Help with School Fishing Project

For a school project I have to create a business, so I decided to do something I was passionate about and create a business related to fishing, and if you could help me out and answer these four questions for an assignment I would extremely appreciate it. My business is kind of an Airbnb for fishing. Farmers or other pond owners would list their water available to fish on the website, and then fishermen could look at the properties and pay the landowner a certain amount to fish their ponds.

Here are the questions I need answered for the assignment:

1. Do you find value in being able to fish a variety of water?

2. Would you pay money to fish private ponds that are more convenient and/or offer better fishing than what you currently fish?

3. If so, how much would you be willing to pay per day, week, or season to fish this water?

4. Would you use this website/app? Why or why not?

Thank you for all your help, you have no idea how much I appreciate it!

First of all, never disclose an idea on the internet. You’ll kick yourself when you see I started fishbnb.com

1.) Yes, variety is the spice of life

2.) Yes if I saw a place that piqued my interest

3.) $10/day $25/week $50/season

4.) Yes, satisfy my curiosity

Bob clowncolor,

I’m currently a college student at Iowa State University doing a business project for a class. What questions do you have? I would be more than happy to answer them.

ClownColor wrote:

There always seem to be a new member with a “school project.” But then disappear when questions are asked.

Bob clowncolor,

I’m currently a college student at Iowa State University doing a business project for a class. What questions do you have? I would be more than happy to answer them.

mplspug wrote:

First of all, never disclose an idea on the internet. You’ll kick yourself when you see I started fishbnb.com

1.) Yes, variety is the spice of life

2.) Yes if I saw a place that piqued my interest

3.) $10/day $25/week $50/season

4.) Yes, satisfy my curiosity

Thanks for the response! Every one gets me closer to an A on my project!

I’m going on a limb and say most us here are from the Midwest where the lakes and rivers a plenty.

Would be pretty hard pressed to have guys with lots of free access water to pay for any other water access. At least I wouldn’t.

Maybe some forums in the southern states would yield better results?

JKOF –
Don’t listen to Nhamm, he’s just a hand model.

Eelpoutguy wrote:

JKOF –
Don’t listen to Nhamm, he’s just a hand model.

I hear he also wears tight pants and has a man bun…..but hey, to each their own.

I actually agree with nhamm that this might not work in Minnesota. However, there are a lot of private ponds and lakes in Iowa and Nebraska where this could work.

You should try and understand the total market….how many of these are in the market….how many people would be willing to rent time…. what is your financial model? My guess is you would try to take a small % and then maybe get some advertising. If you do an analysis, you need volume to make any money. Also, how do you handle liability? What happens if someone damages property or gets injured?

Maybe you have thought of these things but let me know if you want to chat. I have some experience in building business plans and startups. PM if you want to chat.

Eelpoutguy wrote:

JKOF –
Don’t listen to Nhamm, he’s just a hand model.

Some have mentioned mine come close to the great one….

I think people under-estimate the allure of good fishing on a private lake. Anyone remember Sunrise Lake near Chisago City Mn a few years ago? Thousands of people paid a daily access fee! I think your idea is a good one.

Smoker wrote:

I think people under-estimate the allure of good fishing on a private lake. Anyone remember Sunrise Lake near Chisago City Mn a few years ago? Thousands of people paid a daily access fee! I think your idea is a good one.

Funny you should mention this. I was going to say no to the questions, but then I remembered are family paid for access to this lake.

I don’t think I’d pay for a man-made structure, but I would for a natural lake or pond.

Part of the allure of sunrise though, was that it was virgin waters. Would anyone pay for access now?

I’m not sure why people are skeptical of the OP? Even if he is an app developer under the guise of a student, what’s the harm of a free focus group?

For both fishing and hunting, there is one major cost you need to apply in your business model – ADVERTISING.

No doubt there would be value in access for house/cabin rentals on private water or hunting land; even camping opportunities. However, you would need to develop a heck of a listing and come out firing against the established sites.

Airbnb and VRBO would only need to add a couple filters to their existing sites. I manage a commercial (prior residential home) that is rented out every week. 8 acre pond and about 60 acres of prime whitetail/predator land. 3500ish sqft log home, Yurt, suna,… gated property, and lots of great amenities. Average cost is $750/night weekdays and $950/night weekends. Sounds crazy in cost, but it is reality. Located about 45 minutes out of Milwaukee, it attracts a lot of celebrities. Many comedians, singers, pro golfers, and others book it out for their family when in town for their shows. Many are excited to have a private bass pond to fish all day with their kids in complete privacy. So this just shows that there is a huge range of opportunities if it is marketed correctly.

With the two big rental sites already established, I’m sure they would/will go hard for this segment of business if there is an elevated demand

1. Do you find value in being able to fish a variety of water? Yes

2. Would you pay money to fish private ponds that are more convenient and/or offer better fishing than what you currently fish? Yes

3. If so, how much would you be willing to pay per day, week, or season to fish this water? Depends on the species and caliber of fish. If you have a private honey hole with trophy muskies, I would be willing to pay more than one with large pan fish.

