If you’re curious to learn more about the top freshwater and saltwater fish species in the world, this is a great starting point. It’s always wise to know your target, and this article will give you a short overview of numerous fish, including the basics of how to pursue them.

In the following sections, you’ll learn more about the most popular catches, their characteristics, whereabouts, and tips on how to reel them in. We’ll also give you a list of several must-fish hotspots for each fish to help you kick off your angling adventure. Bear in mind that there are more fish species than we can count, so the list below isn’t definite but ever-growing and ever-expanding.

Explore Fish Species

Saltwater Fish Species

Saltwater fish species range from small inshore dwellers to colossal offshore predators. Many saltwater residents are famous for their vibrant colors and picture-perfect looks. But most importantly, they can grow to trophy sizes and are almost always considered to be excellent sport fish. We’ll focus precisely on this group and give you a quick breakdown of the most popular game fish and their characteristics.

Cobia

Cobia are highly prized sport fish due to their admirable fighting abilities and excellent food properties.

Cobia Identification

Cobia are fairly easy to identify. They’re usually two-colored with dark brown tops and white bellies. They can also have a third color - a silver or bronze line on the side. Their bodies are elongated and their heads are flat. Anglers sometimes mix Cobia up with Sharks due to their similar sizes and body shapes - plus, it’s not uncommon for Cobia to be accidental catches when fishing for Sharks and vice versa.

Cobia Habitat

Cobia are primarily an inshore and nearshore fish species, inhabiting depths of up to 60 feet. They prefer shallow inlet waters, but you’ll find them patrolling around nearby reefs and wrecks in search of food, too. Cobia also love various structures, so look for them around buoys, boats, and other floating objects. Be it the US, Canada, Argentina, South Africa, or Japan, you’ll have no trouble locating Cobia. The only waters where you won’t find them are in the Eastern Pacific.

How to Catch Cobia

More often than not, Cobia swim near the surface, and they aren’t afraid of getting close to your boat. This is great news for you as it’ll allow you to spot them quickly and sight cast for them. If you can’t immediately see them, chumming will help attract them your way. Cobia aren’t picky eaters, so a variety of baits and lures work. The most efficient ones are crabs, shrimps, mullet, jigs, soft plastics, and topwater lures.

Top Cobia Locations

Florida is a leading Cobia location. But it isn’t the only place, as we said. Here are just a few Cobia hotspots you should check out if you plan to fish for these creatures:

• Key West
• Chesapeake Bay

• Galveston
• Freeport

• Daytona Beach
• Tampa Bay

Flounder

While not the prettiest fish around, Flounder are among the tastiest species out there. Whether you fry, grill, or blacken them, they’re delicious.

Flounder Identification

We know you’re probably imagining that cute little fella from The Little Mermaid. The reality, however, is that Flounder are an odd-looking fish. These bottom dwellers are Flatfish and, as such, have developed quite unique looks. Besides resembling a doormat, one of a Flounder’s most distinctive features is its eyes - they’re both placed on the same side of the head. Also, their compressed bodies are usually muddy-looking on top, which helps them camouflage.

Flounder Habitat

As floor-dependent fish, it’s obvious that you’ll find Flounder at the very bottom. However, this doesn’t mean they’ll inhabit any part of your fishery. Flounder tend to populate sandy, muddy, and rubble bottoms. Species such as Southern Flounder choose estuaries, bay mouths, and inshore channels as their abode. They feel at home near jetties and bridges as well. Gulf Flounder, meanwhile, hunt in seagrass patches closer to the shore, where sandy bottoms are common.

How to Catch Flounder

There are several methods to land yourself a decent Flounder. First of all, if you aren’t certain that there are Flounder in the area, try drift fishing for them. This will help you cover a good portion of the fishery and lure them out of their hiding spots. Flounder are ambush predators and won’t resist the scent of your bait. So, use minnows, squid, and shrimp, or alternatively go for lures that closely resemble these live baits. Finally, if you’re in Texas or any other state where it’s legal, try Flounder gigging at night!

