Freshwater(Page 3)

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

Latest in Freshwater

A striper coming to hand near an overpass piling.

Here’s Why You Should Fish Big Cities, Like These 4 Here’s Why You Should Fish Big Cities, Like These 4

walleye fishing

Podcast: Is It Better to Cast or Troll for Fall Walleyes? Podcast: Is It Better to Cast or Troll for Fall Walleyes?

An angler with world-record-sized muskie.

Record Chaser Teams Up with Local Fishing Legend to Catch Pending World-Record Muskie Record Chaser Teams Up with Local Fishing Legend to Catch Pending World-Record Muskie

A man in a camo shirt holds up a bow and a brown trout.

South Dakota Bowfisherman Shoots 6-Pound Brown Trout, Setting a New State Record and Drawing the Ire of Purists South Dakota Bowfisherman Shoots 6-Pound Brown Trout, Setting a New State Record and Drawing the Ire of Purists

By Alice Jones Webb

fall trout fishing

Podcast: The “Fall Feed Bag” Is Mostly a Trout Fishing Myth Podcast: The “Fall Feed Bag” Is Mostly a Trout Fishing Myth

Three fishing connection knots to tie braided line to mono.

How to Tie 3 Essential Braid-to-Leader Knots How to Tie 3 Essential Braid-to-Leader Knots

An angler holds up a giant smallmouth bass.

‘I Wasn’t Going to Kill That Bass.’ Tournament Angler Releases New State-Record Smallmouth ‘I Wasn’t Going to Kill That Bass.’ Tournament Angler Releases New State-Record Smallmouth

The best fly rods for trout tested by the author

Gear

The Best Trout Fly Rods of 2025, Tested and Reviewed The Best Trout Fly Rods of 2025, Tested and Reviewed

Fisherman Rowan Lytle holds up a big yellow carp in the daytime.

Quick Strike Podcast: How to Catch Massive Tidal Water Carp in Fall Quick Strike Podcast: How to Catch Massive Tidal Water Carp in Fall

An angler with a big catfish caught in West Virginia.

Angler Breaks West Virginia’s Blue Catfish Record by a Whisker Angler Breaks West Virginia’s Blue Catfish Record by a Whisker

The author fishing one of the best smallmouth bass lakes.

The 7 Best Smallmouth Bass Lakes and Rivers The 7 Best Smallmouth Bass Lakes and Rivers

By Derek Horner

A fly fisherman holds up a smallmouth bass.

Guide to Fishing for Smallmouth Bass in the Fall Guide to Fishing for Smallmouth Bass in the Fall

kid kayak fishing

How to Get Your Kids Into Kayak Fishing How to Get Your Kids Into Kayak Fishing

An Iowa angler holds up a big crappie.

Iowa’s Black Crappie Record in Limbo as Officials Try to Verify the Species Iowa’s Black Crappie Record in Limbo as Officials Try to Verify the Species

A North Dakota fishing guide with a big Montana smallmouth bass.

‘I Was in Disbelief.’ Fishing Guide Releases Montana’s Pending-Record Smallmouth Bass ‘I Was in Disbelief.’ Fishing Guide Releases Montana’s Pending-Record Smallmouth Bass

Three European anglers hold up a massive common carp.

Polish Fisherman Catches ‘Unimaginable’ World-Record Sized Carp Polish Fisherman Catches ‘Unimaginable’ World-Record Sized Carp

Smallmouth on a jerkbait

The Only 8 Lures You Need to Catch Fish, Anywhere The Only 8 Lures You Need to Catch Fish, Anywhere

By Kevin Hughes

The author testing the best walleye rods.

Gear

The Best Walleye Rods of 2025, Tested and Reviewed The Best Walleye Rods of 2025, Tested and Reviewed

professional bass angler on a boat catching a fish

Forward Facing Sonar Restrictions Hit Pro Bass Fishing, While One Smaller Tour Bans FFS Altogether Forward Facing Sonar Restrictions Hit Pro Bass Fishing, While One Smaller Tour Bans FFS Altogether

By Derek Horner

A Missouri bowfisherman holds up a record grass carp.

Missouri Bowfisherman Arrows State-Record Grass Carp After Losing It the Day Before Missouri Bowfisherman Arrows State-Record Grass Carp After Losing It the Day Before

bass lure trout

How to Catch Giant Trout on Bass Lures How to Catch Giant Trout on Bass Lures

Two college fishermen hold up bass at a Bassmaster tournament.

