Guided lake and river fishing trips

Tourists, cottage owners, families, beginners and anglers wanting local knowledge. Corporate groups and gift buyers are also possible.

A flat fee per half-day or full-day trip for the boat, with extras such as lunch, fish cleaning or gear hire. Weekends and holidays in season fill first.

• Strong fishing knowledge of your local waters
• Safe boat handling
• Patient with beginners and good with people

• Taking paying passengers is commercial use of a boat. Check Transport Canada rules for commercial vessels, including safety equipment and any inspection or operator certificates
• Some provinces require guides or outfitters to be licensed, and rules differ by province. Check with your provincial natural resources or tourism body
• Your clients usually need their own fishing licences. Check who can sell them and what the catch limits are
• A standard personal boat policy usually does not cover paying guests, so confirm your insurance in writing
• Income is seasonal, and weather can cancel trips. Plan your cash flow for the off-season

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around $5,000 to $25,000, depending on your boat, tackle and bait, insurance and safety gear. Your own figure will vary by province and by whether you already own a suitable boat.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated around $1,500 to $7,500, depending on the season, how many trips you run and your fee per half-day or full day. Income is seasonal and weather can cancel trips, so plan for the off-season.

Check before you start. Transport Canada rules apply to commercial boat use, including safety equipment and any certificates. Some provinces require guides or outfitters to be licensed, and clients usually need their own fishing licences. Also confirm in writing that your insurance covers paying guests.