How to Make Money Fishing: 10 Real Ways Anglers Are Earning $500–$150,000+

There’s a massive, growing audience willing to spend money on fishing experiences, education, and content. If you can provide value to this audience, there’s money to be made.

I’m going to show you realistic ways people are earning anywhere from a few hundred bucks a month to six-figure incomes in the fishing industry.

Some require a boat and licenses, others just need a smartphone and some fishing knowledge.

So whether you fish in lakes, rivers, or saltwater, there’s a way to earn from it.

Here are the best ways to make money fishing right now, how much each one pays, and how to get started.

10 Real Ways to Make Money Fishing

Here are 10 real ways people are actually making money from fishing, everything from easy weekend side hustles to full-on fishing businesses, ranked by how much they really make.

1. Become a Fishing Guide or Charter Captain

If you know your local waters and consistently find the fish, becoming a guide or charter captain is hands-down the most direct way to make money from fishing.

You’re not just offering a trip, you’re giving people a great experience, sharing your know-how, and helping them have a day they won’t forget.

Realistic Earning Potential

• Part-Time Weekend Guide: $500 – $2,000 per month
• Full-Time Established Guide: $60,000 – $150,000+ per year
• Typical Rates: $400-$600 for a half-day trip; $700-$1,200 for a full-day trip.

What You’ll Need to Start

• A Reliable Boat: Must be safe, seaworthy, and equipped with all necessary safety gear.
• Licenses & Insurance: This is non-negotiable. You’ll need a U.S. Coast Guard Captain’s License (often called a “Six-Pack” license) for most navigable waters, a state-specific fishing guide license, and full business liability insurance.
• High-Quality Gear: You need to provide your clients with reliable fishing gear like rods, reels, and tackle.

How to Get Started

The first thing you need is a Captain’s License.

That means taking an approved course, logging at least 360 days on the water, and passing the USCG exam.

Once that’s done and your insurance is sorted, start building your reputation as a fishing guide.

Offer a few discounted trips to friends or local clients, set up a Google Business Profile, and list your paid excursions on platforms like FishingBooker.

Trust me, getting those first clients for your boat trips is the hardest part, but once you get going, it snowballs fast.

2. Create Fishing Content (YouTube, TikTok & Social Media)

You don’t actually need a boat or a captain’s license to start making real money in the fishing world.

Honestly, sometimes all you need is a camera and a personality people enjoy watching.

Starting a YouTube channel, TikTok account, or Instagram page focused on fishing (think ‘catch and cook’ videos, tips for local spots, or epic fishing fails) is a modern way to build an audience and create a scalable, long-term income stream.

Realistic Earning Potential

• Beginner (1k-10k followers): $100 – $500 per month (mostly from affiliate links)
• Intermediate (50k-100k followers): $2,000 – $5,000 per month (YouTube ads + sponsorships)
• Top Creators (500k+ followers): $10,000 – $50,000+ per month

What You’ll Need to Start

• A POV Camera: A GoPro or similar waterproof action camera is essential for capturing the action.
• A Specific Niche: Don’t try to be everything. Pick a specific niche like “kayak bass fishing,” “urban bank fishing,” or “catch and cook.”
• Consistency: The key to success is posting content on a regular, predictable schedule.

How to Get Started

You can literally start today with just your smartphone, no fancy gear needed.

Film your next fishing trip and talk through what you’re doing, why you’re doing it, and any tips you’ve learned along the way.

Post short, snappy videos on TikTok and Instagram Reels, and save the longer, more detailed stuff for YouTube. Think tutorials, gear reviews, or even “catch and cook” episodes.

Focus on either entertaining your audience or teaching them something useful (or both!).

Once you hit YouTube’s monetization requirements (1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours) you can turn on ads and start earning.

From there, affiliate marketing is a solid next step: link to the gear you use in your video descriptions, and watch that side income grow. Trust me, people pay for this stuff.

