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Freshwater

The top freshwater fishing destinations and tips for catching bass, panfish, walleyes, muskies, and more.

Featured In Freshwater

The Best Smallmouth Bass Lures

By Pete Robbins

Best Fly Fishing Combos for Beginners of 2023

By Monte Burke

The Best Braided Fishing Lines for Bass

By Pete Robbins

3 Rods Every Weekend Bass Angler Needs to Catch More Fish

By Kristine Fischer

If You Know When to Use Big Baits for Muskie, You Can Land a Giant

By Kristine Fischer

Biologists Have Discovered a New Way to Control Invasive Carp

By Bob McNally

Fishermen Catch Arizona’s Would-Be Record Flathead Catfish, Then Fry It

By Bob McNally

A Tournament Angler’s Case for Safely Fizzing Bass Before Release

By Kristine Fischer

Poachers Rob Spawning Oregon Steelhead

By Bob McNally

Son Convinces Father Not to Eat Pennsylvania’s Probable New State-Record Walleye

By Bob McNally

Commercial Fishermen Remove 10M Pounds of Asian Carp from Kentucky and Barkley Lakes

By Alan Clemons

3 “Rough Fish” Species That Are Getting Recognized as Game Fish

By Kristine Fischer

Explore Freshwater

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Walleye Fishing Trout Fishing Salmon and Steelhead Fishing Pike and Muskie Fishing Panfish Fishing Catfish Fishing Carp Fishing Bass Fishing

Best Walleye Lures of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

By Ross Robertson

Minnesota Considers Revamping Its Record Fish Program and Opening the Door to a New State-Record Walleye

By Dac Collins

The Best Walleye Ice Fishing Lures

By Ross Robertson

The Insane Cult of the Lake Erie Walleye

By Joe Cermele

Pro Walleye Anglers Charged with Attempted Grand Theft, Other Felonies for Tournament Cheating Scandal

By Katie Hill

The Real Problem with the Infamous Walleye Tournament Cheating Scandal

By Joe Cermele

Professional Walleye Anglers Caught Stuffing Fish with Weights During a Tournament on Lake Erie

By Dac Collins

Colorado Asks Anglers to Catch and Keep as Many Fish as Possible Before Two Reservoirs Dry Up

By Keegan Sentner

Wisconsin Waters Are Warming. Its Walleye Fishing and Stocking Programs Are in Trouble

By Keegan Sentner

Minnesota Angler Hooks Walleye and Muskie on the Same Bait With One Cast

By Joe Genzel

South Carolina Fishing Buddies Caught the Biggest Walleye in State History, but Still Have to Share the Record

By Dac Collins

Missouri Fisherman Catches State-Record Walleye on a Trotline

By Dac Collins

The Best Trout Spinning Reels of 2023

By Kevin Hughes

How to Catch Trout on Soft Plastics

By Joe Cermele

Best Trout Lures of 2023

By Kevin Hughes

Trout Fishing in the West Isn’t Doomed—If You’re Willing to Work for It

By Christine Peterson

The Best Trout Fly Rods of 2023

By Chris Hunt

The Best Ultralight Spinning Reels of 2023

By Jim Edlund

The Ultimate Guide to Spin Fishing for Fall Trout

By Joe Cermele

A Win for Anglers: New Mexico Supreme Court Issues Written Opinion Saying All Streams Are Public

By Dac Collins

Yellowstone’s Native Fish Populations Still Healthy in the Wake of June Floods

By Chris Hunt

“I’d Have to Bury You Out Here.” The New Mexico Stream Access Battle Is Far From Over

By Dac Collins

Colorado Asks Anglers to Catch and Keep as Many Fish as Possible Before Two Reservoirs Dry Up

By Keegan Sentner

Fish Kill Hits Famed Trout Stream in Minnesota

By Wade Thiel

The Pebble Mine Site Is a Moose Hunter’s Paradise

By Sam Lungren

Noodle Rods and Egg Patterns: A Primer for Winter Steelhead Fishing Around the Great Lakes

By Joe Cermele

Angler Lands Heaviest Chinook Salmon Caught in Wisconsin Since 1994

By Bob McNally

This Year’s Record-Breaking Salmon Run in Alaska’s Bristol Bay Proves Why Pebble Mine Is Such a Terrible Idea

By Dac Collins

New York State Is Rearing 26,000 Atlantic Salmon Smolts in Net Pens to Help Them Spawn as Adults

By Bob McNally

In Unprecedented Move, Washington State Announces Full Emergency Closure of Steelhead Fishing on Coastal Rivers

