Ice fishing camp with hut rentals and day passes
Rent heated ice huts and sell day access to anglers on a frozen lake through the winter.
- C$8k-40k
- Side hustle
- Own premises
- Licence or permit needed
Estimates for a small start in Canada, not guarantees.
What it is
A winter fishing camp that rents ice huts by the day or night, sells access passes, and may offer a small warm-up cabin, bait and gear hire. It can run on its own or add to a summer camp.
Your first three steps
- Identify a lake with good fishing and road access, and speak to the landowner, band council or municipality about permission to operate
- Price out huts, heaters, augers and a snowmobile or ATV for hauling, then compare with local rental rates
- Set up online booking with clear safety rules and promote through local angling clubs and social media groups
Who pays
Local anglers, families and groups of friends looking for a winter day out, plus visitors from nearby towns.
How it makes money
Day or overnight hut rental, access passes, bait, tackle and auger rental, plus hot drinks or snacks if permitted.
Skills that help
- Comfort working outdoors in winter
- Ice safety awareness
- Customer service
- Equipment upkeep
Watch out for
- Permission to operate on the lake or access land, and whether provincial rules apply to commercial use
- Ice thickness checks and a written safety plan, thin or changing ice is a serious risk
- Heater and carbon monoxide safety in huts
- Commercial general liability insurance that covers winter activities, check what your insurer needs
- Anglers usually need a provincial fishing licence, check the rules for ice fishing in your province
- Mild winters can shorten or cancel the season
Deep research report · Canada
Everything you need to start: ice fishing camp with hut rentals and day passes
Researched with live web search for Canada: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start an ice fishing hut business in Canada?
Startup costs are typically around $8,000 to $40,000, depending on how many huts you buy or build, heaters, access arrangements and any warm-up cabin. These are estimates, so price your own equipment first.
How much can an ice fishing camp earn?
Monthly revenue is typically estimated around $2,000 to $9,000, depending on how many huts you rent, day passes sold and the length of the winter season. That is revenue, not profit, and mild winters can shorten the season.
What rules should I check before running an ice fishing camp?
Check permission to operate on the lake or access land, and whether provincial rules apply to commercial use. Also check ice thickness and safety planning, heater and carbon monoxide safety, insurance covering winter activities, and angler fishing licence rules.
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