Best Angling Places in U.S.A

Fishing is the activity of catching fish. Fish are normally caught in the wild. Techniques for catching fish include hand gathering, spearing, netting, angling and trapping.

Fishing is an ancient practice that dates back at least to the Paleolithic period which began about 40,000 years ago. Isotopic analysis of the skeletal remains of Tianyuan man, a 40,000 year old modern human from eastern Asia, has shown that he regularly consumed freshwater fish.Archaeology features such as shell middens, discarded fish bones and cave paintings show that sea foods were important for survival and consumed in significant quantities. During this period, most people lived a hunter-gatherer lifestyle and were, of necessity, constantly on the move. However, where there are early examples of permanent settlements (though not necessarily permanently occupied) such as those at Lepenski Vir, they are almost always associated with fishing as a major source of food.

Here's the best lakes of USA that are best suited for fishing and could make a  memorable journey.

The best lake area are

• Wisconsin Fishing
• Minnesota Fishing
• Michigan Lakes
• Florida Fishing Lakes
• Florida Bass Fishing
• Texas Lakes
• California Lakes
• North Carolina Fishing
• New York Fishing

Wisconsin Fishing

Wisconsin may be known for great Cheese and Beer, but we also have a State covered with amazing lakes.  Most of our great lakes are located in Northern Wisconsin, which features the Minocqua Lakes, Hayward Lakes, Bayfield County Lakes and Door County Lakes.  Wisconsin Lakes are prime for Walleye Fishing, Northern Pike Fishing and Bass Fishing.  With incredible fishing lakes like: Lake Geneva, Castle Rock Lake, Lake Winnebago, Green Lake and the Great Lake Michigan, you are sure to catch your limit on these and most Wisconsin Lakes.  If you enjoy your stay at one of our fine Wisconsin Resorts, you may be interested in searching for Wisconsin Lake Homes and Lake Property for sale on one of your favorite WI Lakes.  The Wisconsin Dells is also one of the most popular tourist and vacation destinations in the Midwest.  You can come to Wisconsin for the Cheese and Beer, but you will stay for the Beautiful Wisconsin Lakes!

Wisconsin is known for some of the best Walleye fishing in the Country.  There are plenty of waters from rivers to lakes that hold Walleye throughout Wisconsin. Many anglers prefer planning a fishing trip to the Northwoods of Wisconsin to catch their fish, most of the lakes in the Wisconsin Northwoods are known for great walleye fishing. Within a 45 minute to an hour radius, you have some of the finest lakes to fish in the entire state. The Eagle River chain of lakes has many lakes with an abundance of walleye. Minocqua, St. Germain and the Hayward Lakes area also have plenty of waters to fish for walleye.

Top Wisconsin Walleye Fishing Lakes

Lake Delavan



Located in Walworth County, Lake Delavan anglers can often reach the 3-fish 18-inch walleye limit.

Lake Mendota




Located in Dane County, Lake Mendota has a 3-fish 18-inch walleye limit. On Lake Mendota try pitching a half night crawler or leech into pockets on the outside edge of the weeds on a 1/16-ounce black jighead.

Lake Shawano




Located in Shawano County, when walleye fishing Lake Shawano target some of the shallow reefs along the lake's east end that top out at about 10 feet by long-line trolling deep-running minnow-imitating lures. Once fish are located, switch over to a jig-and-minnow presentation, or a minnow under a slip-bobber during periods of low light.

Lake Winnebago



During the Spring and Fall, Walleye can be found close to the shorelines on Lake Winnebago. In the Summer, large schools of walleye are found roaming the vast open water of Lake Winnebago chasing schools of gizzard shad, emerald shiners and young-of-the-year drum or sheepshead.

Lake Wissota



Located in Chippewa County, when walleye fishing Lake Wissota stay in the 15-25 foot range. During the day use a jig and minnow and as night approaches anchor and cast some slip bobbers by any drop off.

Minnesota Fishing

Minnesota is known for its 10,000 Lakes and outstanding Walleye fishing. There are plenty of other fishing species to target in Minnesota; like Northern Pike, Muskie, and Bass, but no other fish gets targeted more in Minnesota than Walleye. Walleye are easy to fillet and they taste great which makes them the favorite of many anglers.

