Fishing Seasons

Fishing seasons vary from one state to the next in the United States. These seasons are often based on when a particular type of fish will run and on other factors. If you are planning to take a vacation and go on a fishing trip, be sure you know the fishing seasons in the state and region you are traveling.

While bay fishing, offshore fishing and, shark fishing, and fishing tuna may not have a specified season, even these trips are best taken at certain times of year. You may not want to go saltwater fishing during hurricane season!  

For popular fishing states like Washington State, salmon and steelhead are the most popular game, as are small and large mouth bass and rock bass and stripe bass. In Washington, salmon fishing seasons vary and are set by a joint committee comprised of scientists, computer models, tribal representatives and the federal government. All of this is designed to determine when the salmon will run at their highest during any particular season.  

In Minnesota, fishing seasons are spread across the months, with each type of fish assigned a specific fishing season and some crossover among fishing seasons. For example, walleye, sauger and northern pike season begins in May and ends in February, while muskie season starts in June and ends at the end of November. To fish in Minnesota, you will need to know your fish and where they are found. If you catch a fish that is not in season, you will have to catch and release.

In the hallowed fishing grounds of New Hampshire, seasoned fishermen gather to fish in fishing seasons dictated by the body of water and the type of fishing environment. For example, trout can be fished in rivers and streams from January into October, whereas fisherman can fish in ponds from late April into October.  

In the popular state of Idaho, vacationers and locals gather for fly fishing in South Fork, Silver Creek and Henry’s Fork. While nearly every state allows out of state fishermen to get licenses, be sure you don’t ruin your fishing season by getting the wrong kind of license. In Idaho, the fish and game organization can help you figure out what you need or if you plan to go on a fishing tour, you can ask your fishing tour guide for license information.  

For millions of fishermen, fishing season is the time to kick back and enjoy nature, cast a rod, stand in a stream or sit at the rail of a chartered fishing boat and reel in the prize.