The Fishing Report
Fishing seasons & conditions by region
Coastal Fishing Towns — Find Your Spot
Per-town fishing reports across 134 U.S. coastal towns. Pick the spot closest to where you fish — each page has the seasonal calendar, what to target, gear suggestions, and a link into the live forecast pre-loaded with that town’s coordinates.
Northeast
Bar Harbor, MEDowneast tourist town on Mount Desert Island with cold-water mackerel and pollock just off the rocks, striped bass pushing up through summer, and a short run to the Mount Desert Rock grounds for cod and haddock.Block Island, RIOffshore island twelve miles south of the mainland with the Southwest Ledge and North Rip producing trophy stripers, summer fluke and sea bass on the wrecks, and a fall false albacore run that draws fly anglers from everywhere.Boothbay Harbor, MEClassic midcoast Maine charter harbor with mackerel and pollock right outside the breakwater, summer stripers up the Sheepscot and Damariscotta, and groundfish on the ledges out toward Monhegan.Gloucester, MAAmerica's oldest fishing port on Cape Ann with bluefin tuna at Jeffreys Ledge and Stellwagen, summer stripers blitzing the rocks at Halibut Point, and cod, haddock and pollock on the inshore bank.Hyannis, MACape Cod's south-side charter base on Nantucket Sound, summer striper and bluefish on the rips off Monomoy, fluke over the sand, fall false albacore in the harbor, and easy ferry access to the Vineyard and Nantucket grounds.Mystic, CTHistoric seaport at the head of Fishers Island Sound with quick access to the Race and Watch Hill reefs for trophy stripers, summer fluke and porgy on the rockpiles, and bonito and albies on the rips in fall.New Bedford, MAThe country's top commercial fishing port and a serious sportfishing base on Buzzards Bay, with trophy stripers along the Elizabeth Islands, summer scup and tautog on the ledges, and a fast run to Cuttyhunk and the Vineyard rips.Newport, RINarragansett Bay charter town with Brenton Reef and Sakonnet rips for stripers and blues, summer scup and black sea bass on the structure, and a fall false albacore run that lights up the harbor mouth.Portland, MEWorking harbor and Maine's biggest charter base with Casco Bay stripers and mackerel through the summer, cod and haddock on the inshore ledges, and a long run to Jeffreys Ledge for giant bluefin.Portsmouth, NHPiscataqua River port at New Hampshire's only ocean access with stripers stacked at the river mouth all summer, mackerel and pollock just outside, and the Isles of Shoals and Jeffreys Ledge a short run away for cod and bluefin.Provincetown, MATip of Cape Cod with the closest run to Stellwagen Bank for bluefin tuna, summer stripers and blues on the back side, cod and haddock on the bank, and whales and bait stacked up most of the season.Rockland, MELobstering hub on Penobscot Bay with summer stripers along the islands, mackerel and pollock on the ledges, and a workable run out to Matinicus and the Mount Desert Rock cod and haddock grounds.
