A kayak is a truly amazing watercraft. Unlike an open and exposed canoe, a kayak can handle relatively rough waters while providing lots of room for fishing gear and your catch. Some fishing kayaks even come with mounts for trolling motors. The United States with its many great bodies of water and widely varying fish species is one of the world’s best locales for kayak fishing. Here are 10 of our favorites.
China Lake in Maine
Trout are the catch of the day at China Lake in central Maine offering rainbow trout, brook trout, brown trout, and lake trout as well as landlocked Atlantic salmon, and pickerel. You also can target a wide range of panfish species for a truly delicious feast in the forested, 3,900-acre lake.
Indian River Lagoon in Florida
Florida offers saltwater and freshwater fishing – and oftentimes both. The Indian River Lagoon is a perfect example and possibly the best kayak fishing locale in North America. The lagoon connects the Ponce Inlet with the Jupiter Inlet and contains tarpon, redfish, pompano, snook, spotted sea trout, flounder, black drum, and sharks.
Missouri’s Lake of the Ozarks
Inland fishing does not get any better than the Lake of the Ozarks and the multitude of largemouth and smallmouth bass, walleye, channel catfish, perch, crappie, and other panfish that are available with the drop of a line. The massive reservoir contains some of the best year-round fishing and is especially hot during the summer.
Clearwater River in Montana
The Clearwater River connects a dozen tributary lakes that collectively are called the Clearwater Chain of Lakes that are fed by cold glacial meltwater and general runoff. Among the more popular species are salmon, trout, perch, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and kokanee.
Hawaii’s Kona Coast
The Pacific side of Hawaii’s Kona Island is relatively protected against the northern winds and tides and provides ample fishing opportunities via kayak. Popular species targeted include tuna, wahoo, Mahi, and billfish. Many kayak anglers land marlin, swordfish, and other large big-game species without the cost of an outrigger.
Fish Lake in Utah
One of the best locations to get away from big crowds and touristy areas, Fish Lake is a high-elevation location that offers lots of great rustic camping opportunities to cook up the great fish that you can catch from your kayak. Local species include lake trout, rainbow trout, splake, and yellow perch. Fish Lake is located in south-central Utah at an elevation of 8,800 feet.
Ontonagon River in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula
Three branches and an eventual connection to Lake Superior make the Ontonagon River an outstanding kayak fishing destination. The fish species can vary with seasonal salmon and trout runs – especially steelhead runs. But world-class walleye are the big draw with lots of the tasty freshwater species in and near the river mouth.
Alabama’s Mobile Bay
Lots of marshy shorelines make a kayak an ideal fishing vessel on Mobile Bay. Redfish, flounder, bass, and speckled trout are among the many great species that you can hook from your kayak. Panfish abound, too, and make for an easy and delicious shore lunch.
Potomac River in Maryland
You can leave the bigger fishing boats behind with your fishing kayak on the Potomac River and hook into some widely varying species. Those include striped bass, which is the king of Potomac River sport-fishing species. It also holds lots of largemouth and smallmouth bass, and catfish. You also can target rockfish and panfish – and the invasive snakehead, if you are so inclined.
California’s South Fork Cottonwood Creek
Fly fishing from your kayak is a great way to hook into the many different trout species that inhabit the south fork of Cottonwood Creek in northern California. The standard array of fly-fishing and stream trout species abound, including rainbows, browns, and the California golden trout.
No matter where you choose to go on your kayak fishing adventure, your smartphone and a computer tablet likely will go with you. You can protect your mobile devices against accidental drops into the water. Waterproof material that floats and a waterproof zipper all ensure your mobile devices are protected while you complete your kayak fishing experience.
The ugo™ PHONE 2.0 dry bag featuring uZIP™ technology fits all sized smartphones and can be used without removing the phone from the bag. This bag will float, keep your phone completely dry, and can be connected to your kayak with a ugo™ Heroclip® Medium. Electronics can be submerged up to 20 feet for any length of time and still be safe. For those hoping to take their tablet along in the kayak, check out the ugo™ TABLET and the ugo™ TABLET XL.
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