By Dac Collins

B.C. Angler Releases 105-Pound Chinook Salmon That Could’ve Been a World Record

By Bob McNally

Officials Close Sportfishing on Washington Coastal Rivers to Protect Steelhead

By Dac Collins

State-Record Salmon and Sheepshead Caught (and Speared) in New Jersey

By Bob McNally

Rare Record Salmon Caught By Lake Erie Fishing Guide

By Bob McNally

Columbia River Salmon Reverse Migration Because the Water Is Too Hot

By Bob McNally

Severe Drought Threatens California Waterfowl and Salmon

By Bob McNally

Wisconsin Angler Lands One of the Biggest Muskies Ever Caught on Green Bay

By Katie Hill

Ice Fishing for Pike: Tips & Tactics for Catching Giant Northerns

By Steve Pennaz

Pike Spearing: How to Spear the Biggest Pike of Your Life

By Richard P. Smith

The Best Musky Lures

By Kristine Fischer

There Should Be Horror Movies About Pike and Muskies

By Joe Cermele

Minnesota Angler Catches Monster Muskie from Lake Mille Lacs, Sets New Catch-and-Release Record

By Dac Collins

Let’s Get Real About Catching Pike on the Fly

By Joe Cermele

Minnesota Kid Lands Two 50-Inch Muskies in Two Days

By Katie Hill

Angler Surprised to Catch Two Huge Tiger Muskies in Connecticut Reservoir

By Bob McNally

Watch: 9-Year-Old Girl Lands Giant Muskie on Minnesota’s Lake of the Woods

By Dac Collins

Breaking Bass: Kristine Fischer’s Rise to Kayak-Fishing Fame

By Joe Genzel

Catching Muskie and Pike in Warm Water Can Kill Them

By Kristine Fischer

Ice Fishing for Panfish: The Best Tips and Tactics

By David A. Brown

The Best Crappie Lures of 2023

By Cory Schmidt

The Best Ultralight Spinning Reels of 2023

By Jim Edlund

The Best Crappie Rods of 2023

By Cory Schmidt

Retired Welder Catches New Louisiana State-Record Bluegill From His Neighbor’s Pond

By Bob McNally

Colorado Asks Anglers to Catch and Keep as Many Fish as Possible Before Two Reservoirs Dry Up

By Keegan Sentner

Rookie Bowfisherman Shoots Missouri’s New State-Record Redear Sunfish

By Bob McNally

Georgia Angler Sets Lake Record with a Giant Shellcracker

By Bob McNally

Nebraska Wardens Apprehend Two Groups of Panfish Poachers, Seize 265 Crappies and Bluegills as Evidence

By Bob McNally

Three Men Charged for Spearing Bass and Panfish in Georgia

By Wade Thiel

How to Catch Crappie

By Nicole Stone

Fisherman Catches Giant 5-Pound Redear Sunfish on Lake Havasu

By Gerry Bethge

Ice Fishing for Catfish: Tips and Tactics

By Steve Ryan

How to Catch Catfish in Winter

By Joe Cermele

Pending Record Blue Catfish Caught (and Released) in Tennessee

By Dac Collins

The Best Catfish Rods of 2023

By Alan Clemons

The Biggest Record Catfish from Around the World

By Ken Perrotte

The Biggest North American Catfish of All Time

By Ken Perrotte

Idaho’s New Record Channel Catfish Turns Out to Be a Blue Catfish. It’s Still a State Record

By Dac Collins

Colorado Asks Anglers to Catch and Keep as Many Fish as Possible Before Two Reservoirs Dry Up

By Keegan Sentner

Idaho Angler Catches Record Channel Catfish

By Bob McNally

Virginia Bowfisherman Shoots Record Blue Catfish

By Wade Thiel

Idaho Angler Beats His Own Catfish Record on the Snake River

By Wade Thiel

Hotdogs are the Best Bait for Catching Summertime Channel Catfish

By Joe Cermele

Watch a British Angler Keep Her Cool While an Irate Onlooker Cusses Her Out

By Dac Collins

Will U.S. Waters Ever Be Managed as Trophy Carp Fisheries?

By Joe Cermele

Is This the Biggest “Goldfish” Ever Caught?

