The United States has more quality trout water than any other country. Narrowing down the best destinations is genuinely difficult — what follows is an honest guide based on fish quality, access, and the overall experience.
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming/Montana/Idaho
The crown jewel of American fly fishing. Native cutthroat trout in iconic western scenery. The Yellowstone River, Slough Creek, Firehole, and Madison are all world-class. Every fish is catch-and-release. See our full Yellowstone fishing guide.
Montana
More world-class trout rivers per mile than anywhere in the US. The Madison, Bighorn, Missouri, Gallatin, and Bitterroot are household names in fly fishing. The Bighorn tailwater consistently produces the largest average-size trout of any river in the country. See our full Montana fishing guide.
Colorado
Gold Medal tailwaters, high-altitude alpine lakes, and year-round fishing. The South Platte at Deckers, the Frying Pan near Basalt, and the Arkansas below Salida are nationally known fisheries. See our full Colorado fishing guide.
Pacific Northwest — Washington and Oregon
Home of steelhead fishing — the Deschutes, Rogue, Skagit, and Hoh. Sea-run cutthroat in coastal streams add another dimension. See our full Pacific Northwest fishing guide.
Alaska
The ultimate bucket list trout destination. Rainbow trout in Bristol Bay grow to 30+ inches feeding on salmon eggs. See our full Alaska fishing guide.
Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee/North Carolina
The best native brook trout fishing in the eastern US. Hundreds of miles of protected mountain streams with self-sustaining wild fish. See our full Great Smoky Mountains guide.
California
Hat Creek, the Upper Sacramento, the Truckee River, and golden trout in the Sierra Nevada. See our full California fishing guide.
Great Lakes Steelhead
World-class steelhead runs on tributaries from Michigan to New York. The Salmon River, Pere Marquette, and Muskegon rival the best Pacific Coast rivers. See our full Great Lakes steelhead guide.
Plan Your Trip
- How to Choose a Trout Fishing Guide
- Trout Fishing License Guide
- Best Times to Fish for Trout
- Gear Guide