The Best Places for Family Fishing in the US

Successful family fishing is more than just getting out on any waters to get a catch. You got to plan it well as well! 

One of the important issues is choosing the best place. The perfect place should offer unmatched family fishing vacation opportunities and plenty of other activities for your young ones. It should also be free from chaotic tourist attractions so that you can have quality time with your loved ones.

In the US, you will find plenty of places to fish. But, not all of them are good for family fishing. Here we show you the 13 best places that will make you long for family fishing vacations.

13 best places for family fishing in the US

• Kenai, Alaska

Enjoy a family vacation or a day out in Kenai, where you get a chance to land one of the largest King Salmon in the world.  The river boasts of various types of salmon, including Sockeye (Red) Salmon, Silver Salmon, Pink Salmon, and King salmon. 

The best time to visit the Kenai River for fishing is during summer. The weather is good for your family, plus it is the peak season for all types of Salmons. You also get a chance to witness the Atlantic and Pacific Salmon swimming back to the river. During this season, the river is also filled with Steelhead and Salmon. These two species are tasty and exciting to catch. 

Other things to do in Alaska

• Visit the fjords, a spectacular place of Kenai Fjords National Park
• Hiking Cunningham Park and Meeks Trail among other nearby parks and Meadows 
• Halibut fishing in Homer City 

• Galveston, Texas

Target Species for inshore- Flounder, Redfish, Speckled Trout

Target Species for offshore: Blackfin Tuna, Sharks, Mahi Mahi, Kingfish, and Cobia

Galveston is one of the best saltwater family fishing spots in the US. You can engage in both offshore and inshore fishing with a high chance of landing a shark. For offshore fishing, visit the place in the fall. During fall, the north of Galveston, i.e., Trinity BAY and East Bay, is full of Flounder, Redfish, Speckled Trout, and other fresh gulf seafood. However, there is a possibility of getting Redfish and Speckled Trout all year round. 

Galveston also presents large sport fish such as Blackfin Tuna, Sharks, Mahi Mahi, Kingfish, and Cobia. You can head nearshore by fishing boats and try your luck on Sharks, wahoos, Spanish Mackerel, Kingfish, Mahi Mahi, and Cobia found near shipwrecks and artificial reefs. If you want to adventure deep sea, travel 60-100 miles from the shore. There you can catch giant Jacks, Ling, and Black Tuna. For deep-sea anglers, the best time is summer. 

Other things to do in Galveston, Texas

• Spending time at the beautiful beaches of Galveston
• Visit museums such as Bryan Museum, Texas Seaport Museum
• Birdwatching, sightseeing, and water sporting 

• Lake Toho, Florida

Target Species: Black Crappie, Largemouth bass, Redear sunfish 

Lake Toho is a place you will love. It is one of the famous trophy bass lakes where you have a chance to catch bass all year round. The place offers a private charter for four with an option of pontoon trips for large families. For anglers who seek to break records on the largest species, the best time to visit is spring. But, if you are worried about the weather, summer still presents a chance for landing a bass.

Summer is also the best time for catching redear sunfish, chain pickerel, and bluegill as it is their spawn period. For black crappie, February is the best time. 

Other things to do around Lake Toho, Florida

• Hiking trails of Lake Toho Park
• Taking children to splash pad playground and enjoying picnic time in the park
• Visiting attraction sites such as Kissimmee Lakefront Park, Wild Florida Safari Drive-Thru Park, and Gatorland

• Lake Erie, Pennsylvania

Target Species: Lake Trout, Yellow Perch, Steelhead, Largemouth bass, Walleye, Smallmouth bass

Lake Erie in Presque Isle Park enjoys quantity and quality Lake Trout, Yellow Perch, Steelhead, Largemouth bass, Walleye, and Smallmouth bass. The abundance of the panfish also makes it exciting and easier for the kids to land a catch. The summer season is the best time to fish for small bass that spawns around the Presque Isle Bay. This is also the time to fish other species from the lake.  The fall months are the best for steelhead fishing as they tend to gather at the creek’s mouth due to cool temperatures. 

