Blog

5 of the best states for fishing in the USA

If fishing has you hooked, why not head off on a trip to land an American bass. Want to cast your rod in a stateside stream? Here’s our pick of some of the best places for a fishing holiday in the USA.


Best for bass: Louisiana

Fishing fans have a new way to explore the state of Louisiana’s world class, award-winning bass fishing with the new Louisiana Bass Trail. This new initiative in North Louisiana offers a guide to fishing in seven lakes at eight state parks, encouraging visitors to fish more than one. Participating lakes include Caney Lake in Jimmie Davis State Park and Toledo Bend Reservoir, pictured right, which spans North Toledo Bend State Park and South Toledo Bend State Park. To take part in the Louisiana Bass Trail, you can pick up a ‘Bassport’ at any of the participating State Parks or request one online at LouisianaBassTrail.com. Once you’ve fished at least four stops, you qualify for special Louisiana Bass Trail prizes. Don’t forget to share your experiences on social media using #LABassTrail and #OnlyLouisiana.  


Wonderful for wild trout: California

Fancy landing a trophy-sized wild trout? Intrepid anglers should head to California. Some of the state’s most famous fly fishing rivers run between the volcanic summits of Mt. Shasta and Mt. Lassen. A must-fish is Fall River – 15 miles of crystal-clear, icy cold spring water, which is the top angling destination in Northern California. Other highlights for experienced anglers include Pit River remote, boulder-strewn with rainbow-filled pocket waters.

 

Top for trout: Colorado

Experienced anglers might want to head to the state of Colorado for more than 6,000 miles of fishable rivers, 322 miles of Gold Medal-rated streams and more than 2,000 lakes and reservoirs in beautiful natural surroundings in Colorado, pictured left. There are plenty of places to fish here throughout the four seasons. A highlight is the Gunnison River with its Gold Medal waters; it’s the best place to catch the largest and most fish, whilst Rocky Mountain National Park boasts brilliant trout fishing.

 

Super for salmon: Idaho

Anglers are tempted to Idaho because of its diverse fishing - with shimmering lakes, large reservoirs and blue-ribbon trout fishing streams. Come in spring, summer and autumn to wrangle big, powerful king salmon or steelhead on several Idaho rivers. Idaho, which is full of different fisheries, is the only inland state in the western USA where you can catch these fish.

 

Champion for choice: Tuolumne County, California

Right in the heart of Yosemite National Park, Tuolumne County in California has more than 78 lakes to choose from, each offering an abundance of different species of fish to catch. Apart from fishing, pictured right, there are plenty of other water-based activities to enjoy in this beautiful corner of the state. Try Pinecrest Lake and Marina which are open April-October and offer motorboats, paddle boards, kayaks and sail boats to hire. www.visittuolumne.com  

 

Brilliant for brown trout: Arizona

There’s so much more to the state of Arizona’s landscape than spectacular desert and Grand Canyon that it’s so famous for. The rivers that run through the stunning White Mountains, in Northern Arizona, are famous for rainbow, brown, and brook trout. Anglers head to these rivers at more than 11,000 feet in elevation, to cast their lines for bass, catfish, and trout all year round.

Posted on: 10/06/2018

Visit USA newsletter

Get more inspiring US travel ideas, news and offers in our newsletter.

 
Sign up here to receive USA Travel News, the regular Visit USA e-mail newsletter with the latest news and information


By providing your email address and clicking “sign-up” you consent to be contacted by Visit USA with offers and updates which we feel may be of interest to you. To opt out, use the unsubscribe link or email info@visitusa.org.uk. Find out how Visit USA safeguards user information by reading our Privacy Statement.