Best 25 Kayak Fishing Locations in the US from east to west coast

Every corner and region has been filled with several outrageous and adrenaline-causing activities in this technology-driven era. This is for the sake of wiping out some strenuous conventional actions that we accomplish day by day. It includes the never-ending paperwork at the office, meetings, and more paper works then and again!

Considering all those established activities, including unique ones, we continue to get involved with a few more adventurous ones. I am earnestly talking about kayak fishing! The closeness to the water, the tug of the line, and the pride that comes with a great catch are hard to beat with this one-of-a-kind experience.

The most vital part of kayak fishing is doubtlessly the spectacular destination. The United States of America has undeniably captivated and breath-taking places to explore the extra-satisfying reality of kayak fishing.

Let’s now unravel the best 25 destinations in the US, from east to west coast, and reel in some impressive fish in these stellar spots!

Kona Coast—Hawaii

Hawaii Island has bountiful things to offer — kayak fishing would be on its top list! Coined as “the Land of the Giants,” experiencing the intensity of kayak fishing on the Kona Coast will bring you to ecstasy. With blue water very close to the coast and the Pacific off the island’s west side typically very calm, the area can be a kayak anglers’ dream.

Some enthusiasts would prefer here because big fishes lurk here; you can fish some huge tuna and gray snapper. If you want to boost the level of excitement, you can opt to catch blue marlins, too, since they also surface around the area.

Deer Creek Conservation Area—Maryland

The state of Maryland is alive with numerous national parks too! One of the best serene and pristine spots would be the Deer Creek Conservation Area. Home to Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Perch, and other panfish, this 25-hectare reservoir winds through the forested hillsides of Deer Creek River valley north of the County Rd 45 dam.

Its abundance of wildlife will bring you in awe, and you’ll not just be enjoying fishing but indulging yourself in a tranquil escapade. From the quiet back inlets down to the innocent blue hue of the water. Who would not have wanted to savor this haven? One good thing: no motorized boats allowed! This is such an eco-friendly destination as it’s still protecting the reservoir.

Indian River Lagoon—Florida

Considered the most biodiverse lagoon ecosystem in the Northern hemisphere, this preserve will be remarkable! From its unique geographical location to its temperate and tropical ecosystem thriving here, kayakers will surely love the expedition here. It has easy access to an excellent fishing range and a great variety of fishing sites. Eminent for giant snook, the lagoon is widely acclaimed for producing the world-record spotted sea trout weighing 17 pounds and 7 ounces.

Okmulgee Lake—Oklahoma

There could be a vast array of lakes in Oklahoma, and you can satisfy yourself with flat-water paddling. Okmulgee Lake’s focal point is the scenic dam area, cascading waterfalls, and rushing streams during high moisture times. It is 668 acres of lake and has 19 miles of shoreline. Okmulgee Lake is adjacent to Dripping Springs Lake. Two lakes in one visit! Its picturesque will appease not just anglers but tourists. Many people kayak on Dripping Springs as well.

It also has a smooth entry to anglers because of its topical good for lining and jug fishing. You will surely reel in some crappie, channel catfish, largemouth bass, sunfish, and white bass. You, indeed are filled with teeming activities here!

Ship Creek—Alaska

Ship Creek is recognized to be Alaska’s most prominent fishery. It is just comfortably situated in downtown Anchorage, making access easy. This good spot is slamming with red-hot king salmon! The bustling industrial shore of Ship Creek will not lose sight of anglers carrying chinook salmon. This has been part of the locals’ daily experience; absolutely with you if you’re planning to indulge your fishing expedition here!

Gross Reservoir—Colorado

This alluring haven is open to the public! The 440 acres reservoir is nestled in the mountains of South Boulder Creek, where anglers would love to execute their expertise in kayak fishing. It is prominent by the snow-covered peaks of the Continental Divide; Granite outcroppings emphasize pine-covered slopes.

