5 Family Fishing Trips You Need to Take This Summer
By Debbie Hanson
May 20, 2016
Need a few ideas on great family fishing destinations you can visit this summer? Read about these 5 top places and find out why they rank high on our list!
Summer is right around the corner, so it's time to get those family fishing trips planned and on the calendar! The good news is that in less than one month, the Top 100 Family Places to Fish and Boat for 2016 will be announced, which will give you even more ideas about new fishing spots you can explore. In the meantime, consider visiting one of the top five places from last year's list.
2. Bahia Honda State Park, Big Pine Key, FL. You can try fly fishing the flats on the Atlantic side of the park for bonefish or bottom fish on either side of the Bahia Honda Bridge using bait-tipped jigs for mangrove or yellowtail snapper. When the bite slows down, you can take advantage of the picnic areas, concession stand, and public restrooms that are located within the park.
3. Blue Spring State Park, Orange City, FL. The best family fishing spot at Blue Spring State Park is the accessible fishing pier that extends out into the St. Johns River. From the pier, kids can fish with live baits like earthworms or crickets for bluegill or cast out a soft plastic worm rigged Texas-style for largemouth bass.
4. Kissimmee State Park, Lake Wales, FL. If you and your family enjoy catching a variety of freshwater fish species, a visit to Kissimmee State Park in Lake Wales is likely to create quite a few fishing smiles. You can launch your boat from the ramp at the park or fish from the canal banks for largemouth bass, crappie, catfish, pickerel, and bluegill.
5. Keystone State Park, Derry, PA. Consider planning a family fishing trip to Keystone State Park if your goal is to reel in a largemouth bass, tiger muskellunge, black crappie, or yellow perch. Once you've brought a few fish to the boat on Keystone Lake, you can take the family back to dry land for an adventurous hike down eight miles of scenic hiking trails.
Be sure to check out the full Top 100 Places to Fish and Boat from 2015 that includes great family friendly locations across the entire country. Then, don't forget to purchase fishing licenses and check the fishing regulations for the state you plan to visit.
Top Family Fishing Spots
1. Everglades National Park, Homestead, FL. Whether you have your mind set on catching your first redfish on the flats of the Ten Thousand Islands or a big bass, Everglades National Park is unique with respect to the fact that both saltwater and freshwater fishing opportunities are abundant. The park covers over 2,000 square miles though, so it’s important to do your research and plan your visit in advance.2. Bahia Honda State Park, Big Pine Key, FL. You can try fly fishing the flats on the Atlantic side of the park for bonefish or bottom fish on either side of the Bahia Honda Bridge using bait-tipped jigs for mangrove or yellowtail snapper. When the bite slows down, you can take advantage of the picnic areas, concession stand, and public restrooms that are located within the park.
3. Blue Spring State Park, Orange City, FL. The best family fishing spot at Blue Spring State Park is the accessible fishing pier that extends out into the St. Johns River. From the pier, kids can fish with live baits like earthworms or crickets for bluegill or cast out a soft plastic worm rigged Texas-style for largemouth bass.
4. Kissimmee State Park, Lake Wales, FL. If you and your family enjoy catching a variety of freshwater fish species, a visit to Kissimmee State Park in Lake Wales is likely to create quite a few fishing smiles. You can launch your boat from the ramp at the park or fish from the canal banks for largemouth bass, crappie, catfish, pickerel, and bluegill.
5. Keystone State Park, Derry, PA. Consider planning a family fishing trip to Keystone State Park if your goal is to reel in a largemouth bass, tiger muskellunge, black crappie, or yellow perch. Once you've brought a few fish to the boat on Keystone Lake, you can take the family back to dry land for an adventurous hike down eight miles of scenic hiking trails.
Be sure to check out the full Top 100 Places to Fish and Boat from 2015 that includes great family friendly locations across the entire country. Then, don't forget to purchase fishing licenses and check the fishing regulations for the state you plan to visit.
Debbie Hanson is an award-winning outdoor writer, women’s sport fishing advocate, IGFA world record holder, and freshwater guide living in Southwest Florida. Hanson’s written work has appeared in publications such as Florida Game & Fish Magazine, BoatUS Magazine, and USA Today Hunt & Fish. To learn more about her work, visit shefishes2.com or follow her on Instagram @shefishes2.
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