Bait Fish & Smelt Retailers

Using live fish as bait is one of the most popular methods of fishing in Maine, especially during ice fishing season. The table below lists several bait retailers in Maine that have allowed us to share their contact information with the general public. Their hours and inventory will vary, please contact them for availability and pricing. Also remember to bring a covered bucket to put your baitfish or smelts in.

Always check Maine’s Inland Fishing Laws to ensure live baitfish/live smelts are allowed to be use in the water you are fishing. Remember, live baitfish laws are different in the North and South Zones.

Live Bait Retailer’s License: Individuals licensed to sell live baitfish and live smelts to the public.

Baitfish Wholesaler’s License: Individuals licensed to harvest live baitfish and sell them to the public, or other retailers.

Smelt Wholesaler’s License: Individuals licensed to harvest live smelts and sell them to the public, or other retailers.

Business Name Town Phone Email Live Bait Retailer's License Baitfish Wholesaler's License Smelt Wholesaler's License
James Fahey BANGOR 2076317227 guidemaine@yahoo.com No Yes No
Belfast Variety Rt52 BELFAST 2073385119 bv52@roadrunner.com Yes No No
Larry's Live Bait BERWICK 2072511685 lerendell11@gmail.com No Yes No
Donald Walker BETHEL 2078904368 donwalkertents@icloud.com No Yes No
Willy C's Bait and Tackle BROWNFIELD 2079351197 willycbaitandtackle@yahoo.com Yes No No
Harmon Brook Farm CANAAN 2074741215 john@harmonbrookfarm.com No Yes No
Meadowbrook Bait CHINA 2074412362 meadowbrkguide@fairpoint.net No Yes No
St. Peter's Country Store CROSS LAKE TWP 2078345625 Yes No No
Scott Ackley EAST MACHIAS 2072635880 scottackleyservices@live.com No Yes No
Golden Fresh Bait FRANKLIN 2076690465 goldenfreshbait097@yahoo.com Yes Yes No
Sillanpaa's Trading Post and outfitters FREEMAN TWP 2076705500 Sillanpaastradingpost@gmail.com Yes No No
Paul Laney GRAND LAKE STREAM 2072155065 laneyplott@aol.com No No Yes
Fenton's Bait GRAY 2078074482 Mfenton05@alumni.unity.edu Yes Yes No
Seiders Variety HODGDON 2075323301 Seiderssportinggoods@gmail.com Yes No No
O'Neill's Power Equipment HOLDEN 2079895300 oneillspowerequipment@gmail.com Yes No No
Darrell Townsend HUDSON 2076593010 iiigencarp@gmail.com No Yes Yes
Sam's Qwik Stop KENDUSKEAG 2078844257 sab5757@aol.com Yes No No
Hookers Bait Shop KNOX 2075055544 karenscott04986@gmail.com Yes No No
William Fennelly LAMOINE 2076644587 fennelly59@gmail.com No Yes No
Big Brook Bait LITTLETON 2073579781 Greenlvnanna@gmail.com No Yes No
Michelle Atherton MILFORD 2078272120 michelle21871@yahoo.com Yes No No
Jack Traps, INC. MONMOUTH 2079339499 info@jacktraps.com No Yes Yes
Naples Bait + Tackle NAPLES 2076933638 NaplesBait@yahoo.com Yes No No
Jeffrey Hilton NOBLEBORO 2073802562 hilton1067@roadrunner.com Yes No No
Outdoor Sportsman NORTHPORT 2073384141 Sports@maineoutdoorsportsman.com Yes No No
Beckett's Bait and Fish Report ORLAND 2072997658 Mikebeckett4@icloud.com No Yes Yes
Smedbergs Farm OXFORD 2077436723 smedbergsfarm@gmail.com Yes No No
Craig Tardiff OXFORD 2075138393 Yes No No
Moosehead Trail Trading Post PALMYRA 2073685313 tradingpst@gmail.com Yes No No
Village Variety LLC PARSONSFIELD 2076258417 villagevariety@roadrunner.com Yes No No
Leroys Live Bait ROCHESTER 6039233009 No Yes No
Eggemoggin Country Store SARGENTVILLE 2073592125 eggemogginstore@yahoo.com Yes No No
Lakeside Sport and Marine SHAPLEIGH 2076361325 lakesidesport@yahoo.com No Yes No
Smith's General Store SPRINGFIELD 2077382171 atsmitty@fairpoint.net No Yes Yes
Phillips Frontier STEUBEN 2074312168 dannyrocket83@gmail.com No Yes Yes
Bryant Astbury TROY 2076797139 bryslures@gmail.com Yes No No
Northland True Value TURNER 2072256000 bradley.pratt@yahoo.com Yes No No
Lake Road Grocery WALLAGRASS 2078346377 loziers93@yahoo.com Yes No No
Floyd Hafford WASHBURN 2077620410 No Yes No
DJ's Bait Shop WASHINGTON 2076911376 daniel.jones1376@gmail.com No Yes No
Cobbossee Bait WINTHROP 2074858574 cobbosseebait@gmail.com No No Yes
Water's Best Bait WISCASSET 2076878362 dchurchill20111@hotmail.com No Yes No
Kirby Johnson EAST WATERBORO 2075020638 livebaiteastwaterboro@gmail.com Yes No No
Charlie Beckett STOCKTON SPRINGS 207-416-7775 Yes Yes
Wayne Dubay Mercer 207-799-6758 Yes

Commercial Bait Dealers

In order to harvest live baitfish and smelts for sale, or to buy and resell them, you must possess a valid bait dealer’s license (Bait Retail License, Bait Wholesale License, or Smelt Wholesale License). For more information on license requirements or how to obtain a license, contact MDIFW at (207) 287-8000 or visit the Bait Dealer's License page.

*If you are a licensed retailer or wholesaler and would like your information shared on this page, please contact our information center at (207)287-8000.