Fishing Spots Near Me & Fishing Lakes Near Me

November 16, 2021

Finding great fishing spots can be a challenge, especially when you are visiting a new place or have recently moved. Make sure that you get a fishing license from the state where you want to go fishing before you leave.

Find the Best Fishing Spots Near Me

To find the best fishing spots, use this interactive fishing map below. You can search fishing spots near you or fishing spots all over the US.

How to Use the Interactive Fishing Spots Near Me Map

The fishing map above provides a ton of useful features to help you find great fishing places. It can be used by anglers and boaters alike to find great spots for fishing. Whether you’re looking for a river, lake, stream, or a coast for fishing, this map can help you.

Here are some of the features of the interactive fishing map:

Find the best fishing spots near you. Just click the “Explore your location” button or zoom in on the map of your particular location. You’ll be able to discover new bodies of water such as ponds, streams, reservoirs, rivers, and fishing lakes near you.
See recently logged catches from the FishBrain app. See photos and other information about recently caught fish. Get real-time data about recent catches.
Get fishing forecasts for weather and the best bite times for various species at the fishing spot.
Find out what fish species are found near you. You can filter for specific species of fish if you only want to fish for one or two types. The map also includes local fish populations, ways to identify each species, and how to catch them (which bait and lures are best, etc.).

The best part is that all of these features are completely free. That’s right! You won’t spend a single penny to find great fishing spots near you.

Additional Fishing Map Filters

You can use the built-in map filters to perform searches for:

Fish species near me
Bait shop near me
Marina near me
Boat ramp near me
Fishing license vendors near me
Fish hatcheries near me
Fisheries near me
Fly fishing shop near me
Fishing gear shop near me
Fishing charters near me
Body of water near me
Best places to fish and boat near me
National park near me
Largemouth bass fishing near me
Trout fishing near me
Walleye fishing near me

and more.

Best Fishing Lakes Near Me

If you exclusively want to fish in a lake or take your boat out, then you are probably only interested in finding fishing spots near you that are lakes. To make it easier for you, we have created this custom Google Maps to help you find great fishing lakes around you.

Best Fishing Lakes by State

We have some dedicated articles to the best fishing lakes by state so that you can go to the best possible fishing lakes. See below for our list by state.

Different Types of Water Bodies: Where to Go Fishing Near Me?

One of the characteristics of a good angler is knowing where to catch your fish. Fish can survive in most water bodies as long there is sufficient oxygen, food, and breeding grounds. However, different kinds of waters will support different types of fish. Aquatic environments will vary depending on oxygen, salt, water temperature, hideout areas, and food composition. Read on to discover the different types of water to fish.

Types of Fishing Waters

Nearby coastal waters

The ocean is full of many different types of fish. The vastness of the sea allows it to provide many kinds of ecosystems within the same water body. Coastal waters primarily support saltwater fish species. When fishing in the sea, anglers need to keep track of the rise and fall of the ocean tides. High tides bring more fish to the shoreline, while low tides expose slow-moving species such as starfish. To catch fish in the sea, you will need the appropriate set of equipment comprising a map, corrosion-resistant gear, and information about the weather pattern for the day.

Nearby lakes and ponds

Lakes and ponds, especially those with rivers and streams into them, provide great fishing sites. Rivers that drain into lakes bring with them plenty of nutrients and dissolved oxygen. These nutrients support the growth of algae and plant matter which in turn feeds the fish. Weather is an important factor when fishing in lakes and ponds. On hot days, most fish retreat to deeper waters. On cold and rainy days, the fish prefer shallow waters. Common fish species that inhabit freshwater lakes and ponds may include tilapia, trout, bass, walleye, pike, and catfish.

Nearby rivers and streams

Rivers with deep winding bends, crevices, and undercut banks provide excellent breeding grounds for many types of freshwater fish. River water tends to have high oxygen content than most pond waters. Common fish varieties that thrive in rivers and streams include trout, bass, tilapia, carp, and catfish.

When fishing in river water, you will need to map out the river sections. A map will allow the angler to identify suitable areas for onshore fishing and those that will require a kayak or boat. Rivers can also be unpredictable and are highly susceptible to flash floods when it rains. Anglers should always use sturdy gear and safety equipment in case they encounter strong currents and hazardous obstacles.

Nearby reservoirs or dams

Dams and reservoirs are great spots to catch bass and other fish that like deeper water. The deepwater lets these fish hide and provides ample supplies of baitfish and crayfish.

