These Fishing Spots Should Be on Your Bucket List
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With about 71 percent of the Earth's surface covered with water, you can bet there’s bountiful aquatic life to explore. For anglers, the opportunities take them around the world in search of world-class fishing, both offshore and inshore as well as ice fishing, brackish fishing, surf and pier fishing, among others.
The scenery proves diverse, from hard-to-get-to archipelagos beaming with natural beauty, to tropical hot spots and their gin-clear waters, to cozy huts on icy lakes and off-the-beaten-path fishing holes encapsulated by jaw-dropping wilderness. Here are the 25 best fishing spots around the world to add to your bucket list.
Why St. Brandon’s Atoll Should Be on Your Bucket List
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Situated off the coast of East Africa, this bucket-list fishing spot offers one of the best places in the world to wade in the crystal clear waters to sight-cast bonefish.
The Indian Ocean atoll allows anglers easy access to the shallow water fish. Other fish species to look out for include golden, yellow dot and green spot trevally.
Why Peninsula Papagayo Should Be on Your Bucket List
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Recognized as one of the top sportfishing destinations worldwide, Costa Rica attracts anglers from everywhere. The Papagayo Peninsula is perhaps one of the lesser-known destinations, but that just makes the fishing opportunities that much more special.
It offers world-class opportunities for sailfish, striped and blue marlin, roosterfish, yellowfin tuna, mackerel, amberjack and bulk mahi mahi. An easy option is to book a stay at the luxurious El Mangroove, which is ideally situated at the bay’s edge, and set up an excursion with the experts.
Why Havelock Island Should Be on Your Bucket List
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The Andaman Islands make up an archipelago off the Bay of Bengal in the northeastern Indian Ocean. It’s home to some of the best fishing spots in the world, including Havelock Island where untouched, crystal-clear waters reveal a flurry of fish.
Expect to catch blue marlin, black marlin, sailfish, dorado, dogtooth tuna and yellowfin tuna.
Why Bimini Should Be on Your Bucket List
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One of the most famous fishing destinations in the world, Bimini is located just 50 miles from Miami, Florida, making it both a truly tropical paradise and one that offers idealistic proximity to the U.S.
The angling opportunities are dizzying, though it's most popular for tuna, wahoo, dolphin and marlin.
Why Keyodhoo Should Be on Your Bucket List
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TheRepublic of Maldives is a highly coveted tropical archipelago located south of India and southeast of Sri Lanka. Luxurious overwater bungalows entice tourists to escape to the destination for total immersion with the water. Abundant coral reefs give way to a magnificent array of sea life.
Anglers take advantage of the fishing charters found here, including a visit to Keyodhoo, one of the easternmost islands of the Maldives where giant trevally, bluefin trevally, jacks, sailfish, marlin, dogtooth tuna, yellowfin tuna, bigeye tuna, bonito, mah mahi, barracuda, wahoo, sharks, groupers, snappers and more excite.
Why Outerbanks Should Be on Your Bucket List
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Whether it’s fly fishing, brackish fishing, surf and pier fishing, offshore and inshore charter fishing, or sound and head boat fishing, the Outerbanks has something for all types of anglers. Among its opportunities, surf fishing promises more than 100 miles of beach on which you can cast a line.
Cape Point is the creme-de-la-creme with the land jutting out into the Atlantic Ocean and taking a sharp curve back toward the shore, revealing north- and south-facing beaches. At the tip, the Labrador Current and Gulf Stream meet, making for prime surf fishing conditions.
Why Bora Bora Should Be on Your Bucket List
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Bora Bora is one of the richest fishing grounds in the world. Year-round splendor in the sea includes blue marlin, tuna, yellowfin tuna, mahi-mahi, trevally, wahoo, skipjack and more. As you deep-sea fish, a village of stunning islands create a picturesque backdrop.
After a day of fishing, a stay at the luxurious Conrad Bora Bora Nui proves much deserved. Nestled in a private cove on Motu To'opua, you’ll be rocked to sleep by the gentle turquoise waters lapping beneath your floating villa.
