Whether you’re a serious angler looking for the next big one or fancy yourself nothing more than a weekend warrior, it’s easy to see why fishing is a favorite pastime. It’s relaxing, rewarding, and yes, a little bit frustrating!
Since we know you’re hooked on the sport, we’ve reeled in a list of 10 fishing towns from across the country where you may make the catch of your life. Book a trip, cast a line, and see what’s biting.
Glenwood Springs, Colorado
Best time to fish: July – September
What you’ll catch: rainbow trout, brown trout
We hope you like trout the size of small children, because that’s what you’ll find in the waters of the Roaring Fork River in Glenwood Springs, Colorado. Start your day off with chicken fried steak and eggs from the CO. Ranch House before heading out with Roaring Fork Anglers. Their guided fly-fishing trips are nothing short of spectacular. And don’t worry about not knowing how to properly cast a fly, they offer classes for novice anglers.
Minocqua, Wisconsin
Best time to fish: June – September
What you’ll catch: walleye, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, northern pike, crappie, bluegill, perch
Why does Minocqua have some of the best fishing in Wisconsin? Because between the counties of Oneida and Vilas, there are over 3,000 different bodies of water. It might be tricky guiding yourself through the best of these waters, so book a trip with Bernie Thompson Fishing. He’s been guiding in this area since the early 90s and will have you hooking fish in no time. After, cook up your fresh catch using some of Bernie’s best recipes.
Montauk, New York
Best time to fish: June – October
What you’ll catch: Inshore: sea bass, bluefish, blackfish, striped bass, porgy, fluke, flounder Offshore: yellowfin tuna, mahi mahi, marlin, bluefin tuna, sharks
Way out on the tip of Long Island, the hamlet of Montauk has been a mecca for deep-sea fishermen for decades. Book a spot on a boat from Montauk Fishing Charters and be prepared for a fantastic fishing experience. If you don’t have a lot of time, we recommend a half-day inshore trip, but if you’ve got time to spare, think about a 2-day tuna trip. Who knows? You could reel in a yellowfin the size of a VW Volkswagen! But if you’ve got your eyes on an even bigger prize, the annual Shark Tournament takes place each June.
Venice, Louisiana
Best time to fish: All year long
What you’ll catch: Bluefin tuna, yellowfin tuna, mahi mahi, wahoo, snapper
The town of Venice is called the Tuna Capital of the World for good reason. All year long, the people of Champion Charters haul in loads of fish bordering on the size of ridiculously huge. All you have to bring with you is some sunscreen, maybe a rain jacket, and an ice chest for your catch. On the way in, the crew of Champion Charters will clean your fish for you. Take it home, cook it, and eat it. And while you’re in town, check the calendar for local fishing rodeos, such as the Faux Pas Lodge and the Louisiana Slam Tournament.
King Salmon, Alaska
Best time to fish: May – September
What you’ll catch: king salmon, rainbow trout, arctic char, sockeye salmon, northern pike, lake trout
When you want to really get out there on a fishing trip, places like the No See Um Lodge in King Salmon, Alaska, are hard to beat. Billed as the finest fly fishing in the entire state, the experience at No See Um is perhaps unlike any other. Every morning, you’ll board a float plane and head off to one of the over 30 fishing destinations in the surrounding area. You’ll receive two gourmet meals prepared by the on-site chef each day, but it’s not uncommon to cook your catch streamside.
Walker, Minnesota
Best time to fish: January – February
What you’ll catch: walleye, sauger, muskie, bass, crappie, northern pike, tullibee
If you think we’re sending you to Minnesota to fish in the middle of winter as part of some weird joke, then you are mistaken. Leech Lake in Walker, Minnesota, is one of the premier ice fishing destinations this side of the Mississippi. Rent an ice house from Trapper’s Landing Lodge and enjoy one of the more unique fishing trips you’ll ever take. Stick around for the annual International Eelpout Festival on Leech Lake and celebrate the local bottom dwelling fish!
Casper, Wyoming
Best time to fish: March – June
What you’ll catch: brown trout, rainbow trout
If it’s trout you’re looking for then the North Platte Lodge just outside of Casper, Wyoming, is the place for you. Located along the banks of the trout-rich North Platte River, the lodge is a great place to make camp during an unforgettable fishing vacation. During the peak fishing season between the months of March and June, it’s not uncommon to reel in 50+ lb fish over a few-days span.
Kona, Hawaii
Best time to fish: January – March
What you’ll catch: marlin, mahi mahi, shortbill spearfish
You probably read “The Old Man and the Sea” at some point in your life and wondered what’d it be like to battle a giant marlin. Well, when you book a fishing charter in Kona, Hawaii, with Thrill Seeker Sportfishing, you won’t have to wonder anymore. Head there anytime between January and March and you’ll be channeling your inner Hemingway while playing tug o’ war with a marlin in no time. The world’s largest blue marlin was caught off Kona’s coast in 1982—just maybe you’ll break the record!
Bend, Oregon
Best time to fish: May – September
What you’ll catch: steelhead trout, rainbow trout
It’s not enough that Bend, Oregon, has one of the best microbreweries in the game, but it also offers up some of the best fly fishing on the West Coast. When you book a steelhead fly fishing trip on the Lower Deschutes River with River Runner Outfitters, you’re signing yourself up for some of the best freshwater fishing in the U.S. Not only is the fishing incredible, but the towering basalt canyon you’re exploring makes for stunning scenery. When you’re done with the river, head to Deschutes Brewery & Public House for a cold one.
Missoula, Montana
Best time to fish: April – June
What you’ll catch: rainbow trout, brown trout, cutthroat trout
Avid anglers are hooked on Missoula, Montana, as the area’s lakes, streams, and rivers make it a prime spot for trout fishing. Before setting out with Blackfoot River Outfitters of Missoula, Montana, load yourself up with the proper gear from their on-site shop. Only then will you be ready to hook as many gorgeous rainbow trout as you can. Their team of dedicated and experienced guides won’t let you go home without a cooler full of fish.
What makes fishing during the twilight years of your life better than ever? Casting a line in one of these 10 amazing fishing towns!
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