3. Enter Fishing Tournaments

If you’ve got a serious competitive streak, tournament fishing can score you a big payday in just one weekend.

The top professional circuits are tough, but don’t worry: there are tons of local and regional amateur tournaments for species like bass, crappie, and walleye that still offer solid cash prizes.

I know, it sounds crazy, but people actually make real money doing this on the side.

Realistic Earning Potential

• Local Club Tournament Win: $500 – $5,000
• Regional “Open” or Pro-Am Top Finish: $10,000 – $50,000+
• Big-Fish Derby Prize: Can be worth thousands, often for a single fish.

What You’ll Need to Start

• High Skill Level: This is a high-risk path. You need to be in the top 10-20% of the field consistently just to break even on your expenses.
• Tournament-Ready Gear: For most tours, this means a reliable tournament-style boat with a livewell and high-end electronics.
• A Budget for Fees: Entry fees for a major regional tournament can range from $300 to over $1,500, not including your gas, travel, and practice costs.

How to Get Started & What Tours to Look For

The easiest way to get started is to start small and local. No need to risk big money right out of the gate.

Check out a local bass club or a “big fish” derby nearby.

Once you’re consistently winning or cashing in those smaller events, you can step up to the bigger regional circuits.

Some of the main pathways to professional fishing include:

• The B.A.S.S. Nation: This is the grassroots, club-based level that eventually feeds into the premier Bassmaster Elite Series. Perfect for serious amateur bass anglers looking to climb the ranks. anglers.
• Major League Fishing (MLF): Offers multiple levels, from weekend “Phoenix Bass Fishing League” events up to the major pro tours.
• Specialized Pro Tours: Focused on specific species, like the Crappie Masters National Tournament Trail, giving you a chance to specialize and shine.

4. Start a Fishing Blog or Website

If you’re more into writing than being on camera, starting a niche fishing blog is a smart, low-cost way to build a long-term asset that can bring in passive income.

By sharing helpful tips, how-tos, and answers to the questions other anglers are searching for on Google, you can grow a loyal audience and make money through ads, affiliate links, or even your own digital products.

Trust me, people pay for this stuff when it’s useful.

Realistic Earning Potential

• New Blog (Year 1): $0 – $100 per month
• Established Blog (Year 2-3): $500 – $3,000+ per month
• Authoritative Blog (3+ Years): $5,000 – $15,000+ per month

What You’ll Need to Start

• A Specific Niche: Choose a focused topic, like “fly fishing in Colorado,” “kayak fishing for beginners,” or “surf fishing on the Gulf Coast.”
• A Simple Website: All you need is a domain name and basic hosting (around $100 for the first year).
• Patience & SEO Knowledge: This is a long-term play. It takes time to learn what people are searching for (SEO) and to write content that ranks in Google.

How to Get Started

First, pick a niche you actually care about, something you won’t get bored writing about.

Set up a simple WordPress site, then commit to publishing one or two helpful articles each week.

Don’t overthink it, just answer the questions other anglers are Googling, like “Best Lures for Fall Bass Fishing.”

Once your site starts seeing steady traffic (usually around 6–12 months), you can monetize with ad networks like Google AdSense, Mediavine, or AdThrive.

And don’t forget to add affiliate links for the gear you’re recommending. People really do click those when it’s relevant!

5. Make and Sell Custom Lures, Flies, or Tackle

If you’re a creative, hands-on type, making your own lures or tying flies can actually turn into a legit side hustle.

Anglers love unique, custom-made gear that gives them an edge on the water, so there’s real demand for it.

The best part?

You can run this right out of your garage or kitchen table.

Realistic Earning Potential

• Hobbyist Seller: $100 – $500 per month
• Established Etsy/Online Store: $500 – $3,000+ per month
• Average Profit Per Item: $3-$5 for a simple jig or fly; $8-$15+ for a custom-painted crankbait.

