Protect Our Waters.
Feed Our Neighbors.
Bait • Catch • Donate is a teen-led organization where volunteer anglers spend a day on the water, removing invasive catfish from the Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay, and partnering with local food banks to turn the catch into meals for families facing food insecurity.
Three Steps. Real Impact.
Step
1
The Catch
Local teens spend a day fishing for invasive blue catfish on the Potomac River or Chesapeake Bay. Friends, teammates, and family members welcome.
Step
2
the filet
The captain's crew cleans and filets the fish right on the boat, ensuring the freshest possible raw protein for donation.
Step
3
the delivery
The catch is donated same-day to local food banks who transform the pounds or raw protein into meals for residents facing food insecurity.
60
Catfish Removed from the Potomac River
240+
Meals Created from the Donated Catch
60
Pounds of Raw Protein Donated
13
Anglers Across 5 Local Schools
100%
of Every Catch Donated to Food Banks
HOOKED ON FISHING.
HAPPY TO HELP THE ECOSYSTEM.
HIGH ON FEEDING OTHERS.
One teenager’s love for fishing has turned into a passion project. Harry Klisch, a DMV-area high school student attending Landon in Bethesda, Maryland, organized the inaugural Bait • Catch • Donate fishing trip. With baseball teammates, friends and family, they together proved that a single day on the water can protect a local ecosystem and feed dozens of neighbors. Now he's building a framework for more fishing and more feeding.
Making a Difference is Catching on.
I had a great time on the Bait Catch Donate trip with Harry and other teammates and classmates. We spent the day out on the Potomac River fishing and learning new skills. I had never really gone fishing before, so it was awesome to learn how to fish and be on the water. We caught a lot of catfish, and it felt good knowing the fish would be donated to help others. One of the best parts was getting to hang out with friends while supporting a great cause. It was a really fun experience, and I’m glad I had the chance to be a part of it.
- Brennan, 9th Grade, Landon
I had a lot of fun and a great experience. I got to hang out with friends, learn a lot more about fishing, and help the river get rid of invasive species. I was happy knowing the fish we caught went to a good cause to help people who needed it.
- Alex, 8th grade, Deal Middle School
Had an epic day catfishing and caught a ton with my friends. The bites were nonstop, and I was reeling them in all day. As someone who enjoys scuba diving, protecting the marine environment is important to me, especially when it comes to the local waters of the Chesapeake Bay. Definitely one of the coolest fishing trips I’ve had, and I’m inspired to get into fishing.
- Kai, 10th grade, Field School
What a wonderful day on the water! The catfish were biting, and we were lucky enough to catch more fish than ever expected – and I was so happy to donate them to a great cause. Wonderful company, beautiful weather, and plenty of fish made it a day I’ll remember for a long time.
- Joiwind, Parent Chaperone