Factors That Influence the Type and Quantity of Fish in a Water Body

Salinity levels

Salinity refers to the quantity of dissolved salt in a water body. Freshwater fish species cannot survive in salty water, whereas saltwater fish require high salt concentrations to thrive. There are fish that can survive in both saltwater and freshwater environments.

Oxygen levels

While some fish can tolerate low oxygen aquatic environments, most fish will not survive in low oxygen content water. Many factors determine the oxygen level in a water body. Living plants within or along a water body increase the quantity of dissolved oxygen, allowing many fish to thrive. Secondly, moving water is likely to have higher oxygen content than still water. When moving water tumbles over rocks and boulders, it picks up oxygen from the air, thus raising the quantity of dissolved oxygen.

However, pollution arising from the dumping of waste into rivers and other water bodies reduces oxygen in the water. Pollutants dumped into water bodies make use of oxygen in the decomposition process. Water temperature also influences the amount of oxygen in a water body. Coldwater supports more oxygen than warm waters.

Type and quantity of food

The quantity and variety of vegetative matter in a water body play a vital role in the type of fish it can support. Water high in oxygen content and free of pollutants will support a wide variety of plant life that serves as food for fish and other aquatic animals. Water temperature also influences the type of plant matter found within a water body. Water low in oxygen, stagnant, and full of pollutants is not an ideal breeding ground for most fish.

Presence of cover

Rocks, logs, and plant matter play an essential role in the development of most fish. Most fish species prefer waters with lots of covers for three main reasons. First, rocks and logs provide good hideout areas from other predators. Secondly, crevices provide excellent breeding grounds for fish to lay eggs and nurture their fingerlings. Rocky areas offer a vantage point from which fish can catch a meal without blowing their cover.

What Makes a Good Fishing Spot?

Freshwater Fishing

In the summer and winter, the best fishing spots in rivers and streams have steep shorelines since fish like to hide deeper during these seasons. During the spring and fall, the best fishing spots in rivers and streams have flat or gently sloping banks since fish will be in shallow areas.

In lakes and ponds, a great fishing spot has a lot of diverse terrains (underwater humps, drop-offs, rocks, etc.) that will provide you with the most diversity and variety of fish. These can usually be found close to the shoreline. The best spot will have lots of vegetation such as lily pads, fallen timber, weeds, or reeds where fish can hide.

Saltwater Fishing

Given the diversity of the sea, there’s less concern about terrain and more focus on the general area. Check out these great saltwater fishing locations.

The Florida Keys
Miami, Florida
Cape Cod
Galveston, Texas
Montauk, New York

Ice Fishing

It’s easiest to find a place where all of the fish houses are located since this is likely where all of the fish are. The fish will gather where the food is. If you have a fish finder, check to see if there are dropoffs, food shelves, or “stairs” in the water body’s floor. This is where the fish will be.

How Do You Find the Fish and Catch Them?

Now that you know great fishing spots near you, it’s time to actually catch the fish. So how do you find them and catch them?

Get the Right Bait, Lures, and Tackle

Having the right bait, tackle, and lures is critical for any successful fishing adventure. Make sure that you get everything you need from a reputable bait and tackle shop before going out. You’ll likely even be able to buy fishing rods. Local bait shops can even give you some fishing tips for the local area.

Get a Fish Finder

To help find the fish faster, you can get a fish finder that will tell you exactly where the fish are. These devices either connect with a mobile app on your phone or come with a small visual device so you can see where the fish are.

If you’re fishing from a boat, you can get a fish finder that mounts to your boat. Otherwise, you should get a castable fish finder.

Recreational Fishing and the Law: Do I Need a Fishing License?

Before you set out fishing near your current place, it’s important that you have the proper fishing license. All states in the United States have a licensing requirement, but the age limits, fees, and discounts vary by state. Many states offer discounts for children (16 years of age or younger), active military personnel and veterans, seniors (65 years of age or older), and people with disabilities.

Do You Need a License for Catch and Release?

Yes. Even if you are catching and releasing fish, you will need a valid fishing license. Telling a warden that you plan to release the fish you caught without a license won’t get you very far. You will still receive a ticket for the violation. Check out the U.S. Fishing and Wildlife Services website or your local country’s wildlife department for more information and local regulations.

Boat Registration

Be sure you also have a valid and unexpired boating registration if you plan to step foot in a boot. In some states, you even have to register vessels without motors including kayaks.