4. Would you use this website/app? Why or why not? Possibly if it offers something not available else where.

nhamm wrote:

I’m going on a limb and say most us here are from the Midwest where the lakes and rivers a plenty.

Would be pretty hard pressed to have guys with lots of free access water to pay for any other water access. At least I wouldn’t.

Maybe some forums in the southern states would yield better results?

What about non-meandering waters in South Dakota? Pretty hot topic with possibility of pay to fish.

mplspug wrote:

$10/day $25/week $50/season

How cheap are you Pug?
$10 a day? $50 a season?
No offense buddy, but I wouldn’t let you fish out of my 5 gallon pail for $10 and you want a natural lake and not man made…?

FYI to the OP, guys like Pug will not be you clientele of choice.

I think $50-$100 even $200 a day is very possible for good fishing. If fishing was really good they would pay way more! The cost of producing the product will be the hard part. Making, leasing or buying a body of water to host these fish would be your first major financial issue. Your second financial issue would be getting quality fish. Quality fish take time to grow and time is money.

This business venture would be very expensive but the clients would be there. Heck I would be there. If I could go on vacation down south and catch giant redfish out of a private body of water for $200 a day count me in…

Now making this profitable would be very questionable. I think you’d need to charge me $1000 a day and then I’d no longer be interested. Intriguing idea and good luck with your project! You know where to find me if you ever get those giant red fish on private water for $200!

Joe Scegura wrote:

if you ever get those giant red fish

Joe – some of the biggest redfish ever caught is right here

This place sleeps 22, so at 810/night thats only 37/person
https://www.vrbo.com/861237

https://www.vrbo.com/4635546ha

https://www.vrbo.com/results?swLat=34.9397427996365&swLong=-75.84665400043946&neLat=35.62692301477328&neLong=-75.23691278950196&zoom=10&page=1&searchTermUuid=add5d9ad-d81a-47b5-912d-8a9481a1c052

Not the same as what you are asking about. But running aces had a trout pond this year where you would pay to fish it, and they would clean your fish and cook it for you. I hope they are going to do this again this year since I would like to go and try it.

Randy Wieland wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Joe Scegura wrote:</div>
if you ever get those giant red fish

Joe – some of the biggest redfish ever caught is right here

This place sleeps 22, so at 810/night thats only 37/person
https://www.vrbo.com/861237

https://www.vrbo.com/4635546ha

https://www.vrbo.com/results?swLat=34.9397427996365&swLong=-75.84665400043946&neLat=35.62692301477328&neLong=-75.23691278950196&zoom=10&page=1&searchTermUuid=add5d9ad-d81a-47b5-912d-8a9481a1c052

They have giant red fish I can catch from shore with nothing needed but a rod? I can walk down to the water and catch em? I’m in.

Randy, a place to sleep isn’t going to produce me red fish. I’m paying for red fish. The OP was asking about giving someone the experience of catching bigger and better fish than you normally could and how much you would pay. I don’t think it had anything to do with a place to sleep near water.

I can sleep in a tent and have the same opportunity of catching red fish that your links gave me.

That said I’d be open to getting 22 IDO members together at $37 a night and chasing Red Fish on our own… we bringing your boat?

Joe Scegura wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Randy Wieland wrote:</div>

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Joe Scegura wrote:</div>
if you ever get those giant red fish

Joe – some of the biggest redfish ever caught is right here

This place sleeps 22, so at 810/night thats only 37/person
https://www.vrbo.com/861237

https://www.vrbo.com/4635546ha

https://www.vrbo.com/results?swLat=34.9397427996365&swLong=-75.84665400043946&neLat=35.62692301477328&neLong=-75.23691278950196&zoom=10&page=1&searchTermUuid=add5d9ad-d81a-47b5-912d-8a9481a1c052

They have giant red fish I can catch from shore with nothing needed but a rod? I can walk down to the water and catch em? I’m in.

Randy, a place to sleep isn’t going to produce me red fish. IT SURE WILL IF THAT RENTAL GAINS YOU ACCESS TO PRIME WATER I’m paying for red fish. The OP was asking about giving someone the experience of catching bigger and better fish than you normally could and how much you would pay. I don’t think it had anything to do with a place to sleep near water. Look at the big picture of what is already out there. If you can rent a property, house, camping area….and have a place to hunt or fish, isn’t a package deal the way to go?

I can sleep in a tent and have the same opportunity of catching red fish that your links gave me.

No, you CAN NOT just pitch a tent. We are talking access. By doing a little homework, you can get shore fishing on private docks, private sections of beach, or access to water that would otherwise be a pain to get to. My point is look at what you can get for say $150.00 per day and then split it amongst 2 or 3 people. Years back, we did a trip to Florida. Rented a house with access to canals, private boat launch, and flyfishing areas that were difficult to access. We had it all less than 100′ out the door. Not only access to the water, but a house to stay in, place to dock the boat, electricity, running water…. everything but a guide.