Top Flounder Locations

Each Flounder species has its own domain. The Gulf of Mexico is home to Gulf and Southern Flounder, whereas the East Coast is associated with Summer Flounder. Meanwhile, California Halibut inhabit the West Coast. With that in mind, here are some top Flounder locations:

• Port Aransas
• Chesapeake Bay

• Galveston
• Rhode Island

• Cedar Key
• Bay Area

Mahi Mahi

Mahi Mahi, Dorado, Dolphinfish - this beauty goes by many names and wears the crown of best-dressed game fish.

Mahi Mahi Identification

Mahi Mahi are a sight to behold. With electric green, iridescent blue, vibrant yellow, and cold silvery colors, they’re most certainly dressed to impress. When you pull them out of the water and see their slender and colorful bodies, you won’t have any doubts about which fish you’ve landed. Their fluorescent colors, however, gradually fade when kept out of the water, and they become grey.

Mahi Mahi Habitat

A pelagic species, Mahi Mahi won’t be found in inshore waters. They inhabit the offshore ocean realm and can live in depths greater than 300 feet. They’re especially fond of structures, so you’ll often find them around large ships, oil rigs, and other floating objects. Young Mahi Mahi congregate in schools, whereas adult specimens usually swim alone closer to the surface in search of food.

How to Catch Mahi Mahi

The main thing you should know about Mahi Mahi is that they’re fast swimmers. Naturally, trolling is the name of the game when fishing for them. Deploy outriggers with live bait such as mullet, ballyhoo, and squid, or artificial lures like spoons and jigs, and watch them get excited. Once hooked, they’ll almost immediately go airborne - they’re famous for their acrobatic leaps.

Top Mahi Mahi Locations

You’ll find these gorgeous-looking species in almost all tropical climates with warm temperatures, but these spots are considered to be the most prolific Mahi Mahi fisheries:

• West Palm Beach
• Miami

• Key West
• San Diego

• Cabo San Lucas
• Puerto Vallarta

Red Snapper

Testy, feisty, good-looking, and seasonal, Red Snappers are the most sought-after fish in the Gulf of Mexico.

Red Snapper Identification

As their name suggests, Red Snappers boast a whole spectrum of red colors. The upper part of their bodies is covered in scarlet, brick red, and pink hues - and even their irises are red! They also have a distinctive triangular snout and pointed anal fin. While it’s not uncommon to come across a 20-pounder monster, you’ll most likely end up with an average 6 lb Red Snapper.

Red Snapper Habitat

Red Snappers are bottom dwellers. They patrol the seafloor at depths between 50 and 400 feet. Young Reds prefer sandy bottoms and shallower waters, while rocky bottoms and deeper waters are reserved for bigger specimens. So, if you want to score a trophy Red Snapper, check out deeper patches around reefs and wrecks. Red Snappers feel at home in the Gulf of Mexico but they aren’t strangers to the Atlantic Coast either.

How to Catch Red Snapper

The best Red Snapper fishing action happens around 30 miles from shore, around reefs and wrecks. This means you’ll need a charter boat to reach their whereabouts. Since they’re seafloor lovers, you’ll mainly practice bottom fishing, but you can also try slow-pitch jigging. As for what baits and lures work best, Red Snappers fall for squid, shrimp, crabs, worms, and cut fish. They’re opportunistic feeders, so they’ll gulp your bait as long as you serve it near the bottom.

Top Red Snapper Locations

Having in mind that the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Coast are their headquarters, your biggest chances of catching brag-worthy Red Snappers are from these locations:

• Destin
• Galveston

• Biloxi
• Orange Beach

• Pensacola
• Gulf Shores

Redfish

Red Drum, better known as Redfish, are stubborn rivals that make passionate inshore anglers tick.

Redfish Identification

Despite their name, Redfish aren’t really red. Bronze, copper, and gold hues dominate the upper part of their bodies, while white covers their bellies. Besides the different shades of brown, Redfish have an easily recognizable black dot (or dots) on their tail. This tell-tale sign - often known as an “eyespot” - will help you identify them without any difficulties.

