Fishing remains a beloved pastime for over 50 million Americans,1 with participation in freshwater, saltwater, and fly-fishing activities. As we look ahead to 2024, anglers are eager to explore the country’s most exciting fishing destinations.
Here are the top 15 fishing destinations in the U.S., highlighting the best species to target and the optimal times to visit each location.
1. The Florida Keys
Fishes to be caught here: Marlin, sailfish, tarpon, bonefish, permit, and a variety of snapper and grouper species
Best times to visit: Year-round, with peak seasons varying for different species
The Florida Keys are a true angler’s paradise, offering easy access to both the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. This tropical archipelago is renowned for its world-class sportfishing, attracting anglers from around the globe in pursuit of trophy-sized game fish.
The Keys’ diverse ecosystem, which includes flats, mangrove forests, and offshore reefs, provides a perfect habitat for a wide range of species.
2. Lake Texoma
Fishes to be caught here: Striped bass, white bass, crappie, and catfish
Best times to visit: Spring and fall for striped bass, summer for white bass and crappie, and year-round for catfish
Straddling the border between Oklahoma and Texas, Lake Texoma is one of the country’s premier inland striped bass fisheries. This massive reservoir offers anglers the opportunity to catch trophy-sized stripers, as well as a variety of other species such as white bass, crappie, and catfish.
3. Bristol Bay, Alaska
Fishes to be caught here: Sockeye salmon, silver salmon, chum salmon, and rainbow trout
Best times to visit: June through August for salmon, May through September for trout
Bristol Bay, located in southwestern Alaska, is a true angler’s paradise. This remote region is home to some of the world’s most productive salmon runs, with millions of sockeye, silver, and chum salmon returning to the area’s rivers and streams each year. Anglers can also target the area’s abundant rainbow trout, which feed on the salmon eggs and fry.
4. Lake Erie
Fishes to be caught here: Walleye, yellow perch, smallmouth bass, and steelhead trout
Best times to visit: Spring for walleye and yellow perch, summer for smallmouth bass, and fall for steelhead trout
Lake Erie, shared by Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, and Michigan, is one of the most productive walleye fisheries in the world. Anglers can also target yellow perch, smallmouth bass, and steelhead trout in the lake’s diverse waters. Lake Erie’s fertile ecosystem, combined with its proximity to major metropolitan areas, makes it a popular destination for anglers of all skill levels.
5. Baffin Bay, Texas
Fishes to be caught here: Speckled trout, redfish, black drum, and flounder
Best times to visit: Year-round, with peak seasons varying for different species
Baffin Bay, located in southern Texas, is renowned for its trophy-sized speckled trout. This remote bay system, which is accessible from the nearby town of Corpus Christi, offers anglers the chance to catch the fish of a lifetime. While Baffin Bay may not be a family-friendly destination due to its isolation, it’s a must-visit for anglers seeking a true trophy trout experience.
6. Flaming Gorge Reservoir, Utah/Wyoming
Fishes to be caught here: Rainbow trout, brown trout, lake trout, and kokanee salmon
Best times to visit: Spring and fall for trout, summer for kokanee salmon
The reservoir, which is fed by the Green River, is home to a diverse array of trout species, including rainbow, brown, and lake trout. Anglers can also target the reservoir’s abundant kokanee salmon during the summer months. The stunning scenery of the surrounding Uinta Mountains, combined with the excellent fishing opportunities, make Flaming Gorge a must-visit destination for any angler.
7. Chesapeake Bay, Maryland
Fishes to be caught here: Striped bass, blue crab, white perch, and a variety of other species
Best times to visit: Spring and fall for striped bass, summer for blue crab and white perch
The Chesapeake Bay, located in Maryland, is a year-round fishing paradise. Anglers can target a variety of species, including the iconic striped bass, also known as rockfish. The bay’s shallow waters and abundant forage make it an ideal habitat for these hard-fighting fish. Blue crab and white perch are also popular targets during the summer months.