Minnesota is known around the world as the "Land of 10,000 Lakes". Most of these amazing lakes are located in Northern Minnesota, which also features the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. With incredible fishing lakes like: Lake of the Woods, Lake Vermilion, Lake Mille Lacs and Leech Lake, you are sure to catch your limit on these and most Minnesota Lakes. Visit major lake hotspots like the Brainerd Lakes Area, Grand Rapids Lakes Area, Alexandria Lakes Area, Park Rapids Lakes Area and the Bemidji Lakes Area. Minnesota Lakes have outstanding Walleye Fishing, Northern Pike Fishing and Bass Fishing! Once you spend some time at one of our great Minnesota Resorts you will find it's a place you don't want to leave. With so many lakes there is Lake Property For Sale throughout the Minnesota Lakes Area. Whether you enjoy fishing or just a quiet boat ride, you will find beautiful Minnesota Lakes in every corner of the state!

Some of the Top Minnesota Walleye fishing lakes are Lake Mille Lacs, Lake Winnibigoshish(Lake Winnie), Leech Lake, Upper Red Lake, Lake of the Woods, Lake Vermilion and Rainy Lake.

Lake Mille Lacs is a huge lake with over 132,000 acres of water to fish. The lake has a maximum depth of 40 feet, but there are a number of shallow mud flats on the north end of the lake that hold lots of walleye.

Lake of the Woods is one of the most popular fishing destinations in Minnesota and the entire midwest. This lake is located on the border of Minnesota and Ontario, Canada. The lake is very big as it covers over 65,000 miles of shoreline. You will also see plenty of wildlife and pristine wilderness around the lake. The portion of this lake that is located within Minnesota is known more for its walleye and northern pike fishing, although you can also catch plenty of perch to go along with an occasional smallmouth bass. The Rainy River is also nearby and the fishing can be incredible during the spring for spawning walleye. The Rainy River connects Lake of the Woods to Rainy Lake. If you can plan a trip to Lake of the Woods in the spring, spend a couple of days in the river and you will have some excellent fishing opportunities.

Rainy Lake is located in the northern part of Minnesota and there are plenty of walleye to catch in this lake. There are lots of walleye with tons of scenery to give you the ultimate Minnesota fishing experience. Crankbaits that resemble perch do very well on Rainy Lake. This lake is also very popular for houseboating in the summer time.

Leech Lake is a very popular lake for MN fishing vacations. There are plenty of weed lines to go along with some flats, and deep water humps that will hold walleye. It is very common to catch big perch and northern pike in the same spots that you will be catching your walleye on this lake.

Lake Winnibigoshish, also called Lake Winnie, is an excellent walleye lake. This is another big lake, but there are plenty of walleye and a very good northern pike fishery. There are a lot of pike in the 20 to 29 inch range with 30 to 35 inch fish being common.

Michigan Lakes

Michigan is home to Four of the Great Lakes and Outstanding Walleye, Salmon and Trout Fishing. Find detailed information on Michigan Lakes, Michigan Fishing, Michigan Fishing Charters, Michigan Resorts, Lake Michigan Fishing, Michigan Lake Property, Michigan Campgrounds and More.

Michigan is known around the world as a prime destination for World Class Walleye and Salmon Fishing. With incredible fishing lakes like: Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, Lake Erie, Lake Gogebic, Houghton Lake, Lake St Clair and Higgins Lake, you are sure to catch your fishing limit on these and most Michigan Lakes. Once you spend your vacation at one of our great Michigan Resorts you will find it's a place you don't want to leave. There is also great Michigan Lake Property for sale throughout the lakes area, so you can find your Dream Lake Home. Camping at Michigan Campgrounds is also a popular choice for a fun vacation on Michigan Lakes. Whether you enjoy fishing or just a quiet boat ride, you will find beautiful Michigan Lakes in every corner of the state!

Top Michigan Walleye Fishing Lakes

Lake Gogebic

Walleye in Lake Gogebic normally hold close to weedbeds, dropoffs, and best in areas with both features. They usually move towards the edge of deep holes as the water warms. The hungry post-spawn walleye respond to a variety of baits and methods, while jigging along edges becomes one of the most popular techniques later in the season. Try 1/4 oz jigs with minnows early in the year, and leeches later in the year.