Mid-Atlantic
Annapolis, MDChesapeake Bay sailing capital that doubles as a striper home port, spring trophy season chunking off the Bay Bridge, summer light-tackle on the shoals, and fall bull reds and bluefish working the channels.Atlantic City, NJInlet town with quick access to the Atlantic City Reef and the Mud Hole, fall striper blitzes on the beach, summer fluke, sea bass on the wrecks, and tuna and tilefish on the canyon shelf.Cape Charles, VAEastern Shore village on the Chesapeake Bay side of the peninsula, short ride to the CBBT pilings for trophy stripers and tautog, plus summer flounder drifts and red drum on the seaside shoals.Cape May, NJHistoric charter port at the southern tip of New Jersey, springtime trophy stripers along the rips, summer flounder in Delaware Bay, fall weakfish, and a long but fishable run to the Wilmington and Baltimore canyons.Chincoteague, VASleepy Eastern Shore island behind Assateague with flounder drifts in the channels, summer kingfish and croaker on the beach, and a short run to the inshore wrecks for tautog and seabass.Greenport, NYWorking harbor on the North Fork with prime access to Plum Gut and the Race for trophy stripers and bluefish, summer porgy and sea bass over the rockpiles, and Peconic Bay weakfish in late spring.Long Beach, NYBarrier island town on the South Shore between Jones and East Rockaway inlets, summer fluke and porgy in the bays, fall striper and bluefish blitzes on the beach, and a short run to the Cholera Bank.Montauk, NYThe End — Long Island's eastern tip and arguably the East Coast's most famous fall run, with false albacore and bonito at the rips, blitzing stripers and blues, summer fluke and sea bass, and offshore tuna out at the Butterfish Hole.Ocean City, MDMaryland's only ocean inlet and a serious sportfishing town, white marlin capital with summer canyon runs to Poor Man's and Washington, plus fall striper, tautog on the wrecks, and bayside flounder.Point Pleasant Beach, NJManasquan Inlet party-boat capital with year-round fluke, sea bass and ling on the wrecks, fall striper and bluefish blitzes along the beach, and a workable run to the Hudson Canyon for tuna.Sandy Hook, NJBarrier spit at the gateway to New York Harbor, legendary spring and fall striper run along the rip and Shrewsbury Rocks, summer fluke and bluefish, plus easy access to the Mud Hole.Virginia Beach, VABig-water charter hub at the mouth of the Chesapeake with shoulder-season striped bass, summer cobia and red drum sight-fishing over the shoals, and a long run out to Norfolk Canyon for tuna and white marlin.
Southeast Atlantic
Beaufort, SCLowcountry town at the head of Port Royal Sound — extensive marsh and creek system for reds and trout, a strong flounder fishery, and nearshore access for kings and Spanish in summer.Brunswick, GAWorking Georgia port at the head of St. Simons Sound — Cumberland-style inshore reds and trout, summer tarpon at the inlets, and the closest run to Gray's Reef offshore.Charleston, SCMajor lowcountry port with Charleston Harbor and three rivers feeding the estuary — flagship redfish fishery, peak nearshore kingfish in summer, and a famed Gulf Stream run to the Charleston Bump.Fernandina Beach, FLAmelia Island town with deep ocean access through Nassau Sound — year-round inshore reds, trout and flounder, jetty sheepshead in winter, and a short run to the nearshore reefs.Hatteras, NCOuter Banks fishing village at Hatteras Inlet with the closest Gulf Stream run on the East Coast — winter wahoo and yellowfin, spring/fall bluefin, fall bluefish blitzes on the beach.Hilton Head Island, SCSouth Carolina barrier island with Calibogue and Port Royal Sounds flanking it — flats and creeks for reds, trout and flounder, plus a short run to nearshore reefs and the Gulf Stream in summer.Jacksonville, FLMajor North Florida port — Mayport Basin and the St. Johns River mouth host fall bull reds, winter sheepshead on the jetties, and a charter fleet running kings and Snapper Banks bottom fish offshore.Morehead City, NCCrystal Coast port at the head of Beaufort Inlet — a powerhouse fishing town with Bogue Sound inshore, fall bluefin tuna offshore, and the closest 35 miles to the Big Rock for blue marlin.Murrells Inlet, SCCompact Grand Strand fishing inlet just south of Myrtle Beach — small-boat inshore for flounder, reds and trout, a charter fleet running king mackerel in summer, and bottom snapper offshore.St. Augustine, FLHistoric coastal town with the St. Augustine and Matanzas inlets feeding a long estuary system — strong inshore reds and trout, beach kings in summer, and an easy nearshore run for cobia in spring.St. Marys, GAWorking shrimping town at the GA/FL line with quick access to Cumberland Sound for inshore reds and seatrout, summer tarpon at the inlet, and a 60-mile run to the Atlantic snapper banks.Tybee Island, GASavannah's beach town at the mouth of the Savannah River — strong inshore fishing for reds, trout and flounder in the back creeks, plus a fast run to the Savannah Snapper Banks offshore.Wrightsville Beach, NCWilmington's barrier-island beach town with Masonboro Inlet and the ICW for inshore reds and flounder, classic spring-run cobia along the beach, and easy access to nearshore reefs and the Gulf Stream.