Why Mitsio Archipelago Should Be on Your Bucket List
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Madagascar, officially the Republic of Madagascar, consists of two main islands. The central plateau borders the Indian Ocean, and the south plateau borders the Atlantic Ocean.
One of the top fishing spots is Mitsio Archipelago, a volcanic archipelago consisting of a main island, the Great Mitsio and a package of small islets. Here, a conglomerate of underwater humps and reefs feature a wide array of fishing spots revealing yellowfin tuna, bonito, barracuda, black marlin, sea bream and swordfish.
Why Henry’s Fork Snake River Should Be on Your Bucket List
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Slicing through Yellowstone National Park, the Snake River is a freshwater fisherman’s dream. Hike out of civilization and into the midst of the wilderness, where you can cast a line in the remote waters at Henry’s Fork, a tributary river of the Snake River that’s approximately 127-miles long.
Fish for native Yellowstone cutthroat trout, rainbow trout, brown trout and mountain whitefish.
Why São Vicente Should Be on Your Bucket List
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Cape Verde is a country and archipelago consisting of 10 independent islands. It’s world famous for its blue marlin fishing amid azure waters.
In peak season, which occurs from March to July, it's common for anglers to enjoy more than 15 bites from blues per day. Yellowfin tuna, white marlin, sailfish, wahoo and dorado also attract those looking to do some serious fishing.
Why San Jamie Bank Should Be on Your Bucket List
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Some of the most exotic species of fish make Cabo San Lucas a hot spot for anglers. San Jamie Bank offers one of various top-notch fishing spots. The underwater canyon measures more than 3,500-feet deep.
Here, underwater caves and mountains bring in species such as skipjack tuna, bonita, yellowfin tuna and blue marlin.
Why Kailua Kona Should Be on Your Bucket List
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Prime fishing conditions make Kailua Kona one of the top fishing destinations in the Pacific. The surrounding mountains protect the area from winds, making for calm sea conditions.
Meanwhile, over 3,000-feet-deep waters just 2 miles from shore host various species of fish, including striped marlin, spearfish, black and blue marlin, big eye, yellowfin and skipjack tuna, mahi-mahi and ono and reef fishing species, including grouper and snapper, amberjack, trevally and sharks.
13. Lake of the Woods
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Location: Lake of the Woods, Minnesota
Where to stay: Border View Lodge
Why Lake of the Woods Should Be on Your Bucket List
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Not all fishing is about azure waters and balmy temperatures. At Lake of the Woods, ice fishing reigns supreme. Situated on the border between the U.S. and Canada, the lake is renowned for its rich density of walleye, northern pike, perch, whitefish and lake trout, among others.
Choose between the Minnesota side or the Ontario side, both of which offer private fish houses and guides.
Why Tenerife Should Be on Your Bucket List
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Tenerife is the largest of the gorgeous Spanish archipelago known as the Canary Islands. The island is home to year-round fishing allure, with anglers able to catch a variety of fish from blue marlin to shark, tuna, wahoo and all the bottom fish.
Apart from taking advantage of the fishing charter boats available around the island, you can also hang around the marina for light rock fishing.
Why Cabo Girão Cliffs Should Be on Your Bucket List
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Though the travelers are just starting to become acquainted with this Portuguese territory located roughly 400 miles west of Morocco, the magic of Madeira is not lost upon anglers. The archipelago is known for its big-game catches, specifically massive blue marlin.
The popular fishing grounds of the Cabo Girão cliffs offer supreme opportunities to hook the big blues.
Why Eagle Brae Should Be on Your Bucket List
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Fly fishermen (or women) thrive in Inverness, a city in the Scottish Highlands. The city is renowned for its prime fishing conditions, offering spectacular salmon and trout fishing. For an all-inclusive experience, Eagle Brae encapsulates you in wildlife.
Along with five-star log cabins, guests are given prime access to the variety of salmon, trout and pike fishing opportunities along the Glass and Farrar rivers.
Why Montenegro Should Be on Your Bucket List
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Montenegro offers a versatile fishing experience with its freshwater fishing in the mountains, streams, rivers and lakes, along with sea fishing off the Dalmatian coast.
