ND fishing lodge. Profit or bust?

[Captain Ahab]

You better start young and work hard, because Rome wasn't built in a day. Unless you have large amounts of startup capital, it will probably take 20+ years of sweat to build something reasonably large scale.

 

[svnmag]

...And NO frontal nudity in the vehicle.

 

[Obi-Wan]

do you know how to make a small fortune in the fishing lodge business?



Start with a large one.

 

[eyexer]

I guess a guy has to do the math. If it was possible to find land close to sak., which it probably isn't even a possibility, you would have at a minimum of a million bucks put into something that would even attract anybody. That facility would only function about six months of the year. You would have to clear in excess of 100K per year on a 20 year mortgage just to keep the doors open. That doesn't include any wages, monthly costs associated with the facility being open, property taxes (which would choke a horse), etc. So it's highly unlikely this would be a profitable venture. And that's the very reason you don't many.

 

[shadow]

Lots of thoughts that are always thrown around and most won't take the plunge. I did and am on year 5, I now limit who I allow to come to our camp because I was taught to respect the resource and leave it better than I was given it.
Honestly, never in a million years would I look in the Devils Lake Basin, go north for many reasons.
So if you are serious about it and want to chat about it, feel free to PM me. Take care

 

[wby257]

I think if a guy was a good fisherman and just puts some ads out there. People will come and its easy to get a fishing guide lic. You have a better chance at making it fishing than hunting. I have never seen a posted lake. Pictures will get people to come to you. I see some hunting guides using the same pictures for the last 20 yrs.

I guided for many years and did some hunting shows on the outdoor channel. We did a Goose and Duck hunt up in Canada. WE did really well and when the show aired my phone never stopped ringing for 2 days. I also did a spring goose hunting and there wasn't enough days in the spring after the show aired.

Now days with the internet and websites a person with a nice boats and good equipment would make good money. When you start sinking lots of cash in to building a lodge and cabins its a easy way to go broke. Just meet the clients at the landing or motel and go from there.

 

[Account Deleted]

Lots of thoughts that are always thrown around and most won't take the plunge. I did and am on year 5, I now limit who I allow to come to our camp because I was taught to respect the resource and leave it better than I was given it.
Honestly, never in a million years would I look in the Devils Lake Basin, go north for many reasons.
So if you are serious about it and want to chat about it, feel free to PM me. Take care

Just a question: were you already from Ontario or did you move there? Seems there would be significant legal/immigration hurdles.

 

[Captainbrad]

Some interesting insights. I think about it often because I get asked the question so much. In my case land and access is the issue. I am always looking for that perfect spot at the perfect price just in case I could fall into it. I have the clientele now just need the facility.

 

[svnmag]

You'll get it. I wish I had your vision.

 

[Sum1]

I wouldn't even consider Sak for this. Way to unpredictable as far as the fishing goes. Too boom and bust. You get a five year period with 12" fish cause the baitfish population crashed your screwed. Happened before and will happen again. Same with the Missouri and Oahe. Devils Lake is the only lake in the state where I would consider an endevor such as this. Just my two cents.

 

[shadow]

There are few hurdles to jump through to be in Ontario, but need a work permit and some other issues, but nothing major.

 

[NDwalleyes]

V, short term this could be profitable. The thing with ND is always WATER, when we have it the fishing is good, but hit another stretch like we had in the 80's and it's over.

- - - Updated - - -

Oh...and we are due for another run like we had in the 80s

 

[KDM]

Overhead will be the difference between profit and poorhouse.

 

[tman]

If you do it don't just market it towards fishing lots of hunters looking for places to stay in the fall something else to look into would be building/buying some permanent fish house to rent out during the winter months with the option to spend the night in the fish house or come back and stay in some luxury in one of your cabins

 

[shorthairsrus]

That's why u do it close to 83. Whynots and Bismarkian s. Market to the fish ice fish hunt rootys and geese and deer

 

[johnr]

I think strippers on a Saturday night would help

 

[Norske]

Keep the overhead low as possible. Indian Hills is one of a very few resorts that have lasted on Sakakawea. As for DL, you'd be competing with the one on Creel Bay and even Graham's Island State Park. Remember you'll have to give up fishing to staff and maintain the place. Resort owners have to prefer carpentry to fishing.

 

[zoops]

Definitely would be tough to make a go of it on Sak with the boom/bust nature as has been mentioned. Would have to absolutely love it because work would pretty much be your life about no matter where you do it.

 

[Zogman]

Keep the overhead low as possible. Indian Hills is one of a very few resorts that have lasted on Sakakawea. As for DL, you'd be competing with the one on Creel Bay and even Graham's Island State Park. Remember you'll have to give up fishing to staff and maintain the place. Resort owners have to prefer carpentry to fishing.

Exactly. My neighbor at LOW owned and run a Resort for close to 30 years. Sold out 6 years ago. Started fishing again. Great neighbor as he is an excellent carpenter, plumber, electrician, great woodworking shop and all the tools. During the fishing season worked 14 plus hours a day 7 days a week. The rest of the year repairs and maintenance.

 

[SDMF]

carpenter, plumber, electrician,

Game warden, dispute mediator, septic system pumper outer, dock/boat lift installer/remover/repairer, cook, chef, bartender, accountant, bait shop owner/sales/stocker, boat rigger/mechanic, proficient in trailer hub/tire and trailer-light trouble-shooting and repair, fish gut grinding station de-cloggifier, maid, all while being upbeat, polite, and giving free advice to people going out to fish a lake you haven't been on in 6Mo.