Jerome Lake--Alaska
Jerome Lake is located at mile 89.5 of the Seward Highway, where the Sterling Highway connects. Just to the south is the larger Kenai Lake, where many anglers head, in boats, canoes and kayaks to ply the waters. Jerome Lake is less well-known and used less by fishermen. Float tube fishing the lake allows you to work the shores, and watch wildlife from a safe distance. Keep your eye out for moose and bear as you float the Jerome fishing for dolly varden and rainbow trout. The Alaska Outdoor Journal recommends using salmon eggs or small shrimp for your bait in Jerome Lake.
Crescent Lake--Maine
Bass fishing abounds on Crescent Lake, found in Cumberland County, Maine. According to reports from local anglers at Fishing Works, large and smallmouth bass fishing is plentiful on the lake. One angler reported catching a 8-lb. bass at the lake, his personal record. Find the lake between route 85 and 121 in southern Maine. Added benefits to float tube fishing for bass here during summer is cooling off from the hot and humid temperatures the summer brings. Bring plenty of bug spray as the region has lots of black flies and mosquitoes.
Little Constance Lake--Minnesota
The little sibling to the larger Constance Lake to the south, Little Constance Lake is fished less frequently and provides a nice hidden retreat for float tube fishing crappie, walleye or bass. The lake is in Koochiching County, Minnesota, and is off County Road 26. Fish Little Constance in your float and enjoy the bass strikes. Try using cut minnows or some nightcrawlers for the sport species. Watch the shore for moose, heron, osprey and hawks as an added benefit to fishing the lake.
Clear Lake--Idaho
Clear Lake is a small lake adjacent to the fish hatchery in the Thousand-Springs area of south-central Idaho. Instead of fishing the larger bodies of water around this hatchery, try your luck float tube fishing the smaller clear lake, which enjoys a by-catch of the hatchlings each year, as reported by Jim Brearton at Utah Outdoors website. The lake is spring fed, making the waters cold and clear, just right for trout. Float tube fly or bait cast for the trout in the lake and enjoy a quiet little slice of fishing in Idaho. Take the Twin Falls exit off Highway 30 and head through town, and drive past Buhl and the hatchery. Keep your eye out for the Snake River Bridge and park just after it. The lake is 200 yards away.
Lake Athens - Texas
Lake Athens is a small lake located in Henderson County, off FM 317. The lake provides cool water for crappie, bass, perch and bluegill. Slip on your float tube outfit and drift onto the lake to try your luck against the many sport fish species in the lake. Head to the lake during spring for the best bass fishing or try your luck for crappie during the hot days of summer. According to the Texas Parks and Wildlife site, Lake Athens is best suited for fly-fishing in a float tube set-up. Take FM 317 to FM 2495 and park on the east side of the lake.
