If you’re looking to honor your old man on Father’s Day or spend some quality time with your kids, fishing together is a fantastic way to do so. You’ll get to enjoy the day surrounded by nature, relax on the water, and hopefully reel in a few fish. But most importantly, you’ll create valuable memories with your loved ones.
To celebrate this wonderful holiday, we’ve prepared a list of top Father’s Day fishing spots in the U.S. Of course, there were many places to consider, but we narrowed the list down to ten locations with enough variety to suit all types of anglers. So, without further ado, here are our picks for 2022.
Johnson City, TN
With plenty of Southern charm, Johnson City, Tennessee is a great place to visit if you’re looking to spend a holiday in comfort. It features all the amenities of a big city and the peace and quiet of a small town. And thanks to several quality spots close by, you’ll be in luck if you’re in the mood to do some Father’s Day fishing.
Among the different hotspots you can fish near the city, the closest one is Boone Lake. Smallmouth, Largemouth, Striped, and Hybrid Bass all inhabit its waters, making it a freshwater fishing heaven. What’s more, you’ll also have a shot at Catfish, Crappie, and several other species you can bring back for dinner.
Another option is the Nolichucky River, found just a short ride away from Johnson City. Besides the ample Bass fishing opportunities the river offers, there’s one freshwater monster anglers love to chase out here – Muskellunge. These fish are notoriously difficult to catch, making them a prime target for the experienced angler dad.
Frankfort, MI
Nestled on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan, Frankfort is a small town known for its picturesque Victorian homes. It’s also fairly close to the scenic Sleeping Bear Dunes, which are located just over half an hour north. For sightseers, it’s a destination you don’t want to miss out on. But for anglers, it’s Lake Michigan’s waters you should focus on exploring first.
The lake is renowned for its Salmon and Trout fishing. And while what you’ll catch changes depending on when you visit, Father’s Day falls very close to what’s considered peak season. In fact, both Steelhead and Lake Trout, as well as early King Salmon will be among the possible catches.
During this time of the year, Steelhead often swim close to the water’s surface. This means you’ll sometimes get double and even triple hookups. So if you haven’t had the honor of fighting these silvery torpedoes yet, it’s the ideal time to do it. Of course, King Salmon and Lakers will provide you with plenty of excitement as well.
Falmouth, MA
If you’re looking to get in on some Cape Cod action on Father’s Day, consider paying a visit to Falmouth, Massachusetts. This East Coast town is located right across from Martha’s Vineyard. Besides being known for its sandy beaches, it’s also home to some of the best fishing grounds in the area.
The easiest way to fish here is to just set up and surf cast from one of the local beaches. This way, you can hook into passing Striped Bass, Bluefish, Scup, and other inshore species. Of course, hopping on a boat will expand your list of targets and enable you to hit some of the more productive grounds, including the famed Vineyard or Nantucket Sound.
Striped Bass is certainly the most popular game fish around these parts. However, there’s also the option of venturing further into the Atlantic Ocean. Offshore, you’ll get to explore underwater canyons where Bluefin Tuna, Marlin, Swordfish, and other big game species roam.
Lake Lanier, GA
Down south, in the beautiful state of Georgia, Lake Lanier is another scenic destination that’ll give you the chance to experience some thrilling Striped Bass action. The lake itself is a natural wonder. With numerous islands scattered throughout its waters, it’s a breathtaking environment to spend some time in.
And the fish seem to like it too! We already mentioned Stripers as the main attraction. However, other species such as Catfish, Largemouth Bass, Crappie, and Bluegill also inhabit the lake. The last two of these are especially fun to fish for if you’re bringing kids.
In addition to fishing, Lake Lanier offers loads of other activities. Whether you’re into camping, boating, or even wakeboarding, it’s all available on and around the lake. And if you’re an avid hiker, the Appalachian Trail, the world’s longest hiking-only path, is only about 40 miles away from Gainesville.
Lake Tohopekaliga, FL
Many Bass anglers are already familiar with Lake Tohopekaliga, known locally as Lake Toho. Thanks to its lush vegetation, its waters are tailor-made for anyone looking for trophy Largemouth Bass. The fishing holes are scattered pretty much throughout the entire lake, just waiting to be explored.
But if you’re bringing your family here for Father’s Day, you could also plan a visit to Disney World! Kissimmee, positioned on the northern shore of Lake Toho, is only around 10 miles away from the Disney resort. So if you’re staying for the weekend you could spend the first day catching lunkers and the second having the theme park experience of a lifetime.
It’s also worth mentioning that Lake Toho isn’t reserved only for the pros – quite the opposite actually. Aside from Bass, there are also healthy populations of Black Crappie present in the lake. These are a blast to catch and great for your young ones to practice their skills on.