Houghton Lake

Weeds and small drop offs are the only structure this lake has to offer, causing walleye to collect in dense pockets. In the spring, before there are many weeds, trolling the shallows with crankbaits provides the best opportunity for big catches. The shallows on the east side of the lake, around the Cut River, is a good place in early summer. After the weeds get thick, pitching a jig or slip bobber tipped with a leech into weed pockets is a good bet. Try the weed pockets in Prudenville throughout summer.

Portage Lake

Portage Lake is a consistent producer of big walleyes that remain active throughout the summer, partially because it can be tricky to pull fish out of the dense vegetation and structure. Lake Portage provides good protection from anglers and other fish, as well as a plentiful food source, to allow many of them to reach trophy size. Jigging is the best way to get a hook in front of Portage Lake walleye once the vegetation arrives. The best setup is a long rod with a strong backbone to jerk those trophy's above any weeds and brush they could use to snap your line. Pitching a jig tipped with a worm or leech into a weed pocket and twitching it until it settles to the bottom is a proven technique.

Mullett Lake

This lake holds a lot of walleyes, with 6-10 pounders being fairly common. This, combined with structures well-suited for trolling, make it easy to locate and catch big walleye. In springtime and early summer, target gravel bottoms near drop offs. The warmer the water gets, the deeper the fish go, holding to reef areas across the lake. Several good reefs are on the west end of the lake, averaging about 12 feet deep and surrounded by areas that drop to 40-60 feet. Casting or trolling crankbaits across the reefs is a good way to hone in on active fish, starting close to the bottom and working towards the surface.

Gun Lake

Hit big dropoffs, like those around Murphy’s and Hasting’s Points, near the middle of the lake. A deep hole in Robbins Bay, in the southwest portion of the lake, holds walleye throughout the middle of the day. Night fishing is another good way to find relaxed walleye feeding. They are likely to be in the shallows, making them vulnerable to casting and trolling with shallow running crankbaits and spinners.

Florida Fishing & Florida Bass Fishing

Florida is well known as a prime destination for World Class Bass Fishing.The Largemouth Bass is the best known and most popular freshwater game fish in Florida. Florida Largemouth Bass have excellent growth rates, particularly in the productive waters of Central Florida. Florida is an outstanding destination to catch a trophy Bass. Spring is the best time of year to catch bass in Florida, when fish move into shallow water to spawn. Spawning may occur as early as January in extreme south Florida and as late as May in the panhandle, but March and April are peak months. Most large bass are taken at this time; after spawning, many large females move to offshore areas. One very understood fact about the Florida Largemouth Bass species is that no matter what the lunar cycles are, and no matter what the weather conditions are, and despite the fishing pressure on the Florida freshwater lakes, the chances of catching a "Trophy Big Mouth " are better than anywhere else in the world.

With Incredible Freshwater Fishing Lakes like: Lake Okeechobee, Lake George, Lake Kissimmee, Orange Lake and Sport Fishing on the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico you are sure to catch your fishing limit. Florida Fishing Charters and Fishing Guides are located everywhere to help make your Fishing Vacation one to remember.

Top Florida Fishing Lakes

Lake George

Specializing in Largemouth Bass, Lake George has extensive vegetation that provides excellent habitat. Wade fishing in eelgrass with plastic worms fished on the surface, and other top water artificial lures, is productive. Fishing with live shiners is an excellent method for catching trophy bass during the spring spawning season. Hot spots on the lake include Juniper, Salt and Silver Glen spring runs on the western shoreline. In winter and early spring, look for bass to congregate at the jetties on the south end of the lake. Casting deep-diving crankbaits near old dock structures along the northeast shore and off Drayton Island can also be productive.

Lake Toho

 

Known for producing large amounts of Trophy size bass. Most anglers targeting trophy bass use live golden shiners during early spring. Shiners are fished inshore near native vegetation or topped-out hydrilla. Plastic baits (worms, crawfish and lizards) flipped along grass edges, hydrilla, and bulrush will also catch quality-sized bass. Spinnerbaits, soft jerkbaits and chugging baits can also be very productive at times. Both Texas-rigged and Carolina-rigged plastic worms, and rattling crankbaits, top the list of favorite lures during warmer months of the year. North Steer Beach, Brown’s Point and Goblet’s Cove are popular fishing spots on the lake. Fishing in Shingle Creek and St. Cloud Canal can be outstanding when flow is present through these tributaries.

