Whether you’re a seasoned angler in Utah or Nevada, or casting a line for the first time in a new state, discovering a less-crowded spot with consistent catches can be rewarding. Below, we’ll explain how you can find the best fishing spots in your area, no matter where you’re fishing!
Talk to the Locals
The best resource for fishing tips and tricks in the area is always the locals. A good place to start is online forums or Facebook groups for local anglers. Locals may be cagey about revealing their secrets to a visiting angler, but most aren’t afraid to help a fellow fishing enthusiast out. You can also meet anglers in person at local bait and tackle shops.
Take a Guided Tour
Another good way to find the best fishing spots in your area is to take a guided fishing tour! One of the many benefits of taking a guided fishing tour is that you get to fish with an expert who knows everything there is to know about fishing in the area.
Your guide will whisk you away to prime spots teeming with fish, which will provide you with the opportunity to pick the brain of a local expert. Ask about the types of fish in the area, the best bait and tackle to use, and even when the fish are most likely to bite.
What to Look for When Scoping a Fishing Spot
Once you arrive at a river, lake, or other body of water, you’ll need to find the best spot for the fish to bite. But what should anglers look for in a fishing spot?
Vegetation and Structures
Naturally, fish are going to be where there’s food, shelter, or both. Therefore, vegetation makes for a great place to find fish.
Hydrilla, for example, is a type of vegetation that’s nicknamed “the bass magnet” by anglers since bass love to congregate near them. Lily pads are also good places to look for bass as they like to use them for cover and shade, especially during the summer on hot days.
Structures
Bass and many other fish also like to congregate around structures for shelter, shade, and food. When scoping out the areas of the fishing hole, look for structures like:
- Docks
- Ledges
- Logs
- Rock piles
- Channels
Deep structures in deep water are also great hot spots for fish, especially bass. A depth finder is great for finding structures in deep water if fishing in a deep lake.
There are many ways to hunt for the best areas where the fish are biting, but often, it comes down to trial and error. It’s also best to keep a GPS handy and a notebook to jot down the coordinates of the spots you find that are full of biting fish!