Other things to do around Lake Erie, Pennsylvania

• Swimming, hiking, and enjoying the beautiful beaches
• Birdwatching at the Presque Isle Park
• Visiting attraction sites such as Tom Ridge environmental center, Splash Lagoon, Maritime Museum, and Erie Zoo

• Niagara River, New York

Target Species: Walleye, Muskies, Salmon, Chinook, Coho, and smallmouth bass

Enjoy a family fishing Getaway in the calm water of Niagara River that connects Lake Erie and Ontario. Unlike Lake Erie, where water can be rough, the Niagara River gives you a chance to fish the Walleye, Muskies, and smallmouth bass without an adrenaline rush. You also get to watch the magnificent waterfall of the Niagara River with an opportunity to take jet boat trips. The fall divides the river into two distinct bodies of water, upper and Lower. Shore fishing is best done on the Upper River. 

Other things to do around Niagara River, New York

• Hiking the nearby parks 
• Biking at Lewiston town 

• White River, Arkansas

Target Species: Walleye, Largemouth bass, Smallmouth bass, White crappie, and spotted bass

Discover fun trout fishing at the famous tailwater of Ozark, White River, which attracts hundreds of anglers every year. Your kids will get an opportunity to rig in small game fish using simple baits, while you can use large brown trout lurks to target large species.  Besides, you can rent a fishing boat and get a guide to serve your family’s needs. 

There is also a coach who can teach you the new fly-skills all day long. Plus, the guide will show you the sweet spots of landing the biggest trout. 

Other things to do are White River, Arkansas

• Hiking Ozark National Forest 
• Visit Bull Shoats State Park
• Enjoy lunch out at Gaston’s restaurant 

• Lake Fork, Texas

Target Species: White bass, Largemouth bass, Crappie, Catfish and Sunfish

Every year, anglers flock the Lake Fork to try their luck on the trophy largemouth bass. You can also try your luck! There is a chance to catch catfish, white bass, crappie, and bluegill sunfish. Largemouth bass spawns around January and February, making spring the best season to fish in the lake. If you are a deep fisher, then summer is still the best time. During the season, the fish’s metabolism increases due to warm temperatures. As such, they often feed, making it easier to land a catch. 

Other things to do in Lake Fork, Texas

• Visiting local attraction sites such as Gator Park, Texas Zoo, Mineola Historical Museum, and Grand Saline Salt Palace
• Tent camping around the lake
• Fishing from the angling piers 

• Westport, Connecticut

Targeted species: Flounder, Scup, Striped Bass

Vacation at Westport, Connecticut, from May to November and enjoy excellent fishing with your family. You and your young ones can land on Scup, Little Tunny, Flounder, and Striped Bass during the season. In summer, you can spend some peaceful time at the beautiful compo beach and take your kids to Westport Astronomical Society for stargazing. Plus, fish deep sea or near the dock to get a variety of big fish. 

Other things to do in Westport, Connecticut

• Stargazing at Westport Observatory
• Visiting MOCA Westport
• Building sandcastles at Compo beach
• Paddling at Westport Paddle Club

• Orange Beach, Alabama

Target species: Speckled trout, Redfish, Red Snapper, Mackerel, Cobia

The orange beach offers countless fishing opportunities for you and your family. The artificial reefs near the shore harbor different fish species. You can land on Mackerel, Cobia, or Snapper without having to go to the deep waters. Plus, if you want to do inshore fishing, you will get a chance to land on Red Drum and Speckled Trout. When the kids are bored in the water, you can retreat to the combo beach for some activities. For the Red Snapper craze, visit the place during summer.  