 

Lake Kissimmee

Specializing in Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Black Crappie and Shellcracker. Expansive stands of native aquatic grasses at Philadelphia Point, North Cove and Brahma Island provide anglers with cover to flip plastic baits or slow-troll golden shiners for spawning bass during the winter and spring. Rattling crankbaits, soft jerkbaits and Texas- or Carolina-rigged plastic worms fished in open-water or along edges of vegetation are productive during summer and fall. Fly fishermen have good success wade fishing along the miles of shoreline on Lake Kissimmee.

Lake Tarpon

Specializing in Largemouth Bass, Lake Tarpon is regarded as one of the foremost sport fishing lakes in Florida. Anglers are most successful flipping or pitching plastic worms along canal and bulrush edges. Offshore bass fishing is productive for anglers who fish around ledges, humps, coontail, and eelgrass beds. Popular lures offshore include shad-imitating jigs, crankbaits, jerkbaits and topwater baits. Fishing with wild shiners and live shad is also effective.

Lake Walk In Water

National reputation as an outstanding spot to catch largemouth bass. The lake also produces many trophy bass exceeding 10 pounds each year. A 15- to 24-inch slot limit regulation and a three-bass daily bag limit are in place to help maintain quality bass fishing. Anglers may keep three bass per day, either under or over the protected slot range, of which only one bass greater than or equal to 24 inches is allowed. Typically, the best technique to catch trophy bass is to drift live wild shiners over hydrilla weed beds in the northern half of the lake. Soft jerkbaits, lipless rattling crankbaits, and plastic worms also produce bass in areas of offshore hydrilla.

Deer Point Lake

Although Largemouth Bass fishing typically slows down during the winter months in Deer Point Lake, it picks up again in mid-February and March, and becomes red hot in April and May. Anglers unfamiliar with Deer Point Lake should try fishing for largemouth bass in the old creek channels of Bear, Cedar, and Econfina creeks with plastic worms, diving crankbaits or rattletraps. Bayou George and the flats area at the confluence of Bayou George and Deer Point Lake are also popular largemouth spots. Also, try targeting docks and boathouses along the creek channels and at the mouth of Bayou George. Anglers should exercise extreme caution during boat operation due to the tremendous amount of flooded cypress stumps and snags found in the lake. Connects to Gulf of Mexico.

Lake Okeechobee

Specializing in Largemouth Bass, Bream, Black Crappie, Speckled Perch and Okeechobee Catfish. The largest lake in Florida and 2nd largest freshwater lake located completely within the US. Average lake depth of 9 ft. Lake Okeechobee covers land in Glades, Okeechobee, Martin, Palm Beach, and Hendry counties.

Texas Fishing

Texas is known for outstanding Trophy Bass Fishing and beautiful Waterfront Property.It is true what they say, that everything is bigger in Texas. Fishing in Texas is often affectionately called big water fishing. There are many very large lakes and reservoirs in Texas that are also renowned for both the size and great quality of fish. If you are not familiar with the vast Texas fishing waters, the first thing you should do is seek the assistance of a professional Texas Fishing Guide. Texas has many incredible Bass Fishing lakes like: Lake Fork, Lake Texoma, Lake Livingston, Sam Rayburn Lake, Lake Buchanan, and Caddo Lake among many others. Texas is a great place to take a fishing vacation, and Texas Deep Sea Fishing is as wild as it gets. Catch a Texas Fishing Charter and head down to the Gulf of Mexico, whether it is Snapper, Amberjack, Tuna, Sharks, Grouper, or Bullfish you can find it there.

Top Fishing Lakes of Texas are

Lake Fork

Max. depth 70 ft. Lake Fork's current regulation on largemouth bass is a 16"to 24" slot limit. ( Bass over 16" and less than 24" must be returned to Lake Fork.) Only one bass per day 24 inches or greater may be retained. Lake Fork's curent regulation on black and white crappie all crappie under 10 inches must be released...daily bag limit of 25. Lake Fork's curent regulation on black and white crappie caught from Dec.

