Top Five Freshwater Sportfishing Destinations in North America

There are many incredible fishing spots across the United States. From coastal waters to inland lakes, there is something suitable for every angler in every part of this vast nation.

These five destinations will guarantee an unforgettable fishing experience, from sight fishing for trophy redfish in the Gulf of Mexico to hunting down monster dorado in the Pacific.

1. Raritan Bay

Raritan Bay was home to an important oyster and shellfish industry during the 1800s that fed an enormous population. Unfortunately, over time this natural resource became depleted to near extinction through human-caused ecological disasters; chemical waste from manufacturing ceramics, paint and chemicals was dumped directly into waterways while algal blooms caused oxygen stress that lead to widespread fish kills.

Today, the bay is making slow but steady strides back towards health. Tidal rivers and bays in its lower watershed provide abundant nutrient-rich habitat for salmon, bullhead catfish, striped bass, and steelhead trout; with one such river being fed by Morris County springs feeding Budd Lake; serving as kayak and canoe hotspots as examples of “rewilding.”

On the Atlantic Ocean side, this region is known as an unparalleled fishing destination for Striper (Rockfish) and other species such as Tautog, Flounder, Sheepshead and Black Seabass. While in the Gulf, offshore oil rigs serve as structures which attract yellowfin tuna as well as other big game fish.

Raritan Bay stands out as one of the country’s premier freshwater destinations and historic areas, boasting both abundant natural resources and scenic beauty. At Lake Superior State Park you’ll find an abundance of wildlife, from birds and reptiles to crayfish and turtles; three national monuments; over 40 state parks nearby; fishing opportunities galore! Thanks to its close proximity to metropolitan areas it also makes an excellent place for camping trips, fishing trips or other outdoor excursions. It offers many cultural, historic and recreational attractions for visitors to enjoy; with some careful planning it is possible to have the vacation of a lifetime in this Northeastern gem. There are various accommodations and services that may suit your trip perfectly, from hotels to rental homes.

2. Oahu

Hawaii offers anglers of all abilities the chance to fish for bonefish on shallow flats or marlin off its shimmering coral reefs year-round, providing unrivalled species diversity and fishing opportunities.

Nearshore waters around Oahu’s westernmost point, Kaena Point, offer light tackle fishing fun with species like roosterfish, pargo (snappers of various species), red and green jobfish as well as groupers and jacks in abundance. Further out in the open ocean you’ll encounter yellowfin tuna, dorado (mahi-mahi), striped marlin, Pacific sailfish and wahoo to keep you busy!

Oahu’s North Shore is famous as the birthplace of big wave surfing. Just an hour’s drive from Waikiki, its shore is steeped with ancient moolelo (stories and traditions), making for an unforgettable journey that reveals laid-back coastal villages filled with traditional Hawaiian values.

The Bahama Islands provide anglers with an abundance of opportunities, from offshore catches like wahoo in winter months and blue marlin or striped marlin in midsummer, to longer charters that lead you directly to sunken wrecks that provide access to Snapper, Grouper, Amberjack and King Mackerel species. A vacation to these stunning island chains will delight every sense imaginable – island hopping, boating, shelling, watersports and fishing can be found almost everywhere you look – while with luxury resorts or rental homes just booking flights away, planning an island getaway can become reality! Plus there’s even an impressive array of sport-fishing lodges!

3. The Boundary Waters

Minnesota and Ontario residents have for generations celebrated The Boundary Waters, with its interconnected lakes and unspoiled forests forming its vast network. People of both states have developed an enduring appreciation of this natural space that provides world-class recreation, critical habitat support, as well as supporting wilderness-edge communities with economies. You’ll find rustic campsites on lakes as large as small towns offering wind-whipped waves accompanied by glacially carved bogs with thin soils and boreal forests; all protected by Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, Superior National Forest Voyageurs National Park as well as Grand Portage and Bois Forte Bands of Chippewa people who maintain hunting, fishing and gathering rights over this region.

Minnesota North Shore lakeshore wilderness offers year-round fishing adventures. Ely, Minnesota serves as the main entryway into Boundary Waters while Grand Marais on the North Shore also has multiple access points with outfitters that offer canoe and kayak rental; both offer various aquatic adventures including lakes and rivers and even boreal forests bursting with wildlife species – not forgetting Ely’s International Wolf Center which can give an in-depth account of local wolf population!

Utah’s Lake Powell offers great bass fishing opportunities, while Utah’s Provo River boasts abundant Rainbow, Brown and Cutthroat Trout that make for top fly fishing destinations and are highly prized by trout enthusiasts. Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri also provides world-class striper fishing as well as ample chances to reel in crappie and catfish species.

South Padre Island offers year-round fishing adventures for Gulf Coast anglers. The island’s stunning beaches and abundant inshore and offshore fishing make for an incredible fishing experience, where a “grand slam” involves landing redfish, speckled trout and flounder in one day – off shore you may find yellowfin tuna, dorado, roosterfish or even wahoo!

4. Alaska

Alaska, the largest state in the US, is bordered by Canada and the Arctic Ocean to its north; by Gulf of Alaska and Pacific Ocean in its south; Bering Strait and Chukchi Sea to its west; with more miles of ocean coastline than all 49 other states combined and boasting diverse habitats; making Alaska home to some of the greatest fishing spots worldwide.

The Great Land boasts an abundance of freshwater species, such as walleye, northern pike, musky and bass. Lake Superior provides prime locations for salmon, trout and char, while coastal fishing grounds abound with fish species – Choctawhatchee Bay is an especially productive light-tackle venue, featuring redfish, speckled trout flounder sheepshead. And beaches of Florida Keys provide opportunities for tarpon and other pelagic fishes.

Alaska offers more for those seeking adventure: salmon, halibut, cod, rockfish (such as yelloweye, vermilion, China copper and quillback), two types of crab as well as two different crab species. Alaska is unique among states in that its ferry system doubles as highway, offering visitors a convenient and comfortable means of exploring Alaska’s rugged interior in style and comfort.

Alaska’s wilderness can only truly be appreciated from its waters, so grab your rod and reel today and plan your expedition – you won’t regret it.

5. Michigan

Michigan (sometimes referred to as “The Great Lakes State”) boasts four major lakes (Sudden, Huron, Michigan and Erie) and borders Ohio, Indiana, Illinois Wisconsin and Canada. It resembles a mitten shape; with the Upper Peninsula reaching into Lake Huron from Lake Superior while Saginaw Bay sits to its south in Saginaw Bay.

The Land of 10,000 Lakes provides anglers with numerous opportunities to test their skills, with numerous bays, points, structures and underwater topography that support walleye, northern pike, bass, panfish and musky populations. Leech Lake in the north is famous for muskie fishing; its many bays with different depths host both walleye and musky all year long. Further south along the Mississippi River Delta there is catfish crappie bass while Moon or Tunica offer fantastic carp, gar and catfish opportunities.

Light-tackle enthusiasts could spend an entire day fishing for salmon (coho or chinook), small halibut, lingcod, coastal cutthroat trout and cabezon inshore; Alaska’s coast offers opportunities for big game species like king salmon, silver salmon tuna striped marlin and blackfin tuna offshore.

Inland, the Mississippi River offers excellent bass and catfish fishing while Catchem and Moon oxbow lakes boast large carp, gar and catfish populations. Central Missouri boasts “Lake of the Ozarks”, an extraordinary bass and crappie fishingery; Florida’s Gulf of Mexico contains many saltwater species including snapper, snook, redfish grouper and tarpon fisheries as well.