From the West's storied trout rivers to classic New England streams, most U.S. states feature some iteration of trout water. The greatest concentration of trout streams is in the American West, but if you find yourself wondering, "Is there trout fishing near me?" you'll find options for wild or stocked fish in nearly every state.
I started fly fishing in Montana—trout heaven—as soon as I could hold a rod and have since spent more than 15 years fishing on six continents. If you're looking for a day on the water with gorgeous views, clean water, and promising trout fishing, here are a few key waterways for you to add to your list. There's likely one or two not far from you, and a couple that might be already on your fishing bucket list.
What Can I Expect Trout Fishing Near Me?
Throwing a fly, lure, or worm in the hope of catching a trout is a wonderful way to spend the day, whatever part of the continent you're currently on. It doesn't matter if you're a catch-and-release angler or looking for a stocked fish to slide into the frying pan, you can do it all wherever you go. Still, some spots are better for, say, chasing small-stream trout with a three-weight fly rod and a dry fly versus lake fishing with your old spinning rod while relaxing with friends, and you'll find all those options on this list
Before you fish in any state, be sure to purchase a fishing license and read up on local fishing regulations. A great way to do this is to drop into a local fishing shop or outfitter, purchase a license, and get some local news on what's currently fishing well. Then head out onto the water and enjoy the fishing process.
Delaware River, New York State
Getty Images, andykazie
Flowing through New York State, the Delaware River is divided into various sections including the Upper Delaware, the East Branch of the Delaware, and the West Branch of the Delaware. The river is home to both rainbow and brown trout, and many anglers agree the Upper River boasts some of the best—and largest—wild brown trout fishing in the area with some wild browns ranging over the 20-inch mark. For anglers on the East Coast, this is a must-fish river with a rich fly-fishing history.
Battenkill River, Vermont
Getty Images, DaleBHalbur
The Battenkill can be a very technical, challenging river, but the scenery and the water's history make it a must-stop fishing destination for serious fly-fishing anglers. Flowing through Vermont's scenic Green Mountains, this trout fishery is pastoral and serene. The upper section of the river is small, holding chiefly brook and brown trout in small pools. As the stream heads south, it broadens and becomes a river of long pools broken up by soft riffles. Much of the access is privately owned, so be sure to look for public access or have landowner permission to access it. The Battenkill is a worthwhile stop for fishermen looking for the classic Eastern wild trout experience.
Davidson River, North Carolina
Getty Images, Patrick Jennings
Known for large, picky brown trout, the Davison River flows through the Pisgah National Forest in western North Carolina. From the headwaters to the Avery Creek Confluence, only fly fishing is allowed year-round, and must always be catch-and-release with artificial flies/lures only. Below that confluence, the river is managed and stocked by the state with more liberal management guidelines. This mountain freestone offers plenty of shots at rainbow, brook, and brown trout, and it's home to enough fish to support a busy fishing community.
Au Sable River, Michigan
Getty Images, Paul Massie Photography
A favorite American trout water outside of the West, Michigan's Au Sable boasts healthy populations of brown, rainbow, and brook trout, as well as steelhead and salmon. The river's various branches—north, south, and east—provide plenty of water to fish; the massive water basin touches eight different counties in all. It's home to a mix of stocked and wild fish, and thanks to the breadth of the fishery, access is plentiful and available in many different places.
Toccoa River, Georgia
Getty Images, TravelPerks
Georgia's Toccoa River is home to all three species of trout found in the Peach State: rainbow, brown, and brook trout. From its start in the north Georgia mountains near Suches, the Toccoa winds through a mix of private and public lands, providing opportunities for wade and small-craft fishing for both beginners and advanced anglers. Most of the public access points can be found on the upper river, making this a fantastic option for Southeastern anglers looking for a mountain fishing experience.
Missouri River, Montana
Getty Images, jmoor17
One of the most famous trout fishing rivers in the world, the mighty Missouri has quite the reputation to live up to. And it does, with aplomb. This classic begins near the Montana town of Three Forks and flows north toward the towns of Helena and Great Falls. Each stretch fishes differently and is home to good numbers of brown and rainbow trout. But perhaps the most classic trout fishing stretch is lies between Heleana and Great Falls, below Holter Dam. Here the river is a large tailwater with biblical hatches and generous numbers of fish per river mile. Stop in the small town of Craig, Montana, for the quintessential Montana fishing experience.
Madison River, Montana
Getty Images, A-Tom
Home to a large variety of diverse water, the Madison changes "flavor" throughout its course, offering quality trout fishing throughout its length. From its beginnings in Yellowstone National Park to its confluence with the Jefferson and Gallatin to form the Missouri, the Madison is home to legendary fishing for both rainbow and brown trout. The river flows through some of the most scenic valleys in Montana and draws near to the top tourist towns of West Yellowstone—Ennis and Bozeman—creating the makings of a quality trout fishing vacation or fishing trip with buddies.
