Start a small fishing camp with rental cabins

Rent a few simple cabins or campsites to anglers near a lake, river or coast, with bait, tips and boat access.

Wooden cabins beside a lake at a fishing camp with anglers casting.

Startup cost$30k to $150k

Monthly revenue$3k to $15k

Time needed25+ h/week

First incomeMonths

$30k-150k
Part-time
Own premises
Licence or permit needed

Estimates for a small start in the US, not guarantees.

Official data

2,967 US businesses with employees in this field, -1.0% in a year

NAICS 721214 “Recreational and vacation camps (except campgrounds)”. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2023.

What it is

A small camp with a handful of cabins, campsites or RV spots near good fishing water. Guests book overnight stays and can buy bait, tackle, ice and local advice. You can add boat rentals or a fish cleaning station over time.

Your first three steps

Find or lease land with legal water access, then check zoning and lodging rules with your county and city planning office
Price a basic build or renovation of 2 to 4 cabins or sites and compare nightly rates at camps near you
Set up a simple website and listings on booking sites, and talk to local bait shops and guides about referrals

Who pays

Weekend anglers, families on fishing trips, friends' groups and retirees who travel for the season.

How it makes money

Nightly or weekly rates per cabin or site, plus extras such as bait and tackle, boat or kayak rentals, firewood and cleaning fees.

Skills that help

Hosting and customer service
Basic maintenance and repairs
Local fishing knowledge
Taking bookings and managing a calendar

Watch out for

Zoning, septic, water and building permits, which vary by county and state
Lodging or campground license and health department rules, and any lodging or occupancy taxes to collect, check locally
General liability and property insurance, including coverage for water-related accidents
Seasonal income, so plan for slow months
Water access rights, flood zones and shoreline rules, check with your state natural resources agency

Deep research report · US

Everything you need to start: small fishing camp with rental cabins

Researched with live web search for United States: 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

Ready in about 2 minutes · one-off payment, tax included

See a full sample report

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to start a fishing camp with cabins?

Startup costs are typically around $30,000 to $150,000, depending on how many cabins or sites you offer, the condition of the property and any water, septic or building work. These are estimates, so get local quotes.

How much can a small fishing camp earn?

Monthly revenue is typically around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on the number of cabins and sites, your nightly rates and how busy the season is. Income is seasonal, so plan for slow months. These are estimates only.

What rules should I check before opening a fishing camp?

Check zoning, septic, water and building permits, which vary by county and state. Also check lodging or campground licenses, health department rules, lodging or occupancy taxes, insurance, and water access rights, flood zones and shoreline rules with your state natural resources agency.