Does Walmart Sell Live Bait in 2026? (Worms, Crickets + More)

The short answer is yes, Walmart does sell live fishing bait including worms, crickets, grubs, and more at many of its stores nationwide. While selection and availability varies by location, you can generally find popular live bait options at affordable prices if you know where to look.

As an avid angler myself, I‘ve had mixed results purchasing live bait from Walmart over the years. The convenience of picking up worms or crickets along with other fishing items is nice, but quality and freshness can be hit or miss compared to the dedicated bait shops.

In this detailed guide, I‘ll share everything you need to know about buying live bait at Walmart, including:

• The types of live bait sold and key details

• Where to find it in-store and how to check availability

• Live bait selection and prices compared to alternatives

• Tips for getting the most out of Walmart live bait

• Mistakes to avoid when using big box live bait

• Recommended fishing gear to complement your bait

Let’s get started!

Live Fishing Bait Sold at Walmart

Here are the main types of live bait typically available at Walmart for in-store purchase:

Live Worms

Red Worms: Also called Euro or mini worms. Sold in 30-count boxes for around $2.74. Good for panfish and trout. No refrigeration required. About 1-2 inches long.

Nightcrawlers: Sold in 250 or 500 count cooler boxes from brands like DMF Bait. Ideal for bass, walleye, catfish, trout. Need refrigeration. Typically 4-8 inches long.

Green Worms: Sold in 12-count compostable boxes. Best for bass and walleye. Refrigerate between 38-50 ̊F. 2-3 inches long.

Live Dillies: Actually baby crawler worms. Sold in 24-count containers for under $3. For walleye, pike, panfish. Refrigerate for 24 hours before use. 1 inch worms.

Live Bait Critters

Crickets: Sold in 50-count containers for around $3. Excellent for trout and panfish. Do not refrigerate.

Minnows: Sometimes available seasonally. Check with your local store. Use for panfish, bass, trout.

Grubs: Occasionally in stock. Check availability. Use on trout, panfish, walleye, and bass.

Wax Worms: Shelf-stable. For trout, panfish, perch, crappie.

Mealworms: Often found with pet food. Good for trout and panfish. Refrigerate to keep live.

Here‘s a handy table comparing the popular live bait options at Walmart:

Live Bait	Price	Count	Usage Tips	Storage
Red Worms	$2-3	30 worms	Panfish, trout	No refrigeration
Nightcrawlers	$15-45	250-500 worms	Bass, walleye, catfish, trout	Refrigerate
Green Worms	$2-3	12 worms	Bass, walleye	Refrigerate 38-50 ̊F
Dillies	<$3	24 worms	Walleye, pike, panfish	Refrigerate 24 hrs before use
Crickets	$3	50 crickets	Trout, panfish	Do not refrigerate

Why Use Live Bait from Walmart?

Live bait has proven to dramatically increase catch rates compared to artificial lures alone. The movement and scent of live worms, crickets, grubs and the like makes them irresistible to all types of fish.

According to field studies by State agencies, live bait yielded 3 times as many trout per angler as artificial flies or lures. Live bait also leads to bigger fish on average.

The main advantages of buying live bait from Walmart include:

• Convenience: Pick up bait along with other fishing items fast.

• Cheap prices: Often cheaper than dedicated bait shops. Nightcrawlers under $50 for 500 worms.

• Decent availability: Worms and crickets usually in stock at most locations.

• Bulk options: Buy large quantities in reusable coolers or containers.

However, there are some downsides to purchasing live fishing bait at Walmart instead of bait specialty shops, which I‘ll explain shortly.

How to Buy Live Bait at Walmart

Unfortunately, Walmart does not offer live bait shipping currently. The only option is to visit a store location and purchase bait in person. Here are some tips:

• Call ahead to check availability of the live bait you need before visiting

• Use the Walmart Store Finder to find a store near you

• Ask an employee for help locating live bait when you arrive

• Look for keepers or coolers in the fishing aisle, or sometimes by the pet section

• Try to buy in larger quantities if possible, such as bulk nightcrawler containers

• Refrigerate bait as soon as possible after purchasing, if required

• Always check bait for liveliness and health before leaving the store

• Know the store return policy in case some bait doesn‘t make it

Following these steps will give you the best chance of walking out with high-quality live bait from Walmart. However, it does require some extra effort compared to bait specialty shops.

