Late May lines up with some of the most productive bites of the year. Waters are warming, baitfish are on the move, and gamefish are fired up. Whether you’d rather fish a quiet lake at sunrise or chase bluewater thrills aboard a charter, there’s a spot for every type of angler on our Memorial Day fishing destinations list.
The long weekend is about more than just what ends up on your line. It’s a chance to slow down, swap stories with your loved ones, explore new places, and enjoy some tasty food. These are the kind of trips that stick with you for years. To help you plan, we’ve picked 10 US destinations that serve up great fishing and plenty to do between sessions on the water.
Chesapeake Bay, VA/MD
Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in the country, with Virginia and Maryland as its proud parents. Naturally, both states boast excellent fishing. What keeps people coming back is diversity – shallow creek bites, deep channel runs, and bluewater pursuits all live within the same fishery. If you can’t decide where to go this Memorial Day, head to Chesapeake Bay.
By the holiday weekend, the bay is buzzing with trophy catches such as Striped Bass. May is the peak season for these brutes, and Memorial Day weekend is the perfect time to go after them. Spring also brings the first Cobia and Spanish Mackerel. Add a steady inshore bite for Speckled Trout, and you’ve got a menu that pleases just about any angler.
Once the rods are stowed, Virginia brings the Memorial Day energy in a big way. Norfolk hosts the Patriotic Festival at the Scope Arena, featuring Zach Top, Brooks & Dunn, and Red Clay Strays. Meanwhile, Maryland rolls the annual parade in Annapolis down West Street to City Dock. The parade is followed by a moving ceremony at Susan Campbell Park, which you should attend.
Montauk, NY
Way out at the eastern tip of Long Island, Montauk proudly wears the nickname “The End.” This weather-beaten outpost has drawn sportfishing crowds since the early 1900s. Deep water, strong currents, and productive rips have produced more state and world records than most anglers can name. Pick “The End” as your next Memorial Day fishing destination, and you’ll be in for a treat.
Fishing is the best way to spend your vacation here. By late May, Montauk waters come alive. Migrating Striped Bass push through in waves, while savage Bluefish follow right behind. And Summer Flounder, locally known as Fluke, settle into the sandy patches, giving inshore fans a steady target.
Back on land, local veterans typically hold ceremonies at cemeteries across the East End to honor the fallen during Memorial Day. The month of May is perfect for wandering through Gosman’s Dock or driving out to the Montauk Point Lighthouse for panoramic ocean views. Cap the evening off with a sunset at Ditch Plains – a moment every visitor should catch at least once.
Ketchikan, AK
Ketchikan is a special town at the southern edge of Alaska’s panhandle, where the Tongass National Forest meets the sea. It’s widely recognized as the “Salmon Capital of the World.” The fishing heritage runs so deep here that Ketchikan ranks high on our Memorial Day fishing destinations list. This place truly rewards anglers willing to travel a little further for something extraordinary.
Hefty Chinook are all the rage between May and October, and Memorial Day lands right in the sweet spot of the King Salmon run. Besides Salmon, late spring is made for targeting Pacific Halibut and Lingcod. Even a half-day trip can leave your cooler heavy.
Back on land, Ketchikan has its own Memorial Day traditions worth catching. Locals and veterans typically gather at the American Legion before heading to Bayview Cemetery for a moving Memorial Day ceremony.
Once the formalities wrap up, the rest of the weekend is yours to explore – stroll the boardwalk on Creek Street, soak up the totems at Saxman Native Village, or hop a floatplane into Misty Fjords National Monument for one of the most jaw-dropping aerial tours in Alaska.
Charleston, SC
Few cities blend Southern tradition and coastal adventure like Charleston. Pastel row houses, old oaks draped in Spanish moss, and shrimp boats drifting through the harbor give this South Carolina gem its signature look. Anglers have a lot to love as well. A web of marshes, creeks, and reefs stretches in every direction, keeping the bite fresh on almost any tide.