Lake Martin, AL
Often considered to be one of the most beautiful lakes in Alabama, Lake Martin is the perfect destination to make lifelong family memories. It offers a whole range of activities you can take part in, including camping, swimming, boating, and, of course, fishing.
Much like many of the other lakes you’ll find across the Heart of Dixie, the angling Lake Martin offers is simply phenomenal. First of all, its waters play host to Largemouth, Spotted, White, and Striped Bass, all beloved targets among freshwater enthusiasts. To add to that, the lake is also a fantastic place to catch your share of Crappie and Catfish.
The local scenery is also a sight to behold, with lush greenery available everywhere you turn. As you explore the lake, you’ll come across lush islands and even a few cliffs that serve as popular jump spots, such as Chimney Rock. When you combine it all together, it’s no wonder Lake Martin gets so many visitors.
Astoria, OR
So far, we haven’t done West Coast any justice. There are actually probably at least a few dozen destinations on it that would work great for a weekend getaway. However, our pick for Father’s Day 2022 is Oregon’s oldest city – Astoria.
It’s situated at the very mouth of the Columbia River, right where it flows into the Pacific Ocean. Just south of the city, you can visit the scenic Cannon Beach. Crowned by Haystack Rock, the beach will let you enjoy a stunning view of both the ocean and the surrounding cliffs.
But really, if you’re coming all the way out here, hopping on a boat and doing some fishing should be your biggest priority. In June, White Sturgeon congregate around this part of the Columbia River. So if you’ve ever wanted to experience what it’s like to wrestle a freshwater dinosaur, now’s the time to go for it. In the ocean, you’ll get to target Coho Salmon, since their season opens on June 18th.
Mammoth Lakes, CA
High up in Mono County, at an elevation of almost 8,000 feet, lie the stunning Mammoth Lakes. With a majestic alpine backdrop, these crystal-clear waters create a scenery you’d usually only find in a fairytale. And naturally, fishing here is just as miraculous.
The four large lakes, Twin Lakes, Lake George, Lake Mamie, and Lake Mary are home to Rainbow, Brook, and Brown Trout. But for fly anglers looking for a truly unique escapade, there’s also the option of hiking up the mountains, above 10,000 feet, and fishing for the mythical Golden Trout.
It’s the kind of experience you’ll probably only get to live through once. But if you have a dad that’s keen on fly fishing, or if you want to introduce your own child to this wonderful sport, you can rest assured that Mammoth Lakes will stay etched in your memories forever.
Flathead Lake, MT
It’s free to fish in Montana on Father’s Day, so there’s really no better time to pay a visit to one of the cleanest, most beautiful lakes across the country – Flathead Lake. Its pristine waters, besides being absolutely dazzling, are home to over 25 fish species.
Among these, most anglers visit Flathead Lake to test their mettle against Whitefish, Bull Trout, Rainbow Trout, and big Lake Trout. The lake’s seethrough, glacial waters serve as the ideal Lake Trout habitat. Because of this, anglers sometimes catch specimens measuring over 40 inches in length.
Besides Trout, you’ll also have the opportunity to chase after Largemouth Bass, Yellow Perch, and even Kokanee Salmon. And once you get tired of reeling in all the different fish, you can kick back and take in the spectacular nature around you. Can it get any better than that?
Lake Champlain, NY
Our final entry on this year’s list is a repeat from 2021. However, considering Lake Champlain has its own Father’s Day Fishing Derby, it’s just too good to pass by! Situated on the border between Vermont and New York, this lake has it all – natural beauty, tons of activities, and top-class fishing to boot.
These waters are home to a whole range of freshwater favorites. There are Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass, Walleye, Yellow Perch, Northern Pike, Lake Trout, Steelhead, and even landlocked Salmon. The sheer variety you’ll find here is really tough to beat!
All the species we mentioned are targeted as a part of the Father’s Day Derby. The tournament lasts for the entire weekend, giving you plenty of time to get that prize-winning catch. For a competitive father-child duo, there are few better ways to bond and spend some time together.
And More!
Did we forget to include your favorite spot to fish on Father’s Day? It wasn’t on purpose, we just had to stop somewhere! And while the places we picked are all great in their own regard, it’s fair to say that where you fish is not the most important thing. It’s really all about who you spend this wonderful holiday with, whether it’s your dad, family, or even just your closest friends.
Where do you usually fish on Father’s Day? Which destination from our list do you like the most? Let us know in the comments below!
Looking for more inspiration? Take a look at our last year’s list of Father’s Day fishing spots here.