Redfish Habitat

Redfish are an inshore species that inhabit estuaries and brackish waters in the Gulf of Mexico and on the Atlantic Coast. They tolerate a wide range of salinity levels and water temperatures, so don’t be surprised if you spot them in freshwater environments as well. Larger specimens usually head for deeper waters, whereas smaller fish frequent areas around piers and jetties.

How to Catch Redfish

Mastering the art of fishing for Redfish takes time. This is because you can pursue Redfish in many spots with a range of methods, baits, and lures. For example, you can cast from shore, wade, or fish from a charter. You can practice fly fishing or try sight casting using anything from crabs, shrimps, and menhaden to spoons, surface plugs, and jigs. So, mix and match until you hit the right combo.

Top Redfish Locations

While you can target Redfish almost everywhere along the Gulf and Atlantic coasts, some places are more prolific than others. Here are several Redfish fishing hotspots to get you going:

• Venice
• Galveston

• Hilton Head Island
• Tampa Bay

• Florida Keys
• Biloxi

Sheepshead

If you’re after a fascinating and strange-looking fish, look no further than Sheepshead.

Sheepshead Identification

Believe us when we tell you that the chances of you mistaking Sheepshead for some other fish species are non-existent. These tricky fellas are so unique that you’ll instantly be able to identify them. First of all, they’re known as “Convict Fish” due to their vertical black and white stripes. Secondly, their dorsal fin consists of a dozen of sharp spines. Finally, the moment you see their eerie human-like teeth, you’ll have no doubt that you’ve reeled in a Sheepshead.

Sheepshead Habitat

Sheepshead inhabit the Gulf and Atlantic’s inshore and nearshore waters. They particularly enjoy hiding in various structures, so look for them around reefs, wrecks, docks, and piers. But, for the best results, fish for Sheepshead near jetties. They simply can’t resist these areas and all the holes they can check out in search of food. Strong currents don’t suit them, so Sheepshead will be on the protected side of those jetties.

How to Catch Sheepshead

Sheepshead’s reputation precedes them. These convicts are also perceived as tricksters and thieves because they’re known to steal your bait without you even noticing. Their favorite food are crustaceans, so live or dead shrimp works wonders but they won’t refuse crabs, clams, or oysters, either. You can also chum for Sheepshead, but if you decide to cast your bait, let it sit for a while to entice the bite.

Top Sheepshead Locations

The Gulf Coast boasts a great number of Sheepshead spots, and Florida is said to have the highest concentration of these fish. Along with Florida, take a look at these Sheepshead hotspots, too:

• Lake Charles
• Galveston

• Corpus Christi
• Mobile

• Ocean City
• Biloxi

Snook

The Common Snook is a highly prized inshore game fish in the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea.

Snook Identification

Snook are unique-looking fish. Identifying them can even be as simple as recognizing their black lateral line. This high-contrasting line is hard to go unnoticed as it runs from the top of their gills to the end of their tails, and it stands out against their silvery bodies. Snook have divided dorsal fins and yellowish pelvic fins. They also have large mouths with protruding lower jaws, making their teeth visible.

Snook Habitat

Snook are an inshore fish species that inhabit the warm inshore waters of Florida, Texas, Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, and more. In other words, they love shallow coastal waters with temperatures above 60°F, along with fast-moving tides. But, at the same time, Snook want cover. So, you’ll also see them in mangroves, brackish waters, tributaries, and even the far reaches of rivers.

How to Catch Snook

A Snook’s diet consists of both freshwater and saltwater creatures. However, shrimps are their number one choice. Along with shrimps, you can try mullet, menhaden, or pilchards as bait. As for artificial lures, plastic worm tails and feather jigs yield decent results. Snook are wise predators, often waiting for the current to bring prey their way. When it comes to popular Snook fishing techniques, fly fishing ranks high in angling circles. Anglers love to go night fishing for Snook, too.

