Trout fishing is a popular pastime for anglers across America, offering a chance to enjoy the great outdoors while pursuing a challenging and rewarding sport. With so many fishing destinations to choose from, it can be difficult to decide where to cast your line. In this article, we'll explore the best trout fishing states in the U.S., including West Virginia, and highlight some of the top spots to reel in that prized catch.
Montana
Big Sky Country is home to some of the best trout fishing waters in the world, thanks to its pristine rivers and streams that offer an abundance of brown, rainbow, and cutthroat trout. Some notable locations to fish for trout in Montana include:
Yellowstone River: This famous river flows through Yellowstone National Park and offers a chance to catch a variety of trout species, including cutthroat, rainbow, and brown trout.
Bighorn River: Renowned for its healthy trout populations, the Bighorn River is a fly-fishing paradise and boasts some of the highest trout densities in the U.S.
Rock Creek: A tributary of the Clark Fork River, Rock Creek is a prime spot for catching brown and rainbow trout, as well as the occasional cutthroat trout.
Colorado
With its snow-capped mountains and crystal-clear waters, Colorado is a trout angler's dream. The state is home to a diverse range of trout species, including brown, rainbow, brook, and cutthroat trout. Top fishing spots in Colorado include:
Fryingpan River: Known for its large trout population, the Fryingpan River is a top destination for fly-fishing enthusiasts. Its tailwater section, below Ruedi Reservoir, is particularly popular for catching trophy-sized trout.
South Platte River: The South Platte River is a haven for trout, offering both wild and stocked populations. Anglers can target rainbow, brown, and cutthroat trout in this scenic river.
Gunnison River: This river, which flows through the Black Canyon of the Gunnison, is a prime location for catching large brown and rainbow trout. Its tailwater section, below the Blue Mesa Reservoir, is also highly productive.
Wyoming
Wyoming's pristine rivers and lakes are perfect for trout fishing, with several species available, including brown, rainbow, cutthroat, and brook trout. Some standout fishing destinations in Wyoming are:
Snake River: Flowing through the Grand Teton National Park, the Snake River is a popular spot for catching fine-spotted cutthroat trout.
North Platte River: Known for its productive tailwaters, the North Platte River is a top choice for anglers targeting trophy-sized rainbow and brown trout.
Green River: This beautiful river offers a chance to catch a variety of trout species, including brown, rainbow, and cutthroat trout. The Green River's tailwater section below the Fontenelle Dam is particularly popular.
West Virginia
Nestled in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains, West Virginia is home to some of the best trout fishing on the East Coast. The state's cool mountain streams are teeming with brook, brown, and rainbow trout. Top fishing locations in West Virginia include:
Elk River: Offering both wild and stocked trout populations, the Elk River is a favorite among West Virginia anglers. The catch-and-release section near the headwaters is well-known for its large brown and rainbow trout.
Cranberry River: This picturesque river is home to native brook trout and stocked rainbow and brown trout. The catch-and-release section in the Cranberry Wilderness is a popular spot for fly-fishing.
Shavers Fork: Shavers Fork of the Cheat River is another excellent trout fishing destination in West Virginia. Known for its scenic beauty and abundant trout populations, Shavers Fork offers anglers the chance to catch brook, brown, and rainbow trout.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania is a prime trout fishing state, thanks to its numerous limestone spring creeks and cold-water streams. The state is home to native brook trout and stocked brown and rainbow trout. Some of the best trout fishing spots in Pennsylvania include:
Spring Creek: Located in central Pennsylvania, Spring Creek is a well-known limestone creek that offers excellent trout fishing opportunities for brown and rainbow trout.
Penns Creek: One of the state's largest limestone streams, Penns Creek is a popular destination for fly-fishing enthusiasts targeting wild brown trout and stocked rainbow trout.
Pine Creek: Pine Creek is a freestone stream located in the Pine Creek Gorge, also known as the "Pennsylvania Grand Canyon." Anglers can expect to catch brown and brook trout in this beautiful setting.
New York
New York is home to a variety of trout fishing opportunities, from its famous Catskill rivers to the remote Adirondack streams. Anglers can target brown, rainbow, and brook trout in the state's many rivers, lakes, and streams. Top fishing destinations in New York include:
Beaverkill River: This historic river in the Catskill Mountains is a legendary fly-fishing destination, known for its wild brown trout and stocked rainbow trout populations.
Ausable River: Flowing through the Adirondack Mountains, the Ausable River is a top spot for catching wild brook and brown trout, as well as stocked rainbow trout.
Delaware River: The Delaware River's West Branch is a renowned trout fishery, offering anglers the chance to catch wild and stocked brown and rainbow trout in a picturesque setting.
Oregon
Oregon's diverse waters provide excellent trout fishing opportunities, with its clear mountain streams and high desert rivers teeming with rainbow, brown, and brook trout. Some notable trout fishing spots in Oregon include:
Deschutes River: A famous fly-fishing destination, the Deschutes River is home to native redband rainbow trout, as well as brown and brook trout.
McKenzie River: Flowing through the Cascade Mountains, the McKenzie River offers anglers a chance to catch wild and stocked rainbow trout, as well as wild cutthroat trout.
Rogue River: The Rogue River's cool waters are perfect for trout fishing, with the upper section being particularly productive for catching rainbow and cutthroat trout.
From the breathtaking landscapes of Montana to the pristine waters of West Virginia, the United States offers an abundance of incredible trout fishing destinations. Whether you're a seasoned angler or a beginner looking to try your hand at this rewarding sport, these states are sure to provide you with unforgettable experiences and the chance to reel in some truly remarkable catches.