Where to get fishing bait and tackle in Ontario
Algoma Country | New Fly Fisher
If you are heading out for a fishing trip in Ontario, you’ll want to know where the closest bait and tackle shops are.
It is also important to know about Bait Management Zones (BMZ). Ontario is divided into four Bait Management Zones (BMZ) for the use of baitfish and leeches. The Great Lakes and the Ottawa River as well as portions of the far North are not considered Bait Management Zones.
Always check the rules for waterbodies you intend to fish on. It is illegal to bring baitfish or leeches, alive or dead, into or out of a BMZ. And non-residents cannot bring baitfish or leeches, alive or dead, into Ontario.
After reviewing the BMZ rules and regulations, find a bait and tackle shop within the Bait Management Zone, the Great Lakes, the Ottawa River, or parts of the far north, that you are fishing in. It may sound complicated, but it’s not.
Below are some of the best bait, tackle and equipment shops you will find across Ontario.
Greater Toronto Area
Al Flahertys Outdoor Store
Located in Canada’s largest city, Al’s opened in the 1940s in its current location during WW2 as an army surplus store. Between 1960 and 1970 the store began selling fishing tackle, gear for camping and hunting equipment. This family-owned store has served many generations.
Location: 2066 Dufferin Street, York
ProJ Fishing Tackle
ProJ has been in business since 2008 providing their customers with great product selection and customer service. They have a great selection of gear from numerous manufacturers.
Location: 3467 Sheppard Avenue East, Toronto
York, Durham and Headwaters
Bass Pro
You could easily spend a full day in this massive store that carries just about everything on an outdoor person’s wish list, including bait, tackle, rod, reels, boat, motors, fly fishing and the list goes on.
Location: 1 Bass Pro Mills Drive, Vaughan
Port Perry Marina
This full-service marina is located on the beautiful downtown waterfront in Port Perry on Lake Scugog. Not only can you rent a boat, you can also buy all the bait and tackle you will need.
Location: 215 Water Street, Port Perry
Grey, Bruce and Simcoe
Outback Sports
Outback carries fishing and hunting supplies and is also home to a Hunter’s Education Course. There’s also and run a Big Buck contest in the fall.
Location: RR#1 281295 Normanby/Bentinck Townline, Hanover
Lures and Lines
Newly renovated in the fall 2022, Lures and Lines sell tackle and custom rods and they service and work on all fishing equipment.
Kawarthas Northumberland
Peterborough Pro Tackle
Whether you’re looking for bait, rods and reels, boating accessories or apparel, ProTackle has everything. They also ship orders.
Location: 1755 Lansdowne St. West, Peterborough
Smith & Son’s Bait & Tackle
Well known for its customer service, the owner is known to take the time to teach customers about the gear and tools for fishing.
Location: 3211 Highway 36 South, Bobcaygeon
Southeastern Ontario
Bronson and Bronson
From fishing to hunting to paintball and Yeti, you’ll find just about everything you possibly need at this family business that has been operated since 1997.
Location: 2511 Princess Street, Kingston
Bay of Quinte Bait & Tackle
Servicing the Quinte area, the owner is an avid angler and is always willing to share information about fishing in the area.
Location: 104 Herchimer Avenue, Bellville
Ottawa and Countryside
Manotick Bait and Sport
Listed as Ottawa’s best live bait with worms and minnows year-round, this shop will help you with everything you need for the best fishing trip.
Location: 1019 River Road, Manotick
Cabela’s
Spend a day in your (second) happy place where you will discover fishing items you didn’t know existed, from bait and tackle, rods and reels to boats, footwear and clothing.
Location: 3065 Palladium Drive, Ottawa
Charly’s Bait and Tackle
Known for fair prices and wonderful service, customers brag that Charly’s Bait and Tackle has the best bait. They even share photos of customers’ catch on their website.
Location: 255 Edward Street, Rockland
Haliburton Highlands to the Ottawa Valley
Outdoor Plus
Known for great customer service, prices and products, Outdoor Plus has been operating since 1997.
Location: 54 York Street, Haliburton
Northern Rock Bait and Tackle
Owners of Northern Rock Bait and Tackle are avid anglers. They can answer any questions you may have. They sell bait, tackle and sporting goods and operate year-round.
Location: 12818 Highway 35, Minden
Huron, Perth, Waterloo and Wellington
Natural Sports
In business for 40 years, Natural Sports has been providing anglers one of the largest selections of tackle in Canada.