8. Kenai River, Alaska
Fishes to be caught here: Sockeye salmon, king salmon, silver salmon, and rainbow trout
Best times to visit: June through August for salmon, May through September for trout
The Kenai River, located in south-central Alaska, is one of the most famous salmon rivers in the world. Anglers can also target Dolly Varden and steelhead trout in the river’s clear waters. The Kenai River’s stunning scenery, which includes snow-capped mountains and dense forests, adds to the allure of this world-class fishing destination.
9. Lake Okeechobee, Florida
Fishes to be caught here: Largemouth bass, crappie, and catfish
Best times to visit: Spring for bass, winter for crappie, and year-round for catfish
Lake Okeechobee in south-central Florida is one of the largest freshwater lakes in the United States. This shallow, nutrient-rich lake is a prime destination for anglers seeking trophy-sized largemouth bass.
Lake Okeechobee’s proximity to major metropolitan areas, combined with its excellent fishing opportunities, make it a popular destination for anglers of all skill levels.
10. Roanoke River, North Carolina
Fishes to be caught here: Striped bass, white perch, and catfish
Best times to visit: Spring for striped bass, summer for white perch and catfish
The Roanoke River, located in northeastern North Carolina, is a prime destination for anglers seeking striped bass. These hard-fighting fish migrate up the river each spring to spawn, providing anglers with the opportunity to catch trophy-sized specimens.
11. Lake Tahoe, California/Nevada
Fishes to be caught here: Rainbow trout, brown trout, and kokanee salmon
Best times to visit: Spring and fall for trout, summer for kokanee salmon
Lake Tahoe is a stunning alpine lake known for its crystal-clear waters and excellent trout fishing. Anglers can target rainbow and brown trout in the lake’s deep, cold waters, as well as kokanee salmon during the summer months. The lake’s scenic beauty, which includes towering peaks and dense forests, makes it a popular destination for anglers and non-anglers alike.
12. Niagara River, New York
Fishes to be caught here: Steelhead trout, brown trout, and smallmouth bass
Best times to visit: Fall and winter for steelhead trout, spring for brown trout and smallmouth bass
The Niagara River is a prime destination for anglers seeking steelhead trout and brown trout. These hard-fighting fish migrate up the river from Lake Ontario each fall and winter, providing anglers with the opportunity to catch trophy-sized specimens.
13. Bighorn River, Montana
Fishes to be caught here: Rainbow trout and brown trout
Best times to visit: Spring and fall for dry fly fishing, summer for nymphing and streamer fishing
The Bighorn River, located in south-central Montana, is a world-renowned trout stream known for its large, healthy trout populations. Anglers can target rainbow and brown trout in the river’s clear, cold waters using a variety of techniques, including dry flies, nymphs, and streamers. The Bighorn River’s scenic beauty, which includes rugged canyons and rolling hills, adds to the allure of this fishing destination.
14. Galveston Bay, Texas
Fishes to be caught here: Speckled trout, redfish, flounder, and black drum
Best times to visit: Spring and fall for speckled trout and redfish, summer for flounder and black drum
Galveston Bay is a prime destination for anglers seeking inshore species such as speckled trout, redfish, flounder, and black drum. This large estuary, which is fed by several rivers, provides a diverse array of habitats for these fish to thrive. Anglers can target these species using a variety of techniques, including live bait, artificial lures, and fly fishing.
15. Thousand Islands, New York
Fishes to be caught here: Smallmouth bass, northern pike, and muskellunge
Best times to visit: Spring and fall for bass and pike, summer for muskellunge
The Thousand Islands region, located on the St. Lawrence River in northern New York, is a prime destination for anglers seeking smallmouth bass, northern pike, and muskellunge. This area, which is characterized by a maze of islands and channels, provides a perfect habitat for these predatory fish to thrive.
Source:
1. https://www.statista.com/topics/1163/recreational-fishing/
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Martha A. Lavallie
Martha is a journalist with close to a decade of experience in uncovering and reporting on the most compelling stories of our time. Passionate about staying ahead of the curve, she specializes in shedding light on trending topics and captivating global narratives. Her insightful articles have garnered acclaim, making her a trusted voice in today's dynamic media landscape.