Podcast: Why Today’s College Anglers Are Tomorrow’s Bass Pros Podcast: Why Today’s College Anglers Are Tomorrow’s Bass Pros

smallmouth bugs

Podcast: The Secrets to Catching Bug-Drunk Smallmouths Podcast: The Secrets to Catching Bug-Drunk Smallmouths

Two men catfishing in a boat

Missouri Man Arrested for Allegedly Shooting at Two Anglers Who Fished ‘Too Close’ to His Dock Missouri Man Arrested for Allegedly Shooting at Two Anglers Who Fished ‘Too Close’ to His Dock

By Alice Jones Webb

JT Thompkins was disqualified from a tournament and it cost him a shot at thousands.

Bassmaster Elite Series Rookie Disqualified for Failing a Polygraph Test Bassmaster Elite Series Rookie Disqualified for Failing a Polygraph Test

By Derek Horner

Two fishing buddies hold up black crappies.

West Virginia Fishing Buddies Break State Crappie Record Twice in One Morning West Virginia Fishing Buddies Break State Crappie Record Twice in One Morning

A kayak fisherman holds up a nice snakehead.

How to Land and Handle Snakeheads Safely and Easily in a Kayak How to Land and Handle Snakeheads Safely and Easily in a Kayak

Two college anglers hold up bass.

The Best Bass Fishing in America Is Happening on the College Circuit The Best Bass Fishing in America Is Happening on the College Circuit

A man holding a fish on a boat

Gear

Best Crankbaits You Can Get at Bass Pro Shops Best Crankbaits You Can Get at Bass Pro Shops

By Pete Robbins

Teen holds up large tiger trout.

Teen’s First Tiger Trout from His Home Lake Is a New Wyoming Record Teen’s First Tiger Trout from His Home Lake Is a New Wyoming Record

By Alice Jones Webb

A kayak fisherman holds up a nice largemouth bass.

Cannibal Bass: What a Problem at an Illinois Fish Farm Can Teach Us About Catching Bigger Largemouths Cannibal Bass: What a Problem at an Illinois Fish Farm Can Teach Us About Catching Bigger Largemouths

An angler with a big chinook salmon caught in Montana.

Watch: Montana Retiree Catches Pending State-Record Chinook Salmon from His Pontoon Watch: Montana Retiree Catches Pending State-Record Chinook Salmon from His Pontoon

Using Forward Facing Sonar to Locate Fish

7 Forward Facing Sonar Tips: Settings, Mounting, and Techniques Explained 7 Forward Facing Sonar Tips: Settings, Mounting, and Techniques Explained

By Chad Morgenthaler

geecrack cuebomb

How to Fish the Geecrack Cue Bomb — and Other Rubber Dice Baits How to Fish the Geecrack Cue Bomb — and Other Rubber Dice Baits

Everything you need to know to catch bass on a strolling rig

A Complete Guide to Strolling for Bass: The Ultimate Rig for Forward-Facing Sonar A Complete Guide to Strolling for Bass: The Ultimate Rig for Forward-Facing Sonar

By Derek Horner

How to Fish the Geecrack Bellows Gill: This JDM Lure Is Starting to Catch Big Bass in the U.S. How to Fish the Geecrack Bellows Gill: This JDM Lure Is Starting to Catch Big Bass in the U.S.

biggest crappies ever caught

The Biggest Crappies Ever Caught The Biggest Crappies Ever Caught

By Ken Perrotte

Man holds large channel catfish.

West Virginia Angler Smashes State Catfish Record Using His Daughter’s Pink Kiddie Rod West Virginia Angler Smashes State Catfish Record Using His Daughter’s Pink Kiddie Rod

By Alice Jones Webb

The best drop shot rods are sensitive and light, yet powerful enough to pull up giants

Gear

The Best Drop Shot Rods of 2025 The Best Drop Shot Rods of 2025

By Pete Robbins

Man shoots muskie in old-school photo.

Wisconsin to Repeal Outdated Gun Law Designed to Prevent Fishermen from Shooting Muskies Wisconsin to Repeal Outdated Gun Law Designed to Prevent Fishermen from Shooting Muskies

how to catch suckers

Podcast: How to Catch Suckers (and Why You Should) Podcast: How to Catch Suckers (and Why You Should)

Forward facing sonar has changed fishing, and the next evolution is FFS specific baits and gear

Gear

New Lures, Reels, Rods, and Lines Designed for Forward Facing Sonar New Lures, Reels, Rods, and Lines Designed for Forward Facing Sonar

By Derek Horner

Here’s Why Forward Facing Sonar Won’t Be Banned from Professional Bass Fishing Here’s Why Forward Facing Sonar Won’t Be Banned from Professional Bass Fishing

By Derek Horner

A spearfisherman with a chunky bluegill.

