The Best Fishing Destinations on Dockwa!

We’ve compiled our favorite fishing destinations below to help you plan your next fishing excursion. Our list features highly rated marinas, each available to book through Dockwa, so let’s get to casting!

Northeast

Warmer weather is here in the northeast, and the region offers a variety of top fishing locations from the lakes of Vermont to the coast of Rhode Island. 

• New Harbor Boat Basin Marina (Block Island, RI): Located off the Rhode Island coast, Block Island offers perfect fishing conditions. Explore the Block Island Sound and fish for striped bass, bluefish, tuna, bonito, etc. Block Island is also home to various fishing tournaments, including Tri-State Canyon Shootout and the Pabst Blue Ribbon Fishing Tournament. 

• Burlington Harbor Marina (Burlington, VT): On the edge of beautiful Lake Champlain, the Burlington Harbor Marina offers access to fishing on the lake and in downtown Burlington. Lake Champlain’s fish community is incredibly diverse, with over 90 species, including perch, smallmouth and largemouth bass, rock bass, brown bullhead, and northern pike. So, after a long day on the water, if you’re not in the mood to cook your catch, you can head to Church Street instead for a drink and a bite to eat.  

• Newburyport Municipal Marina (Newburyport, MA): Newburyport is located just 35 miles north of Boston and is a historic and quaint seaport town. Nearby Plum Island is unmatched in fishing, offering anglers access to some of the best bass and mackerel fishing in the region. 

  
  

  

Southeast

With warm weather throughout the year and near-perfect fishing conditions, the southeast has dozens of prime fishing locations. From the Florida Keys to Louisiana’s Bayou, you’ll find every variety of fish you can imagine. 

• Shelter Cove Marina (Hilton Head Island, SC): Shelter Cove Marina is ideal for inshore and offshore fishing. The Calibogue Sound and Intracoastal Waterway separate Hilton Head Island from the mainland of South Carolina, and the Atlantic Ocean and Port Royal Sound are both nearby. Plus, you can enjoy the Mediterranean-style village, which offers some of the island’s best shops, restaurants, and waterfront activities. 

• Slidell Municipal Marina at Heritage Park (Slidell, LA): If you’re looking to spend time fishing in the Louisiana Bayou, Slidell Municipal Marina is your place to stop. Nearby waters are home to trout, redfish, flounder, bass, and bluegill, among many others. After a long day of fishing, check out Heritage Park and enjoy one of the many free concerts and festivals throughout the year.

• The Perry Hotel & Marina (Key West, FL): It shouldn’t surprise anyone that a marina in the Florida Keys is at the top of our list. The Keys offer year-round access to some of the best and most vibrant fishing. The Perry Hotel & Marina is the largest deep-water marina in the Florida Keys, offering an onsite 100-room boutique hotel. Head out for a day of deep-sea fishing, and you may end up with dolphinfish or marlin on your line. 

  

The Great Lakes Region

Looking to explore freshwater fishing opportunities? As the largest group of freshwater lakes in the world, The Great Lakes offer access to hundreds of species of fish. 

• Safe Harbor Sandusky (Sandusky, OH): Safe Harbor Sandusky was “designed as a waterfront retreat where boaters can connect, relax, and unwind.” And when you’re not relaxing, hit the water and try your hand at catching one of the lake’s many walleye and perch. Many people even call this area the “Walleye Capital of the World!”

• Egg Harbor Municipal Dock (Egg Harbor, WI): Located on the shores of Lake Michigan, Egg Harbor Marina is a full-service public marina offering boating, fishing, and recreational activities. The beautiful waters of the harbor and surrounding Green Bay offer access to all types of fish, including smallmouth bass, walleye, perch, salmon, trout, and several other species. In addition, the village’s many restaurants, pubs, shops, galleries, and award-winning markets are a short walk from the marina.

• Singapore Yacht Club (Saugatuck, MI): Book a trip for mid-spring when fishing comes to life on Lake Michigan, and you’ll find brown trout, coho salmon, and chinook. And when you stop at Singapore Yacht Club, be sure to schedule some time to head slightly north to Holland. This charming lake town will transport you to the streets of Europe. 

  
  

  

West Coast

Planning a trip out West? You’ll find fishing opportunities up and down the coast–from deep-sea fishing in the Pacific Ocean to close to land options in the Puget Sound. 

• Sun Harbor Marina (San Diego, CA): Sun Harbor Marina is the world's first LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified marina and offers easy access to the San Diego Bay and the open waters of the Pacific Ocean. Are you looking to hit the deep waters? San Diego is the perfect spot for sportfishing, where you’ll find white seabass and even giant tuna. 

• Port Ludlow Marina (Port Ludlow, WA): Book a slip at the Port Ludlow Marina if you want to fish on the Puget Sound this year. This area offers an abundance of fishing opportunities with access to freshwater and saltwater. If you are a BoatUS member, you can receive 5% off transient slips May - September and 10% off transient slips October – April. Just go to your Dockwa account and add your BoatUS member information. 

• Safe Harbor Ballena Isle (Alameda, CA): You’ll find angling opportunities if you make a pit stop in San Francisco. Located just across the San Francisco Bay from the bustling downtown area, Safe Harbor Ballena Isle makes it easy to hit various fishing spots. Head to the Golden Gate Bridge, and find rockfish, albacore, chinook, and lings abound. In addition, you’ll see striped bass, California halibut, and sturgeon in the bay. 

No matter where in the country you are headed, you’ll be sure to make memories that last a lifetime. Did we miss one of your favorite fishing destinations? Be sure to share it with us! And while you are here, check out some of our other destination guides to plan your activities outside of your fishing excursions. 

Be sure to check out our other blog posts to get an inside look at our favorite destinations, marinas, liveaboards, and tips for boaters. Join the conversation on Flipboard, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.