Fishing › Freshwater

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

Less

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

More

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

Alligator-Catfish Hybrids Are Being Spawned in an Alabama Lab

By Dac Collins

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

Mississippi Fisherman Catches Giant Blue Catfish with a Secret Family Bait Recipe

By Bob McNally

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

Missouri Man Catches World Record Blue Sucker

By Bob McNally

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

O.H. Ivie Lake Produces Two Dozen 13-Plus-Pound Bass in Two Years

By Bob McNally

The Best Fishing Lines for Bass of 2023

By Pete Robbins

Best Bass Lures of 2023

By Pete Robbins

The Best Bass Fishing Rods of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

By Pete Robbins , 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

More from Outdoor Life

Fly Fishing Ice Fishing Record Fish Saltwater Fishing Wild Caught Fish Recipes

How Far Should We Push Our Kids in the Outdoors?

By Christine Peterson

Best Fly Reels for Trout, Saltwater, Big Game, and More

By Monte Burke

The Best Saltwater Fly Rods of 2023

By Scott Einsmann

The Best Winter Trout Flies

By Joe Cermele

Old Town Sportsman AutoPilot 120 Tested and Reviewed

By Adam Moore

The Best Fly Fishing Gifts for the Angler in Your Life

By Kevin Hughes

The Best Saltwater Fly Reels of 2023

By Kevin Hughes

The Best Wading Boots of 2023

By Chris Hunt

The Best Trout Fly Rods of 2023

By Chris Hunt

Hot Dogs, Schnapps, and Live Minnow Shots: Grub From the World’s Biggest Ice Fishing Tournament

By Jenn Ackerman and Tim Gruber , Natalie Krebs

We Found Great Deals on Ice Fishing Shelters and Fish Finders

By Outdoor Life Commerce Team

The Best Ice Fishing Shelters of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

By Jim Edlund

Introducing Grandpa Jimmy’s Ice Hole Trap … Yet Another New Ice Fishing Gadget

By Joe Cermele

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

By Steve Pennaz

The Best Ice Fishing Lines of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

By Nicole Stone

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

By Richard P. Smith

Ice Fishing for Panfish: The Best Tips and Tactics

By David A. Brown

The Best Ice Fishing Fish Finders of 2023

By Cory Schmidt

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

By Bob McNally

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

By Bob McNally

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

By Dac Collins

Is This the Biggest “Goldfish” Ever Caught?

By Dac Collins

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

By Dac Collins

Pending Record Blue Catfish Caught (and Released) in Tennessee

By Dac Collins

Australian Teen Catches Record-Breaking, 29-Year-Old Bluefin Tuna

By Katie Hill

The Biggest Largemouths in History

By Ken Perrotte

Possible World-Record Paddlefish Speared in Arkansas Lake

By Bob McNally

Saltwater Fishing

How to Cook a Great White Shark (And Get in Serious Trouble For It)

By Joe Cermele

Saltwater Fishing

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

By Bob McNally

Saltwater Fishing

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

By Joe Cermele

Saltwater Fishing

Steven Spielberg Regrets ‘Jaws,’ My All-Time Favorite Movie

By Joe Cermele

Saltwater Fishing

More Freshwater Anglers Should Try Barracuda Fishing

By Joe Cermele

Saltwater Fishing

The Best Tasting Fish Species You’ve Probably Never Eaten

By Joe Cermele

Saltwater Fishing

Watch: Hooked Mako Shark Jumps into Boat in New Zealand

By Katie Hill

Saltwater Fishing

Old Town Sportsman AutoPilot 120 Tested and Reviewed

By Adam Moore

Saltwater Fishing

Rhode Island Fishermen Haul in WWII-Era Depth Charge

By Dac Collins

Wild Caught Fish Recipes

I Ate Raw False Albacore — and Liked It

By Joe Cermele

Wild Caught Fish Recipes

15 Tasty and Healthy Wild Game & Fish Recipes

By Gerry Bethge and Kris McGrath

Wild Caught Fish Recipes

A Recipe for Smoked Fish Cakes

By Jamie Carlson

Wild Caught Fish Recipes

Catching Bass Through the Ice, Plus a Blackened Fish Recipe

By Josh Dahlke

Wild Caught Fish Recipes

How to Spice Up Perch: A Recipe for Fish Meatballs with Salsa Verde

By Jamie Carlson

Wild Caught Fish Recipes

Traditions and Trout: A Simple Recipe for Salt-Crusted Trout

By Jamie Carlson

Wild Caught Fish Recipes

Recipes for the Spring Smelt Run

By Jamie Carlson

Wild Caught Fish Recipes

The Fisherman’s Breakfast Recipe: Crappie McMuffins

By Alex Robinson

Wild Caught Fish Recipes

Forget the Bones: How to Smoke Northern Pike and Make a Tasty Dip with It

By Jamie Carlson

Latest Freshwater Stories

O.H. Ivie Lake Produces Two Dozen 13-Plus-Pound Bass in Two Years

By Bob McNally

/ Feb 6, 2023

The Best Fishing Lines for Bass of 2023

By Pete Robbins

/ Feb 6, 2023

Best Bass Lures of 2023

By Pete Robbins

/ Feb 6, 2023

Missouri Man Catches World Record Blue Sucker

By Bob McNally

/ Feb 3, 2023

Alligator-Catfish Hybrids Are Being Spawned in an Alabama Lab

By Dac Collins

/ Feb 2, 2023

The Best Bass Fishing Rods of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

By Pete Robbins , Kristine Fischer

/ Jan 31, 2023

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

;