Top 10 Fastest Growing Fisheries to Visit in 2023 Reading Time: 4 minutes

Spending time in nature allows us to escape the hustle and bustle of city life, and discovering a new outdoor activity or recreation is always very exciting. Fishing, in particular, is a popular outdoor sport, with tens of millions of Americans partaking in it every year.

At FishingBooker, we were wondering which destinations in the US are growing in popularity for fishing. So we found out. (See the method we applied below the list.)

Quick takeaway: With three locations each in the top 10, Hawaii and Florida dominated this year’s list. 

Without further ado, here is America’s top ten of up-and-coming fishing spots that you should really check out in 2023.

  1.  Lihue, HI | +154%
  2.  Ninilchik, AK | +133%
  3.  Shalimar, FL | +78%
  4.  Matlacha, FL | +66%
  5.  Gulf Breeze, FL | +62%
  6.  Kailua-Kona, HI | +62%
  7.  Seattle, WA | +56%
  8.  Haleiwa, HI | +53%
  9.  New Orleans, LA | +53%
  10.  Minneapolis, MN | +52%

Method

To determine the list, we extracted data from hundreds of thousands of trips booked in the past two years, and compiled a list of the locations that had the biggest relative increase in the number of fishing trips year over year (YoY). In order to eliminate outliers, we only took into account locations that had at least 50 bookings in 2021.

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1. Lihue, HI

Growth: 154

With 154% growth, Lihue is by far the fastest-growing location in the past year. Top-notch crews, along with a wide variety of species, and rich wildlife make Lihue a fantastic place to fish in, so it should come as no surprise that this town dominates this list. In fact, three Hawaiian towns rank among the top 10 fastest-growing fisheries. Hawaii has some of the best deep sea fishing in the world, and it seems that more and more people are wanting to experience it firsthand.

2. Ninilchik, AK

Growth: 133%

Ninilchik is the second fastest-growing spot. The number of fishing trips here doubled compared to the year before. There are numerous fishing opportunities in and around Ninilchik. What’s most interesting is that this is one of the few locations in Alaska where trophy King Salmon are available year-round. Besides, Alaska has some of the best Halibut fishing in the world, and there are a lot of fly fishing opportunities too. 

 3. Shalimar, FL

Growth: 78%

Coming in at number three is Shalimar. The town, which has a total area of just 0.3 square miles, may be small, but the fishing chances it offers are tremendous. Three Floridian towns rank among the top 10 fisheries. Florida is home to some of the best and most diverse fisheries in the world, stretching from the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic Coast and all the way south to the Keys. The number of anglers coming here to fish is a testament to how excellent fishing here is.

4.  Matlacha, FL

Growth: 66%

Matlacha offers a broad range of options, from kayaking inshore to trolling the productive offshore fishing grounds. Regardless of your level of expertise, the fishing here is diverse, lively, thrilling, and offers something for everyone. In Matlacha, you’ll be able to enjoy some of the top inshore fishing spots in Southwest Florida.

 5. Gulf Breeze, FL

Growth: 62%

Located at the western end of the Florida Panhandle, Gulf Breeze is definitely one of the prime angling spots. What makes Gulf Breeze stand out is one species for which the Gulf is famous. Any coastal restaurant or Floridian will vouch for the coveted Red Snapper. In fact, this area is known as the “Red Snapper Capital of the World”. Besides Snapper, you can expect a lot of bites throughout the whole Emerald Coast, whether it’s Tarpon, Black Sea Bass, Tuna, Cobia, or Red Drum. No wonder anglers all across the country are coming to cast a line!

6.  Kailua-Kona, HI

Growth: 62%

When it comes to big game fishing, Kailua-Kona may be the greatest in the world. Blue and Striped Marlin, Mahi Mahi, Yellowfin Tuna (Ahi), Wahoo (Ono), and Shortbill Spearfish are all possible catches on any given day. The fact that all of these species are accessible year-round is what makes Kona such an ideal destination. The fact that the sea bottom lowers so swiftly and to such a great depth is what makes Kona deep sea fishing so effective. After leaving the dock, you will be fishing in 100 fathoms of water in just about ten minutes.

7.  Seattle, WA

Growth: 56%

No matter when you visit, you’ll be able to fish in Puget Sound or any of Seattle’s lakes and land a great catch. When it comes to targeted species, you’ll be able to go after Chinook, Coho, Sockeye, Chum, as well as Pink Salmon. Of course, Seattle and Washington state in general have some of the best Salmon fishing in the world, and it appears that more and more people are becoming aware of it. 

 8. Haleiwa, HI

Growth: 53%

Haleiwa, which is located on the island of Oahu, offers access to a variety of excellent fishing locations. Fishing is a huge part of Hawaiian tradition, and the best way to learn to know the region and the target big game species is to have a local guide you out on the water.  Local captains specialize in targeting Blue and Striped Marlin, Yellowfin Tuna, Spearfish, and Wahoo. Landscapes are breathtaking, so it’s no surprise that Haleiwa attracts anglers from across the world.

 9. New Orleans, LA

Growth: 53%

The city is surrounded by freshwater, saltwater, and waterways on all sides, providing the optimal environment for tasty inshore species. Fishing charters in New Orleans will take you after the numerous fish that make this city one of the greatest for seafood in the US. Here you’ll be able to target some of the most sought-after inshore species like Speckled Trout, Black Drum, Flounder, Jack Crevalle, Redfish, and Black Drum. Also, some of the top bass fishing lakes in Louisiana are located near New Orleans, so you wouldn’t want to miss it!

10.  Minneapolis, MN

Growth: 52%

What makes Minneapolis attractive to anglers is the fact that there are over 22 lakes found within the city alone, not to mention the many lakes that are located outside of it. The Twin Cities also have a number of easily accessible piers that allow anyone to engage in their favorite activity. Additionally, Minnesota has some of the best Walleye fishing in the world, so it’s a great place to visit if you want to cast a line for this prized game fish. You might end up with a top-tier dinner dish.

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