South Florida & the Keys
Everglades City, FLPure backcountry — gateway to the Ten Thousand Islands and Chokoloskee Bay for snook, redfish, and snapper in the mangrove creeks, with tarpon stacking in the passes from late spring through summer.Fort Lauderdale, FLDeepwater port with sailfish, mahi, and wahoo a 15-minute run off Port Everglades, swordfish on the daytime drop, and a productive inshore tarpon and snook bite through the Intracoastal bridges.Fort Myers, FLCaloosahatchee River meets the Gulf at a sprawling estuary — snook and redfish in the river and passes, tarpon stacking off the beaches in May and June, and offshore grouper and permit on the artificial reefs.Islamorada, FLSelf-styled sportfishing capital with the Whale Harbor and Bud N Mary's fleets working both sides — tarpon migration through the channels in spring, winter sailfish on the reef, and a serious backcountry permit and bonefish fishery.Jupiter, FLWhere the Gulf Stream pinches closest to shore — sailfish, blackfin, and wahoo within a couple miles of Jupiter Inlet, summer snook running the inlet at night, and a famous goliath grouper aggregation on the inshore wrecks.Key Largo, FLGateway to the Keys with a short run to the reef and Gulf Stream — winter sailfish off Molasses, summer mahi and blackfin on the humps, and shallow-water bonefish and permit on the Florida Bay flats.Key West, FLEnd-of-the-road charter port with the Dry Tortugas, the wrecks, and the reef all in range — wintertime sailfish and kingfish, mutton snapper on the full moons, and world-class permit and tarpon on the Marquesas flats.Marathon, FLMiddle Keys hub with quick access to the Hump and Marathon West Hump for blackfin, yellowfin, and wahoo, plus reef-edge mutton and yellowtail snapper and a Seven Mile Bridge tarpon run each spring.Marco Island, FLCapri Pass and Big Marco River open into the Ten Thousand Islands — snook, redfish, and trout year-round in the backcountry, a strong May-July tarpon run on the beaches, and gag grouper on the nearshore ledges.Miami, FLGovernment Cut and Biscayne Bay put deep blue water minutes from downtown — sailfish kite-fishing through winter, mahi and tuna on the spring edge, and year-round tarpon prowling Government Cut and the Haulover bridge lights.Naples, FLSouthwest Florida shelf town with Gordon Pass feeding a snook and redfish backcountry, summer tarpon rolling the beaches, and a flat 30-mile run to grouper and snapper on the Middle Grounds edges.Sanibel, FLBarrier island guarding Pine Island Sound — snook and redfish on the grass flats, sheepshead and sea trout around the causeway, and the legendary May-July tarpon migration rolling right off the beach.Stuart, FLSailfish Capital of the World at the St. Lucie Inlet — peak sailfish action November through March, summer snook and tarpon stacked in the inlet, and a short Gulf Stream run to dolphin and wahoo grounds.
Gulf of Mexico
Biloxi, MSMississippi Sound charter port with the barrier islands as a buffer — speckled trout, redfish, and flounder on the inshore reefs, cobia and Spanish on the islands in spring, and a tuna and snapper run to the deepwater rigs.Clearwater, FLBig charter fleet running out of Clearwater Pass — flats fishing for snook and redfish in the back bays, kingfish and Spanish on the nearshore reefs in spring, and red grouper on the long-range ledges.Crystal River, FLNature Coast hub on a spring-fed river opening into Kings Bay — outstanding shallow-water redfish and seatrout year-round, summer scalloping in the grass beds, and gag grouper on the nearshore rockpiles.Dauphin Island, ALBarrier island at the mouth of Mobile Bay — speckled trout and redfish in the marshes, big bull reds at the rigs in fall, and the Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo running out of here every July for snapper and tuna.Destin, FLWorld's Luckiest Fishing Village at East Pass — the largest charter fleet on the Gulf running to 100-fathom water for blackfin, mahi, and wahoo, plus a red snapper and amberjack fishery on the natural bottom.Galveston, TXUpper Texas coast port with Galveston Bay at the back door — speckled trout and redfish on the reefs and shorelines year-round, bull reds stacking the jetties in fall, and a long run to the deepwater rigs for tuna and marlin.Grand Isle, LALouisiana's only inhabited