Ten Great Spots to Take a Fishing Vacation
By Mary M. Alward
The waters of the world are full of fish and there are thousands of spots to take a fishing vacation.
Focusing on ten spots is not an easy chore. Fishing vacations are really the preference of the angler. However, let’s take a look at ten places that offer excellent angling opportunities.
Wyoming, USA
If you are looking to catch trophy trout in the USA, a vacation to Yellowstone National Park is a must. Slough Creek is full of trophy trout, as are many other streams within the Park’s boundaries. All streams in Wyoming are stocked regularly. Streams and rivers outside the Park also offer great trout fishing opportunities, as do the waters in the nearby states of Idaho and Montana.
Long Island, New York
At the tip of Long Island, you will find Montauk Point. The world’s top naturalists have studied the area and conclude that this is a place where the majority of the world’s fish are found. The Point is a glacial cliff. Fish species found at Montauk Point include tuna, marlin, cod, mackerel, striped bass and white shark. Montauk Point is also the home of the oldest lighthouse in New York State. Cast your bait from the rocks below the lighthouse for the area’s best surf casting opportunities.
London, England
Believe it or not, great fly fishing opportunities await vacationing anglers just a few miles drive from London. In the chalk streams of the area, you will catch trout and Atlantic salmon. These fish share the habitat of these streams. If possible, fish in the Itchen or Test rivers. The areas around both of these are private land and a fee is required but all are reasonably priced. When you land the big one, the small fee will be well worth it.
The Itchen River region is where the first artificial nymphs were invented and this area of Hampshire will fulfill all or your wildest fishing dreams.
Manitoba, Canada
When you are planning your fishing vacation, don’t overlook Manitoba, Canada as a possible destination. Known as “The Land of Lakes,” there are hundreds of trophy fishing opportunities for both still and fly fishing anglers. Though northern pike can be caught in the US and other countries, Manitoba has whoppers that put up a terrific fight. Northern pike strike hard and fast on a “Daredevil” lure. Other species that can be caught in “The Land of the Lakes” include rainbow, brook and brown trout, carp, channel cat, perch and pickerel. Best times to fish in Manitoba are spring and fall as there is more fish activity at those times of year.
The Florida Keys
The Florida Keys offer a wide range of fishing opportunities for anglers and they flock to the area all year ‘round. Ernest Hemingway fished at Key West and it offers the same opportunities today as when he visited. The Marquesas Islands and surrounding waters offer tarpon and bonefish. Other species caught in the area include blue marlin, black grouper, dolphin fish, King mackerel, sailfish, yellow fin tuna, barracuda, shark and snapper.
Missouri, USA
If you are looking forward to a wonderful outdoor experience, plan a fishing vacation in the Ozark Mountains of Missouri. Here you can fish for bass beneath towering limestone bluffs that are part of Missouri’s rivers. Missouri is home to over two hundred fish species, including several species of bass, channel, blue and flathead catfish, sunfish, bluegills, muskellunge, walleye, shiners, lamprey, shad, pickerel, perch, trout, gar, sturgeon and more. This state has more fish species than any other in the USA.
Tips
- Instead of packing all of your fishing gear to haul around the world, use a guide service that provides all the necessary equipment in the price of the service.
- When booking a guide service, ask about years of experience, licensing, insurance and bonding. Be sure the guide service can provide references and when they are given to you, check them carefully.
- Ask the guide service to provide necessary fishing licenses and permits as well as information on exporting your catch.
- The guide service will be able to provide you with the best times of year to fish for your targeted fish species.
- Check the local Chamber of Commerce, Better Business Bureau or equivalent to find out more about the guide service you are planning to use.
- Some areas mandate that you hire a licensed guide. Check the laws and regulations of the area where you are planning to take your fishing vacation.
If you have problems choosing a destination for your fishing vacation, ask someone you know where they have enjoyed the ultimate fishing experience. If you plan right, you will enjoy a fishing vacation that you will remember for the rest of your life.
