Take a much-needed break from all the stress and head out for a quiet time fishing. The US is packed with the most amazing and diverse fishing locations in the world, and chances are there is an excellent spot near you. Whether you’re a seasoned angler or someone unfamiliar to fishing, there’s always a place that’s just right for you. Even if you end up not liking the sport, the beauty of these places will be enough to make you stay for a vacation. Check out some of the best fishing spots in America.
The Florida Keys is a string of tropical islands that has some of the most beautiful beaches and the most amazing wildlife in the world. It lies just above the Florida Reef, the only living coral barrier reef in the US. The archipelago is a fisherman's paradise. It is a favorite vacation spot for thousands of avid anglers who visit for their chance to reel in some prized fish and get a tropical holiday out of it. The 125-mile-long arc of islands that comprises the Florida Keys creates a fishing environment unique in the world where a catch is possible any time of the year.
The Outer Banks is a 200-mile string of barrier islands and sandpits off the coast of North Carolina and southeastern Virginia, on the east coast of the United States. Sitting miles out into the ocean, surrounded by sounds and sea, life at the Outer Banks revolves around the ebb and flow of the tide. The Outer Banks of North Carolina is a sport fisherman’s paradise. The sheer quantity of angling opportunities makes the Outer Banks' waters one of the best in the world. Brackish fishing, fly fishing, offshore and inshore charter fishing, sound and head boat fishing, surf and pier fishing – all with the season continuing throughout the year. The Outer Banks is one of the best fishing spots in the world. In fact, many visitors come here for that activity alone.
The Chesapeake Bay is a special fishing spot due to its size and the difference between some of the regions within the Bay. Many people separate the Bay into the Upper, Middle, and Lower Chesapeake Bay, and you can divide this even further if you compare fishing the bay to fishing the rivers and tributaries that feed into it. While the Chesapeake Bay is home to many species, including bluefish, redfish, speckled trout, perch, and fluke, it is the striped bass that takes the cake as the signature fish of the Bay. It is one of the state fishes of both Maryland and Virginia for good reason - they're popular to catch and great to eat.
Lake Erie is the fourth largest of the five Great Lakes serving as the international boundary between the United States and Canada. On a clear day on the open water, you can see the mainland of Canada and the Lake Erie islands. Lake Erie is also the shallowest of the Great Lakes, and the entire shoreline stretches for 871 miles, touching the US state borders of Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and New York. Some people might associate Lake Erie with long vacation days on the beach, stunning sunsets, and “lake monster” Bessie, but fishermen see it as a treasure trove. While there are many fish species to choose from, Walleye fishing on Lake Erie is phenomenal and there’s hardly a better place in the US to catch the biggest Walleye of your life.
With over 14,000 islands and fed by the Rainy River and other tributaries, Lake of the Woods is a magnificent destination for fishermen and nature-lovers alike. You’ll find Lake of the woods right on the tripoint of Minnesota, Ontario, and Manitoba, and each of these states is known for its superb action on the water.
Lake of the Woods puts a new perspective on fishing and there’s nothing quite like sinking a lure into freshly drilled ice and pulling up a prized fish on a crisp Minnesota winter day. Experience a relaxing day on the lake while soaking in a true northern winter environment along the border of Canada. Offering a wide variety of fish, Lake of the Woods is the place to be for walleye, bass, northern pike, panfish, and sauger during the winter months.
Martha’s Vineyard is an 87-square-mile patch of sand and rock located south of Cape Cod in Massachusetts. It has a well-deserved reputation as one of the best fishing spots in the country, if not the world. Fishermen have been drawn to the Vineyard for many years by both the fish that migrate past its shores and the endless variety of terrain. An assortment of fish can be found in the waters surrounding this beautiful island. From striped bass to sea bass, bluefin tuna to white marlin, fluke to false albacore, the Vineyard has a species to satisfy any fisherman’s desire. Some fishermen go for the giant tuna, others get excited catching scup, and some are pleased to rake up a few clams. No matter your skill level or equipment, you can have fun fishing.
Hawaii is one of the world’s top deep sea fishing destinations and it's the geography of the Big island that makes Kona Hawaii the sportfishing capital of the Pacific. Five huge mountains protect the Kona coast from the winds resulting in sea conditions that are usually calm. Kona Fishing is quite possibly the best in the world when it comes to Big Game. On any given day, you may encounter Blue and Striped Marlin, Mahi Mahi, Yellowfin Tuna, Wahoo, and Short-billed Spearfish. What makes Kona such a dream location is that all these species are present all year round and the steep slope of the ocean bottom puts the deep sea sportfishing within a short distance from the shoreline.
Open to the public since 1981, the Bighorn River is one of the finest trout streams in the United States. The Bighorn River starts at Boysen Reservoir in Wyoming and enters Montana more than 150 miles downstream where it flows into Bighorn Lake. It is a very popular destination spot for anglers on a Montana fly fishing trip.
The Bighorn's productivity is the result of the cold waters that exit the bottom of the Yellowtail dam. The river gravel is crawling with mayflies, aquatic worms, midge larva, and small crustaceans. The density of trout it this river is amazing and because of the extremely high numbers of fish, the Bighorn is the most popular river in Montana.