By Dac Collins

The 10 Most Underrated Freshwater Fish

By Joe Cermele

The Best Carp Baits of 2023

By Kevin Hughes

Georgia Bowfisherman Shoots State-Record Grass Carp

By Bob McNally

Maryland Bass Fisherman Sets New State Record With a 49-Pound Common Carp

By Bob McNally

North Dakota Bow Fisherman Shoots Record Bigmouth Buffalo

By Bob McNally

Bass Angler Catches Potential Record Carp in Illinois

By Bob McNally

Giant Idaho Grass Carp Caught On Bass Lure Could Be a World Record

By Bob McNally

Missouri Angler Catches 36-Pound Piebald Catfish Using Asian Carp for Bait

By Joe Genzel

3 “Rough Fish” Species That Are Getting Recognized as Game Fish

By Kristine Fischer

The Best Baitcasting Rods for Bass of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

By Pete Robbins

Giant Alligator Gar Caught in Alabama Certified as a New State Record

By Bob McNally

The Best Bass Fishing Tips for Beginners

By Joe Cermele

Are Duck, Rat, and Snake Lures Legit or Gimmicks?

By Joe Cermele

Watch an Angler Pull a 22-inch Snake Out of a 16-inch Bass

By Dac Collins

The Best Drop Shot Rods of 2023

By Pete Robbins

The Biggest Largemouths in History

By Ken Perrotte

Best Soft Plastic Baits for Bass

By Pete Robbins

Best Spring Bass Lures

By Pete Robbins

10 Best Topwater Lures For Bass

By Mark Modoski

The Best Braided Fishing Lines for Bass

By Pete Robbins

Three Must-Know Rules of Frogging for Bass

By Joe Cermele

Latest Freshwater Stories

The Best Baitcasting Rods for Bass of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

By Pete Robbins

/ Jan 25, 2023

The Pebble Mine Site Is a Moose Hunter’s Paradise

By Sam Lungren

/ Jan 25, 2023

Giant Alligator Gar Caught in Alabama Certified as a New State Record

By Bob McNally

/ Jan 24, 2023

The Best Trout Spinning Reels of 2023

By Kevin Hughes

/ Jan 22, 2023

The Best Bass Fishing Tips for Beginners

By Joe Cermele

/ Jan 19, 2023

Watch a British Angler Keep Her Cool While an Irate Onlooker Cusses Her Out

By Dac Collins

/ Jan 18, 2023

North Dakota Angler Catches State-Record Burbot from Missouri River Tailrace

By Bob McNally

/ Jan 17, 2023

Wisconsin Angler Lands One of the Biggest Muskies Ever Caught on Green Bay

By Katie Hill

/ Jan 13, 2023

Ice Fishing for Pike: Tips & Tactics for Catching Giant Northerns

By Steve Pennaz

/ Jan 13, 2023

The Best Baits for Striped Bass of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

By John Skinner

/ Jan 12, 2023

The Coolest Fishing Bar of All Time, an Insider’s Guide

By Joe Cermele

/ Jan 11, 2023

How to Catch Trout on Soft Plastics

By Joe Cermele

/ Jan 9, 2023

Pike Spearing: How to Spear the Biggest Pike of Your Life

By Richard P. Smith

/ Jan 9, 2023

Ice Fishing for Panfish: The Best Tips and Tactics

By David A. Brown

/ Jan 8, 2023

Best Walleye Lures of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

By Ross Robertson

/ Jan 5, 2023

Indiana Fisherman Breaks Burbot Record Twice in One Day

By Katie Hill

/ Jan 5, 2023

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OUTDOOR LIFE+

Freshwater

Featured In Freshwater

The Best Smallmouth Bass Lures

Best Fly Fishing Combos for Beginners of 2023

The Best Braided Fishing Lines for Bass

3 Rods Every Weekend Bass Angler Needs to Catch More Fish

If You Know When to Use Big Baits for Muskie, You Can Land a Giant

Biologists Have Discovered a New Way to Control Invasive Carp

Fishermen Catch Arizona’s Would-Be Record Flathead Catfish, Then Fry It

A Tournament Angler’s Case for Safely Fizzing Bass Before Release

Poachers Rob Spawning Oregon Steelhead

Son Convinces Father Not to Eat Pennsylvania’s Probable New State-Record Walleye

Commercial Fishermen Remove 10M Pounds of Asian Carp from Kentucky and Barkley Lakes

3 “Rough Fish” Species That Are Getting Recognized as Game Fish

Explore Freshwater

Best Walleye Lures of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

Minnesota Considers Revamping Its Record Fish Program and Opening the Door to a New State-Record Walleye

The Best Walleye Ice Fishing Lures

The Insane Cult of the Lake Erie Walleye

Pro Walleye Anglers Charged with Attempted Grand Theft, Other Felonies for Tournament Cheating Scandal

