A plastic box of various colourful fishing lures.

Algoma Country | New Fly Fisher

Where to get fishing bait and tackle in Ontario

A plastic box of various colourful fishing lures.

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.

Location: 501216 Grey Road #1 Georgian Bluffs, Wiarton

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.

Location: 624 Charlotteville Road # 2, St. Williams

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

Pro Tackle

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: August 16, 2024

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