Late May is a goldmine for inshore fans. Redfish are working the flats. Speckled Trout are hungry in the tidal creeks. Flounder are settling onto the sandy bottoms right on time for the holiday. Head a little further out, and you’ll spot Spanish Mackerel and early Cobia, too. If you want scenery and action, Charleston is your go-to Memorial Day fishing destination.
And once you’ve fished your heart out, Charleston has a full slate of Memorial Day activities. The Charleston Concert Band traditionally performs a Memorial Day concert at Hampton Park, a beautiful way to pay tribute under the oaks. Spoleto Festival USA also kicks off around this weekend and runs through early June, filling the city’s historic theaters with world-class performances.
Between the music, a plate of shrimp and grits, and an afternoon on Sullivan’s Island, your weekend fills up fast.
Venice, LA
Venice sits right at the tip of Louisiana’s Mississippi Delta. This small outpost punches far above its weight. It’s known as the “Redfish Capital of the World” and “Tuna Town.” Locals aren’t shy about calling it one of the top fishing ports in the South. Decades of tournament wins and IGFA records back up the claim. And that’s exactly what keeps serious anglers coming back.
By Memorial Day, Venice is firing on every cylinder. Inshore, the maze of cuts, passes, and shallow ponds is alive with Redfish, Speckled Trout, and Black Drum. Offshore, the deepwater rigs light up with Tuna. The pelagic chaos often pulls in Mahi Mahi and Wahoo, too.
Memorial Day also kicks off the CCA Louisiana STAR, a summer-long fishing tournament that traditionally launches over the long weekend and runs through September.
While small, Venice is quite charming, and that’s a big part of the draw. So, when you’re not on the water, pop into a local marina café for a shrimp po’boy, swap stories with other anglers at the docks, or book a seaplane ride to take in the wetlands from above and absorb everything this Southern Beauty has to offer.
Lake Texoma, TX
Lake Texoma covers 89,000 acres on the border between Texas and Oklahoma. It’s a favorite among freshwater fishing fans. Formed where the Red and Washita Rivers meet, this reservoir is one of only a handful in the country with a self-sustaining Striped Bass population. No stocking required. That fact alone has drawn anglers to its rocky shorelines and wide-open flats since the 1950s.
Lake Texoma is a perfect Memorial Day fishing destination, especially if you plan to go after Stripers. May is the prime time for pre-spawn Striped Bass. While they steal the spotlight, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, and Catfish are also gathering to mix things up. So, you’ll have plenty of trophy catches to test your skills against.
There’s more to Texoma than reeling in fish. The area is tailored for nature lovers and hikers. You can also rent a houseboat for a relaxing weekend or set up at Eisenhower State Park, which fills up fast with holiday campers. And if you stick around into the evening, the sunsets from the state park are worth every mosquito.
Orlando, FL
Mention the name Orlando, and most people picture theme parks and mouse ears. But dig past the roller coasters, and you’ll find a budding freshwater fishing scene. Central Florida sits on a huge chain of lakes, rivers, and canals. These waters have produced a steady stream of trophy Bass for decades, including more than a few double-digit giants.
Memorial Day weekend is the ideal time to swap the long theme park lines for a quiet morning on the water with your loved ones. Trophy Largemouth Bass are feeding aggressively in the shallows, especially at first light. Prefer saltwater species? A short ride away from Orlando and you’ll be battling inshore staples such as Red Drum, Black Drum, and Tarpon.
Away from the water, Orlando goes all out for Memorial Day. From Orlando Carnival Downtown to the Remember & Honor walk, Orlando doesn’t lack events for the entire family. For a quieter change of pace, Lake Eola Park makes a welcome break from the big parks. Foodies should also swing by Thornton Park, where farm-to-table spots line nearly every block.
