High flows in many Otago rivers mean opening day of the whitebait fishing season today might not be very successful, the Department of Conservation says.
The best option for those hoping to get their first taste of the tiny delicacy might be the Lower Clutha River, where rain had not been as heavy, coastal Otago freshwater ranger Pete Ravenscroft said.
Another reason was that a large whitebait-spawning site was found on the river this year.
Rangers would be visiting whitebaiters along the region's rivers, focusing on those fishing outside the permitted hours of 5am to 8pm (6am to 9pm after daylight saving starts, on September 30). Transgressors face fines of up to $5000.
Conservation work had been continuing to improve spawning habitats in Otago rivers, Doc, Contact Energy and landowners helping restore habitat along the banks of the Clutha.
"Whitebait are struggling ... so any work to sustain them should be encouraged," Mr Ravenscroft said.
Doc would be carrying out an anonymous survey of whitebait catch on the Clutha River this season to determine whether the enhancement work was increasing whitebait numbers.
The Taieri River would be the focus next, especially the control of glyceria which was growing out of control on its banks, he said.
"At the moment, there is no spawning habitat along this river because of this invasive weed. I'd like to hear from any landowners wanting to get involved in whitebait enhancement work along the Taieri," Mr Ravenscroft said.
The Otago season runs until November 30.
