Best Summer Fishing Spots in the United States
Now that summer is in full-swing, it’s time to swap out your snow shovel and gloves for your fishing pole and tackle box. From Texas, to Mexico and Colorado, we’ve listed our pick of the 10 best fishing spots in the United States to guarantee your summer fishing trip is one to remember.
Texas
Fishing is an integral part of the Texas culture; the state is home to 36 rivers and 6,736 lakes and reservoirs for enthusiasts to choose from.
- Caddo Lake, TX
Located on Big Cypress Bayou northeast of Marshall, you will find a variety of fish here, including largemouth bass, crappie, chain pickerel, white & yellow bass, sunfish, and catfish.
- Choke Canyon Reservoir, TX
Located on the Frio River, this is a very popular spot. Largemouth and white bass, sunfish, blue, channel & flathead catfish, alligator gar, and crappie occupy the lake.
- Lake Texoma, TX
This 89,000-acre reservoir is well-known for its abundance of blue and channel catfish, as well as a variety of bass.
- Devil’s River, TX
Though a bit challenging to navigate, this is a wonderful place to go kayak fishing. You will find healthy populations of largemouth and smallmouth bass, as well as catfish.
- Lake Fork, TX
Lake Fork is regarded as one of the premier largemouth bass fisheries in the state of Texas and one of the best in the entire country. You’ll find largemouth bass upwards of 13+ pounds and the lake also holds respectable populations of crappie and catfish, which provide lots of action.
New Mexico
One of the best parts about fishing in New Mexico is the year-round season for most waters. Add in the broad variety of species, and you have one of the best places to fish in the nation!
- Cimarron River, NM
A good spot for beginners. Easy accessible off the roadway, it’s a rich tailwater stream and a great choice in springtime because it’s unaffected by snowmelt. Be sure to check out its source, Eagle Nest Lake, for trout, yellow perch, and pike.
- Chama River, NM
The Chama River has several distinct sections, but the uppermost reaches of the river are usually prime in late June. Mayfly hatches draw good-sized trout up from El Vado Lake.
Colorado
Colorado is increasingly popular as a fishing destination. Its many rivers, lakes, and mountain streams teem with a variety of species including cutthroats, rainbows, and browns.
- Gore Creek, CO
Although this stream is relatively small, it is one of the best fishing destinations in Colorado. Here you will find cutthroats, brooks, browns, and rainbows.
- Rio Grande, CO
Rio Grande is a windy river that begins in the San Juan Mountains in Southwest Colorado and ends in the Gulf of Mexico. The best fishing section of the river lies in the mountains between the towns of Del Norte and South Fork. This section offers up some of the best catches of the river. Looking for the best time to fish in this river? June to July.
- The Frying Pan River, CO
This fishing destination has gained an international reputation for its fly and lure fishing. In fact, you can easily catch 10-pound rainbows in some sections of the river. The state of Colorado has constantly managed this fishing habitat, so it’s a perfect summer fishing spot.
North America, especially hot spots like Texas, New Mexico and Colorado are filled with great and diverse summer fishing opportunities, ideal for every angler. Whether you’re planning a solo fishing trip, or a fishing trip with the family, our top 10 list will help you plan that summer fishing trip you’ll always remember. What are you waiting for? Add these to your summer bucket list and get ready to cast your line!