The Tara River is ideal for trout fishing, in particular, while big-game fish species — including bluefin tuna, albacore tuna, dorados and swordfish — entice in the Adriatic Sea.
8. Crowe Lake
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Location: Ontario, Canada
Where to stay: Limestone B&B
Why Crowe Lake Should Be on Your Bucket List
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Simple pleasures and bountiful fish make Crowe Lake a must for fishing. The Canadian lake consists of a total surface area of 4 square miles, where a dense population of northern pike, smallmouth bass and yellow perch attract visitors.
The lake is overwhelmingly peaceful, encouraging the most reclusive of anglers to its shores.
Why The Kola Reserve Should Be on Your Bucket List
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Considered the new kid on the block, the reserve is among the best offerings of Atlantic salmon fishing on the Kola Peninsula in Russia, covering the Lumbovka and Kachkovka rivers. The entirety of the peninsula is home to some of the fattest salmon anglers will ever lay eyes on.
The only catch here is the short fishing season. Come in spring to take advantage of big and bright fish in the high, cold waters or late August through September for a chance at catching the mesmerizing osenka species.
Why Bass River Should Be on Your Bucket List
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In general, Cape Cod is a fairytale destination that comes alive in the summertime. Anglers love the terrific striped bass and bluefish fisheries, along with flounder and weakfish opportunities in many areas.
One of the prime spots for fishing is Bass River in Yarmouth. The hefty river is home to various prime fishing spots. Some say the best exists just near the rest area close to Exit 9 on Route 6. Park your car at the rest stop, then wander to the rocks beneath the overpasses and enjoy striped bass splendor.
5. Homer Split
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Location: Homer, Alaska
Where to stay: Homer Inn & Spa
Why Homer Split Should Be on Your Bucket List
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Saltwater fishing off the coast of Homer promises wrestling brilliant trophy fish, most notably 150-pound halibut catches. You’ll also have the chance to reel in all types of salmon, rockfish and Dolly Vardens.
Among the best spots includes Homer Split, which is a popular 508-acre fishing lagoon that allows offshore and casting fishing.
Why Punta Cana Should Be on Your Bucket List
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Punta Cana, along with the rest of the Dominican, is known for its Caribbean waters, balmy temperatures and rum (of course!). But anglers know all too well that the fishing opportunities are just as notable. Punta Cana is teeming with white and blue marlin.
Take a big-game boat out to troll for the fish in the western side of Mona Passage. Smaller but delicious delights include dolphin, tuna and wahoo.
3. Pooles Island
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Location: Chestertown, Maryland
Where to stay: Great Oak Manor
Why Pooles Island Should Be on Your Bucket List
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The largest estuary in the U.S., the Chesapeake Bay spans 64,000 square miles and covers parts of six states. The most popular fish to target include: striped bass, red drum, spotted sea trout, white perch and summer flounder.
Of the many hot spots, Pooles Island, located near the mouth of the Gunpowder River, is a great spot to fish, with plentiful bluefish and striped bass.
Why Tropic Star Lodge Should Be on Your Bucket List
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Piñas Bay is home to the world-class Tropic Star Lodge. Anglers froth at the mouth for an opportunity to experience black and Pacific blue marlin bites, along with Pacific sailfish, wahoo, roosterfish and cubera snapper.
The lodge has been an ultimate destination for offshore and inshore fishing adventures for guests for more than 50 years and is often referred to as “the best fishing resort in the world.”
1. Jardines de la Reina
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Location: Jardines de la Reina, Cuba
Where to stay: Tortuga Lodge
Why Jardines de la Reina Should Be on Your Bucket List
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A dusting of small islands with restricted access off Cuba’s southern coast, Jardines de la Reina provides anglers access to bonefish, tarpon, permit, cubera snapper and more along ideal flats.
The bucket-list fishing trip is all about being on the water — even when sleeping. Lodging options are all aboard a yacht, with guides accessible to help you hone in your fishing skills between gourmet meals and plush shut-eye.
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