Bait and tackle shop near a lake or river

Local anglers, cottagers, tourists and families, plus fishing guides and ice fishing hut owners.

Retail margin on bait and tackle, with live bait bringing regular repeat visits. Extras can include ice fishing gear, rod repairs and sales of fishing licences if you are set up as an agent.

• Good knowledge of local fishing
• Customer service and a friendly manner
• Stock buying and ordering
• Basic bookkeeping

• Rules on selling live bait differ by province, and some restrict baitfish or the movement of bait to limit invasive species. Check with your provincial regulator
• Municipal business licence, zoning and signage rules for your location
• Commercial general liability and property insurance, including cover for stock
• Live bait needs fridges or tanks and careful handling, and unsold stock can spoil
• Strong seasonality: quieter in shoulder seasons, so plan cash flow for winter, or add ice fishing gear
• Register for GST/HST once you pass the small supplier threshold, and check provincial sales tax rules

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $20,000 to $90,000, depending on your premises, the amount of stock you buy and equipment such as fridges or tanks for live bait. Location also affects the total.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $6,000 to $28,000, depending on your location, the season and your product range. Sales are strongly seasonal, so plan cash flow for quieter months.

Check your provincial regulator, as live bait rules differ by province and some restrict baitfish or bait movement. Also check municipal business licence, zoning and signage rules, insurance, and GST/HST registration once you pass the small supplier threshold.