The Real Problem with the Infamous Walleye Tournament Cheating Scandal

Professional Walleye Anglers Caught Stuffing Fish with Weights During a Tournament on Lake Erie

Colorado Asks Anglers to Catch and Keep as Many Fish as Possible Before Two Reservoirs Dry Up

Wisconsin Waters Are Warming. Its Walleye Fishing and Stocking Programs Are in Trouble

Minnesota Angler Hooks Walleye and Muskie on the Same Bait With One Cast

South Carolina Fishing Buddies Caught the Biggest Walleye in State History, but Still Have to Share the Record

Missouri Fisherman Catches State-Record Walleye on a Trotline

The Best Trout Spinning Reels of 2023

How to Catch Trout on Soft Plastics

Best Trout Lures of 2023

Trout Fishing in the West Isn’t Doomed—If You’re Willing to Work for It

The Best Trout Fly Rods of 2023

The Best Ultralight Spinning Reels of 2023

The Ultimate Guide to Spin Fishing for Fall Trout

A Win for Anglers: New Mexico Supreme Court Issues Written Opinion Saying All Streams Are Public

Yellowstone’s Native Fish Populations Still Healthy in the Wake of June Floods

“I’d Have to Bury You Out Here.” The New Mexico Stream Access Battle Is Far From Over

Colorado Asks Anglers to Catch and Keep as Many Fish as Possible Before Two Reservoirs Dry Up

Fish Kill Hits Famed Trout Stream in Minnesota

The Pebble Mine Site Is a Moose Hunter’s Paradise

Noodle Rods and Egg Patterns: A Primer for Winter Steelhead Fishing Around the Great Lakes

Angler Lands Heaviest Chinook Salmon Caught in Wisconsin Since 1994

This Year’s Record-Breaking Salmon Run in Alaska’s Bristol Bay Proves Why Pebble Mine Is Such a Terrible Idea

New York State Is Rearing 26,000 Atlantic Salmon Smolts in Net Pens to Help Them Spawn as Adults

In Unprecedented Move, Washington State Announces Full Emergency Closure of Steelhead Fishing on Coastal Rivers

B.C. Angler Releases 105-Pound Chinook Salmon That Could’ve Been a World Record

Officials Close Sportfishing on Washington Coastal Rivers to Protect Steelhead

State-Record Salmon and Sheepshead Caught (and Speared) in New Jersey

Rare Record Salmon Caught By Lake Erie Fishing Guide

Columbia River Salmon Reverse Migration Because the Water Is Too Hot

Severe Drought Threatens California Waterfowl and Salmon

Wisconsin Angler Lands One of the Biggest Muskies Ever Caught on Green Bay

Ice Fishing for Pike: Tips & Tactics for Catching Giant Northerns

Pike Spearing: How to Spear the Biggest Pike of Your Life

The Best Musky Lures

There Should Be Horror Movies About Pike and Muskies

Minnesota Angler Catches Monster Muskie from Lake Mille Lacs, Sets New Catch-and-Release Record

Let’s Get Real About Catching Pike on the Fly

Minnesota Kid Lands Two 50-Inch Muskies in Two Days

Angler Surprised to Catch Two Huge Tiger Muskies in Connecticut Reservoir

Watch: 9-Year-Old Girl Lands Giant Muskie on Minnesota’s Lake of the Woods

Breaking Bass: Kristine Fischer’s Rise to Kayak-Fishing Fame

Catching Muskie and Pike in Warm Water Can Kill Them

Ice Fishing for Panfish: The Best Tips and Tactics

The Best Crappie Lures of 2023

The Best Ultralight Spinning Reels of 2023

The Best Crappie Rods of 2023

Retired Welder Catches New Louisiana State-Record Bluegill From His Neighbor’s Pond

Colorado Asks Anglers to Catch and Keep as Many Fish as Possible Before Two Reservoirs Dry Up

Rookie Bowfisherman Shoots Missouri’s New State-Record Redear Sunfish

Georgia Angler Sets Lake Record with a Giant Shellcracker

Nebraska Wardens Apprehend Two Groups of Panfish Poachers, Seize 265 Crappies and Bluegills as Evidence

Three Men Charged for Spearing Bass and Panfish in Georgia

How to Catch Crappie

Fisherman Catches Giant 5-Pound Redear Sunfish on Lake Havasu

Ice Fishing for Catfish: Tips and Tactics

How to Catch Catfish in Winter

Pending Record Blue Catfish Caught (and Released) in Tennessee

The Best Catfish Rods of 2023