Gallatin River, Montana
Getty Images, Damon Callisto
Made famous when it was filmed in scenes for the 1992 hit film A River Runs Through It, the Gallatin flows north from Yellowstone National Park for nearly 100 miles before joining the Jefferson and Madison to form the Missouri. Home chiefly to rainbow and brown trout, the Gallatin River winds through a scenic willow and meadow section between Yellowstone National Park and Big Sky, before condensing into a canyon section as it travels north. The river then opens up into valleys and fields before its confluence. Expect the Gallatin to be busy due to its proximity to the bustling town of Bozeman, but it's still a must-fish for any angler visiting Montana.
Bitterroot River, Montana
Getty Images, rhyman007
The western part of Montana is home to its own fair share of quality trout fishing. The Bitterroot River rests just south of Missoula, cutting between the Continental Divide and the Sapphire Mountain Range. Home to good numbers of rainbow and brown trout, the Bitterroot also houses brook trout as well as two native trout species: cutthroat and bull trout. Access to the Bitterroot is easy, thanks to a plethora of state-maintained access sites along the river. And in case you need a break from trout, the Bitterroot is rife with mountain whitefish and pike populations. Come prepared with a variety of dry flies, nymphs, and streamers.
Colorado River, Colorado
Getty Images, bloodua
The massive Colorado River flows from Rocky Mountain National Park in its namesake state more than 1,400 miles to northern Mexico. Throughout, the Colorado River is home to trout, with most fly fishermen choosing to fish the river within the state of Colorado. Brown, rainbow, cutthroat, brook, and even rainbow and cutthroat trout can be found in this waterway, including trophy trout potential for rainbows and cutthroat. The river is open year-round, but pay attention to local closures and special regulations, especially as you cross state lines to chase trout.
South Platte River, Colorado
Getty Images, marekuliasz
The South Platte River is famous for trophy brown and rainbow trout, with plenty of fish topping 20 inches often coming from this Colorado river. Though it can be a challenging but worth-the-work fishing experience, the South Platte offers a diverse selection of fishing for all kinds of trout anglers. From tailwaters perfectly suited for trout, thanks to cold water to large reservoirs housing plenty of trout, the South Platte is a good choice for anglers of varying skill levels thanks to the diverse opportunities.
Green River, Utah
Getty Images, miralex
Utah's Green River is aptly named—the river's waters glow iridescent, contrasting gorgeously against the red rock canyons that seem so indicative of Utah. For trout anglers, the most famous sections of the Green are the Blue Ribbon "A" and "B" sections near Flaming Gorge. The river is home to both rainbow and brown trout, as well as the occasional cutthroat. For those seeking breathtaking, unique scenery coupled with a day of quality trout fishing, a drift-boat float down the Green is truly a bucket-list experience.
Henry's Fork River, Idaho
Getty Images, Jef Wodniack
The Henry's Fork has gone into legend for its massive rainbow and brown trout, incredibly prolific hatches, and stunning Yellowstone Plateau scenery. The river lies in eastern Idaho, not far from Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks, and is limited to non-baited, barbless hooks. One of the river's most famous hatches is the salmon fly hatch, which often occurs in late May and draws thousands of anglers from around the world. Different stretches of the Henry's Fork open throughout different times of the year, so pay close attention to current closures and regulations.
Fryingpan River, Colorado
Getty Images, lightphoto
Perhaps best known for its population of healthy, large brown trout, the Fryingpan is one of Colorado's quintessential trout rivers. The 42-mile-long tributary of the Roaring Fork River is home to promising trout fishing for both rainbows and browns, with the stretch below Ruedi Reservoir most famous for large brown trout—this also makes this the busiest stretch, so come prepared to deal with many other anglers.
A section of the Fryingpan, 14 miles from Ruedi Reservoir downstream to the confluence with the Roaring Fork, is designated as a Gold Medal stream, a label from Colorado Parks and Wildlife reserved for publicly accessible waterways that demonstrate "that the fishery consistently produces a trout stand stock of at least 60 pounds per acre and produces an average of at least 12 "quality trout" (i.e., 14-plus inches) per acre.
Snake River, Wyoming and Idaho
Getty Images, benedek
The Snake is a storied Western trout fishing river, from where it rises in western Wyoming and flows through the Snake River Plain in southern Idaho where it joins the Henry's Fork southwest of Rexburg. The Wyoming section traces the feet of the Teton Mountains, offering brown and rainbow trout fishing with truly one of the world's best backdrops. The Snake continues south into Palisades Reservoir on the Wyoming/Idaho border, then heads north in a section commonly called the "South Fork of the Snake." The South Fork is well-known as some of the best trout fishing in the country and is home to plenty of obliging cutthroat trout as well as rainbows and browns. Eventually, the Snake flows into the Columbia River and then the Pacific, a remarkable part of this mighty watershed.
READ MORE: 10 Best Trout Lures for Conventional Fishing, from a Decades-Long Angler
