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My 6 top summer fishing destinations

By: Kayla Lockhart + Save to a List

This story is presented by Eddie Bauer.

In my opinion, whether you like to cast a fly, a lure or even bait, fishing is one of the best ways to be outdoors and soak in summertime weather! Fishing fuels my passion for the outdoors, and I am always on the go to find my next favorite fishing spot. It was difficult, but I narrowed down my top six summer fishing destinations!

A person holding a fish they just caught half out of the water.
Photo by Jeffrey Green.

1. Deschutes River, Oregon

The Deschutes river truly comes alive in the summer with fly fishing, rafting, kayaking… you name it! If you are lucky and get to visit, you might time your trip right for the infamous salmon fly hatch when the skies are filled with the 1-inch-long trout food flying around!

There is a mountain peak in the background and a perfectly still lake in the foreground. It is reflecting the pine trees on the shoreline and the mountain in the background.
Photo by Angela Service.

2. Takhlakh Lake, Washington:
This lake is small enough for any non-motorized vessel and has an amazing view of Mt. Adams! With camping nearby and the lake stocked with fish, Takhlakh Lake is a great place to spend a summer weekend!

A horseshoe-shaped bend in a river surrounded by tall red rock walls.
Photo by Carrie Roc.

3.Lees Ferry, Arizona
Lees Ferry is one of the most stunning places I have been. There are walk-in access points to fish the river or you can kayak through Horseshoe Bend and up to the Dam. There are guides and jet boat rentals available if you have the time to enjoy the fishery.

Two people in a wooden dory boat are fly fishing on a river.
Photo by Dan Ransom.

4. Green River / Flaming Gorge, Utah
The Green River is one of the best trout fishing rivers I have experienced. It doesn't hurt that the landscape surrounding the river is amazing! The summertime can have some incredible hatches that will make any fishing experience on the river unforgettable. There are many guide outfitters, like Western Rivers, where you can hire an experienced professional to take you through the sections and share their knowledge, so you get the most of the experience!

A wild horse is standing in a river.
Photo by Autumn Guiberson.

5. Salt River: Mesa, AZ
This river might not seem like it has the best fishing, but don’t let it fool you! First of all, there's a chance you could be casting a line while a wild horse takes a drink out of the river across from you! That's pretty incredible, but this river also holds some record Sonoran suckers! Catching these fish on a fly is a lot of fun and the hikes near the river are always beautiful - just watch out for all desert cactus!

A calm lake with a forested shoreline. The lake reflects the trees and the blue sky.
Photo by Emily Kent.

6. Boundary Waters: Seagull Lake
Growing up in MN, This is one of my favorite areas! There is nothing quite like the Boundary Waters. Here, you can experience some of the most breathtaking sunsets that lead to incredible star-gazing that will keep you looking up all night! Seagull Lake is located in this serene wilderness  and is filled with walleye, lake trout, northerns, and smallmouth bass. It truly has so much to offer!

Feature image by Dan Ransom.

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