barrier island — speckled trout and redfish blanket the marsh and Caminada Pass, Tarpon Rodeo crowns July, and the deepwater rigs out of Belle Pass produce tuna, mahi, and marlin.Orange Beach, ALAlabama's offshore capital — Perdido Pass runs out to one of the densest artificial reef zones in the Gulf for red snapper, amberjack, and triggerfish, with a strong inshore speck and redfish bite in Wolf Bay.Panama City Beach, FLSt. Andrews Pass dumps into deep water fast — red snapper and amberjack on the wrecks and ledges in June, kingfish and cobia on the spring run, and a strong inshore flounder and redfish bite in St. Andrews Bay.Pensacola, FLPensacola Pass connects a huge bay system to a deep Gulf shelf — spring cobia migration along the beaches, red snapper and grouper on the wrecks, and year-round speckled trout and redfish in the bayous.Port Aransas, TXCharter capital of the Texas coast at Aransas Pass — tarpon return to the jetties in late summer, kingfish and ling on the nearshore platforms, and a serious offshore fleet running to blue marlin and yellowfin in the Gulf canyons.South Padre Island, TXSouthernmost Texas barrier island on the Laguna Madre — world-class shallow-water redfish and trout in the hypersaline flats, snook creeping back near the jetties, and a Brazos Santiago Pass run to red snapper and kingfish.St. Petersburg, FLTampa Bay's south shore with a deep, sheltered estuary at the door — year-round snook, redfish, and gator trout on the flats, big tarpon rolling the ship channel in May and June, and gag grouper a short run offshore.Tarpon Springs, FLHistoric Greek sponge-docks port at the Anclote River mouth — scallop runs in summer, redfish and trout on the grassy flats north of the river, and a quick shot to grouper and hogfish on the nearshore hard bottom.Venice, LAEnd of the road at the Mississippi Delta — arguably the best yellowfin tuna fishery in the Lower 48 on the deepwater rigs, monster bull redfish in the passes each fall, and trophy speckled trout in the marsh.
Southern California
Dana Point, CAHeadland harbor between San Diego and Long Beach with the closest deep-water access to the 209 and 14 fathom spots — calicos and barracuda on the kelp, late-summer marlin, plenty of charter boats.Long Beach, CAMajor Los Angeles-Long Beach harbor complex with breakwall barracuda and bass year round, summer bonito and yellowtail off the Horseshoe Kelp, and an easy run to Catalina for white seabass.Marina del Rey, CASportfishing landing on the Santa Monica Bay shelf with summer halibut on the sand, calicos along the Malibu kelp, and a short hop to the Redondo Canyon for sculpin and rockfish.Mission Bay, CASheltered launch ramps and sportboat landings just north of Point Loma — quick runs to the La Jolla kelp for calico bass and yellowtail, with bluefin and dorado within reach in summer.Newport Beach, CABig sportfishing fleet out of Newport Landing working the local 9-mile bank for yellowtail and white seabass, summer-fall tuna at the 43 and 181, plus reliable halibut on the inside flats.Oceanside, CANorth County harbor with a guarded jetty entrance, half-day calico and sand bass action on the local reefs, summer yellowtail at the 14-Mile Bank, and prime striped marlin water in late summer.Oxnard, CAChannel Islands Harbor gives the shortest run from the mainland to Anacapa and Santa Cruz Island — heavy calico and rockfish action on the island reefs, white seabass in spring, halibut on the flats.San Diego, CABig-water sportfishing hub on San Diego Bay with year-round access to yellowtail and calicos along the kelp, summer-fall bluefin and yellowfin tuna offshore, and the famed Point Loma long-range fleet.San Pedro, CAWorking port town at the LA Harbor entrance and home of 22nd Street Landing — sand bass on the flats, bonito and barracuda on the breakwall, and the gateway to Catalina and the 277.Santa Barbara, CASouth-facing harbor at the top of the Southern California Bight with quick access to the Santa Barbara Channel rigs for calicos and reds, spring white seabass at Santa Rosa, and summer yellowtail when the warm water pushes in.Ventura, CAVentura Harbor sits across from Anacapa with a fleet running the Channel Islands daily — rockfish and lingcod year round, halibut on the Ventura Flats in spring, and white seabass on the squid grounds.