Top Snook Locations

You can target Snook anywhere in the Gulf and the Caribbean. But, having in mind that Florida and Texas are the ultimate Snook fishing destinations, here are the main hotspots in those two states:

• Fort Myers Beach
• South Padre Island

• Boca Grande
• Port Isabel

• Tampa Bay
• Laguna Madre

Striped Bass

Striped Bass go by many names (Stripers, Rockfish, Linesiders), but one thing is certain - they’re the brag-worthy trophy catches.

Striped Bass Identification

Striped Bass are sometimes confused with Hybrid Bass. But there’s a trick to easily tell them apart. Just pay attention to their stripes. Striped Bass usually have around eight horizontal stripes on each side of their bodies. These stripes come in regular patterns and are equally distributed along their bodies, which isn’t the case with Hybrid Bass.

Striped Bass Habitat

Striped Bass are both freshwater and saltwater fish. Freshwater Stripers usually live in dams, but they can also be found in open waters. Saltwater Stripers love estuaries and tributaries. They like brackish waters with a lot of underwater vegetation to provide cover while they’re ambushing their prey - think patches with abundant forage.

How to Catch Striped Bass

You won’t catch Striped Bass by only sticking to one angling approach. You have to try out various baits, lures, and techniques until you figure out what works best. Some methods, however, are proven to be productive. Trolling, drifting, chumming, and topwater fishing, for example, are quite effective. Pair one of those with herring, bloodworms, sandworms, or even parachute jigs, and the chances of a Striper gracing the end of your line will be high.

Top Striped Bass Locations

Be it the East Coast, the South, or the West Coast, you’re in for a treat when fishing for Stripers. These are just some of the top Striped Bass fishing locations:

• Coos Bay
• San Francisco Bay

• Long Island
• Chesapeake Bay

• Lake Texoma
• Lake Lanier

Tarpon

Tarpon, rightfully nicknamed “Silver Kings,” are true inshore royals with their unmatched beauty and strength.

Tarpon Identification

It’s impossible to mistake a Tarpon for another inshore game fish. The moment you see their silver armor and shiny scales, you’ll be starstruck, and you’ll know you’re in the presence of royalty. They also grow to impressive sizes, with some remarkable specimens reaching up to 300 pounds! If you’re lucky enough to cross paths with one of these warriors, you’ll immediately recognize them by their spectacular jumps and acrobatic leaps.

Tarpon Habitat

As the kings of the inshore, Tarpon rule coastal waters, such as flats and estuaries. You’ll also find them in lagoons, mangroves, and passes between islands. Tarpon feel comfortable in shallow waters with warm temperatures, so they call places such as Florida, Texas, South Carolina, Costa Rica, Belize, and West Africa home.

How to Catch Tarpon

Tarpon are ultimate sport fish for a number of reasons: hard-fighting abilities and good escaping tactics being the top two. Live bait like mullet works better than artificial lures, and some anglers use them by free lining. Professionals opt for fly fishing, however. All Tarpon pursuers advise you to “bow to the King.” This means that you should drop your rod tip when Tarpon go airborne, or you’ll end up empty-handed and with a broken line. Last but not least, Tarpon are heavily regulated, so make sure you’re familiar with the latest rules and regulations surrounding your hunt.

Top Tarpon Locations

Tarpon love tropical waters, so it comes as no surprise that you can find them anywhere from South Carolina to Africa. Here are the top Tarpon locations to inspire your next fishing vacation:

• Florida Keys
• Boca Grande

• Costa Rica
• Belize

• Myrtle Beach
• Port O’Connor

Wahoo

Fast and furious, Wahoo are popular big game fish boasting power to be reckoned with.

Wahoo Identification

Wahoo are close relatives of King Mackerel, so naturally, they look like cousins. They’re both slender and have cigar-shaped bodies. Wahoo, however, are easily distinguished by their stripes and mouths. They have between 20 and 30 vertical lines known as “tiger stripes.” Besides these clearly visible stripes, Wahoo are famous for their duck-like mouths with a moving upper jaw.

