Fishing is one of the best activities you can do outside with your family and friends. Going fishing while on a vacation is a great way to take a step back from your holiday and really let your mind be quiet and relaxed. Whether you are going to charter a boat or fish from a pier, you will love fishing no matter what you are going for, whether its game fish or something a little calmer. You can do catch and release or bring home your catch and bake it up with your favorite recipe. Fishing is a very accessible activity and one that you can do a for a day during a vacation or make a whole day out of it. 

Now that you know you want to go on a fishing trip, you have to pick one of the fabulous places to go visit! From the Atlantic Ocean and its sportfishing, to the Pacific Ocean and its incredible river fishing, all the way across the United States as the countless lakes and rivers bursting with fish wanting to be caught. You will find great inspiration for your next fishing adventure. 

East Coast

Florida Keys

The Florida Keys are a top destination in the world for sportfishing. Here you can fish for redfish, bonefish, or tarpon in the backwaters of the Keys. The big thing that pulls people in is the easy access to the deep waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Here you will find the large blue and white marlin that everyone wants to hang in the living rooms as a trophy! You can also fish for sailfish and swordfish. No matter what you will have a great fight ahead of you with whatever ends up on your line. And don’t worry if a fish doesn’t nibble on your line—Key West and the rest of the Keys are known for their seafood, so you are guaranteed to have a great meal. 

Outer Banks, North Carolina

If you are up in the air about what type of fishing trip you want to go on, you need to go to the Outer Banks where you can go flyfishing, braking and pier fishing, or rent a charter boat. Your best bet is to pay a fee and join a headboat, which is a large boat that gives passengers all of the equipment necessary to have a good day on the water. You will be able to catch bass, flounder, trout, and so much more! Do a half or full day out on the water and have a great time with your family!

Chesapeake Bay, Maryland 

Go into the brackish waters of the Chesapeake Bay and try to find not only the infamous crabs Maryland is known for, but also some of the best striped bass fishing on the Atlantic Coast. Over 70 percent of all striped bass that live in the Atlantic Ocean are born in this bay, so you can certainly get lucky during spawning season. You can also try to fish for bluefish, speckled trout, flounder, and drum in these waters. 

Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts 

Martha’s Vineyard is one of the most iconic vacation destinations in the United States. From large mansions to the perfect beaches, everyone in your group will love vacationing here. If you are coming to this part of the east coast for a fishing vacation, get ready to be amazing by this New England island. Rent a charter boat and go on an adventure searching for bonito and false albacore. Or stick to surfcasting on the beach and reel in some amazing striped bass. No matter who you fish the waters up here, you will have a great time!

West Coast

Kona, Hawaii 

If you are looking for sportfishing while vacationing in Hawaii, look no further than Kona off of the Big Island’s western coast. Calm and flat like a lake but full of large and thrilling fish, anglers will love this deep-sea fishing and what lies below the 6,000 feet deep Pacific Ocean. You can catch mahi mahi, tuna, sharks, and ono easily on any of Kona’s charter boats. And while the views looking back on Hawaii may be immeasurable, keep your eyes on the prizes while deep sea fishing off of the Big Island. 

Puget Sound, Washington

If you are looking for one of the best places in the United States to go salmon fishing, then you have to go to the Puget Sound. With Seattle right in the middle, you will also be able to fish for trout, Pacific halibut, green sturgeon, and more. There are multiple hot spots for fish both for inshore fishing and on a boat in waters up to 120 feet. No amount of rain will keep you away from a good day out on the Puget Sound.

Lake Tahoe, California and Nevada 

No matter what time of year you want to go to Lake Tahoe, you will have a great time! From winter skiing to water activities and hiking in the summer, you will also be able to fish in these waters and have a great time. Lake Tahoe is the largest alpine lake in North America where you can go fishing for Kokanee salmon, mackinaw, and brown and rainbow trout. Anglers are required to limit their daily catches to five fish in order to promote conservation and to not overfish this great lake!

California Delta 

Year-round warm weather and comfortable summers are found here in Northern California. Here in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, this river and estuary is known for large striped bass, catfish, sturgeons, salmon, and black bass. You are able to cast your line into these waters from the river bank, on a boat, or on one of the piers. 

Middle United States 

Bighorn River, Montana 

If you are someone who loves to go flyfishing, visiting Bighorn River is an absolute must do! You will have to book your trip here early since access is limited and goes through private property. The trout here are a fun time to catch and you will have a great afternoon hooking them on. You will be able to find brown and rainbow trout in these waters, There are strict rules and regulations on what size fish and how many you can take home due to conservation efforts. Many fishermen will catch the trout by practicing new techniques, and then release them back into the river. 

Lake St. Clair, Michigan 

If you are staying near Detroit and want to experience some great muskie fishing without going to the very large Lake Huron, visit Lake St. Clair. This lake has just as much game fish as the Great Lakes nearby do! You can almost guarantee a full basket of fish to bring home at the end of your day if you go on a charter boat during the comfortable summer months. From perch to crappi to walleye, and the millions of smallmouth bass swimming around, you will have no problems at all fishing in Lake St. Clair. 

Colorado River, Colorado 

The Colorado River is massive spanning over 1,450 miles through the southwest of the United States, you can really try your luck in many places fishing in here. But the notoriously best spot to go fishing is at the start of it all in the Rocky Mountains. You will see fly fishermen going for trout, mullet and striped bass, even flathead catfish and sunfish. And the best part of fishing in the Colorado River? Just pick your head up from your reel and take in the majestic view that you cannot get anywhere else. 

Lake Austin, Texas

If you want to visit one of the United State’s booming cities, visit the weird and fun city of Austin in Central Texas! Right in Texas Hill Country, you can fish in the Colorado River in Lake Austin and reel in a 20 pound largemouth bass before heading out for some delicious barbeque. The reservoir is more than 80 years old and attracts people from all over that are looking to get outside. A pro tip before you go—try fishing in the evening so you can avoid the recreational boaters that may take away from your experience. 

Thousand Islands, New York

If you head to nearly Canada in Upstate New York, you will find the Thousand Islands in the St. Lawrence River. There are nearly 1,800 little, tiny islands that make up this area near Lake Ontario. And there are even more fish waiting to be caught in the waters down below. Enjoy fishing here in the summer where the heat is mild and you can spend a lot of time at the water’s edge reeling in salmon, bass, pike, and walleye. There are guided fishing tours, if you want to make sure you’re fishing in the right spots. Be warned though—only seasoned, confident anglers should try to fish for the 5 foot ling muskies that live in these waters. 

A fishing vacation is a great way to clear your mind and get in touch with nature. No matter your goals while you are fishing—whether to bring home a yummy dinner or to catch and release from sunrise to sunset—you will have the best time at any of these top United States fishing destinations.