Northern California
Berkeley, CABerkeley Marina sportfishing fleet works the central bay and outside the Gate — striped bass and halibut on Alameda flats in summer, salmon trolling at Duxbury, sturgeon up in San Pablo Bay in winter.Bodega Bay, CANorth-coast salmon port at the mouth of Tomales Bay — heavy king salmon trolling from May into September, rockfish and lingcod on the Cordell Bank, and Dungeness crab through the winter.Crescent City, CALast California port before Oregon with a deep-draft harbor at St George Reef — outstanding lingcod and rockfish on the reef, Pacific halibut close in, and Chinook trolling when the season is open.Eureka, CAHumboldt Bay port with the biggest fleet on the North Coast — Pacific halibut and salmon outside the jaws in summer, rockfish and lingcod on the inshore pinnacles, fall king runs up the Eel and Mad.Fort Bragg, CANoyo Harbor on the Mendocino coast — Pacific halibut quotas in spring, salmon when the season opens north of Pt Arena, and reliable lingcod and vermilion rockfish on the inshore reefs.Half Moon Bay, CAPillar Point Harbor is the closest deep-water port south of the Gate — king salmon at the Deep Reef and Pedro Point in summer, lingcod and big rockfish on the Farallones day trips.Monterey, CADeep canyon comes right to the beach inside Monterey Bay — salmon trolling outside the breakwater in summer, dependable rockfish and lingcod on the Soquel Reef, and big halibut on the sandy stretches.Rio Vista, CADelta town on the Sacramento River and the heart of California sturgeon country — winter diamondbacks on the Sacramento and lower San Joaquin, striped bass on the runs spring and fall, year-round black bass in the sloughs.Santa Cruz, CANorth-end Monterey Bay launch with a small harbor — king salmon close to the kelp early summer, halibut over the sand from May through July, and a quick run to the Soquel Hole for rockfish.Sausalito, CAInside-the-Gate base for the San Francisco party fleet — striped bass and halibut on the bay flats spring through fall, salmon trolling off the Marin Headlands, and Potato Patch sturgeon in winter.
Pacific Northwest
Anacortes, WASan Juan Islands gateway on Fidalgo Island — winter blackmouth and summer Chinook in Rosario Strait, big lingcod on the rockpiles, year-round pink shrimp and Dungeness, and excellent crab in Padilla Bay.Astoria, ORColumbia River bar port at the Oregon-Washington line — Buoy 10 fall Chinook and coho is the marquee fishery, spring kings up to Tongue Point, and ocean salmon and bottomfish out of the river mouth.Brookings, ORSouth Oregon coast port with the mildest weather window in the PNW — strong summer Chinook and coho on the troll, lingcod and rockfish at Rogue Reef, fall salmon and steelhead up the Chetco.Coos Bay, ORLargest deepwater port between SF and the Columbia — Charleston-based fleet runs ocean Chinook and coho, halibut on the offshore banks, and the bay holds fall salmon, surfperch, and big crab limits.Ilwaco, WAColumbia bar port on the Washington side of the mouth — Buoy 10 fall salmon shoulder-to-shoulder, ocean Chinook and coho out of the bar, sturgeon in the lower river, razor clams on Long Beach Peninsula.La Push, WAQuileute Tribe port at the mouth of the Quillayute — coastal Chinook and coho in summer, Pacific halibut openers on the close-in banks, lingcod and yelloweye on the rocky bottom, steelhead up the Bogachiel and Sol Duc.Neah Bay, WAMakah Reservation port at the northwest tip of the Olympic Peninsula — Pacific halibut at Swiftsure and the 72 Square, summer Chinook and coho on Salmon Bank, lingcod and big black rockfish on Tatoosh.Newport, ORYaquina Bay port and the central Oregon coast charter capital — all-depth Pacific halibut in May, summer coho and Chinook off Heceta Bank, lingcod and rockfish year round, fall salmon back in the bay.Sekiu, WAStrait of Juan de Fuca village known for resident blackmouth Chinook in winter, summer king and coho off Mussolini Rock, and the closest mainland launch to the productive halibut grounds west of the Strait.Tillamook, ORFive rivers feed Tillamook and Netarts Bays — fall Chinook in the bay and trolling the jaws, big sea-run cutthroat, spring crab and clams, and ocean coho and bottomfish out of Garibaldi.Westport, WAGrays Harbor bar port and Washington's biggest charter fleet — Pacific halibut openers in May, summer ocean salmon and tuna 30-40 miles out, fall Chinook back in the harbor, lingcod and rockfish year round.
