Doc coastal Otago acting area manager David Agnew said staff were carrying out spot checks along rivers and other popular whitebaiting spots and found that while most whitebaiters were sticking to the rules, some needed reminding of the regulations.
"We've confiscated a few nets that were left unattended. One net was clearly unattended and had been left there for a while."
Whitebaiters are required to stay within 10m of their nets and are allowed only one net at a time.
Mr Agnew said it was too early to tell whether the whitebaiters would be prosecuted.
Staff had been patrolling coastal Otago rivers, talking to people and educating them about the guidelines.
When asked if Doc had heard of any whitebaiters fishing at night, he said staff were monitoring the rivers and would continue to carry out spot checks any time of the day or night.
Mr Agnew said rivers in the catchment were doing well and good catches were being reported across the region.
Hauls had been reported to Doc of more than 28kg on the Clutha, 18kg on the Waikouaiti and 3kg on the Kakanui.
Whitebaiters along the Clutha River have reported mixed success. Some have been catching 10kg a day, but others have had smaller catches.
The whitebait season, which opened on August 15, runs until November 30, except on the West Coast, where it ends on November 14.
With daylight saving, fishing is now restricted to 6am-9pm.
