Fishing is one of the most popular sports in the United States, and searching for the Best Fishing Spots is always a goal. There are more than 29 million registered anglers in the country, and approximately 50 million people of all ages go fishing every year.
There are almost innumerable places to fish in every state and region of the country. However, there are some that stand out among a crowded field.
Below are the eight best fishing spots in the United States. Keep reading to find out why these popular fishing locations made the list and which you should move to the top of your angling excursion list.
1. Outer Banks, North Carolina
The Outer Banks refers to a string of barrier islands that stretches approximately 200 miles along the Atlantic Ocean. It is famous for its pristine beaches, lighthouses, historic sites (where the Wright Brothers first took flight), cuisine, and semi-feral horses. It also is one of the top fishing spots in the United States.
The Outer Banks is considered the billfish capital of the world. This refers to a category of predatory fish with pointed bills, including sailfish, swordfish, and marlin. June through September provide ample opportunities, with July and August being prime billfish season.
Other offshore fish include various species of snapper, as well as wahoo, mackerel, and amberjack. Inshore fishing for red drum is spectacular. You will also find cobia, flounder, and more.
2. Lake Tahoe, California
Lake Tahoe is a large freshwater lake on the border of California and Nevada. It is surrounded by the Sierra Nevada Mountains, which makes it one of the most scenic fishing destinations in the world.
Rainbow and brown trout are plentiful in various locations throughout the lake. Lake Tahoe is also known for its mackinaw, or lake trout. Macks are especially prevalent in deeper waters and can be fished year-round.
Kokanee salmon are plentiful in the fall, during their spawning run. You can also find bass, crappie, bluegill, whitefish, and sculpin throughout the lake.
3. Bighorn River, Wyoming and Montana
The Bighorn River is a tributary of the Yellowstone River that flows from across northern Wyoming and southern Montana. It is one of the best trout streams in the United States. That is in part because, relative to its size, it is a fairly calm and easily accessible river.
Rainbow and brown trout are plentiful in the Bighorn’s clear, cool waters. Hatches can be abundant, which makes dry fly fishing a good option, though nymphing can also be productive.
4. Florida Keys, Florida
The Florida Keys are a string of tropical islands stretching for over 100 miles off the southern tip of the state. They are a popular destination for water sports, including boating, scuba diving, snorkeling, and fishing.
Popular inshore fishing includes bonefish, permits, and tarpon. Offshore options include mahi-mahi, tuna, wahoo, and billfish. You can also snag deepwater fish like snapper and grouper, which are sought after for their size.
5. Columbia River, Pacific Northwest
The Columbia River is the largest in the Pacific Northwest. It starts in the Rocky Mountains of British Columbia, flows through Idaho, Washington, and Oregon, and empties into the Pacific Ocean.
Humans have been catching and eating salmon from the Columbia River for centuries. There are five annual salmon runs, with angling opportunities year-round. There are chinook (or “king”), coho, and sockeye varieties all on offer.
The Columbia River also has a bountiful population of steelhead. These anadromous fish can be found throughout the river, but there is a larger concentration in the southern region. You can drift, spin, or even fly fish for these silver giants.
6. Kenai River, Alaska
A few hours south of Anchorage, you will find the Kenai River, which runs for 82 miles from Kenai Lake into Cook Inlet of the Pacific Ocean. The river is made up of snowpack meltwater, making it crystal clear, pristine, and one of the best fishing spots in the U.S.
In 1985, the world record (97 pounds) chinook salmon was caught in the Kenai River. It is not uncommon to catch king salmon weighing 30 to 50 pounds or more.
The Kenai River has two salmon runs. The first one starts in mid-May and peaks in mid-June, while the second one goes from July until mid-August.
The Kenai River has one of the world’s largest populations of sockeye and coho salmon. You can also find rainbow trout, lake trout, dolly varden, and pike.
7. Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts
Martha’s Vineyard is an island that sits in the Atlantic just south of Cape Cod. It is accessible only by boat or air and is mostly known as a New England summer vacation retreat. It also has become a bucket-list destination for anglers.
Martha’s Vineyard has more than 120 miles of coastline and is one of the longest-running fishing tournaments in the U.S. The waters surrounding the island are a breeding ground for striped bass, known for their size and aggression. Bluefish, fluke (“summer flounders”), and tuna are other popular catches.
Offshore fishing features bluefin and yellowfin tuna, as well as mahi-mahi and swordfish. Large populations of mako and thresher sharks can also be found offshore as well.
8. Bayou Lafourche, Louisiana
A bayou refers to a body of water found in a flat, low-lying area, often with slow-moving water. They can include rivers, marshes, wetlands, and creeks. There are bayous throughout the entire state of Louisiana, but Lafourche Parish’s “Cajun Bayou”–straight west of New Orleans–is one of the most popular for fishing.
Bayou Lafourche is distinct for its brackish water–a mix of salt and freshwater. This makes them a prime spot for largemouth bass, black drum, sheepshead, speckled trout, tripletail, and more.
The bayou is also one of the most popular destinations for redfish. There are strict size and catch limits, but you can fish them year-round. Redfish high season runs from November through January.
Learn More About the Best Fishing Spots in the U.S.
We hope you found this list of must-visit fishing sites helpful. If so, be sure to look at our many other angling posts, including those on fly, ice, surf, and kayak fishing.
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