Sport fishing is both relaxing and entertaining and can be the foundation of a perfect vacation. But if you want to get the most out of it, you’ll need to find the perfect spot.
Whether for pleasure or as part of a competition, the right spot can instantly make or break your vacation. In this article, we’ll explore some of the features that make a sport fishing location truly memorable and name the best location for sport fishing—as well as several other impressive options.
What Makes a Sport Fishing Location Ideal?
Let’s start by looking at some of the qualities that make a sport fishing location ideal:
- Ease of access. First, you’ll need to think about how easy it is to access this place. If you’re like most sport fishers, you don’t mind long drives, hikes, or other modes of transportation—as long as you can get to the right spot. However, not all locations make it easy to get a fishing license, and you might have trouble finding a place to cast.
- Scenery. Though subjective, you’ll also want to consider the scenery and climate. Is this a place where you can look around and feel inspired by your natural surroundings? Is this place picturesque?
- Popularity. Popularity is a mixed bag. Sometimes, it’s fun to be involved in sport fishing competitions with lots of other people. Other times, it’s better to be by yourself as much as possible—and all those heavily populated spots can be a turnoff.
- Types of fish. Of course, you’ll also need to think about the types of fish that are available. Some fish are rarer and/or more challenging to catch than others.
The Best Location for Sport Fishing in America or Europe
It’s almost impossible to name a “best” sport fishing location, because everyone will have different preferences, and each sport fishing location will have a different selection of fish. However, for this guide, we’re naming Lake Champlain in New York and Vermont.
Lake Champlain is popular in part because of its sheer variety of available fish, making it an amazing destination, no matter what your experience is or what your interests are. In this lake, you’ll find more than 90 different varieties of fish, including very rare and prized sport fish. For example, here you can find yellow perch, white perch, bluegill sunfish, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, rock bass, brown bullhead, and even northern pike. During certain seasons, you can also find species of panfish like bluegill and perch in much higher volumes. And if you’re lucky, you might even find a landlocked Atlantic salmon or a rainbow (steelhead) trout.
There are also rumors of a Lake Champlain “monster” existing deep in the waters, lovably known as “Champ.” A kind of regional version of the Loch Ness Monster, this sea beast probably doesn’t exist—but you never know.
Additionally, Lake Champlain straddles both New York and Vermont, but these states recognize the draw of the area for fishermen. You don’t need licenses in both states to fish here—instead, one license is all you need.
And if you’re interested in making a full trip, Lake Champlain offers a wide variety of other activities for outdoorsy types. You can bike, hike, camp, or just enjoy the beautiful sights as you make your way to the water.
Other Notable Mentions
Of course, there are hundreds of worthy sport fishing locations around the world worth mentioning, even if you won’t have a chance to visit all of them in your lifespan. Here, we’ll highlight a few of the other incredible spots that should make it to your short list.
For example, there’s Pymatuning Lake, which exists between Pennsylvania and Ohio. Straddling the border, Pymatuning Lake forbids gas-powered motors, but offers a wide variety of different fish species. Framed by hills and trees, this is one of the best sport fishing locations in the Midwest.
There’s also the Driftless Area, a large section of land formed by migrating glaciers. It features a combination of different types of terrain, including mountains, rivers, and small lakes, where you can find a diverse selection of fish. Trout fishing is the big draw here, with sustainable fishing programs for both professional and casual anglers. It’s distributed throughout Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Illinois.
You could consider going to Homer, Alaska, if you don’t mind the cold. It’s a totally unique location near Kachemak Bay, where you can find spawning runs of salmon, halibut, lingcod, and even rockfish. Like most of Alaska, Homer is amazingly well-preserved and scenic, making it an ideal destination for anyone obsessed with nature. It’s about a 5-hour drive from Anchorage, though, so getting there may be challenging if you don’t want to fly.
There are also great fishing spots in Europe. For example, one of the most popular destinations is Dubrovnik, Croatia. With plentiful access to tuna, swordfish, mahi mahi, and more species, Croatia is a perfect launch point for your trip—and it has plenty of seafood restaurants nearby as well.
You could also travel to Stockholm, Sweden, where you’ll find amazing architecture, clean streets, and a thriving arts and culture scene. Stockholm has access to some of the best salmon fishing in the entire continent, but you’ll also find trout, perch, pike, and more.
You may also want to hit up Costa Del Sol in Marbella, Spain, where you’ll find a pleasant beach with countless nearby attractions. If you head out on a charter boat, you’ll be able to find blue marlin, bluefin tuna, and many more rare varieties of fish.
Getting the Right Yacht
If you’re going sport fishing, you’ll want the right boat for the occasion. Browse our selection of yachts and boats for sale and find the perfect fit for you—and your next sport fishing destination. If you need help determining your needs, you can also contact us directly.