Top 5 Freshwater Fishing Spots in the U.S.

Fishing is one of the fastest-growing recreational activities. In 2022, there were 41.8 million freshwater anglers in the U.S. With over 250,000 rivers and 250 freshwater lakes, anglers have ample opportunities to get out on the water. With so many places to fish, we’ve created our top 5 freshwater fishing spots spanning the country. From the St. Lawrence River in New York to Castaic Lake in California, our top five picks guarantee you’ll have lots of action. From largemouth bass to record-setting walleyes, there’s a prime freshwater fishing spot for anglers of all ages and skill levels.

1. St. Lawrence River, New York

First up is the legendary St. Lawrence River because of its largemouth and smallmouth bass fishing. St. Lawrence is a top freshwater fishing spot because this river drains more than 25% of Earth's freshwater reserves. Lake of the Isles on Wellesley Island is the best hotspot for largemouth bass, and they'll bite on rubber worms, surface lures, or spinnerbaits. Good spots to catch smallmouth bass are either off points or islands. The most promising smallmouth locations on the river are Grass, Bartlett, and Chippewa, and the best islands are Carleton and Round Island.

For anglers interested in chasing walleyes, the mouth of the Grasse or Oswegatchie rivers are excellent fishing spots. In early May, local experts recommend using spinners with worms or jigs. On the St. Lawrence River in the summer, anglers' best chance at catching record-setting walleye is around Carleton Island and Moses Saunders. Most anglers' go-to setup for this area is black jigs with worms or minnows during the summer months. Summer conditions on the St. Lawrence River are comfortable, with an average high temperature of 79.1 F. To stay protected from the sun on the water, gear up in the Samurai Sun Protection Hoodie Shirt with UPF 50 quick-dry, moisture-wicking fabric. Click here to check out access points and popular fishing spots on the St. Lawrence River.

2. Castaic Lake, California

Castaic Lake is Southern California’s largest state reservoir. It’s also home to the national and world-record-breaking largemouth bass catches. The 21-pound, 12-ounce largemouth bass caught in the early ’90s still holds the state of California’s largemouth bass record. A unique feature of Castaic Lake is that it has two lakes within it. The lower lake is strictly for swimming and kayaking, and the upper lake is for boating and fishing.

Some local bass hotspots are Sharon’s Rest, Government Cove, and C-Point. Diving crankbaits in shad patterns or a mix of soft jerkbaits and wacky worms work well. One thing to remember about fishing on Castaic Lake is that big bass have seen it all because of Castaic’s distinguished reputation. Anglers will have to stay persistent and innovative to score big at Castaic.

Spring is the best time of year to fish, specifically in March, because most largemouth bass are in the process of spawning or post-spawning. However, spring always comes with sporadic rain showers. To stay dry and comfortable, we recommend Transformer. The Transformer jacket and pants are packable, perfect for taking on the go and shrugging off light showers with 10K water resistance. Check out the rain suit comparison guide to learn more and find the right fishing rain suit.

Beyond largemouth bass fishing, Castaic has incredible rainbow trout fishing. The area around the dam is one of the most popular places to catch them because they prefer deep, cool water. For trout fishing, anglers' approach should include a combination of spinners, Power Bait, and Kastmaster lures. Using this tackle, the best ways to target rainbow trout can be trolling deep water near the dam or casting by the boat ramp areas. Castaic Lake is a perfect one-stop-shop, but with its distinguished reputation, most fish have seen it all, so anglers must be tenacious.

3. Lake St. Clair, Michigan

Number three on our list is Lake St. Clair in Michigan. It covers 430 miles and could even be considered the sixth Great Lake. St. Clair is known for the best musky fishing in the world because it’s home to a surplus of muskies who love shallow waters. June until October are the prime months for musky fishing, and it gets even better in the fall. While you may not catch a record breaker in December, anglers can catch muskies all year round. Check out Spencer Berman’s story and see why muskies are known as the fish of 1,000 casts.

Lake St. Clair also has yellow perch for anglers who want to chase a local staple. With an ever-growing yellow perch population, all it takes to land one is to let your line sink into the shallow waters and wait for a bite. Anglers should also focus on fishing by the shore because it’s a prime hunting spot for yellow perch.  

Another species anglers can target on St. Clair is the sturgeon, one of the most iconic freshwater fish in the world. The sturgeon is a prehistoric species on the critically endangered list, so recreational fishing is heavily monitored. If you get the opportunity to go sturgeon fishing, have the proper fishing gear like 100+ pound fishing line, gloves, and a large landing net. Fishing gloves are essential for sturgeon fishing because they have five rows of razor-sharp bony scutes on their bodies. Check out these tips for how to catch a sturgeon before heading to Lake St. Clair.

4. Mille Lacs Lake, Minnesota

Spot four on our list goes to Mille Lacs Lake in Minnesota. Mille Lacs is Minnesota's second-largest lake and home to species like northern pike, jumbo perch, and walleyes. Mille Lacs has phenomenal walleye fishing because there's no thermocline. A thermocline is the transition layer between the surface water and deep water, where the water is warmer near the surface and colder the deeper you go. Since Mille Lacs Lake does not have a thermocline, fish feel comfortable going throughout the lake because there are high levels of oxygen at all lake levels. Mille Lacs is also forage rich, which large walleyes love because it's the perfect place to feed on their favorite food, perch. Walleye fishing is prime from May to September, but before you head out, check out Minnesota's special fishing regulations.

Another unique feature of Mille Lacs Lake is that it completely ices over from December until the end of February. The ice typically reaches a thickness of 2-4 feet, making it safe to walk on in early December. Perch, walleyes, and tullibee are the most popular fish anglers target during the Minnesota winter months. In December, the average temperatures range from 10 F to 34 F. Cold weather gear is vital to endure the chilly ice fishing days on the water. Add the Reaper or the Hydronaut jacket or bib to your closet to equip you for Minnesota’s blistering winter weather. Both will keep you warm and dry while ice fishing. Check out the cold weather layering guide so you’re ready for whatever conditions Mother Nature brings your way.

5. Lake Guntersville, Alabama

Lake Guntersville in Alabama secures the final spot on our list. As Alabama’s largest lake, it covers 67,900 acres, spanning over 75 miles. Lake Guntersville is famous for its largemouth bass fishing, and the current bass state record is 16 lbs., 8 oz. During the summer, one of the quickest ways to catch largemouth on Lake Guntersville is by locating deep holes and drop-offs and then working them with diving crankbaits or jigging Carolina or Texas-rigged spoons. Another great place to catch largemouth bass is by focusing on areas with lots of cover. For example, look for areas with milfoil, submerged stump fields, and hydrilla. Beyond bass, anglers can catch freshwater species like crappie, catfish, bluegill, and sunfish.

With average summer temperatures between 87-90 degrees, staying cool, comfortable, and protected from the sun’s harmful rays is essential. A quick way to do all three is with the Adapt Phase Change Hoodie. This fishing hoodie has “Phase Change” fabric that reacts to the changes in your body’s temperature through dynamic cooling and warming. It also has UPF 50 sun protection and a Speedvent™ hood designed to stay in place at high speeds on the water. Check out our sun protection shirt collection to find the best fishing shirt.

There are ample opportunities to catch some of the world’s top freshwater species across the country. From targeting largemouth bass, muskies, or walleyes, AFTCO has you covered with fishing clothing and gear to help you catch any fish in any water.