Lake Amistad

Known as one of the Top Bass Fishing Lakes in America. Max. depth 217 ft. Located on the Texas/Mexico border. Largemouth bass are the most popular and most abundant sportfish in Lake Amistad. Channel and blue catfish are present in good numbers. Striped bass are popular and sought by anglers due to their strong fighting characteristics and their potential for trophy sizes. Largemouth bass anglers are most successful during the fall, winter, and spring months. Spinner baits, buzzbaits and topwater baits work well in the early morning and late evening. Crankbaits can be effective along dropoffs, points, and rocky shorelines.

Sam Rayburn Lake

Max. depth 80 ft. Also known as Big Sam, it is located in the Angelina National Forest.Largemouth Bass are more active during the fall, winter and spring months due to the cooler weather. Fish are active much longer during daylight hours and are normally found in shallow water early morning and late afternoon for active fish, spinner baits and crank baits are most fishermen's choice. A variety of watermelon green plastic worms seems to work well during the hotter months fished in grass. Early morning top water baits are just about anything that floats. Normally Poppers, Prop Baits, Flukes, or just about any Stick Bait will produce good results.Crappie fishing is great just about year around on minnows or jigs. During the spawn, target shallow water grass areas. At other times, Crappie is normally found in deeper water in creek beds and brush piles.

Lake Ray Roberts

Max. depth 106 ft. Largemouth bass angling seems to peak in the spring and fall, but most large bass are caught in February and March. The bait of choice in cold months is a jig or jig and pig combination fished slowly around deep submerged points. In early summer, try vertical jigging in the acres of standing timber. In June, big bass can be found at the base of flooded trees in 25 feet of water. In the fall try jerk baits, crank baits, and spinners. A white spinner bait in dingy water is an excellent choice.

Lake Conroe

Max. depth 75 ft. Avg. depth 20 ft. Largemouth bass anglers can expect to take bass in shallow water, in the early spring to late fall. Anglers are most successful with a variety of shad imitation lures or soft plastic baits. Channel catfish are caught year-round in good numbers. Most successful catfish anglers use smelly baits or cut shad. Hybrid striped bass can be caught year 'round. Most are caught by anglers trolling in open water areas or vertically jigging spoons or live shad.

Toledo Bend

Max. depth 110 ft. The most popular game fish on the Toledo Bend Reservoir is largemouth bass; with excellent year-round fishing. Good year-round crappie and catfish fishing is also present. Stripers are popular due to their large growth potential and reputation as strong fighters. Striped bass are maintained by annual stockings because conditions at Toledo Bend usually do not allow a successful natural spawn.

Lake Livingston

Max. depth 77 ft. Lake Livingston has more than 450 miles of shoreline extending into San Jacinto, Polk, Walker and Trinity Counties. Lake Livingston is known for its white bass fishing. The white bass are plentiful and are above normal sizes. The catfish are channel and blue catfish. Where habitat is available Largemouth bass and Crappie can be caught but are less plentiful than on most Texas lakes.

Lake Lavon

Max. depth 59 ft. During the winter, crappie school in deep water and are usually found around deep structure, especially on south-facing shorelines. Largemouth bass are most active in spring when they move in shallow to spawn. The second peak occurs in the fall when bass begin actively feeding for the onset of winter.

Free Fishing in Texas State Parks is designed to encourage more people to get out and enjoy the great sport of fishing. Texas Parks & Wildlife has waived the normal fishing license and stamp requirements for anyone fishing inside the boundary of a Texas state park. Once you've paid the park entrance fees, no one needs a fishing license or stamp, whether freshwater or saltwater, adult or child, as long as they're inside the state park. However, bag limits, length limits, and other regulations will still apply, and be enforced. You can enjoy the Free Fishing in State Parks program at more than 50 state parks, and at numerous Wildlife Management Areas across Texas.

California Fishing

California boasts over 1,000 miles of ocean coastline, 220,000 square miles of ocean waters, thousands of lakes and reservoirs, 29,664 miles of streams and rivers, and 1,800 miles of bay and delta waters. With that amount of water available to fish in, California is an anglers dream. California has almost every species of game fish available to the avid angler. From crappie to sturgeon and every freshwater fish in between, California has them. And saltwater fish from mackerel to great white sharks can all be found off of the California coast as well. The bottom line is if you love to fish, California is an anglers paradise. Any type of fishing that you can imagine is available within the state of California.

