Learn about good fishing vacation spots for families. From freshwater lakes to saltwater bays, these five spots offer easy access and a variety of species
Which fishing vacation spots are on your must-visit list for this year? Maybe your goal is to find a fishing destination that offers consistent action for the kids, but that also provides the opportunity for you to pursue a few challenging game fish species. Well, don't sweat it because there are plenty of freshwater and saltwater spots in the U.S. that make for fantastic fishing vacations. If you want to learn about some of the best places to fish with your family, check out these five destinations.
1. Big Green Lake, Wisconsin. The Big Green Lake is just 58 miles northeast from Madison, and you'll arrive at this favorite summer family fishing spot. Bluegill, yellow perch, crappie, and white bass make ideal targets for families or beginners who want to fish from the shoreline using live baits. More experienced anglers can pursue game fish such as northern pike or muskellunge by boat using artificial lures. What's one of the biggest advantages of fishing Big Green Lake? The fact that there are seven launches, making access to this waterway a breeze.
2. Fort Myers Beach, Florida. If you visit the town of Fort Myers Beach on Estero Island in Southwest Florida, consider taking the kids to fish from the Fort Myers Beach Pier at Lynn Hall Memorial Park. Spotted seatrout, mangrove snapper, catfish and pompano are just a few of the saltwater species that might grab the end of your line while fishing from this Gulf of Mexico spot. Of course, there are also plenty of places on Estero Island where you can rent a boat or charter a fishing guide as well. Plan on staying for more than just a day or two though because the inshore waters of Estero Bay are known to be prime habitat for brag-worthy catches such as snook, redfish, and tarpon.
3. Galveston Island State Park, Texas. The saltwater fishing fans in your family can have a blast reeling in speckled trout, redfish and flounder while fishing from the beach at Galveston Island State Park. Just remember to check a local tide chart before you venture out because the gulf tides and currents will dictate the best fishing periods. When the action slows down, you can hike, bike, picnic or paddle. Since there is plenty to do, it's a good idea to stay at one of the beach or bay campsites or rent a cabin within the park.
4. Pawtuckaway State Park, New Hampshire. Head to the town of Nottingham in Southeastern New Hampshire to take a family fishing vacation on the shores of Pawtuckaway Lake at Pawtuckaway State Park. You can use the shoreline fishing trails that border Fundy Cove and Neal's Cove if you want to try for yellow perch, black crappie, or bluegill. Alternatively, you can bring along your boat and launch at the Fundy Cove public ramp to access some of the best largemouth bass or smallmouth bass spots on the lake. The wildlife, scenery, and variety of fish species make this one of the fishing vacation spots you may want to visit more than just once.
5. Shasta Lake, California. While it may seem easy to find fishing spots in the state of California, deciding where to fish can be the tough part. Shasta Lake, located 10 miles north of Redding, is always a good choice. Not only are there are a number of lakeside resorts that are well-suited for families, but there are quality trout and bass fishing opportunities that can be explored by boat or from the shoreline.
Which of these fishing vacations would be a good fit for your family? Once you decide, don't forget to buy your fishing licenses online and check the state fishing regulations for these fishing vacation spots.