What You’ll Need to Start

• A Crafting Skill: Whether it’s fly tying, jig pouring, or airbrushing crankbaits, you need to be good at what you do.
• Startup Materials: You can get a beginner’s fly-tying or jig-making kit for around $100-$200.
• A Place to Sell: Etsy is the best platform for beginners to sell handmade goods.

How to Get Started

Start by picking up the basics. There are tons of free YouTube tutorials that show you how to tie flies or make custom lures.

Once you’ve got your technique down, open a shop on Etsy.

The trick is to focus on a niche (like “custom crappie jigs” or “trout flies for Pennsylvania streams”) and take sharp, professional-looking photos of your gear.

Price it smart, give awesome customer service, and you’ll start building a loyal crowd of repeat buyers who keep coming back for more.

6. Teach People How to Fish (Classes, Workshops, Lessons)

You don’t have to be a pro to be a great teacher.

If you know the basics and enjoy helping people, giving fishing lessons can be a solid side hustle.

Parents love having someone teach their kids, and plenty of new anglers are happy to pay for hands-on guidance so they can skip some of the trial-and-error and start catching fish faster.

You can offer lessons on:

• Knots
• Casting
• Finding fish
• Choosing lures
• Cleaning and filleting
• etc.

Realistic Earning Potential

• Private Lessons: $50 – $150 per hour
• Group Workshops (3-5 people): $40 – $75 per person
• Part-Time Weekend Instructor: $500 – $1,500+ per month

What You’ll Need to Start

• Solid Fundamental Skills: You need to be an expert at the basics, like casting, knot tying, and choosing the right lures.
• Patience and People Skills: This is a customer service job at its core.
• Liability Insurance: A basic business liability insurance policy is a must-have to protect yourself.
• A Good Teaching Spot: You’ll need a reliable, publicly accessible location like a park pond or a public fishing pier.

How to Get Started

The easiest way is to start with a simple 2-hour “Beginner Fishing” session.

Make a quick flyer or post on local Facebook groups or Nextdoor.

Focus on giving a fun, low-pressure experience for kids or brand-new anglers.

Do that, and you’ll start building a solid local reputation, and a steady stream of clients just through word-of-mouth.

7. Sell Your Catch Legally (Direct-to-Consumer)

If you’re good at finding and catching fish, the “boat-to-table” trend can be a goldmine.

You can sell your fresh, legal catch straight to local customers, chefs, or even at farmers’ markets.

Just a heads-up, this one comes with rules.

You’ve got to follow all local and federal regulations to the letter, or you’ll get into trouble fast..

Realistic Earning Potential

• Weekend Angler: $200 – $800+ per month (highly dependent on catch and location)
• Full-Time Commercial Fisherman: $30,000 – $100,000+ per year
• Profit Per Trip: Can range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars after expenses.

What You’ll Need to Start

• Commercial Fishing Licenses: This is non-negotiable. You must obtain all required commercial fishing permits from both your state’s Fish & Wildlife agency and, for saltwater species, potentially from NOAA.
• A Proper Setup: You will need a commercial-grade setup for handling, icing, and storing your catch to meet health and safety standards.
• A Market for Your Fish: You need to establish relationships with local restaurant chefs, seafood markets, or secure a spot at a local farmers’ market.

How to Get Started

Before you dive in, your first move is to reach out to your state’s Fish & Wildlife or DNR office.

Trust me, skipping this step is a shortcut to trouble.

Ask them about the exact requirements for getting a commercial fishing license for the species you want to sell.

Once you’re fully licensed and clear on legal quotas and rules, you can start connecting with local chefs, restaurants, and farmers’ markets to create a steady market for your catch.

8. Sell Your Fishing Photos & Videos

If you’ve got a good eye and already snap pics of your catches, why not turn those into cash?

Fishing magazines, outdoor brands, and tourism websites are always hunting for authentic, high-quality fishing photos.

You don’t have to be a pro photographer, but make sure your shots are sharp, well-lit, and actually tell a story. People want to feel like they’re right there with you on the water.

