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Home/Activities/Fishing

Best National Parks for Fishing

Cast a line in some of America's most pristine waters. National parks offer world-class fishing opportunities in stunning natural settings.

Top Parks for Fishing

Acadia National Park
#1
Acadia National Park
Maine
National Park
Arts and CultureCultural DemonstrationsAstronomy

Acadia National Park protects the natural beauty of the highest rocky headlands along the Atlantic coastline of the United States, an abundance of habitats, and a rich cultural heritage. At 4 million visits a year, it's one of the top 10 most-visited national parks in the United States. Visitors enjoy 27 miles of historic motor roads, 158 miles of hiking trails, and 45 miles of carriage roads.

Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail
#2
Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail
Hawaii
National Historic Site
Arts and CultureCultural DemonstrationsAuto and ATV

Established in 2000 to preserve, protect and interpret traditional Native Hawaiian culture and natural resources, Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail is a 175-mile corridor encompassing a network of culturally and historically significant trails. This "trail by the sea" traverses wahi pana (storied landscapes), ancient Hawaiian sites and over 200 ahupuaʻa (traditional land divisions).

Alagnak Wild River
#3
Alagnak Wild River
Alaska
National Park
BoatingCampingBackcountry Camping

The headwaters of Alagnak Wild River lie within the rugged Aleutian Range of neighboring Katmai National Park and Preserve. Meandering west towards Bristol Bay and the Bering Sea, the Alagnak traverses the beautiful Alaska Peninsula, providing an unparalleled opportunity to experience the unique wilderness, wildlife, and cultural heritage of southwest Alaska.

American Memorial Park
#4
American Memorial Park
Northern Mariana Islands
National Park
Arts and CultureTheaterBiking

American Memorial Park honors the American and Marianas people who gave their lives during the Marianas Campaign of World War II. At the park, memorials stand in tribute to the courage and sacrifice of the US Servicemen and Chamorro and Carolinian civilians who were killed in the battles between the United States and Japan that took place on Saipan, Tinian, and the Philippine Sea in 1944.

Amistad National Recreation Area
#5
Amistad National Recreation Area
Texas
National Recreation Area
BoatingMotorized BoatingJet Skiing

An oasis in the desert, Amistad National Recreation Area consists of the US portion of the International Amistad Reservoir. Amistad, a Spanish word meaning "friendship," is known for excellent water-based recreation, camping, hiking, and rich cultural history dating back nearly 5,000 years. Amistad is also home to a wide variety of plant and animal life both above and below the water.

Anacostia Park
#6
Anacostia Park
District of Columbia
National Park
BikingRoad BikingBoating

Welcome to Anacostia Park, your neighborhood national park in the heart of Washington, DC! Enjoy exercise along the river trail or relax by the water, Anacostia Park is a breath of fresh air and a space to unwind amid a bustling city.

Apostle Islands National Lakeshore
#7
Apostle Islands National Lakeshore
Wisconsin
National Lakeshore
BoatingMotorized BoatingSailing

Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, located at the northern tip of Wisconsin's Bayfield Peninsula, features 21 stunning islands, a scenic 12-mile shoreline along Lake Superior, and is located within the ancestral homeland of the Ojibwe people. Established in 1970, the park showcases picturesque sea caves, sandy beaches, and the largest collection of lighthouses in the National Park system.

Arkansas Post National Memorial
#8
Arkansas Post National Memorial
Arkansas
National Memorial
Arts and CultureCultural DemonstrationsBoating

Located at the confluence of two rivers, Arkansas Post has served as a gathering place for many cultures throughout human history - it represents cultural cooperation, conflict, synthesis, and diversity.

Assateague Island National Seashore
#9
Assateague Island National Seashore
Maryland
National Seashore
Arts and CultureAuto and ATVAuto Off-Roading

Want to live on the edge? Visit a place recreated each day by ocean wind and waves. Life on Assateague Island has adapted to an existence on the move. Explore sandy beaches, salt marshes, maritime forests and coastal bays. Rest, relax, recreate and enjoy some time on the edge of the continent.

Big Hole National Battlefield
#10
Big Hole National Battlefield
Montana
National Battlefield
Arts and CultureCultural DemonstrationsFishing

On August 9, 1877, gunshots shattered a chilly dawn on a sleeping camp of nimí·pu· (Nez Perce). By the time the smoke cleared on August 10, almost 90 nimí·pu· were dead, along with 31 soldiers and volunteers. Big Hole National Battlefield was created to honor all who were there.

Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area
#11
Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area
Kentucky
National River
Arts and CultureAstronomyStargazing

Encompassing 125,000 acres of the Cumberland Plateau, Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area protects the free-flowing Big South Fork of the Cumberland River and its tributaries. The area boasts miles of scenic gorges and sandstone bluffs, is rich with natural and historic features and has been developed to provide visitors with a wide range of outdoor recreational activities.

Big Thicket National Preserve
#12
Big Thicket National Preserve
Texas
National Preserve
BikingBoatingCamping

Life of all types abounds in the Big Thicket. This national preserve protects the incredible diversity of life found where multiple habitats meet in southeast Texas. Hiking trails and waterways meander through nine different ecosystems, from longleaf pine forests to cypress-lined bayous. It is a place of discovery, a place to wander and explore, a place to marvel at the richness of nature.

Fishing Tips
  • Always check park-specific fishing regulations
  • Obtain required permits and licenses
  • Practice catch and release where required
  • Use barbless hooks in many parks
  • Avoid fishing during spawning seasons
  • Clean gear to prevent spreading invasive species
Gear Recommendations
  • Rod and reel appropriate for target species
  • Waders or water shoes
  • Polarized sunglasses
  • Tackle box with assorted lures/flies
  • Landing net
  • Fishing license and permits
  • Creel or cooler
  • Sun protection
Best Seasons
  • Spring for spawning runs
  • Summer for alpine lakes
  • Fall for trout activity

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