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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 | 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 | |||
| Tideway Market | Hancock | (207) 422-3517 | 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.