Father’s Day is fast approaching and Window Seat or Aisle Seat blogger and family travel expert Kerri Zane is thinking about the day we honor all of our father’s, grandpas, uncles, best guy friends, and even single moms playing dual roles. The perfect getaway treat for the father figure in your family might just be a relaxing weekend fishing expedition. Whether you’re a first time angler, a seasoned pro, a deep-water expert or a river fisherman, here are 20 of the best fishing spots in the country.
1. Nestled in southwest Florida between Tampa and Naples is Charlotte Harbor, a throwback to old Florida, where nature and water sports reign for family getaways. Charlotte County’s nearly 200 miles of canoe-friendly Blueway Trails are heralded for their excellent backwater fishing, colorful birds, dolphin and manatee sightings, and mangrove tunnels. A veritable patchwork quilt of biology, zoology, and oceanography, the area is rich with 256 fresh and saltwater fish species, 39 species of mammals, 67 species of reptiles, and 27 species of amphibians. There is an abundance of vacation rental homes and villas ideal for families needing more space and better dining options, often with prices than hotels. However, there are inns, motels, hotels, and campgrounds to suit all degrees of lodging needs.
2. The all-inclusive Tyler Place Family Resort, located on the banks of Lake Champlain in Vermont, is a perfect place for you and your dad to go fishing. Michael Ioconelli, Bassmaster Classic Champion & BASS Angler of the Year said that Lake Champlain is the best fishing in the country, “It’s a 50-50 lake. You go down one bank and catch 50 largemouths, and then go out little deeper down the same bank and catch 50 smallmouths.” The all-inclusive resort is set up like a summer camp for the entire family with hundreds of activities for children and parents.
3. Durango means ‘water town’ in Basque and Durango, Colorado lives up to the moniker with it’s numerous mountain streams, creeks, and wild rivers. The town was recently featured as a “Best River Town” by Outside magazine, due to the accessibility of the Animas River and the amount of water-centric activities. The Animas River and Vallecito Lake are 2 hidden gems in Southwestern Colorado, both of which are very family friendly and highly accessible. Accommodations include the Doubletree Hotel, Downtown Durango Inn Inn located right on the river, and the Rochester Hotel where you get a hot breakfast cooked to order and free townie bikes to ride.
4. The House on Metolius is located in the heart of Central Oregon and provides a great getaway for fly-fishing. Sitting on 200 acres, it used to be a private estate adjacent to the Metolius River with views of Mt. Jefferson and Three Finger Jack. Only hotel guests can fly fish on the property grounds, offering the fisher dad and kids plenty of catch and tranquility, with the guarantee that there will never be a crowd. Accommodations include private rooms in the main house (seven guest rooms total, all of which feature king or queen-sized beds and private bathrooms) as well as private cabins, which vary in size.
