Mountain Home, Arkansas
The Ozarks are a fisherman's paradise with heavily timbered rivers and lakes that support incredibly diverse fish populations. Mountain Home is situated near some of the best, such as the Norfolk river and Bull Shoals lake. Over 30 pound brown trout, striped bass and hybrid bass can be found in Norfolk river and lake and you can catch your limit of walleye, bream, bass and crappie in scenic Bull Shoals lake. Fish thrive in the mineralized Ozark waters and wherever you are a trail-head or boat ramp is always nearby.
Lewiston, Idaho
Lewiston is the gateway to Hells Canyon, where the Snake River beckons with a promise of deep water lunkers. Intrepid fishermen who brave the rapids of North America's deepest gorge are rewarded with trophy-sized catches of bass, channel catfish, salmon, sturgeon and steelhead. Strong runs of steelhead dominate these waters but sturgeon can grow to a massive nine feet. With five boat ramps in town and more sunny days than any other city in the Pacific Northwest, Lewiston is a great place to set your hook.
Marquette, Michigan
Michigan's upper peninsula has thriving populations of whitefish, trout, salmon, crappie, steelhead, pike and walleye, and downtown Marquette is within a half hour of numerous streams and over 100 lakes. Even though it's hundreds of miles from the ocean, Marquette is among the top salmon and steelhead hot spots in the country. The fishing is consistently good in Lake Superior's tributaries and liberal stream laws make it possible to fish almost anywhere.
Cody, Wyoming
Cody is the staging area for Yellowstone National Park but it also borders the largest stretch of wilderness in the lower 48. The fish are so close that residents can see trout swimming along the Shoshone River as it flows by. A short drive from town trophy trout roam the Newton Lakes and Buffalo Bill Reservoir, looking for the right bait to hit on. Although it's a hot spot for tourists, Cody has plenty of action for anglers who know a good thing when they see it.
