At Catch a Fish, we believe running fishing charters in Wānaka and Queenstown is about more than catching trout or salmon. It’s about creating shared value — where our guests, our local community, and the environment all benefit. Sustainability isn’t a finish line for us; it’s an ongoing journey of care, improvement, and innovation.

Our Commitments

• Quiet, clean operations
  Our Stabicraft boat is fitted with a state-of-the-art electric trolling motor, powered by solar-charged batteries. It lets us move silently across the lake without fumes, noise, or anchor damage to the lakebed — giving you a premium, peaceful experience while protecting fragile habitats.

• Sustainable fishing
  With Olly’s background in biology and zoology, we bring a science-led approach to the water. We encourage catch-and-release, share catch data with Fish & Game, and support WAI Wānaka in monitoring lake health. This helps ensure future generations will find our lakes just as abundant as they are today.

• Reducing waste
  We have eliminated single-use plastics on board and recycle fishing line, batteries, and soft plastics responsibly. All waste is separated, tracked, and disposed of through approved partners.

• Supporting local
  Every trip supports our community. We source fresh pastries from local bakeries such as Pembroke Patisserie, Scroggin, and The Boatshed Bakery, and we work with local restaurants like Arc and Fino who can prepare your catch for dinner. We also choose local suppliers for gear, fuel, and maintenance to keep money circulating in the region.

• Giving back
  As proud Impact Partners of Love Wānaka and Love Queenstown, we contribute 1% of our proceeds to projects that restore biodiversity, improve lake health, and protect native wildlife. Guests are also invited to donate or volunteer through these programmes, ensuring tourism directly benefits the environment.

Our Goals

• Reduce fuel use per trip each year.

• Maintain carbon neutral operations by offsetting what we cannot yet eliminate.

• Reduce waste by eliminating single-use plastics and improving recycling across all operations.

• Engage at least 90% of our guests with eco-briefings and sustainability messaging.

• Promote and achieve catch-and-release on more than 50% of the fish we catch.

The Tiaki Promise
We proudly support the Tiaki Promise — a nationwide initiative to care for people, place, and culture. When you fish with us, you join us in travelling with respect, treading lightly, and leaving the lakes and landscapes better than we found them.

By choosing Catch a Fish, you’re not just booking a fishing charter. You’re helping protect the waters, wildlife, and communities of Wānaka and Queenstown for generations to come.

Policy last updated: September 2025
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