Wahoo Habitat

Wahoo are pelagic fish, meaning they’re migratory creatures. They inhabit bluewater depths and nearshore areas around reefs and wrecks. More often than not, you’ll see them navigating the far offshore fisheries alone. They’re solitary beings but you might see them swimming along with another Wahoo, however, you won’t notice them gathering in large schools. They prefer tropical temperatures, so the Bahamas, Hawaii, and Mexico are some of the best Wahoo fishing hotspots.

How to Catch Wahoo

Wahoo are incredibly swift - among the fastest fish species in the ocean - and can reach up to 50 miles per hour. This speed means that trolling is the name of the game when fishing for Wahoo. Gear up with whole-rigged Spanish mackerel, squid, or ballyhoo, and troll the surface at high speed in the early morning for the best results. Indicators of Wahoo being present in the area are water temperatures around 75°F and structures that provide feeding opportunities.

Top Wahoo Locations

Wahoo inhabit warm waters worldwide. Be it the Atlantic Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico, the Pacific Ocean, or the Mediterranean Sea, Wahoo shine bright. These are just some of the best Wahoo fishing locations:

• Miami
• Key West

• Oahu
• Cancún

• Bahamas
• Aruba

Freshwater Fish Species

Freshwater fish species have a reputation for being elusive. But this is only true to a certain extent. When you understand their eating habits or hiding corners, for example, those freshwater trophies become readily available. So, here are some essential pieces of information about how to recognize, find, and fish for the most sought-after freshwater fish species.

Carp

There are many Carp species but one usually comes to mind whenever Carp are mentioned - the Common Carp.

Carp Identification

Everyone knows what a Goldfish looks like. They’re, in fact, a species of Carp. So, think of Carp as 100 lb Goldfish! You’ll easily recognize these oversized Goldfish by their yellow, gold, and brown hues, and clearly visible round bellies. Besides their thick bodies, Carp are tick-lipped, resembling Catfish. And, last but not least, you’ll quickly notice their elongated dorsal fin, big scales, and barbels, which will help you differentiate them from other similar-looking species.

Carp Habitat

Native to Asia and Europe, Carp were introduced to North America in the 19th century. Regardless of the continent, Carp are a freshwater species that love structure. In other words, their favorite hideouts are full of dense underwater vegetation. They dwell near the bottom, so you’ll find them close to soft bottoms and sandy shorelines. Carp prefer large turbid waters but they don’t mind small rivers and lakes, either.

How to Catch Carp

Before you head off to catch Carp, it’s useful to know that they primarily feed on plants, so they aren’t fierce predators and won’t be as motivated to gulp your fish bait as some other species. This, however, doesn’t mean that a hungry Carp won’t bite the worms or maggots you serve them for breakfast or dinner. They also fall for soft plastics and jig heads. Spinning is considered to be the most effective method to reel in Carp, while many adrenaline-seekers swear by bowfishing.

Top Carp Locations

Since they originally came from Europe and Asia, they feel at home in the UK, Spain, and Thailand. But the US isn’t lagging far behind with hotspots either. These are the best Carp fishing locations worldwide:

• Lake Okeechobee
• Ebro River

• Corpus Christi
• Canary Islands

• New Orleans
• Thailand

Catfish

Black, Blue, Brown, White, Yellow, Channel, Flathead… There are many Catfish. But Blue, Channel, and Flathead are the most popular species.

Catfish Identification

Each species of Catfish has its own distinctive features, but identifying your catch as a Catfish is fairly easy. These fish are famous for their whisker-like feelers (hence the cat reference), which are better known as barbels. They can have up to eight barbels located around the nose and mouth. Large and tough mouths are another trait of Catfish. Add stout, heavy, and cylindrical bodies without scales to that, and you’ll have no difficulties in recognizing a Catfish when you see one.

