The Best Fishing Spots in the US
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Hook, Line, and Sinker: The Best Fishing Spots in the US
So you wanna go fishing? Trust me, when it comes to the best fishing spots in the US, we’ve got some absolutely incredible places that’ll make you feel like you’re living in a fishing magazine. Whether you’re a pro who can tie a fly with your eyes closed or someone who’s still figuring out which end of the rod is which, I’ve got you covered.
The Florida Keys, Florida: A Saltwater Paradise
Okay, the Florida Keys are basically fishing heaven. Picture this: warm water, sunshine, and fish everywhere. People come here for the deep-sea action where you can go after monsters like marlin, tuna, and sailfish. Plus, there’s this thing called flats fishing in the shallow areas where you’re basically hunting fish with your eyes—super cool if you’re into bonefish and permit. Best part? You can fish here year-round. No freezing your butt off in winter!
Lake Erie, Ohio/Pennsylvania/New York: Walleye Capital of the World
Lake Erie’s got a reputation, and it’s well-deserved. This place is the spot for walleye—we’re talking trophy-sized beauties that’ll make your Instagram followers jealous. You’ll also find perch, smallmouth bass, and steelhead hanging around. Spring and early summer are when the walleye really show up, but honestly, this lake’s productive all year. And yeah, people even ice fish here in winter if you’re into that whole frozen lake vibe.
Kenai River, Alaska: King Salmon Kingdom
If you’re serious about salmon, you need to get yourself to the Kenai River. This place is stunning, and the salmon runs are insane—especially in June and July when these massive king salmon come through. It’s like watching a fish parade, except you get to catch them. Plus, there are rainbow trout and Dolly Varden that basically stuff themselves on salmon eggs, so they’re nice and fat. The scenery alone is worth the trip.
Columbia River, Oregon/Washington: A Scenic Fishery
The Columbia River just goes on forever—over 1,200 miles of fishing goodness. It’s famous for its salmon and steelhead runs, especially in spring and fall. The views are absolutely gorgeous too, so even if the fish aren’t biting, you’re still having a pretty great day. You can fly fish or go out on a boat, whatever floats your… well, boat.
Outer Banks, North Carolina: Surf and Deep-Sea Action
The Outer Banks are perfect if you can’t decide between freshwater and saltwater fishing—just do both! You can surf fish along the beaches or head out for some serious deep-sea action. Red drum, flounder, tuna—they’re all here. And if you don’t have a boat, no worries. Charter fishing is huge here, so you can still get out to the good spots without owning a yacht.
The Missouri River, Montana: Fly Fishing Heaven
Fly fishermen, this one’s for you. The Missouri River is absolutely beautiful, and it’s packed with trout. The areas near Three Forks and Craig are legendary for their rainbow and brown trout populations. The water’s super clear, the flows are consistent, and honestly, it doesn’t get much better than this for trout fishing. Just try not to get too distracted by the scenery.
Lake Tahoe, California/Nevada: Alpine Beauty and Big Fish
Lake Tahoe is one of those places that’s almost too pretty to be real. But besides the jaw-dropping views and mountain air, the fishing’s actually fantastic. You’ve got mackinaw (that’s lake trout for the non-fancy folks), rainbow trout, and kokanee salmon. Trolling in the deep water is the way to go if you want to hook into some seriously big trout. Plus, it’s just a really chill place to hang out.
Klamath River, California/Oregon: Steelhead and Salmon
The Klamath River is famous for its salmon and steelhead, and for good reason. The seasonal runs bring in anglers from all over, and the scenery? Chef’s kiss. The river flows through some seriously beautiful landscapes, and there’s a great variety of fish to catch. Hit it up in fall and winter for steelhead, or try spring and fall for the salmon runs.
The Great Lakes Region: A Freshwater Mecca
Can we just take a moment to appreciate the Great Lakes? Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario—these bad boys offer some of the best freshwater fishing in the country. Depending on where you go and when, you can catch bass, pike, trout, and perch. Each lake’s got its own vibe, from the cold, crystal-clear waters of Lake Superior to the amazing smallmouth bass fishing at Lake St. Clair. Seriously, if you love freshwater fishing, you need to explore these.
So there you have it—some of the best fishing spots in the US that’ll give you everything from gorgeous scenery to fish that’ll make for great stories. Whether you’re into saltwater or freshwater, there’s something here for you. Just remember to check the local rules and seasons before you go, because getting fined is way less fun than catching fish. Now get out there and cast some lines!