Great Lakes
Bay City, MISaginaw Bay on Lake Huron — a walleye factory from the spring Saginaw River run through summer trolling on the bay flats, with yellow perch and pike rounding out the year.Bayfield, WIGateway to the Apostle Islands on Lake Superior — lake trout are the headline target year-round, with coho and Chinook trolling in summer and a strong brown trout bite around the island shorelines.Buffalo, NYEastern Lake Erie port at the head of the Niagara River — smallmouth bass on the rock reefs, walleye trolling out of the Outer Harbor in summer, and a winter steelhead run up the Cattaraugus and the lower Niagara.Cleveland, OHCentral-basin Lake Erie out of Edgewater and the Rocky River — spring walleye jigging off the rockpiles, summer perch schools in 40 to 50 feet, and a fall steelhead run that lights up the Chagrin and Rocky.Detroit, MIDetroit River corridor between Lake St. Clair and Lake Erie — the spring walleye jig bite below Belle Isle is legendary, and Lake St. Clair is North America's premier muskie and smallmouth fishery.Duluth, MNWestern tip of Lake Superior — lake trout and coho trolling out of the Duluth-Superior harbor, Kamloops rainbows close to shore, and a North Shore stream steelhead run from ice-out into May.Erie, PAPresque Isle Bay and the open Lake Erie shoreline — walleye and yellow perch are the bread and butter, with steelhead stacking into Walnut, Elk and Twentymile creeks from October through April.Frankfort, MISmall Lake Michigan port between the Sleeping Bear Dunes and Betsie Bay — a top Chinook and coho trolling town in August and September, with lake trout deep off Point Betsie all summer.Holland, MILake Macatawa and the Lake Michigan shoreline — perch and pike inside the bay, summer kings and coho trolling out of the channel, and a Kalamazoo and Black River steelhead run in fall and spring.Ludington, MIOne of Lake Michigan's elite charter ports — Chinook and coho trolling from June through September, lake trout offshore on cores and downriggers, and a fall PM River steelhead run.Manistee, MILake Michigan salmon port at the mouth of the Manistee River — staging Chinooks and coho off the piers August through September, then a heavy fall king run and winter steelhead up to Tippy Dam.Marquette, MIUpper Peninsula port on Lake Superior — lake trout dominate the deep-water trolling, coho and Chinook salmon push the shoreline in late summer, and the Carp and Chocolay rivers run steelhead in spring and fall.Oswego, NYLake Ontario's premier Chinook port at the mouth of the Oswego River — heavy king trolling July through September, lake trout deep all summer, and a fall and winter steelhead run on the Salmon River nearby.Sandusky, OHWestern-basin Lake Erie ground zero for walleye — the reef complex off Sandusky Bay produces trophy fish in April and May, with perch and smallmouth filling out the summer around the Bass Islands.Sturgeon Bay, WIDoor County hub where Lake Michigan meets Green Bay — world-class trophy smallmouth in May and June, springtime walleye on the flats, and big-water brown trout off the bluffs.Toledo, OHMaumee Bay and the western basin — the spring Maumee River walleye run is one of the biggest in the country, followed by reef-and-shoal walleye trolling and white bass through the warm months.