South Dakota Diver Spears a State-Record Bluegill South Dakota Diver Spears a State-Record Bluegill

A smiling fisherman holds up a fat cutthroat trout.

‘It’s What I Live For.’ Angler Breaks Tennessee Cutthroat Record on a Fishing Trip with His Buddies ‘It’s What I Live For.’ Angler Breaks Tennessee Cutthroat Record on a Fishing Trip with His Buddies

Angler holds up new Trika 6X rod on lake.

Gear

Trika 6X Collection: A Lighter, More Sensitive Carbon Weave Fishing Rod Trika 6X Collection: A Lighter, More Sensitive Carbon Weave Fishing Rod

By Derek Horner

The best baitcasting rods for bass allow you to present lures and set the hook

Gear

The 12 Best Baitcasting Rods for Bass, Tested and Reviewed The 12 Best Baitcasting Rods for Bass, Tested and Reviewed

By Pete Robbins

An angler with a big coho salmon.

This Giant Coho Salmon Is a Sign the Illinois State Record Is About to Fall, Captains Say This Giant Coho Salmon Is a Sign the Illinois State Record Is About to Fall, Captains Say

trout fishing at night

Podcast: How to Catch Giant Trout at Night Podcast: How to Catch Giant Trout at Night

Angler with smallmouth bass.

Fisherman Catches Trophy Smallmouth, Breaks Minnesota Catch-and-Release Record on Guided Trip Fisherman Catches Trophy Smallmouth, Breaks Minnesota Catch-and-Release Record on Guided Trip

new york record bass

Tournament Angler Catches Record-Breaking Largemouth Bass While Practice Fishing in New York Tournament Angler Catches Record-Breaking Largemouth Bass While Practice Fishing in New York

Fried fish tails one a white play.

Why You Should Eat Fried Fish Tails Why You Should Eat Fried Fish Tails

A man snaps a young angler's fishing rod in half.

Watch: Irate Homeowner Confronts Boys Fishing Private Pond, Snaps Their $200 Rod Watch: Irate Homeowner Confronts Boys Fishing Private Pond, Snaps Their $200 Rod

idaho tiger trout

Idaho Angler Lands Record Breaking Tiger Trout Idaho Angler Lands Record Breaking Tiger Trout

A Humminbird and Garmin fish finder on the deck of a boat.

Gear

MEGA Live vs LiveScope: What’s the Best Forward Facing Sonar? MEGA Live vs LiveScope: What’s the Best Forward Facing Sonar?

By Pete Robbins

micro ned rig fishing

Micro Ned Rigs: The Ultimate Bait for Targeting Bluegills and Bass at the Same Time Micro Ned Rigs: The Ultimate Bait for Targeting Bluegills and Bass at the Same Time

By Alex Robinson

old school bass lures

Quick Strike Podcast: 3 Old-School Bass Lures the “Cool Kids” Hate (and Why You Should Be Fishing Them Now) Quick Strike Podcast: 3 Old-School Bass Lures the “Cool Kids” Hate (and Why You Should Be Fishing Them Now)

Minnesota state record black crappie.

Minnesota Angler Breaks His Own State Record With 17.5-Inch Crappie Minnesota Angler Breaks His Own State Record With 17.5-Inch Crappie

By Natalie Krebs

Four biologists with Atlantic sturgeon

Massive 200-Plus-Pound Sturgeon Caught Just Upriver from New York City Massive 200-Plus-Pound Sturgeon Caught Just Upriver from New York City

The Everglades backcountry.

Fishing the Lost World of the Everglades, From the Archives Fishing the Lost World of the Everglades, From the Archives

By Charles Elliott

The Best Ultralight Spinning Reels of 2025, Tested and Reviewed

Gear

The Best Ultralight Spinning Reels of 2025, Tested and Reviewed The Best Ultralight Spinning Reels of 2025, Tested and Reviewed

Georgia landowner confronts kayak fisherman.

Watch: Landowner Tells Kayaker There’s No Fishing Allowed on ‘His’ Side of the River Watch: Landowner Tells Kayaker There’s No Fishing Allowed on ‘His’ Side of the River

collage of record bass snapshots

The Biggest Bass Ever Caught The Biggest Bass Ever Caught

By Ken Perrotte, Dac Collins

The Wake Surfing Problem: Big Waves and Big Controversy Are Coming to a Lake Near You The Wake Surfing Problem: Big Waves and Big Controversy Are Coming to a Lake Near You

By Christine Peterson