Fishing is undoubtedly one of America’s most beloved pastimes, and some of the world’s most abundant fisheries can be found right here. However, with so many exceptional options available, anglers wrestle with the same question: What is the top state for anglers?
FishingBooker determined the Best US Fishing States list by combining their data with other publicly available sources. Florida and Michigan shared the top spot with the same number of points!
Some interesting findings from this study show that the top half of the list is dominated by states on the Atlantic Coast. The study also found that out of the 25 bottom states, 18 are landlocked.
Why did Florida rank number 1?
Florida has one of the highest rankings on the list in the category of Anglers’ Interest, which makes sense since it’s the most famous saltwater destination in the country.
There’s an incredible variety of angling trips on offer. So the prices are just as varied, and there are thousands of charters that can take you out. This allowed Florida to have a strong score in the Financial category as well.
Related: FWC approves harvest of goliath grouper
The Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico hug over 8,400 miles of coastline. In that water there’s more game fish than you can count! Whether it’s inshore royalty like Redfish, Tarpon, and Snook or offshore giants like King Mackerel, Grouper, Snapper, and Sailfish, Florida has it all with its year-round action.
Top state for anglers
The Best US Fishing States in 2023, top 10 list:
- Florida
- Michigan
- Delaware
- Alaska
- Hawaii
- Maine
- Maryland
- Rhode Island
- Louisiana
- Wisconsin