Hawaiian Islands
Hanalei, HICrescent bay on Kauai's North Shore — shore-casting and whipping for papio and oio on the reef flats, bonefish on the sand flats inside the bay, and a short run offshore for mahi mahi in summer.Hilo, HIWindward Big Island port working the wetter, less-fished east side — ahi and ono on the offshore weed lines, ulua and papio shore-casting along the rocky coast, and reef fishing inside the bay.Honolulu, HISouth Shore of Oahu out of Kewalo Basin and Ala Wai — charter boats run for ahi, mahi mahi, ono and the occasional blue marlin on the offshore ledge, with whipping for papio off the rocks at dawn.Kailua-Kona, HIThe Big Island's blue marlin capital — Honokohau Harbor sits a mile from 1,000-foot water, with grander Pacific blues, ahi, ono and mahi all reachable on a short run almost every day of the year.Kihei, HISouth Maui shoreline on Maalaea Bay — bottom-fishing for goatfish and snappers off Kihei boat ramp, whipping the reef flats for papio at dawn, and a short run to the offshore ono and mahi grounds.Lahaina, HIWest Maui charter port working the Auau Channel and the Pailolo — winter mahi mahi and ono on the FADs, summer ahi and stripey marlin, and big blue marlin staging through August and September.Princeville, HINorth Shore Kauai bluff above Hanalei Bay — reef and shoreline fishing for papio and goatfish through summer, with offshore charter access out of Hanalei and Anini for mahi mahi and ono when the trades lay down.Waianae, HILeeward Oahu port with the calmest, driest water on the island — Waianae Boat Harbor charters run for ahi, ono, mahi mahi and blue marlin on a short ride to deep water along the leeward ledge.
Alaska — Southcentral & Southeast
Anchorage, AKCook Inlet hub close to the Kenai, Russian and Kasilof rivers — base camp for the summer king and red salmon runs, with silver salmon into September and rainbow trout on the upper Kenai through fall.Cordova, AKCopper River Delta town reached only by boat or plane — wild Copper River sockeye and king salmon, all five Pacific salmon species in the surrounding streams, and halibut and rockfish in the eastern Sound.Homer, AKHalibut capital of the world on Kachemak Bay — barn-door Pacific halibut all summer out of the Homer Spit, lingcod and rockfish on the deeper reefs, and king and silver salmon on the Anchor and Ninilchik rivers.Juneau, AKInside Passage capital working Stephens Passage and Lynn Canal — feeder kings year-round, summer Chinook and silvers, halibut on the channel ledges, and Dolly Varden in the saltwater creeks.Kenai, AKMouth of the Kenai River on Cook Inlet — the world's biggest king salmon run hits in July, sockeye stack the river red in late July, and silvers run from August into September.Ketchikan, AKSouthernmost Inside Passage port, the salmon capital of the world by signage — Chinook and silver salmon in the Tongass Narrows and Clarence Strait, halibut and lingcod on the offshore reefs all summer.Kodiak, AKKodiak Island port on the western Gulf of Alaska — big Pacific halibut on the offshore banks, lingcod and yelloweye on the pinnacles, and five-species salmon runs on the road-system rivers from June through September.Petersburg, AKNorwegian fishing town on Mitkof Island in the heart of the Inside Passage — kings and silvers in Frederick Sound, halibut on the deep banks, and a wild steelhead run on the Stikine tributaries in spring.Seward, AKResurrection Bay port on the Kenai Fjords — halibut, lingcod and yelloweye rockfish on the deep ledges, summer silver and pink salmon in the bay, and the August Seward Silver Salmon Derby on the doorstep.Sitka, AKOuter-coast Inside Passage port facing the open Gulf — king salmon and silvers along Kruzof Island, halibut and lingcod on the offshore banks, and yelloweye rockfish on the pinnacles all summer.Soldotna, AKKenai River drift-boat town — king salmon in June and July, the famous Russian River sockeye combat fishery, fall silver salmon, and a wild rainbow trout fishery on the upper Kenai once the salmon are spent.Valdez, AKPrince William Sound port at the head of a deep fjord — silver salmon swarm the harbor in August, halibut and lingcod hold on the offshore banks, and a strong pink salmon run drives the summer derby.Whittier, AKTunnel access to Prince William Sound — short runs to halibut and lingcod grounds, hatchery silver and pink salmon in summer, and protected-water bottom fishing when the Gulf is blown out.