Best Fall Fishing Trips You Can Take by Boat

Fall is a great season for taking the boat out for a fishing trip.  The mornings are just the right temperature for you to cast and catch in waters just chilly enough you wouldn’t care to swim in.  Thanks to the cooler weather, the fish are more active, looking for food to keep warm in the winter waters.  This is the perfect season for us to stay to find the perfect fishing trip!

Fall Fishing Across the U.S.

Although you may fish locally most of your fishing getaways, traveling to a new location to challenge your fishing skills with species you haven’t tried before is fun and relaxing.  Here are some ideas of what you can catch as you travel across the United States.

Northeast

In the New England area, you will have the opportunity to fish for the predatory fish following the baitfish.  Many of these fish move into deeper waters, making them an ideal target for boaters.  Boaters can catch these species in estuaries, salt ponds, bays, and near the jetties. The fishing typically peaks around the first week of October and remains strong until Thanksgiving. 

Southeast

Southern states are famous for year-round fishing, but fall is a prime time. As temperatures drop, big fish move inshore to feed and breed, where you can catch fish weighing up to 30 pounds. Offshore boating adventures are also a good time to catch even larger fish.  For those who prefer warmer weather, you can still get incredible fall fishing in bays, inlets, and crystal-clear water inshore and offshore for freshwater and saltwater prizes. Florida fits in here, and it is known as the “Fishing Capital of the World”.

Midwest

As the water cools, large numbers of fish feed heavily in preparation for winter. Boaters can find these abundant resources along the northern shorelines. While the more western basin offers high numbers of smaller fish, the central and eastern zones often produce larger fish.  The fall brings excellent fishing opportunities. The cooler temperatures invigorate the species, and boaters can target them near shallow coves, rocky points, and deep stream channels.

West

In the northern region, the rivers are legendary destinations for large trout, especially between October and early December. This is a prime spot for western fishermen who want to explore fall fishing away from the coast. In addition to trout, the region also has walleye and Kokanee salmon.  A little more south, you will find fantastic fall fishing with mild weather and clear skies. Inshore and just outside the bays, boaters can get a healthy catch of fish. October also marks the start of the bottom-fishing season. For those willing to head further offshore, the nearby islands offer a different fishing experience.

Fish With the Biggest Bites

We don’t just like to boat and cast a line, we do like to catch something every once in a while!  Thank goodness for us, the change in seasons triggers a feeding binge for many fish species as they prepare for winter. This makes fall one of the best times to find active, biting fish. So what do you want to catch?

Freshwater species

Bass: As water cools, bass become highly active, following schools of baitfish into shallower water. Fishermen can find success with topwater plugs in the early fall and then transition to crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and soft plastics as bass move deeper.

Crappie: This widespread species becomes a popular fall target, often congregating near submerged debris like fallen trees and bridge pilings. Minnows on bobbers or small jigs are effective lures for catching crappie.

Trout: Fall provides ideal conditions for trout, with cooler water and increased water levels putting them in a feeding mood. Fishermen can find excellent action for brook, brown, and rainbow trout in many mountain rivers.

Pike & Walleye: These aggressive predators feed heavily in the fall. Fishermen can find northern pike near remaining vegetation, while walleye can often be found congregating in predictable spots.

Saltwater species

Striped Bass: A fall favorite on both the Atlantic and West Coasts. Stripers migrate south, providing excellent opportunities for trolling, live-baiting, and jigging, especially where they chase schools of baitfish to the surface.

Red Drum: Fall is a red-hot time for redfish, particularly along the Gulf Coast and Southern Atlantic Seaboard. Large “bull” reds come inshore to feed and can be caught with bait like crab or mullet, while slot-sized reds are often found near jetties and shallows.

Yellowfin Tuna: For those who enjoy offshore fishing, Florida’s Keys and Venice, Louisiana, are prime locations for yellowfin tuna in the fall. In Southern California, the high season can extend into early September, with fish moving closer to shore.

Swordfish: Deep-dropping for swordfish becomes possible for big-game anglers in the fall off the coasts of Florida and the Mid-Atlantic.

Naturally, the types of fish you want to catch and can catch in the fall depend on the type of fishing and location you can do or want to do. Ultimately, the best fishing trip is about the experience, whether it’s a quiet morning on a northern lake or a chase for saltwater trophies. Fall fishing by boat offers a prime opportunity to enjoy cooler weather, fewer crowds, and some of the most aggressive fish of the year.  As long as you are enjoying yourself…it is the best fall fishing trip you can take by boat.

Frequently Asked Questions:

LOCATION	FISH
Massachusetts	striped bass, bluefish run
Maryland	striped bass, rockfish
Louisiana	yellowfin tuna, giant redfish, tuna, grouper, cobia
Florida	mackerel, Spanish mackerel, red grouper
Ohio	yellow perch
Missouri	bass, crappie, and catfish
Wyoming	rainbow & brown trout, walleye, and Kokanee salmon
California	halibut, calico bass, corvina

What fish bite the most in the fall?

Fish that are going to be in much colder waters in the winter will start feeding so they can build up reserves.  You will find fish like bass, pike, and walleye in this category.  In addition, changing water temperatures will cause the fish to move to shallower areas to look for food, and larger prey will follow.  Popular fish are those listed above, but also crappie, panfish, and muskellunge.  The other event that brings fish closer to your lines is the spawning season.  Fish you will find biting most will be trout, Atlantic salmon, and striped bass.

What state has the best fishing?

Although it depends on what you are fishing for – to find the states with the best fishing, you should look at the ones with the largest number of lakes and the longest fall seasons.  Alaska has the most lakes of any state – over 3 million!  Minnesota is known as the ‘Land of 10,000 Lakes’.  If you are looking for the states with the longest fall seasons (and longer fall fishing periods), you can try states in the Midwest and Southeast.  Try North Carolina, Tennessee, Florida, and Missouri, which have lengthy fall periods and productive fishing.