The 5 Best Fishing National Parks
By Jeff Bogle
Mar 24, 2021
If you’ve ever wondered, “Can I fish in a National Park?,” we have your answer and the top five fishing National Parks ranked from coast to coast!
National Parks aren’t just for spotting wildlife from the comfort of your car. The best parks are the ones you engage with, have adventures in! Now, you may be asking yourself, “Can I fish in a National Park,” and the answer is, absolutely!
Before packing your rods, reels and tackle box, check the NPS website for specific regulations regarding fishing, licens-es, bait and tackle for the park you plan to visit. Now let’s look at the five best fishing National Parks.
1. New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
According to Roger Wilson of Adventures on the Gorge Resort, the newest National Park’s premier destination for fishing trips and fly fishing lessons, the New River is teeming with Smallmouth Bass, Carp, Bluegill, Perch and more, and once in a while, you may pull a Paddlefish from these north-flowing waters. With many species in a spectacular setting, it’s easy to see why New River Gorge is among the best fishing national parks.
2. Yellowstone National Park
When you look for U.S. National Parks ranked by the quality of the fishing, you’ll find Yellowstone near the top of every list because America’s first National Park is a haven for picturesque fly fishing in the Yellowstone, Firehole, and Madison rivers. Having waders on, in water lapping over rocks, and casting for trout as bison graze in the distance is the American dream personified for anglers.
3. Voyageurs National Park
One of the lesser known best fishing National Parks is Minnesota’s maze of interconnected waterways. Voyageurs is 40% water and teeming with walleye, the tastiest of freshwater fish on offer in North America.
4. Biscayne National Park
With 500 species of fish in these warm Floridian waters, this is the most diverse fishing experience in any National Park! Even better, Biscayne is one of the best fishing National Parks for beginners because classes are offered in both Eng-lish and Spanish.
5. Acadia National Park
Within the rocky borders of Maine’s stunning National Park is the opportunity to salt-water fish (for delicious cod and pollock) as well as go freshwater pond fishing in the hope of catching lake trout, landlocked Atlantic salmon and small-mouth bass. Acadia is rugged and beautiful, and is easily one of the best fishing National Parks.
Need more places to fish? Check out the top 100 family fishing and boating spots in America and the 2021 free fishing days in each state.
