Small fishing camp with rental cabins
Rent a few lakeside cabins and boats to anglers for weekend and week-long fishing stays.
- C$30k-150k
- Part-time
- Own premises
- Licence or permit needed
Estimates for a small start in Canada, not guarantees.
What it is
A small camp with a handful of rustic cabins or cottages on a lake or river, with boat rentals, a dock and basic fishing advice. Many owners run it as a seasonal business from spring to fall.
Your first three steps
- Visit similar camps in your target region, note their rates, season length and what guests say in reviews
- Check zoning, land ownership or lease options and any provincial tourism or outfitter rules before committing to a property
- Build a simple booking page with photos and list the camp on travel and fishing listing sites
Who pays
Anglers and fishing groups, families on holiday, and visitors from nearby cities or other provinces.
How it makes money
Nightly or weekly cabin rates, plus boat and motor rentals, bait and tackle, firewood and optional guided trips.
Skills that help
- Hosting and customer service
- Basic maintenance and repairs
- Local knowledge of the water and fish
- Booking and season planning
Watch out for
- Zoning and land use rules for waterfront property, and whether Crown land leases or permits apply in your province
- Whether your province requires a tourism operator, outfitter or accommodation licence
- Water supply, septic and fire safety inspections, check with your local public health unit and municipality
- Commercial general liability insurance, and cover for boats, docks and buildings
- Guests usually need a valid provincial fishing licence, check how your province handles this and the rules on catch limits
- A short season means income is uneven, plan cash flow for the off-season
🔒 Full research report for Canada
Real cost breakdown with current prices, licences and registration checklist, local competition, pricing, break-even and a 30-day launch plan, with sources.
Coming soonQuestions people ask
How much does it cost to start a fishing camp in Canada?
Startup costs are typically around $30,000 to $150,000, depending on the property or lease, number of cabins, boats and dock. These are estimates, so get quotes for your own site before committing.
How much can a small fishing camp earn?
Monthly revenue is typically estimated around $4,000 to $20,000, depending on how many cabins you rent, boat hire and the length of your season. That is revenue, not profit, and a short season means uneven income.
What licences and rules should I check before opening a fishing camp?
Check zoning and land use rules for waterfront property, Crown land leases or permits, and whether your province requires a tourism, outfitter or accommodation licence. Also check water, septic and fire safety inspections, insurance, and guest fishing licence rules.
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Photo: Paul_Reuß on Pixabay