Location: 1572 Victoria Street North, Kitchener
Sail
From rods and reels to fishing gear for fly fishing and ice fishing, as well as boats, lures, clothing and motors, Sail has it all.
Location: 150 Holiday Inn Drive, Cambridge
Hamilton, Halton and Brant
Bills Bait and Tackle
Not only does Bills offer sales of everything fishing, they also service and repair rods, reels and provide maintenance for bows. Check out their website for useful bait blogs and a list of charters and guides for the area.
Location: 858 Upper James Street, Hamilton
Riverside Bait N Tackle
Riverside carries tackle for even the youngest anglers in the family. Whether you are a pro or a family looking to enjoy this awesome sport, get everything you need here.
Location: 1787 Sixth Line, Brantford
Niagara Region
Bass Pro Niagara on the Lake
No matter what you are looking for, you can certainly find it at a Bass Pro Shop, including rods and reels, fly fishing equipment, ice fishing, jigs and rigs, bait and even boats, canoes, kayaks and so much more.
Location: 300 Taylor Road Ste A1, Niagara on the Lake
Peters Tackle
What started out as a local gas station with a tiny store has expanded twice over the past few decades and is still going strong. Customers that visited when they were young are now coming back with their own kids.
Location: 22 Secord Drive, St. Catharine
Southwestern Ontario
Strictly Fishing
Open year-round and known for a great selection and super helpful staff, Strictly Fishing is just that.
Location: 3402 Sandwich Street, Windsor
Erie Bait and Tackle
Find a great selection of fishing supplies from the top brands. So, if you are looking for live bait, rods and reels, lures and trolling accessories that specialize in fishing in Lake Erie, you’re in the right place.
Muskoka, Parry Sound and Algonquin Park
OutCast Fishing and Convenience Store
OutCast Fishing is known for having one of the largest live bait selections year-round in Muskoka.
Location: 18 John Street, Huntsville
Gravenhurst Bait and Tackle
Gravenhurst Bait and Tackle is a great tackle shop that also services hunters.
Location: 141 Phillip Street East, Gravenhurst
Northeastern Ontario
North Bay Outfitters
From lures, rod and reels, terminal tackle, outerwear, boots and more, North Bay’s largest and newest independently owned fishing store is run by a group of anglers that can certainly help you with all your needs.
Location: 130 Lakeshore Drive, North Bay
No matter your sport from fishing and hunting to camping and outdoor sports, this is your stop for gear, apparel, bait, survival safety and non-motorized watersports.
Location: 19 Father Costello Drive, Schumacher
Algoma Region
The Trading Post
Find fishing gear, tackle, bait, a full general store and more including canoes, paddle boards and kayaks. Don’t forget to take a photo of their wood carvings.
Location: 1332 Great Northern Road, Sault Ste. Marie
Young’s General Store
Opened for over 50 years this store has bait and tackle and everything else you need from quirky to comfortable.
Location: 105 Mission Road, Wawa
Superior Country
D and R Sports
D and R has been around since 1974 supplying what you need for fishing, hunting, camping and camping.
Location: 485 Memorial Avenue, Thunder Bay
Larry’s Baits
Larry’s Baits is located close to Kakabeka Falls, Northern Ontario’s Niagara Falls.
Location: 4791 Hwy 11-17, Kakabeka Falls
Mighty Mitch Jungle Joe Jig Flies
Fun fact: this is not a bait store but rather the maker of some really cool jigs that you can purchase at many local shops and they located in Terrace Bay, Ontario.
Sunset Country
Bite Me Bait and Tackle
The owner, Trevor, visited Ontario from England on a backpacking trip and never left. This year-round store sells various kinds of bait, tackle, pans, clothing, maps and more, and with a name like Bite Me, their bait and tackle must work!
Location: 1620 Highway 71, Nestor Falls
Clarks Bait and Tackle
Besides offering groceries, camping and outdoor gear, ATV trailers, snowmobile sleighs and more, they also brag about having the best bait in Northwestern Ontario.
Location: 66 Keith Avenue, Dryden
Gills Trading Post
This family-owned business in Sioux Narrows features groceries, a butcher counter, bakery, fresh produce, live bait and the largest tackle shop in town. They also carry locally made tackle and Lake of the Woods clothing and souvenirs.
Location: 5701C Highway 71, Sioux Narrows
Find a list of great fishing guides across Ontario.
Last updated: October 3, 2023