Seven Favorite Fishing Spots Across the U.S.
If you love fishing, you don’t need to be convinced. The best place in the world to throw your line is always that spot where you’re getting plenty of hits. We really love our fly fishing lodge in Alaska too, but why set limits on angling horizons? The next time you find yourself working the waters from our Eastern Seaboard to the Pacific Coast, keep this list handy in your tackle box.
Our Seven Favorite U.S. Fishing Spots
Some are majestic, ancient lakes, and others are wild mountain rivers. If you’re like us, you’re happy wherever the fish are biting. We’re always ready to cast our luck into any one of these seven favorite fishing spots across the U.S.
1. Lake Ontario, New York
One of the best ways to cover more than 7,200 square miles of fishing involves a dependable boat, good fishing buddies and a day spent trolling for trout and salmon. As it warms up, Lake Ontario thermally stratifies and adds a whole new angle to the idea of depth perception. Launch from eastern or southern shores on a bright summer day, and chase brownies, chinook and coho.
2. Elk River, West Virginia
If you don’t mind a little traveling to reach remote, rugged settings, head for Slatyfork in the heart of West Virginia. The tiny outpost serves as a gateway to more than 170 miles of fly fishing on the scenic Elk River. This catch-and-release environment is blessed with an amazing abundance of oversized rainbows and wild brown trout.
3. Gulf Shores, Alabama
Swing down south to a little island off the Alabama Coast just west of Florida’s panhandle. Find your spot along the 2,400-foot Gulf State Pier, and cast out to big pompano, whiting and flounder. Charter a saltwater adventure, and go deep sea fishing for red snapper, amberjack and blackfin tuna. If you visit during the winter, throw your line in the company of other snowbirds dodging the freezing temperatures up north.
4. Choke Canyon Reservoir, Texas
Just an hour south of San Antonio, you’ll find 25,000 acres of deep blue water surrounded by a Texas-centric ecosystem. Wild turkeys, boar hogs and American gators call this state park area home where they compete for your attention with huge blue, flathead and channel catfish. Be ready to catch plenty of fat bass, crappie and bluegill too. We leave alligator gar fishing to braver anglers.
5. Roaring Fork River, Colorado
Do you dream about perfecting your presentation in a high mountain stream quietly winding through deep forests? Have you set your heart on stalking trophy trout in the raging rapids of a freestone river? Do both on the Roaring Fork in western central Colorado. The dual nature of this 70-mile tributary of the mighty Colorado River makes it one of our favorite U.S. locations for fly fishing.
6. Lake Campbell, Washington State
The far northwest corner of Washington State offers year-round action across its lowland lake area for every type of fishing. Lake Campbell stands out as one of the best spots in the state covering 400 acres with opportunities for bringing home serious bragging rights. Fish light tackle for bluegill, go sinker-deep for bullheads, and come prepared to do battle with aggressive largemouth bass.
7. Kvichak River, Alaska
We call our home state the Last Frontier for good reason. When you fly fish in Alaska, you spend time in pristine wilderness and legendary backcountry casting to rainbows, cutthroats and steelheads. Here on the Kvichak River, the sockeye salmon run tops 50 million every year. From Lake Iliamna down to Bristol Bay, this 50-mile stretch turns angling daydreams into unforgettable fly fishing adventures.
Your Open Invitation
It’s a challenge to stop with just seven of our favorite U.S. fishing locations. From Alaska’s Cook Inlet across to the Great Lakes and down to Florida’s Keys, angling opportunities are endless. You have an open invitation to join us here at No See Um Lodge in southwestern Alaska too. We’re happy to help add new fishing spots to your list of favorites.