LAKE Hawea 
FISHING CHARTERS

None at all. We love teaching first-timers and are patient with all skill levels. If you've never held a rod before, you're in good hands.

We can't guarantee a catch — that's fishing. But local knowledge of these lakes puts you in the best possible spots, and we work hard to give every guest a real chance.

Brown Trout and Rainbow Trout are available year-round on both lakes. Quinnat Salmon join the mix between January and April.

Trolling, downrigging, spinning, and jigging depending on conditions, species, and time of year. On a full day we'll usually use a mix of methods.

Yes — within New Zealand bag limits. We'll clean and fillet your catch at the end of the trip so it's ready to take away.

Yes — a valid NZ fishing licence is required for every guest who intends to use a rod. NZ residents need a standard licence; international visitors must purchase a non-resident licence. Both available at fishandgame.org.nz. We strongly recommend purchasing in advance.

Autumn (March to May) is often the most productive overall. For Quinnat Salmon, January to mid-April is peak season. Trout fishing is good year-round on both lakes.

Yes — all rods, reels, tackle, and lures are included. Just bring yourself, a valid fishing licence, and layers.

Please bring your own food if you have a life-threatening allergy. We can cater for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free and nut-free diets, but our food is prepared in a kitchen that handles all major allergens, so we can't guarantee anything is completely allergen-free. We're also out on the water for the day, often well away from shore — if a severe reaction happened mid-charter, it could take considerably longer to reach help than the relief an EpiPen provides. To stay safe, please pack your own food if this applies to you.

Hāwea trips depart from the jetty at The Camp, Lake Hāwea, about 20 minutes from Wānaka town. Full meeting details are confirmed when you book.

Yes, in most places — coverage across both lakes is generally solid, though it can get patchy for some networks in certain spots. Honestly, that's not always a bad thing. Putting the phone away and taking in the scenery is part of the appeal.

There's no toilet on the vessel, so please use the facilities at the marina (or around town) before you depart.

It's about an hour from Queenstown to Wānaka via the Crown Range Road — the shorter, more scenic route, though it can close in snow or ice over winter — or around 1 hour 15–30 minutes via the Gorge Road through Cromwell, which stays open year-round. From Wānaka, allow another 20 minutes on to Lake Hāwea to reach the jetty.

Lake Hāwea is further from town, so you'll need your own transport or a taxi to reach the jetty at The Camp.

If you need to cancel or reschedule, we ask for at least 24 hours' notice — we're not able to offer a refund for cancellations within 24 hours of departure. If we need to cancel due to weather or safety concerns, we'll be in touch to offer a full reschedule or refund.

Yes — shared trips need a minimum of 2 guests to run. If you're travelling solo, you're welcome to purchase two seats to secure your spot. If the minimum isn't met, we'll cancel the trip and offer you the choice of rescheduling to another date or a full refund. Apologies for any inconvenience.

No — drones aren't permitted on our charters. Queenstown Lakes District Council requires a permit for drone use, and we operate within active helicopter flight paths out on the lake, so it's not something we're able to accommodate.

There's no separate waiver to sign in person. Our terms and conditions are viewable at checkout, and booking a trip with us means you're accepting those terms at that time.

Most standard travel insurance policies cover recreational boat tours and fishing charters, but coverage varies by provider and policy. If you're unsure, it's worth a quick check with your insurer before you travel.