Fishing is one of the country's most popular activities.gettyThe thrill of the catch. For anglers throughout the world, there’s nothing quite like it. Fishing serves as an enjoyable activity because it offers a perfect blend of peaceful relaxation and thrilling excitement. It taps into primal hunting instincts, gets you outdoors in beautiful nature and provides a rewarding challenge, all while giving you the chance to disconnect from daily stress. Almost 58 million Americans age 6 and older went fishing.gettyRecreational fishing is having a moment, and a growing number of families and kids are reeling in the fun. According to the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation’s 2025 Special Report on Fishing, 57.9 million Americans age 6 and older went fishing in 2024, an all-time high that equates to 19% of the U.S. population. Ahead of National Fishing Month, starting July 24 thru Aug. 30, here are six of the best fishing destinations below for families with anglers of all ages and experience levels. Each destination also provides different fishing experiences, such as fly fishing, pier fishing, surf fishing, among others. Cape Neddick, MainePerched atop Bald Head Cliff between Ogunquit and York, Cliff House Maine offers families an authentic taste of Maine’s maritime heritage through a variety of fishing and lobstering experiences set against 70 acres of dramatic Atlantic coastline. Through the resort’s partnerships with local captains, guests can embark on Scenic Lobstering Cruises departing from nearby Perkins Cove, where families can help pull lobster traps while taking in iconic coastal landmarks. For a more immersive adventure, families can book a Fishing or Lobstering Trip with local lobsterman Captain Phil Breton that offers hands-on experiences on the water. A standout offering is Cliff House’s signature Hook + Cook experience, which allows guests to bring their catch back to the resort for the culinary team at The Tiller Restaurant to prepare for dinner that evening, creating a memorable sea-to-table experience for the whole family. Trout are plentiful near Deer Valley.gettyDeer Valley, UtahAt Montage Deer Valley guests enjoy privileged access to Utah’s famed Provo River, where half and full-day guided excursions provide opportunities to reel in rainbow, brown and cutthroat trout. Nestled in the Wasatch Range above Park City, the resort pairs outdoor adventure with family-friendly luxury, from spacious accommodations and sweeping alpine views to restorative treatments at Spa Montage, Utah’s largest spa. After a day on the water, families can gather over dinner at acclaimed restaurants like Yama Sushi or unwind together at the resort’s new Après Lounge.Visitors can choose from a variety of fishing experiences.gettyDestin-Fort Walton Beach, FloridaKnown as the “World's Luckiest Fishing Village,” Destin-Fort Walton Beach, Florida is an angler’s paradise, welcoming fishers of all skill levels. Located in Northwest Florida, this coastal destination boasts the widest variety of fish species in the area, direct access to the Gulf and the nation's largest commercial fishing fleet. Families visiting can choose from a variety of fishing experiences, including casting from a paddleboard or pier, surf fishing along the beach or charter fishing in the Choctawhatchee Bay. This year, the destination also introduced Reel Time, a new deep sea fishing tournament for teens. Now through September, teenagers can challenge themselves and their families during the tournament that is exclusively unique to Destin-Fort Walton Beach. The anglers have the chance to catch a variety of fish, such as red snapper, grouper and amberjack near the coast, or mahi-mahi, tuna and marlin further out, maybe even a shark. Fishing in Big Sky is a captivating experience with nature.credit to Montage Big SkyBig Sky, MontanaMontage Big Sky delivers the quintessential Montana fly-fishing experience. Families can choose from float trips, walk-and-wade adventures on legendary Blue-Ribbon rivers or even heli-accessed backcountry fishing in remote alpine waters. Off the river, guests return to slope-side luxury, including the 11,000-square-foot Spa Montage, a mountain-view pool deck and spacious five and six-bedroom Mountain Homes complete with fire pits, saunas and gourmet kitchens, ideal for multigenerational getaways and group fishing trips.Casting from the Virginia Beach Fishing Pier is very special.gettyVirginia Beach, VirginiaFrom surf to shore, Virginia Beach is a natural classroom for young anglers. Families can reel in their first catch from the iconic Virginia Beach Fishing Pier, stretching 1,500 feet into the Atlantic, where summer catches include spot, croaker, pigfish and kingfish on the bottom, with Spanish mackerel showing up by mid-summer and specialists landing cobia, king mackerel and even sharks off the end of the pier. For families ready to venture out on the water, Rudee Tours departs from Rudee Inlet with half, three-quarter and full-day trips targeting species like croakers, seatrout, spot and small sharks on Chesapeake Bay runs, and black sea bass, triggerfish, bluefish and flounder on longer offshore trips, all with bait, tackle and licenses included and mates aboard to help first-timers every step of the way. Afishinado Fishing Charters is just one example of the coastal city’s offshore charter fleet for dedicated fishing adventures, with the bountiful Chesapeake Bay yielding flounder, red drum, cobia and the local favorite rockfish throughout the summer months. The Bahamas is the premier destination for beginners to learn.The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism The BahamasFor families looking to trade the familiar for something truly extraordinary, look no further than The Bahamas which offers a world-class fishing adventure just a short flight from the U.S. mainland. Home to Andros Island, widely recognized as the Bonefish Capital of the World, with seemingly endless flats, creeks and mangrove systems providing unparalleled habitat for bonefish of all sizes, the archipelago is a bucket-list destination for anglers young and old. This is the premier destination for beginners to learn, as plentiful bonefish give anglers opportunities all day long. Experienced guides ensure that the whole family is part of the experience. For deeper-water thrills, Bimini, the Sport Fishing Capital of the World, sits at the very edge of the Gulf Stream, where more than 50 record-setting catches have been made and offshore charters target blue and white marlin, mahi-mahi, wahoo and tuna. With clear waters and a 100,000-square-mile archipelago of unspoiled flats, families can also chase the "Big Three" of bonefish, tarpon and permit alongside barracuda, snapper and jack crevalle. With direct flights from major U.S. cities, the Bahamas delivers a bucket-list fishing experience that feels worlds away without the long-haul journey.