Mistakes to Avoid When Using Walmart Live Bait

While live bait from Walmart can certainly get the job done on the water, there are some rookie mistakes to avoid:

• Assuming all bait is lively and healthy: Always inspect bait closely, especially discounted leftovers.

• Letting bait get too hot or cold: Never leave bait in a hot or freezing car for extended periods.

• Not refrigerating bait that requires it: Nightcrawlers will quickly die without cool storage.

• Using dead or lethargic bait: Fish won‘t give dead/weak bait a second look.

• Overcrowding storage containers: Don‘t jam too many worms or crickets in together.

• Waiting too long to use refrigerated bait: Dillies and other refrigerated worms lose effectiveness after a few days.

Following proper storage procedures and inspecting bait carefully is crucial for success with big box live bait. Only healthy, lively bait will catch fish.

Ideal Storage for Walmart Live Bait

To get the most out of your Walmart live bait, you‘ll need to store it properly at home:

• Keep refrigerated bait like nightcrawlers between 35-45 ̊F. A clean mini fridge works great.

• Use the original containers or plastic tackle boxes. Overcrowding causes bait death.

• Add a damp paper towel to cricket containers to provide moisture.

• Don‘t freeze bait as extreme cold will kill worms and critters.

• Keep bait away from fruits, vegetables, or chemicals which can be harmful.

• Rinse out dead bait and change paper towels to avoid ammonia buildup.

Proper storage means your Walmart bait will stay lively for many fishing trips to come. Now let‘s look at how Walmart prices compare.

How Walmart Live Bait Prices Compare

Here‘s a look at typical Walmart live bait prices versus dedicated bait shops:

Live Bait	Walmart Price	Bait Shop Price
30 Redworms	$2-3	$3-5
50 Crickets	$3	$3-5
12 Green Worms	$2-3	$3-5
250 Nightcrawlers	$15-45	$30-60

In most cases, Walmart live bait prices are 25-50% cheaper than specialty bait stores for comparable products. However, some key differences include:

• Better selection at bait shops: More seasonal baits like minnows and crawfish.

• Fresher bait at bait shops: Specialize in frequent live bait shipments.

• More size options: Bait shops have small, medium, large worm sizes.

The bottom line: If you want affordable worms and crickets in a pinch, Walmart gets the job done. For best selection and freshness, visit dedicated bait shops instead.

Complementary Fishing Gear

In addition to live bait, Walmart stores offer a huge selection of fishing gear to complement your bait:

Rods & Reels: All major brands like Ugly Stik, Abu Garcia, Berkley available. Spinning and baitcasting combos $50-$150.

Line, Leaders, Terminal Tackle: Mono, braid, fluorocarbon line from $3-20. Sinkers, hooks, swivels, bobbers, all under $5.

Fishing Clothes: Shirts, hats, sunglasses, waders, and footwear all affordable. Grab a $10 fishing shirt and hat.

Coolers: Hard and soft coolers in many sizes, starting around $25. Crucial for keeping bait cold.

Camping Gear: Tents, chairs, grills, air beds, and more for multi-day fishing trips.

I recommend sticking to name-brand Walmart gear over discount offerings which tend to be lower quality. With the right rod, reel, line, and terminal tackle you‘ll be ready to turn that Walmart live bait into fish catching machines!

Key Takeaways

And there you have it, everything you need to know about buying live fishing bait at Walmart:

• Walmart does sell a variety of live worms, crickets, and other critters for good prices

• Availability varies regionally, so call ahead to check or inspect in person

• Follow proper storage procedures for refrigerated bait like nightcrawlers

• While affordable, Walmart live bait is not as fresh or lively as bait shops

• Supplement your trips with rods, reels, fishing clothes and accessories

I hope this intel helps you take full advantage of the live bait selection at your local Walmart. Let me know if you have any other fishing or tackle questions! Wishing you an action-packed season out on the water. Catch ya later!