Last updated October 2026
The Waihao Box is the culvert where the Waihao River reaches the sea, on the gravel coast east of Waimate. Near the coast the river turns north and runs behind the beach ridge before it flows out through the Box, at the end of Byrnes Road.
Fish & Game Central South Island says the lower river, from the mouth up to Bradshaw’s Bridge, gives good blind fishing for sea-run brown trout, and bait fishing is popular. Waimate District Council lists the Box as a popular whitebaiting spot.
Waihao Box at a Glance
- Location
- End of Byrnes Road, at the Waihao River outlet, Waimate District
- Type
- River outlet through a culvert, with a deep, slow channel behind a gravel beach
- Water
- Freshwater (Fish & Game Central South Island)
- Main species
- Sea-run brown trout; whitebait in season
- Best water
- From the mouth up to Bradshaw’s Bridge
- Methods
- Blind fishing; bait is popular
- Licence
- Fish & Game licence for trout; no licence for whitebaiting
- Flow gauge
- ECan Waihao River at Bradshaws (site 70913)
- Customary area
- Waihao Mātaitai covers the lower river and Wainono Lagoon area
- Facilities
- None at the road end; Waimate is the nearest town
No tides: the river flow and the state of the outlet move the fishing here.
What to Expect
The lower Waihao makes a big loop north through farmland. Near the coast its channel runs behind the gravel beach ridge, and it reaches the sea through the culvert at the end of Byrnes Road, which gives the Box its name. Bradshaws Road and Bradshaw’s Bridge are just to the south-west.
Close to the outlet the channel is deep, dark and slow between grassy banks, and the beach in front is steep grey gravel. Sea-run brown trout move between this lower river and the sea, and whitebait run up through the Box in spring.
The lower river and Wainono Lagoon to the north are a customary fishing area, the Waihao Mātaitai, declared in 2012. Its tāngata tiaki, who manage customary fishing there, were notified in 2017.
How to Fish the Waihao Box
Where and when
Fish & Game describes the water from the mouth up to Bradshaw’s Bridge as good blind fishing for sea-run brown trout. Fish the slow channel near the Box and work up the lower river, covering the deeper water rather than looking for fish to spot.
Check the ECan Bradshaws gauge before you go, and leave it for another day if the river is in flood and dirty.
What to catch and what to use
- Sea-run brown trout: bait fishing is popular on the lower Waihao. Ask at a tackle shop which baits and lures are working.
- Whitebait: the Box is a popular whitebaiting spot in the spring season. Follow DOC’s whitebaiting rules for nets, stands and the season dates.
Getting There and Facilities
- Driving: from Waimate, head toward the coast to the Bradshaws Road area, then follow Byrnes Road east to the Box at the top of the gravel beach.
- Parking: park at the road end without blocking access for others or the farm gateways.
- Camping: a small camping area is marked at the road end. Check Waimate District Council’s camping rules before staying.
- Facilities: there are no shops at the Box. Waimate is the nearest town.
Rules and Safety
- Trout fishing follows the Fish & Game Central South Island regulations, and you need a Fish & Game licence. Downstream of the Forks Bridges the Waihao is open from 1 October to 30 April, with fly, spinner and bait allowed. To fish for salmon you also need a sea-run salmon licence and a season bag limit card.
- Fish & Game treats river mouths, including the shore within 500 m of the outlet, as fresh water for trout and salmon, so a licence is needed there too.
- Whitebaiting needs no licence but follows DOC’s whitebait fishing rules. The season currently runs from 1 September to 30 November.
- The Box is inside the Waihao Mātaitai, which covers Wainono Lagoon and the parts of the Waihao River catchment, Waituna Stream and Hook River east of State Highway 1. When it was declared, MPI said the reserve does not stop recreational fishing under the normal rules, but any bylaws set for it apply to everyone. Check MPI’s customary fisheries pages for current bylaws before you take eels, flounder or other fish managed by MPI.
- Sea fishing off the beach follows MPI’s South-East rules and needs no licence.
- The gravel beach is steep and the channel by the Box is deep. Keep children away from the culvert outlet, and do not wade the channel.
Tackle and Bait Nearby
- Davo’s Fishing Hunting & Sport, 186 Hilton Highway, Washdyke, Timaru: rods, reels, lures, bait and line.
Fishing licences can be bought online from Fish & Game before you leave.
Further Reading
NZ Fishing: Waihao River: the sea-run trout fishery, access and flows.
Waimate District Council: Fishing: fishing and whitebaiting spots around Waimate.
ECan: Waihao River at Bradshaws: the current river flow.
Common Questions
What is the Waihao Box?
The culvert where the Waihao River flows out to the sea, at the end of Byrnes Road east of Waimate.
What can you catch at the Waihao Box?
Sea-run brown trout, and whitebait in the spring season.
Where is the best fishing on the lower Waihao?
Fish & Game says the water from the mouth up to Bradshaw’s Bridge gives good blind fishing for sea-run brown trout.
Can I use bait at the Waihao Box?
Yes. Below the Forks Bridges the regulations allow fly, spinner and bait, and bait fishing is popular on the lower river.
Do I need a licence to fish the Waihao Box?
Yes, for trout you need a Fish & Game licence. Whitebaiting needs no licence but follows DOC’s rules.
Is the Waihao Box in a mātaitai?
Yes. The Waihao Mātaitai covers Wainono Lagoon and the lower Waihao east of State Highway 1. Recreational fishing carries on under the normal rules, but check MPI for any bylaws.
How do I check the river flow?
Use the ECan Waihao River at Bradshaws gauge, site 70913.
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