Winter wonder takes many forms, and just because it’s cold outside, it doesn’t mean the fun has to stop. For passionate anglers, cold weather is an open door for exploring new fishing locales, an adventure waiting to happen.
FishingBooker, an online fishing travel company, has compiled a list of the best winter fishing destinations to consider in 2022. Some of them are all-time favorites, some are off the beaten path, but all of them boast strong winter action.
Bristol, Tennessee/Virginia
Outdoor enthusiasts will love this one. Right on the state line of Tennessee and Virginia lies the city of Bristol that has easy access to some of the best fisheries in the Southeast. With the South Holston River and Lake a stone’s throw away, there’s an array of opportunities at your fingertips.
South Holston River is known for its fly fishing action far and wide. Its cold waters are home to feisty trout year-round, and fly anglers make the most of it. Rainbows, Brooks, and Browns are all on the menu. There’s even a saying that this river has almost 10,000 Brown Trout per its every mile. And your backdrop? A stunning national forest.
If you prefer calmer waters for your fishing escapades, South Holston Lake is but a short drive away from Bristol. Here, you can hook into the likes of bass, walleye, carp and pike.
Kenai, Alaska
This is a destination that is a fishing gem year-round and offers undiluted winter splendor — the city of Kenai. Nestled right at the mouth of the Kenai River, with easy access to some of the most prolific fisheries in the state (and country), Kenai’s appeal doesn’t lessen with the drop in the temperature. On the contrary!
Avid fly anglers and ice fishing enthusiasts won’t be discouraged by the cold. The river produces good numbers of rainbow trout and Dolly Varden during the winter months, and fly fishermen take every chance to hit the waters. These fish aren’t to be messed with — they’re big and fight hard and smart. It’s no wonder they’re so popular.
Morro Bay, California
Halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco, you’ll find Morro Bay – a scenic coastal city and one of the last fishing villages in the state. With the Pacific at its doorstep, six miles of coastline to discover, and a warm and sunny climate, Morro Bay is full of promise.
So, what’s on the to-catch list in Morro Bay? Well, it all depends on where you’re fishing from. The stars of the fishing scene are Lingcod and a variety of Rockfish, so from the get-go, you know that bottom fishing is on fire. Shore fishermen can head to one of the beaches or local parks for surf fishing. Thanks to the rocky shore and deep waters close to land, the bite is something that needs to be experienced to be believed.
South Padre Island, Texas
If you’re looking for a fishing spot that’s downright tropical and has got the fisheries to prove it, look no further than South Padre Island. This barrier island town, with its winter temperatures in the upper sixties and fishing that keeps on giving, is a dream come true. No wonder it’s one of our picks of best winter fishing destinations.
Whether you stay on land, go fishing in the Laguna Madre Bay, or head offshore, you’re in for a treat. From the jetties, you can target mackerel, tarpon, and grouper and be very successful in the winter. Nearshore bay waters are the playground of redfish, snook, flounder, and speckled trout. Offshore fishing will put you on the trail of snapper, blackfin and yellowfin tuna, bonito, and sailfish, among many others. Winter fishing for tuna is especially popular in town from December to February – perfect for trophy chasers.
Lincoln City, Oregon
When you’re in the mood to visit a town with a distinctly artistic vibe and excellent fishing, come to Lincoln City. With the ocean to the west and Devils Lake to the east, the town is surrounded by first-class fishing grounds. Add to that the Siletz and Salmon Rivers, as well as Schooner and Drift Creeks, and what’s not to like?
Devils Lake is the main angling attraction in Lincoln City, with a variety of species available in the winter. The lake is even directly connected to the Pacific by the D River. Here, you can expect anything from rainbow trout and steelhead to largemouth bass, catfish, crappie, and yellow perch. The fish are active throughout the year, and the winter bite can be strong.
Winter steelhead runs are what put Lincoln City on the map and what makes this location a hidden gem.
Orange Beach & Gulf Shores, Alabama
Here, we’ve got two top fishing spots for the price of one. Located next to each other on the Gulf’s coast, Orange Beach and Gulf Shores pride themselves on unforgettable winter fishing action. These cities are the epitome of all that the Alabama fishing scene has to offer – variety, quantity, and quality of fish year-round.
In the winter, although you might not be able to target famous Red Snapper, both fisheries are still going strong. Bull redfish, speckled trout, flounder, and pompano dominate the inshore waters and are always hungry. Further offshore, prolific artificial reefs are the home of grouper, other snapper, barracuda, amberjack, king mackerel, and sharks.
Ready for a change of pace? Head to the Gulf State Park and its freshwater lake. There, you can try your hand in catching catfish, bass, bream, and crappie, to name a few. When you go fishing in Orange Beach and Gulf Shores, there’s no preference left behind.
Elephant Butte Lake, New Mexico
To take your freshwater fishing game to a new level, why not visit the biggest lake in New Mexico? Elephant Butte Lake offers great bite year-round and the variety of species alone is enough to reel you in. Pleasant weather and the number of fish only help us make our case for this destination being a fun worthwhile winter getaway.
The biggest lake in the state is located in the largest state park in New Mexico and, as such, offers a slew of activities. These deep-green waters have a lot of freshwater game fish hiding under the surface. Think walleye, largemouth and smallmouth bass, crappie, catfish, and many more.
Miami
It’s hardly possible to discuss the best winter fishing destinations without getting Florida in the mix. While there are many reasons to visit the “Magic City,” fishing is right at the top of the list. Add to that the white-sand beaches, permanently warm weather and eclectic food scene, and it’s not hard to understand why Miami is so popular.
In the winter, fishing in Miami is nothing short of stellar. Bottom fishing is fantastic, with an array of grouper and snapper biting left and right, though catches are smaller compared to summer specimens. The reefs are teeming with king mackerel, cobia, amberjack, mahi mahi, and sharks, all ready to bite.
Then you’ve got the one and only sailfish – the fighter, the speedster, the ultimate beauty. In the winter months, Sailfish are migrating through Miami waters in the thousands, and anglers can hardly wait for their arrival.
Presque Isle Bay, Pennsylvania
Among such a mix of best winter fishing destinations, we would be remiss not to mention Presque Isle Bay as a great ice fishing contender. This little bay is tucked away in the nook of Lake Erie and is the first to get a safe ice-over. The quickest and easiest way to reach it is from the city of Erie, though you can easily drive here from Pittsburgh or Cleveland, Ohio.
Presque Isle Bay is one of the first spots to provide safe ice for anglers to fish through, and this can happen as early as December. As soon as the conditions allow it, excited ice fishermen flock from all over the country and start drilling holes. The prospect of yellow perch, Northern pike, and panfish will be enough for you to forget about the cold too. The top of the bay is usually the best place to start your ice fishing excursion.
Bozeman, Montana
Here’s another location for fishermen who aren’t afraid of cold weather if it gets them that next great catch. Bozeman and its surroundings are famous for outstanding fly fishing and the action is on all year. Rainbow and brown trout are on everyone’s mind and when it’s freezing outside, you don’t need to worry about crowds.
Gallatin, Madison, and Yellowstone Rivers are on the map of every fly angler who visits Bozeman. Gallatin River, in particular, is productive because of the nearby hot springs that keep the water from completely freezing over. This means access to beautiful trout every day of the year, as long as the weather is on your side.
Bozeman is one of the best-known fishing destinations in Montana and the top-notch winter bite is a big part of that appeal. Fishing here allows you to enjoy some much-needed peace and quiet only interrupted by the sounds of splashing water and trout on the line. What’s not to like?
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