Grand Traverse Bay, MI
Grand Traverse Bay sits like a giant horseshoe on Lake Michigan’s northeastern shore. It’s one of Michigan’s most photogenic fisheries. Crystal clear water, rolling vineyards, and cherry orchards ring the bay. Traverse City anchors the scene with a lively downtown. Anglers have frequented these waters for decades thanks to healthy structure, cool temperatures, and a rich mix of fish species.
The late May bite on Grand Traverse is legendary among Great Lakes regulars. Lake Trout, Brown Trout, and Salmon are all in the cards, as well as Smallmouth Bass. They all move into shallower waters and are ready to grab your bait. So, the chances of you returning empty-handed from your fishing trip are almost non-existent.
Beyond fishing, Traverse City delivers one of the biggest Memorial Day weekends in the Midwest. The Bayshore Marathon runs along the East Arm of Grand Traverse Bay, drawing thousands of spectators to the waterfront. Between the wineries on Old Mission Peninsula, a family trip to Sleeping Bear Dunes, and Grand Traverse Lighthouse, you’ll have no shortage of ways to fill the long weekend.
Lake Powell, UT/AZ
Lake Powell sits where Utah meets Arizona. It’s one of the most visually stunning fisheries in North America. This massive reservoir on the Colorado River stretches nearly 186 miles from end to end. Along the way, you’ll find hundreds of canyons, sandstone cliffs, and quiet coves tucked into the shoreline. Your fishing backdrop could easily pass for a postcard. So, Lake Powell is rightfully included in our Memorial Day fishing destinations list.
Memorial Day weekend is the prime time for fishing on Lake Powell. Striped Bass are ultimate catches. They rule the fishery during this time of the year. However, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Crappie, and Walleye aren’t lagging far behind either. So, Lake Powell promises a mixed bag of trophies.
When you’re not on the water, the canyon is an adventure on its own. Renting a houseboat or camping is the most spectacular way to experience the Lake Powell region. And ending your day with a sunset over Horseshoe Bend is a core memory. It’s hard to imagine a more cinematic setting for a long Memorial Day weekend.
San Luis Obispo, CA
San Luis Obispo is located on California’s Central Coast, halfway between Los Angeles and the Bay Area. Rolling vineyards, quiet beaches, and a bustling weekly farmers’ market give the city a laid-back reputation. The nearby port of Morro Bay and the waters of Pismo open the door to some of the most underrated ocean fishing in the state.
Late May off San Luis Obispo is prime time on the water. Rockfish are dominating the nearshore area, followed by ambush predators – Lingcod. Inshore, California Halibut are patrolling the sandy flats and adding to the spring angling action.
After the reels go quiet, San Luis Obispo shifts into a different kind of relaxation. Memorial Day kicks off beach season along the Central Coast, so Pismo Beach is packed with long-weekend energy. The famous Thursday night farmers’ market also fires up in downtown. Stay a bit longer to attend the 40th Annual Pismo Beach Classic Car Show, and call the holiday done right.
Celebrate Memorial Day on the Water
Whichever direction you choose this Memorial Day weekend, spring is working in your favor. Inshore grass flats, deep lake structure, rocky reefs, and glassy bayous are all waking up. The fish are the most willing they’ve been in months. That makes late May one of the best windows on the calendar to plan an epic fishing trip.
The beauty of the 10 spots above is that they deliver so much more than the bite. You’ll find history, food, scenery, and a chance to build shared memories that end up framed on the hallway wall. So gather your crew, pick your water, and let the long weekend do the rest. You’ll have stories worth telling long after the boat is back on the trailer.
In case you’re looking for more ideas on where to spend your vacation, take a look at last year’s Memorial Day fishing destinations list, too.
How did you enjoy our list of the top Memorial Day fishing destinations? Have a favorite spot we missed, or a place you’d like us to cover next year? Drop us a note in the comments below!
The post 10 Best Memorial Day Fishing Destinations in the US for 2026 appeared first on FishingBooker Blog.
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