo: “Auckland 4 January 07” by Mark in New Zealand, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Openverse.