Realistic Earning Potential

• Stock Photography: $50 – $200 per month (passive income)
• Freelance Assignment: $200 – $1,000+ per job
• A single high-quality photo can sell for anywhere from $10 to over $200.

What You’ll Need to Start

• A Decent Camera: A modern smartphone with a good camera is often enough to get started, but a weather-sealed DSLR or mirrorless camera is a better long-term investment.
• Basic Photo Editing Skills: Knowing how to crop, color-correct, and enhance your photos is essential.
• A Portfolio: You’ll need a simple online portfolio (even an Instagram account) to showcase your best work.

How to Get Started

The easiest way to get started is by uploading your best shots to stock photography sites like Adobe Stock or Getty Images.

At the same time, create a dedicated Instagram account just for your fishing photos and use hashtags that actually reach your audience.

Once you have a strong portfolio, you can start directly pitching your photography services to local charter captains, fishing lodges, and tackle companies for freelance work.

They pay for good, authentic photos.

9. Start a Live Bait Business

Every angler needs bait, so selling it can be one of the most reliable, almost recession-proof side hustles in fishing.

You can start super small, right out of your home, and sell to local anglers on weekends.

With such low startup costs, it’s one of the easiest ways to start making money in fishing fast.

Realistic Earning Potential

• Weekend-Only Seller: $300 – $1,200+ per month (seasonal)
• Full-Time Bait Shop Owner: $30,000 – $70,000+ per year

What You’ll Need to Start

• A Bait Source: You can either trap/catch your own bait (like minnows or crawfish) or buy it in bulk from a wholesale supplier.
• A Holding System: You’ll need aerated tanks or temperature-controlled containers to keep your bait (like worms, shiners, or leeches) alive and healthy.
• A Good Location: A spot on a well-traveled road near a popular lake or boat ramp is ideal. You can often start by just putting a “Live Bait for Sale” sign in your front yard.
• A State Bait Dealer’s License: Most states require a specific, inexpensive license to legally sell live bait.

How to Get Started

First things first, check with your state’s Fish & Wildlife agency to see what licenses you need.

Start small, just one or two popular types of bait in your area, like nightcrawlers or shiners.

Post in local Facebook fishing groups, and make sure your bait is fresh and high-quality.

Trust me, word spreads fast, and you can quickly become the go-to spot for local anglers.

10. Run a Fishing Camp or Guided Trips for Kids

If you like teaching and enjoy working with kids, running a local fishing camp is a super rewarding way to make money with fishing.

Parents are always on the lookout for safe, fun outdoor activities, and they’re happy to pay someone to show their kids the ropes of fishing.

You can do week-long summer camps or just offer short, two-hour “Parent & Child” guided trips on weekends, it all adds up.

Realistic Earning Potential

• Weekend Lessons: $200 – $500 per weekend
• Week-Long Summer Camp (10 kids): $2,000 – $4,000+ per week
• Typical Rates: $25-$50 per hour for individual lessons; $200-$400 per child for a week-long day camp.

What You’ll Need to Start

• Patience and Teaching Skills: This is more about being a great teacher for kids than being an expert angler.
• Basic Gear: A handful of simple, push-button or spincast rods that are easy for children to use.
• A Safe, Accessible Location: A local park pond or a public fishing pier with a high probability of catching small fish like bluegill or sunfish is perfect.
• Business Liability Insurance: This is absolutely essential when working with children.

How to Get Started

The easiest way to kick things off is by putting together a simple “First Fish Adventure” package for parents and kids.

Post about it in local Facebook parenting groups, community boards, or on Nextdoor.

If you focus on being patient, safe, and fun, word will spread fast and before long, you could be the go-to fishing instructor for families in your area, turning weekends into a steady side hustle.

What You Need to Know (Licenses, Insurance & The Law)

This part is serious, don’t skip it.