Paddling here can be challenging because thunderstorms form quickly, mainly when strong winds occur off to the Divide. Nevertheless, it’s a perfect getaway!

Mobile Bay—Alabama

Another considerably good-to-know-fishing venue is Mobile Bay. It is an inlet of the Gulf of Mexico where its mouth is formed by the Fort Morgan Peninsula on the eastern side and Dauphin Island on, the western side.

Why is Mobile one good fishing getaway? It just filled with an elegant view, and not just that, various species of fishes would land in your hooks—reel in some redfish, speckled trout, and flounder; rivers and lakes for bass and crappie.

Marsh Creek Lake—Pennsylvania

Only a half-hour drive to Philadelphia, Marsh Creek Lake is renowned for the best largemouth fishing in Pennsylvania! The state authorities tagged them as “Big Bass Lake.” Anglers will feel no dull moments here since it is also the home for the thriving populations of warm-water species like trophy tiger muskie, catfish, walleye, and various panfish.

Onondaga Lake—New York

Onondaga Lake has been significant to the human habitation of Central New York– this is 4.6 miles long and 1 mile wide. The lake may not be designated for contact recreation like swimming, but not with fishing and boating! Anglers would indeed have this as their one-of-the-good venue since it has a surprising number of fish species. You’ll not regret it and not be bored. Fishing during summer can produce way greater catches of largemouth and smallmouth bass. Prepare good baits such as corn, dough balls, and worms for numerous carps, panfish, and more!

Timucuan National Preserve—Florida

You might not have heard about Timucuan National Preserve before, yet this could be one of the perfect spots to unravel! This historic preserve has 46,000 acres created to protect the salt marshes and estuaries north of Jacksonville. There are a couple of places for a kayak. You will not be left out with redfish, trout, and flounder.

Chattahoochee River—Atlanta

The term Chattahoochee comes from the Creek Indian word, “river of painted rocks.” This resource rises high in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Georgia. One good trivia is that it supplies 70 percent of metro Atlanta’s drinking water; imagine 300 gallons a day! This is favorably to the best trout fisheries in the state of Georgia. You can opt to fish through the deep channels or deep pockets. I’m pretty sure you want to hook some trophy trout just like a champion. Lures can effectively attract them simply by imitating them as stealthily as possible!

Pompano Beach—Florida

This destination to look forward to is well-acclaimed to be the home of the Extreme Kayak Fishing Tournament! Pompano Beach is close to an inlet that provides easy access to the reefs and wrecks just a mile offshore.

You can opt to use jigging as a tactic to lure the frequent fish species like kingfish, Blackfin tuna, Mahi-mahi, Wahoo, Cobia & Sailfish. The prime season to enjoy would be from May to September in the south of Florida.

Verde River—Arizona

Arizona's sixth-largest state by area has the hottest summer and is famous for its large deep canyons. One of the significant parts of this state is the Native American Reservations that will incredibly allure your sense of sight!

The Verde River is a unique and significant resource in Arizona. It has a diverse recreational activity, and fishing wouldn’t be the least. The river’s remarkably outstanding fish and vegetation are teeming with scenic landscapes. One important thing’s that the wild river supports the endangered and particular status fish species. Several non-native fishes frequent it as well as native fishes. This includes the razorback sucker, Colorado pikeminnow, round tail chub, Sonora sucker, desert sucker, and longfin dace. What more can you ask for the Verde River?

Gauley River—Virginia

One best word to describe this is another fascinating fishing point: rugged. The Gauley River is a 105 miles long resource and considerably nestled in a remote area, so better expect to hike, scramble and wade on your way here.

The river has a one-of-a-kind ecosystem; thus, several fish species can be enjoyed reeling in. It is outstanding in trout fishing, and you must be equipped with good baits for some large walleyes, muskies, and smallmouth bass. If you are a certified angler with water rafting skills, then you better be thrilled with quite a challenging expedition because you can float downriver by boat where more variety of fishes thrives.