Top California Bass Fishing Lakes

Shasta Lake

Shasta Lake is located at the Northern tip of the Sacramento valley at an elevation of 1,067 feet. Shasta Lake has a max. depth of 517 ft. Largest man made lake in California. Shasta Lake has four arms (Pit River Arm, Squaw Creek Arm, McCloud River Arm, and Sacramento River Arm). Over 370 miles of shoreline.

Clear Lake

Clear Lake has a max. depth of 60 ft. Largest natural freshwater lake entirely in California. Known as the Bass Capital of the West. The largemouth bass record at Clear Lake is 17.52 pounds.

Lake Oroville

Lake Oroville has a max. depth of 695 ft. The main body of the lake with its four major arms ( North, Middle, South, and West Forks of the Feather River ) has 167 miles of shoreline creating a wide variety of fishing opportunity.

Trinity Lake

Trinity Lake is the third largest man-made lake in California. The lake consists of three arms (Stuart Fork Arm, Main Arm, North Lake Area). Trinity Lake has 147 miles of pine, cedar, and oak covered shoreline. Dredger piles at the head of Lake Trinity, as well as other structures found in the coves and points throughout the lake provide excellent bass fishing for most of the year.

North Carolina Fishing

North Carolina is an excellent Fishing Vacation Destination for Great Bass Fishing and Sport Fishing. With Incredible Freshwater Fishing Lakes like: Lake Norman, Kerr Lake, High Rock Lake, Lake Wylie and Jordan Lake, you are sure to catch your fishing limit. North Carolina Fishing Charters are located everywhere to help make your Fishing Vacation on the NC Coast one to remember.

New York Fishing

New York is a prime Fishing Vacation Destination for Great Bass Fishing and Sport Fishing. With outstanding Freshwater Fishing Lakes like: Lake Ontario, Lake Erie, Lake Champlain, Lake George and Sport Fishing on the Long Island coast you are sure to catch your fishing limit. New York Fishing Charters and Fishing Guides are located all around NY State to help make your Fishing Vacation one to remember.

Top New York Ice Fishing Lakes

Lake Champlain - Lake Champlain is popular with ice-fishermen because it contains both coldwater and warmwater species. Most anglers target walleyes, smelts, perch, pike, landlocked salmon and lake trout, they also take rainbow and brown trout, pickerel, muskellunge, crappies and other panfish.

Saratoga Lake - Ice-fishermen at Saratoga Lake can count on a mixed bag, with plenty of weedy shallows harboring pike, bluegills and crappies, with walleyes and perch usually hanging at intermediate depths or near the bottom.

Lake Ontario - Sodus Bay is the center of ice-fishing activity on the south shore of Lake Ontario, a favorite destination for Rochester-area fishermen. Conditions here are varied, from plenty of weed-filled shallows leading to deeper water with gentle dropoffs and structure along the west side of Eagle and Newark islands. Fishing off points extending out from shore is recommended for pike, perch and panfish.

Oneida Lake - The large Shackleton Shoals in the middle of the lake is the most noted walleye-perch hotspot. A cluster of shoals off Constantia, including Pancake, Grassy and Dakin, are also popular fish magnets, along with Messenger Shoal in the east end.

Lake Erie - For excellent perch fishing, with an occasional run of lunker walleyes, try Sturgeon Point, where there is good public access. Perch schools often hold along the same ledges and dropoffs as in the spring and fall, try fishing northwest of Sturgeon Point toward the Evans-Angola Bar.

Chautauqua Lake - Walleyes attract most ice-fishermen to the northern basin, due to its deeper water and more diverse habitat. Anglers usually set up over a rock or gravel bottom at depths ranging from 20 to 50 feet. Recommended areas include Prendergast Point, Long Point, Chautauqua Institution and Mission Meadows. Chautauqua Lake also offers excellent perch and crappie fishing at Bemus Bay, Dewittville Bay and Irwins Bay in the northern basin, and at Ashville Bay in the southern basin.

Sources
www.usafishingonline.com
en.wikipedia.org