Catfish Habitat

Catfish are so widespread that the only continent where you won’t find them is Antarctica. Be it clear or murky waters, lakes, reservoirs, ponds, rivers, or streams, Catfish will thrive. They do, however, prefer hard bottoms over soft ones. Some species, such as Flathead Catfish, often head for the depths, so you’ll find them in big rivers and lakes. They hide in tailraces below dams, too. Blue and Channel Catfish tend to choose spots with swift currents.

How to Catch Catfish

You’ve probably heard that Catfish love stink bait. And this is true for species such as Channel Catfish. They won’t be able to resist the smell of liver and cheese. Other members of the Catfish family, like Blue Catfish, for example, prefer live or cut shad. As for fishing techniques, noodling is probably the most interesting one (although outlawed in many states), while drift and still fishing yield the best results. Many anglers opt for night hunting trips as this is when Catfish move closer to the shore in search of food.

Top Catfish Locations

While you can find Catfish in almost every freshwater body across the world, some fisheries are better than others. The following lakes and rivers fight it out for the claim to the top Catfish fishing destination:

• Mississippi River
• Lake Texoma

• Red River
• Santee Cooper

• Ohio River
• Lake Fork

Crappie

Crappie are favorite targets for kids and beginners, but seasoned anglers also take every opportunity to reel them in.

Crappie Identification

There are two types of Crappie - Black and White. Interestingly enough, despite their names, they’re similar in color. Both share olive-hued and bronze bodies decorated with black spots. The spots, however, are what will help you differentiate them. A White Crappie’s spots are arranged in several vertical bands, whereas the spots on a Black Crappie don’t follow a clear pattern. To make a further distinction between the two, look at their dorsal fin spikes - Black Crappie have seven or eight, while White Crappie have six.

Crappie Habitat

While it’s not uncommon to find them in the same bodies of water, Black and White Crappies prefer different habitats. Black Crappie, for example, thrive in clearer and deeper waters with cooler temperatures. Meanwhile, White Crappies seek turbid and shallower environments, and can tolerate warmer temperatures. Also, unlike Black Crappie that opt for thick underwater vegetation, White Crappie tend to head for muddy and sandy bottoms in slow-flowing waters.

How to Catch Crappie

Now that you know where to look for each Crappie, it won’t be too difficult to land one because they aren’t too picky. Their diet is diverse, and they’ll fall for anything from worms to spinnerbaits and jigs. Minnows, however, are their kryptonite. The most popular Crappie fishing methods are casting, jig fishing, and trolling. And remember - Crappie form schools, so where’s one, there’s more!

Top Crappie Locations

Crappie are primarily associated with North America. These are the best locations to kick off your Crappie fishing journey:

• Tennessee River
• Mississippi River

• Red River
• Lake of the Woods

• Lake Okeechobee
• Ohio River

Rainbow Trout (Steelhead)

There are a dozen varieties of Trout but Rainbow Trout (Steelhead) rank high on the freshwater game fish list.

Rainbow Trout (Steelhead) Identification

Rainbow Trout and Steelhead are the same species even though they don’t look identical and they don’t inhabit the same bodies of water. Rainbows are freshwater fish, whereas Steelies are sea-run Rainbow Trout. So, basically, Steelhead are anadromous fish. Steelies are usually more slender and silvery in color than Rainbows. And more often than not, they don’t have the visible pink stripe that Rainbows have.

Rainbow Trout (Steelhead) Habitat

Rainbow Trout do well in both large lakes and fast-flowing streams. They seek water temperatures between 55°F and 65°F with a lot of cover. Steelhead that spend a portion of their lives in saltwater will come to freshwater to spawn, whereas fish that were introduced to lakes will live in freshwater before it’s time for them to move to the tributaries for the spawning season. Spawning-run Steelhead tend to congregate around structures and hide behind rocks.

How to Catch Rainbow Trout (Steelhead)

Your chances of landing Trout are highest in spring and fall. This is the time of the year when they eagerly feed on the hatches to either fill up their empty stomachs after a long winter or prepare for it. They’re obsessed with insects such as mayflies but they won’t refuse small fish such as minnows, either. You can also experiment with artificial lures like spoons and spinners as long as they resemble the live bait Trout would normally go for. The most popular fishing method for catching Rainbows is fly fishing.

