Great fishing lodges come in a variety of forms, from tiny rustic cabins to premium resorts, but one thing they all have in common: Access to some amazing fishing water.
Fishing lodges might be centered around saltwater or freshwater fishing, and located on rivers, lakes, or ocean fronts. The best fishing lodges are places where anglers of all kinds are welcome, where the fishing takes center stage, and where the potential to make the catch of a lifetime is alive and well.
These fishing adventures may include professional fishing guides, a float plane, or just a relaxing night in a hot tub after a long day fishing.
So, dig out that fishing pole and get ready for an unforgettable experience at some of the world's best fishing resorts.
The Resort At Paws Up, Montana
This Montana resort and ranch will have guests drooling at the prospect of fine dining, horseback riding, and some excellent fishing. There are 37,000 acres and ten uninterrupted miles of the Blackfoot River to fish, plus a luxurious spa for unwinding. There's even an island lodge at Salmon Lake for families or groups.
Nearby there are the Mission Mountains, the famous Garnet Mountain range, and to the east, the legendary Bob Marshall Wilderness Area.
Lake Placid Lodge, New York
The Lake Placid Lodge is located in the heart of the gorgeous wild Adirondack Mountains in Upstate New York. Lake Placid offers some of the best fishing in Upstate New York and is renowned for its rainbow trout. Its cold waters are also home to many other freshwater game fish, including lake trout, brown trout, brook trout, smallmouth bass, rock bass, yellow perch, and pumpkinseed.
After spending a day on the water, guests can bring their bounty back to the lodge, where one of its skilled chefs will prepare it for dinner.
Wapiti Meadow Ranch, Idaho
As the WMR says, "This location offers both beginner and experienced fly fishing enthusiasts access to some of the best water in the headwaters of the legendary Salmon River system, including the blue-ribbon cutthroat waters of the mighty Middle Fork of the Salmon River and the Bull Trout waters of the East Fork/South Fork Salmon."
Some nine other fishing lakes can be accessed by foot or by ATV and are waiting for Wapiti Meadow visitors who would like to target remote, pure waters with fish that have hardly ever seen an imitation fly. Among the other offerings are horseback riding, wildlife tours, photography, nature walks, plus fly fishing instruction for beginners as well as those who would like to brush up on their technique.
Sea Island, Georgia
The only thing that is as unbelievable as Sea Island fishing would have to be the accommodations, which include the Lodge, the Cottages, The Cloister, and the Broadfield Lodge. The toughest decision to make is whether to go deep sea fishing for tuna or marlin, or basic offshore fishing for mackerel, cobia, or barracuda.
Tailwater Lodge, New York
The Tailwater Lodge, located in Altmar, New York, is one of only two Orvis Endorsed Resorts in the state. It is located on the serene Salmon River, which hosts an epic fall run of Chinook (King) and Coho salmon every year. The river sees some of the largest freshwater game fish in the world, with many King Salmon range up to 30 pounds. The season lasts from October until late spring, when the fish drop back to the lake after spawning. The Tailwater's roster of Orvis-endorsed guides can help create the trip of a lifetime for visiting anglers.
If fishing wasn't enough, the Spa at Tailwater Lodge offers a variety of relaxation treatments and therapies, plus the exclusive spa hot tub, dry saunas, and comfortable relaxation room with fireplace.
Cheeca Lodge, Florida Keys
Who wouldn't like to have 27 acres of lush gardens, several swimming pools, and a 9-hole golf course at their fishing lodge? At Cheeca Lodge guests have unlimited use of fishing equipment, plus sea kayaks and bicycles.
Anglers can fish right off of a private pier, head out for some backcountry snook or redfish, or leave for to the open ocean and fish for sailfish at Cheeca. Its location on Islamorada in the Florida Keys, which is one of the sportfishing capitals of the world, makes it that much more desirable.
Firehole Ranch, Montana
Situated on the shores of Hebgen Lake, the Firehole Ranch offers fly fishermen unheard of access to some of Montana's most exclusive trout fishing. This West Yellowstone ranch also gives fishermen the means to fish the Henry's Fork of the Snake, the Firehole, the Madison, and the Gallatin Rivers along with their jaw dropping array of fly fishing opportunities.
This old facility that was built in 1947 using local pine logs, but the modern updates and stellar service add a lot to the amazing accommodations.
Tikchik Narrows Lodge, Alaska
Located on the famous Bristol Bay, Tikchik Narrows Lodge offers some of the most amazing and pristine fly-in fishing you could ever imagine. This fishing camp comes replete with staffed guides who greet guests with boats and tackle to offer anglers years of remote fishing know-how.
This area of Bristol Bay offers five species of salmon: king, sockeye, chum, pink, and silver salmon. There are seven other species of freshwater fish to target including rainbow trout, Arctic char, Arctic grayling, Dolly Varden, lake trout and northern pike. If you're not completely in tune with fly fishing, then the lodge caters to the traditional fishing crowd as well.
Bahia Honda Sporting Club, Florida
Located in Cudjoe Key, Florida, the Bahia Honda is home to some of the most outstanding bonefish, permit, and tarpon fishing known to happen. This is said to be the only "package deal" lodge in the Keys, where anglers have always hired guides and outfitters themselves.
The Bahia Honda is known for being an Orvis-endorsed club where you can cast until sunset and still get back in time for an excellent dinner. The downside to this lodge is that they only reserve for May and June, but they switch into full alligator hunting outfitter mode from August to October.
The Ranch at Rock Creek, Montana
The Ranch at Rock Creek is nestled into mountains and meadows, with 29 distinct accommodations to serve as a restful homebase for resort adventures. Visitors could choose between a lavish lodge suite, a converted Historic Barn accommodation, a spacious luxury home or a canvas glamping cabin, and more.
The Ranch at Rock Creek boasts four miles of private access and pristine river frontage on the namesake Rock Creek, which contains seven species of target fish, including westslope cutthroat, rainbow trout, cut-bow, brown trout, brook trout, bull and the Rocky Mountain whitefish.
Rock Creek is famous for its spring salmonfly hatch, as well as additional hatches including mayflies, golden stoneflies and caddis fly. It's also known for phenomenal fishing conditions and fish populations early spring through fall. The ranch's licensed and trained fishing guides are excited to share their professional expertise and personal passion for fishing with guests.
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