Fishing

Unsplash/Steve Lussier

Two men fishing on a sunny day by a lake, smiling and holding fishing rods.

Write your own fish story at a national park.

No matter what type of angling you prefer – fly fishing, spin casting, or just dangling a line – you'll find it at one of our parks. And with species ranging from bass to trout to catfish and crappie, you'll find plenty of opportunities to get something on your line.

Child proudly shows a fish to a smiling adult by a lakeside.

Shutterstock/AT Productions

The reel story

Anglers of all ages and abilities will find endless opportunities to wet their line in a national park. With lakes, ponds, streams and rivers providing habitat to numerous fish species, you're sure to return home story to tell... even if it's about the one that got away.

A few things to consider

Two people fishing by a lakeside with rocky terrain.

NPS

Before you dip a line

It's critical to know and understand the regulations in the specific park you're visiting. Anglers are required to abide by individual state and park regulations, as well as by federal NPS regulations. Please check with individual parks before your first cast.

Fisherman casting line into ocean at sunset.

Unsplash/Clay Leconey

Fish responsibly

This means following all regulations, as well as avoiding sensitive areas, practicing catch and release and following any guidelines intended to prevent the spread of invasive species.

Fishing rod silhouetted against an orange sunset over the ocean.

Unsplash/James Wheeler

Pay close attention to river and tidal behavior.

Staying safe while fishing means knowing what the water's doing. This is particularly true on bodies of water—such as rivers and oceans—that are strongly impacted by natural forces.

These parks will lure you in

Great Basin National Park

Great Basin National Park has several prime fishing spots, including Lehman Creek and Baker Creek. Catch brook and brown trout and enjoy the scenic beauty of the park. For a bonus, pitch your tent so that you can be the first to cast your line in the morning.

Explore park : Great Basin

Lake Mead National Recreation Area

With more than 290 square miles of water surface, you'll have no shortage of fishing spot options at Lake Mead National Recreation Area. This park is famous for its striped bass with an occasional catch weighing in at over 40 pounds. Remember, this park lies within both Arizona and Nevada, so be sure to do your research on state fishing regulations when planning your trip.

Explore park : Lake Mead

Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area

Whether fishing from a boat or the shoreline, the waters of Bighorn Lake and the Bighorn River protected in Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area are an angler's dream. You'll catch walleye, brown and rainbow trout, yellow perch, carp, catfish, ling, and crappie, among others.

Explore park : Bighorn Canyon

Where to go