Top Rainbow Trout (Steelhead) Locations

Rainbow Trout (Steelhead) are so widespread that it’s impossible to list all the locations where you can find them. But we can share several renowned fisheries with you and give you a starting point for getting familiar with Trout fishing:

• Kenai River
• Lake Ontario

• Lake Michigan
• Lake Huron

• Taupo
• Lake Superior

Salmon

Fighting skills, picture-perfect qualities, and excellent table fare - Salmon have it all!

Salmon Identification

First of all, you should know that there are seven Pacific (Chinook, Coho, Chum, Sockeye, Pink, Masu, and Amago) and one Atlantic Salmon. Their silvery bodies look alike before spawning, but each variety starts displaying distinctive features once they enter their spawning phase. Sockeyes’ bodies turn bright red and their heads olive-green. Meanwhile, Pink Salmon develop a hump in front of the dorsal fin, while a Coho’s jaw will transform into a hooked snout. Male Atlantic Salmon may even resemble Brown Trout!

Salmon Habitat

Salmon are anadromous fish. This means that you can find them both in saltwater and freshwater environments. In other words, Salmon inhabit oceans, bays, rivers, and lakes during different stages of their lives. While they may hide in holes, deeper pools, and open waters most of their lives, they’ll head toward tributaries to spawn. Some species like Kokanee (a landlocked form of Sockeye Salmon) spend their entire lives inland.

How to Catch Salmon

There isn’t a single recipe for landing Salmon. You can lure them your way with anything from flies, worms, and fish eggs to spoons and spinners. The same goes for fishing techniques - be it trolling, fly fishing, plunking, or mooching, Salmon will eventually show up. What you should take into consideration, however, is matching your bait with the fishery and angling method. In other words, don’t use flies for mooching when herring give better results. Mooching is also usually reserved for saltwater fishing.

Top Salmon Locations

America, Europe, Iceland, Japan, Russia… Salmon are everywhere! But what are the top Salmon fishing locations? Here are several hotspots you shouldn’t skip out on if you plan to fish for Salmon:

• Pulaski
• Lake Ontario

• Monterey Bay
• Kenai River

• Columbia River
• Lake Superior

Walleye

The fact that almost 10 places in the US compete for the title of “Walleye Capital of the World” shows just how popular Walleye are.

Walleye Identification

Walleye are mean-looking fish. Their sharp teeth and large, glossy eyes contribute to their reputation of being scary. Their long, cylindrical bodies with dark green and gold hues bring about an even more intimidating appearance. As a member of the Perch family, you’d expect them to be rather small. However, Walleye are the largest fish in the Perch family. Some of the biggest specimens ever caught were 20-pounders that exceeded 30 inches in length!

Walleye Habitat

Walleye can survive in different environments as they quickly adapt to temperature changes and food availability. However, they thrive in open waters, so the best habitats for Walleye are large lakes and reservoirs. In large lakes, you’ll most likely find them in areas where bait fish congregate. If you’re fishing in a smaller body of water, Walleye will head for cover, so look for them around various structures like sunken trees or weeds.

How to Catch Walleye

Walleye are among the most challenging freshwater rivals you can face. You’ll probably have to mix and match many angling approaches and baits before you find your winning combo. Experiment with jigging, still casting, drift fishing, and trolling. Apply the same experimental approach with baits and lures, and try your luck with alewives, leeches, minnows, worms, and crankbaits. Also, switch from daytime angling to nighttime fishing, and you may outsmart these wily fish.

Top Walleye Locations

Walleye are native to lakes and rivers across the US and Canada, and they’re extremely popular game fish in both regions. Here are some of the top Walleye fishing locations there:

• Lake of the Woods
• Lake Huron

• Lake St. Clair
• Lake Winnipeg

• Columbia River
• Lake Erie

Did you find the fish species you were looking for? What game fish would you like to know more about? What fish from the list do you find the most interesting? Hit the comment button below and share your thoughts with us.

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