Another example is a farmer’s pasture we paid to camp in along the fox river. Very difficult section to navigate to by boat. I was just a little kid then, but still remember my dad stopping and asking him about access. They struck a deal for camping/access. Ended up being a place we went to for years. BUT, the farmer got smart. Once he realized my dad was willing to pay, he posted a few notes at some bait shops and got a following of people that stayed there also.

What the OP is asking about can easily be expanded to as complex or as simple as the landowner wants it to be. Can be access for small game only on 20 acres, could be weekend only deer hunting on 900 acres, could be renting a house and 1000 acres, just the ability to launch your boat on their property, or to fish a privately stocked/maintained pond.

Here is another example of this already in progress. Hope Lake here in WI. 108 acre lake is completely locked in by private property. Farmer has a gated access lane. Collects $4.00/person for ice fishing and $XX amount for boat access in the summer. No camping, no over-night parking, no other provisions.

Another thought. Aren’t we already paying for access when we pay a boat launch fee to a private party or municipality??? I pay for access on a lot of bodies of water

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Double post

jkof wrote:

Here are the questions I need answered for the assignment:

1. Do you find value in being able to fish a variety of water? Yes

2. Would you pay money to fish private ponds that are more convenient and/or offer better fishing than what you currently fish? Since I’m already paying for access via private boat launch or plowed ice roads, Yes.

3. If so, how much would you be willing to pay per day, week, or season to fish this water? Really depends on species, quality(size) and quantity. Could be as high as $200/day.

4. Would you use this website/app? Why or why not? Yes, Convenience.

Thank you for all your help, you have no idea how much I appreciate it!

Joe Scegura wrote:

How cheap are you Pug?
$10 a day? $50 a season?
No offense buddy, but I wouldn’t let you fish out of my 5 gallon pail for $10 and you want a natural lake and not man made…?

Joe Scegura wrote:

I’m paying for red fish. The OP was asking about giving someone the experience of catching bigger and better fish than you normally could and how much you would pay.

jkof wrote:

Farmers or other pond owners would list their water available to fish on the website, and then fishermen could look at the properties and pay the landowner a certain amount to fish their ponds.

I think you read too much into it. He said nothing about the quality of fishing beit size or numbers. Why am I going to spend more than that to go fish a farmers pond? Also, he didn’t say anything about boarding or exclusivity. You could be sharing a 2 acre pond with 50 people.

Now if we are talking a completely private larger natural lake with a limit to the number of people fishing it daily, yeah I’d pay more depending on the circumstances.

Not to mention this is a survey. There are no right or wrong answers, as long as they are answered honestly. This is how he can gauge the viability of his business.

You are right, I am cheap and I am offended.

mplspug wrote:

I think you read too much into it.

Nope I was just reading… he asked, quote

jkof wrote:

Would you pay money to fish private ponds that are more convenient and/or offer better fishing than what you currently fish?

I guess I simply thought “better than you currently catch” under any circumstances would be worth more than $10. I guess I don’t know what you normally catch though.

I will somewhat bite for the market research: #1 what is the fish size/abundance? #2 Do I get to keep them?

Joe Scegura wrote:

I guess I simply thought “better than you currently catch” under any circumstances would be worth more than $10. I guess I don’t know what you normally catch though.

I missed that. Ok, $20.

tindall wrote:

I will somewhat bite for the market research: #1 what is the fish size/abundance? #2 Do I get to keep them?

I mean it’s not really market research since it’s just for a class, but I guess it kind of is. I understand you guys might be skeptical but I am literally a 21 year old college student sitting in my undersized apartment in Ames Iowa surrounded by 20 inches of snow right now and all your answers help me out an incredible amount with my project! Thanks!

The idea originally came to me because I come from rural Iowa and most convenient ponds are privately owned so I thought it would be a great idea to set up a website where someone who had fishable water and wasn’t using could make some extra cash and people who wanted to fish it would be able to fish it. I realize there are many large flaws in this system (personally I wouldn’t let anyone I didn’t know extremely well fish my pond), but the teacher loved my idea and it’s just a project so I ran with it hoping to do something I was passionate about, please the professor, and receive a good grade.

As for the size of the fish and keeping of the fish, I was going to put that all in control of the person who posts their property. They’d be responsible to inform the people of the variety/size of fish in their ponds and the rules on what you could keep.

I hope that clears up most of your questions, if not let me know, again thank you all for all your help, you have no idea how much all this feedback will help my project!

Last few years I have fished a 300 acre lake with plenty of 21-29 inch walleyes. The owner has all the land surrounding the lake. So in effect is a private waterway. Costs $100/day. Would I do this every day? No, but 1-2 times per year – heck yes!!

1. Do you find value in being able to fish a variety of water? Yes but I get all the variety I need right out in the Mississippi River.

2. Would you pay money to fish private ponds that are more convenient and/or offer better fishing than what you currently fish? No. Refuse to pay for access, other than my annual launch sticker at Bass Camp

3. If so, how much would you be willing to pay per day, week, or season to fish this water? N/A

4. Would you use this website/app? Why or why not? No….smart phones make people stupid. I dropped my iPhone into the depths of the Mississippi river while fishing last summer, best thing that ever happened.