Warm-Weather Winter Fishing Trips
Where to fish somewhere warm from December through March: Florida Keys sailfish, Pacific billfish in Costa Rica and Cabo, and Gulf Coast redfish, with how to plan around winter fronts.
Months and seasons
When to go fishing
Fish move, runs come and go, and weather sets the calendar. Start with the month you can travel, or the season you have in mind.
Fishing vacations by month
January
Peak fish: Sailfish, Grouper, Wahoo, Tuna
Peak trips: Florida Keys, Costa Rica Pacific Coast, Minnesota Lake Country, Bahamas Out Islands
February
Peak fish: Sailfish, Grouper, Wahoo, Tuna
Peak trips: Florida Keys, Costa Rica Pacific Coast, Minnesota Lake Country, Outer Banks
March
Peak fish: Sailfish, Tuna, Redfish, King mackerel
Peak trips: Florida Keys, Outer Banks, Bahamas Out Islands, Costa Rica Pacific Coast
April
Peak fish: Tarpon, Permit, Snapper, Tuna
Peak trips: Florida Keys, Outer Banks, Destin, Bahamas Out Islands
May
Peak fish: Sailfish, Cobia, Bluefish, Bass
Peak trips: Outer Banks, Florida Keys, Destin, Bahamas Out Islands
June
Peak fish: Marlin, Sailfish, Mahi-mahi, Wahoo
Peak trips: Outer Banks, Florida Keys, Destin, Minnesota Lake Country
July
Peak fish: Tarpon, Bonefish, Permit, Mahi-mahi
Peak trips: Florida Keys, Outer Banks, Minnesota Lake Country, Bahamas Out Islands
August
Peak fish: Marlin, Sailfish, Mahi-mahi, Wahoo
Peak trips: Outer Banks, Florida Keys, Minnesota Lake Country, Lake of the Ozarks
September
Peak fish: Marlin, Sailfish, Mahi-mahi, Wahoo
Peak trips: Outer Banks, Florida Keys, Lake of the Ozarks, Louisiana Gulf Coast
October
Peak fish: Bonefish, Permit, Tuna, Snook
Peak trips: Florida Keys, Outer Banks, Destin, Cabo San Lucas
November
Peak fish: King mackerel, Bluefish, Sailfish, Tuna
Peak trips: Outer Banks, Florida Keys, Cabo San Lucas, Lake of the Ozarks
December
Peak fish: Sailfish, Grouper, Wahoo, Tuna
Peak trips: Florida Keys, Costa Rica Pacific Coast, Outer Banks, Bahamas Out Islands
Seasonal guides
Spring Fishing Trips
Where to fish from March through May: Florida Keys tarpon, Ozarks bass and crappie, Montana's early hatches, the Minnesota opener and Outer Banks surf, plus how to plan around spring weather.
Summer Fishing Vacations
Where to fish from June through August: Alaska salmon runs, Montana's salmonfly hatch, Minnesota lake walleye, Outer Banks and Cabo billfish, and Keys mahi-mahi, with tips on heat and storms.
Fall Salmon Fishing Trips
Where and when to plan a fall salmon trip from August through October: Kenai Peninsula coho and Great Lakes Chinook and coho runs in Northern Michigan, with how to time a trip and what to expect.
School Break Family Fishing Trips
How to plan a family fishing trip around spring break and summer vacation: which destinations fit those weeks, what is commonly biting, and how to keep it fun for kids.