The short answer
- 15 to 20 percent of the trip price is the usual range in the U.S. for a good day.
- It's one tip for the group, based on the trip price, not a tip from every person.
- Cash is easiest, handed over at the dock when you say goodbye.
- A slow fishing day still counts. You're tipping for the guide's work, not the fish.
- It's always optional. No one should feel pressured to tip.
What 15 to 20 percent looks like
Here's the math for a few Laurentian Tours trips at their starting prices. Rates are per boat for up to 6 people. See all rates for every party size.
| Trip | Price from | 15% | 20% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Half-day fishing charter | $475 | about $70 | $95 |
| Full-day fishing charter | $650 | about $100 | $130 |
| Half day + shore dinner | $630 | about $95 | $126 |
| Private river cruise (1–2 people) | $450 | about $70 | $90 |
Split among a group of four, a 20 percent tip on a half day works out to about $24 each.
Per guide or per person?
Tip per trip, not per person. Add up the tip for the group based on what the trip cost, then have one person hand it over. Splitting the cost among friends is common. If the group can't agree, 15 percent is a safe place to start.
Do you tip if the fish don't bite?
Most anglers still do. A guide's day starts long before you get to the dock: checking the water, rigging rods, buying bait, cleaning the boat, and putting you on the spots that should be producing. Some days the fish don't cooperate. If your guide worked hard, was patient, and you had a good time, a tip at the low end of the range is a fair thank-you. If the service itself was poor, it's fine to tip less, or nothing.
Do you tip a charter captain who owns the boat?
This comes up a lot. The old rule that you don't tip the owner of a business doesn't really apply to fishing guides. Most guides are owner-operators, and a tip is still the normal way anglers say thanks. Whether you tip, and how much, is always your call.
Is 20 percent too much?
No. 20 percent is common for a day you really enjoyed, like a personal-best fish, a great day with the kids, or a captain who went out of his way. Some anglers tip more for a trip they'll talk about for years. Others tip a flat amount instead, often $50 to $100 for a half or full day. Both are normal.
Tipping on a shore dinner or ice fishing trip
Use the same 15 to 20 percent on the whole trip price. On a shore dinner trip, the guide fishes with you all morning and then builds the fire, fillets the catch, and cooks the meal, so it's a long day of work. On an ice fishing trip, the guide sets up the shanty and heater, drills the holes, and cooks a meal on the ice.
Tipping when a second boat joins your group
For groups of more than 6, Richard brings in another licensed guide from the Alexandria Bay Fishing Guides Association with a second boat. Each guide runs their own boat, so tip each one on their own, based on the cost of that boat's trip. The easiest way is for the people on each boat to tip their own captain.
Is the tip included in the price?
No. Laurentian Tours' prices follow the Alexandria Bay Fishing Guides Association rates and don't include a tip or a service charge. There's no deposit, either. You pay the trip price, and any tip is up to you.
Cash or card?
Cash is still the norm for guide tips, and the guide gets all of it. Bring it in an envelope, or just hand it over with a handshake at the dock.
Other ways to thank your guide
For a small business like Laurentian Tours, these mean as much as a tip, and they're free:
- Write a review. A few honest sentences online help the next family find a good guide.
- Send your photos. Guides love seeing the fish and the smiles.
- Tell your friends, and book again next season.
Ready to plan a trip? See fishing charters or request a date. Questions about anything, including tipping, are welcome by call or text at 315-836-5798.