Arkansas River—Colorado

The Arkansas River is renowned for being the sixth-longest river in the United States. This wandering waterway generally flows first in Colorado, next to Kansas, and Oklahoma, and finishes in Arkansas. Unravel your version of your adventure and get involved in a fishing couple of brown trouts! Yes, I heard it right; this is the home for brown trouts since they don’t thrive on high-velocity currents, unlike Arkansas.

Tyger River—South Carolina

This river is not a staple of wild animals but has gotten such a name because of its “tiger-like” current. You can certainly execute your angling skills and savor the panoramic ambiance of the resource. Start your kayak fishing amid the wildlife-loaded waterway!

Prince William Sound—Alaska

From Southcentral Alaska, Prince William Sound besets 10,000 square miles of protected waterways and 10 000 glaciers. This is vast and diverse wildlife that you would not want to miss. It hosts some of the most compelling salmon runs in the state of Alaska. The region features five salmon species: King Salmon, Silver Salmon, Red Salmon, Pink Salmon, and Chum Salmon. It also features a healthy marine fishery. Other fish species to enjoy here are Rainbow Trout, Dolly Varden, Arctic Grayling, Halibut, Various Bottomfish, and Shrimp. It seems like a fish party in here!

Eleven Point National Scenic River—Missouri

The Eleven Point River is a 44-mile stretch of the spring-fed Eleven Point River in the Ozarks of southern Missouri. This pristine spot is calm to relish during summer and is accorded with thrill and fun! There are a variety of access points that you can either go to with motorized or non-motorized boats. You’ll surely be entertained by the abundance of Bass, Panfish, and Trout and opt to snap it through fly fishing.

South Fork Cottonwood Creek—California

This primary stream in North California is well-suited to fishing from a float tube, canoe, or kayak. Cottonwood Creek is the home for fly-fishermen. It has a gentler bank and beaver ponds. It indeed has residents fish, and the resource has a healthy population of California Golden trout.

Ptarmigan Lake—Colorado

You will surely fall in love with the spectacular high mountain lake surrounded by towering peaks in Ptarmigan Lake. Boost your senses and unweave with an extraordinary view that you wish could be just next to your home. Whichever way you want to fish, the chances of getting a bite here are superb! So grab your fly fishing rod and reel, and be captivated with commonly cutthroat trout.

Clearwater River—Montana

The Clearwater River is close to Seeley Lake, Montana, which considerably has one significant attribute of having a series of lakes that connects from Summit Lake to Harper’s lake, at the junction of Highway 93 and Highway 83. It undeniably comprises fishing opportunities where easy bites for brown trout, largemouth bass, mountain whitefish, northern pike, yellow perch, and kokanee are addictive.

Lake Chelan—Washington

There are tons of reasons you should visit Lake Chelan– this is 50.5 miles of a reservoir surrounded by mountains and an ingenious vineyard. It offers a bunch of activities, and fishing is favorably what you’ll relish. Known for its world-class fishing, for the record, it releases 10 000 Cutthroat and 500 000 Kokanee bustling into Lake Chelan.

Chattooga Wild and Scenic River—North Carolina

The Chattooga Wild has been coined as the “untamed river” because of its high-velocity currents. The aesthetic beauty of this resource will still be on its brim and offers various scenic views. This is the best venue for trout fishing so prepare those bobbers!

Caney Fork Watershed—Tennessee

This other dazzling resource is sincerely one of the best musky fisheries in the United States! Caney Fork is bustling with rivers and streams. Indeed it is something stimulating to explore. With approximately 143 miles of clear water between Nashville and Knoxville, this is a hot spot for canoes and kayakers. You’d surely love to have good catch trout too!

Potomac River—Maryland

Rich in diverse and mesmerizing wildlife, the Potomac River is considerably the paddling destination. Savor the peaceful habitat, which has a couple of access points in the river. There are two rapids, the Yellow Falls and Carderock, and you can also run at low water. You can catch some good smallmouth bass using some lures to have a number of them.