Trying to make money from fishing without following the rules is a fast track to huge fines, or worse, losing your fishing privileges entirely.

Here’s the stuff you really need to know before you start.

Do I need a special license to sell the fish I catch?

Yes, absolutely!

A regular recreational fishing license only covers fish for your own plate. If you want to sell to the public, a restaurant, or a local market, you’ll need a commercial fishing license.

These come from your state’s Department of Fish and Wildlife (or the equivalent agency), and the rules are strict—what species you can sell, how much, and the costs all vary by state.

Bottom line: don’t even think about selling fish without the proper license!

What about a captain’s license for guiding?

If you’re taking paying customers out on any body of water the U.S. Coast Guard considers “navigable” (yep, that includes the Great Lakes and major rivers), you legally need a captain’s license.

The most common starting point is the OUPV, or “Six-Pack” license, which lets you take up to six paying passengers.

Getting it isn’t just a weekend thing, you’ll need a solid amount of documented boating experience and to pass a thorough USCG exam.

Trust me, it’s worth it if you want to run a legit, profitable guiding business.

Do I need insurance to teach or guide?

Yep, you do.

Anytime you’re accepting money to guide, teach, or run a fishing experience, business liability insurance is a must.

Your personal insurance won’t cover you if someone gets hurt on your boat or during a lesson, so don’t risk it.

This coverage protects your personal assets and is one of those things you really can’t skip if you want to run a professional, above-board operation.

How to Make Money Fishing as a Beginner (Without a Boat)

Think you need a boat to start making money fishing?

Think again!

You can actually get started right from the shore, or even from your home.

Some of the easiest, low-cost ways for beginners to earn include:

• Content Creation: Starting a fishing blog or a “bank fishing” YouTube channel costs very little and has a huge audience.
• Make and Sell Custom Tackle: You can start a business tying flies or making custom lures right from your kitchen table and sell them on Etsy.
• Start a Live Bait Business: Selling nightcrawlers or trapping local minnows is a classic, low-cost side hustle with consistent demand.

Which Fishing Hustle is Right for You? A Quick Comparison

Method	Skill Level	Startup Cost	Income Potential	Time Commitment
1. Guide / Charter Captain	Advanced	Very High ($5k-$50k)	Very High	Full-Time
2. Content Creation (YouTube)	Any	Low ($500-$3k)	High (long-term)	Flexible / Part-Time
3. Tournament Fishing	Advanced	High ($10k-$50k/yr)	High (but high-risk)	Full-Time
4. Start a Fishing Blog	Intermediate	Very Low ($100-$500)	High (long-term)	Flexible / Part-Time
5. Make Custom Lures	Intermediate	Low ($200-$2k)	Medium	Flexible / Part-Time
6. Teach Fishing Lessons	Intermediate	Low ($200-$1k)	Medium	Part-Time
7. Sell Your Catch Legally	Intermediate	High (license/gear)	Medium-High	Flexible / Part-Time
8. Sell Fishing Photos	Intermediate	Medium ($1k-$5k)	Low-Medium	Flexible / Part-Time
9. Sell Live Bait	Beginner	Low ($200-$1k)	Medium	Part-Time
10. Run a Kids’ Fishing Camp	Beginner	Low ($500-$2k)	Medium	Seasonal / Part-Time

Frequently Asked Questions About Making Money Fishing

Final Thoughts on Fishing for Money

As you can see, there are plenty of real ways to make money fishing, whether you’re a total beginner or a seasoned angler who’s already at the lake before sunrise.

You just have to be realistic and pick the method that fits your skills, your time, and your budget.

If you’re a beginner, start small with low-cost options like selling live bait from home or making custom lures to sell on Etsy.

If you’re a more serious angler, your best long-term move is to start the process of getting your guide’s license.

No matter which path you take, there’s a real chance to turn a hobby you love into a side hustle, or even a full-time gig.

What’s your favorite fishing side hustle? Share your own tips or questions about how to make money fishing in the comments below!