Other things to do in Orange Beach, Alabama

• Taking a dolphin cruise
• Seashell searching along the beach
• Shop at the Wharf 
• Bike ride along the beach 

• Cape Canaveral, Florida

Target species: Mahi Mahi, Snapper, Grouper, Spotted Seatrout, Redfish, Tarpon, Snook

If you want to incorporate some saltwater fishing techniques during your vacation, Cape Canaveral, Florida, is the best place to visit.  You can explore the Indian River Lagoon for saltwater gamefish or the shallow Mangrove flats of Banana River for other species. Your kids will get optimal sight fishing conditions, and seeing the redfish tailing on the water will forever be edged in their memories. 

Apart from inshore fishing, you can fish offshore for Mahi Mahi, Snapper, and Grouper. Grouper grows massive in size, and your family can be lucky to break the record! For huge game fish, you can explore further away from coastline for White Marlin, Blue Marlin, Swordfish, Yellowfin Tuna, and Blackfin Tuna, among the others.

Other things to do in Cape Canaveral, Florida

• Taking Dolphin cruise
• Visit Kennedy Space Centre
• Visit Brevard Zoo, Manatee Sanctuary Park, Manatee Sanctuary Park

• Big Lake, Arizona

Target species: Brown Trout, Brook, Rainbow, Cutthroat 

Big Lake grants you a perfect opportunity for family fishing with a chance to hook Brown Trout, Brook, and Rainbow. You can as well land on Cutthroat Trout, which swims to the lake during summer.  There is also a nearby fishing shop where you can get all the tackle gear and baits. Motorboats and rowboats are also available. 

Anglers above the age of 13 years need a state fishing license and a Rainbow Trout stamp. Anyone below the age is given a limit of 3 trout, with the adult limit being 6. The place is only open from mid-April to mid-November due to heavy snow on roads during winter. 

Other things to do Big Lake, Arizona

• Paddling along the gentle currents
• Trekking Big Lake Nature Trail
• Camping at nearby campsites 

• Lewes, Delaware 

Target species: Sharks, Mahi Mahi, Black Seabass, Striped Bass

Enjoy the beauty of Lewes while reeling a catch together with your family. The place gives you various fishing options to choose from: offshore ocean, inshore bay and ocean, surf, and canyon fishing. In March, a school of Atlantic Mackerel migrates and can be found on the coast of Delaware. In the same season, you can land on some sought-after species such as striped bass, sea bass, croakers, tautog, flounder, and bluefish.  

The anglers’ facilities and services are first class, and you can rent small boats for fishing. Charter fleets that operate half-day, full-day, night, and specialty trips are also available. After daylong fishing, you can walk to a nearby fisher’s restaurant for meals and rest.

Other things to do in Lewes, Delaware 

• Exploring Cape Henlopen State Park
• Visiting Cannonball House
• Enjoy land vistas and scenic ocean by taking Cape May-Lewes Ferry 

• Honolulu, Hawaii

Target species: Snapper, Mahi Mahi

Honolulu, Hawaii, takes care of you regardless of your children’s age. Small kids under 10 can fish for snapper with other reef species, while teenagers can test their angling technique with Mahi Mahi. The vacation does not end in the sea; you can visit nearby fishing farms for sight angling with your family. 

Other things to do in Honolulu, Hawaii

• Visiting Manoa falls
• Exploring Diamond Head volcano
• Shopping at Ala Moana Center 

Key Insights & Takeaways

The best way to create a lifelong bond with your family is to spend some quality time. And, for fishing lovers, planning an angling trip with loved ones is the best way to spend time outdoors. Include the destination we have mentioned in your must-tick list and be our witness to the wonders that nature brings in the chosen places!

About the author: 

Name: Ally Mash

Bio: Ally is an avid outdoor enthusiast who has spent most of his free time backpacking through South America, Iceland, Vietnam, and Europe. He loves sharing his experience through blogging. His mission is to get more people in the mindset of protecting our planet by sharing its beauty.