April is when spring fishing gets going in earnest across much of the U.S. Water is warming, fish are moving shallow, and several saltwater species arrive or pick up. It is also a common spring break month, so book popular coastal destinations early.
Where to go in April
Florida Keys. Several Keys seasons overlap in April. The Keys tourism office lists tarpon near the Middle Keys bridges from April through July, permit on the flats from April through September, and mahi-mahi from around April. Bonefish are in their prime months. Around Marathon, Sport Fishing magazine describes spring tarpon season as a busy time for guides, who often fish morning, afternoon and night.
Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri. The Missouri Department of Conservation names spring as one of the best times for largemouth bass, especially around points, brush piles and docks. Crappie anglers fish creek channels in the bays, and channel and blue catfish fishing is listed as good from April through September.
Southwest Montana. An Ennis fly shop describes the Mother’s Day caddis hatch, which usually starts around the end of April or in early May and is most predictable on the lower Madison. Early spring Blue Winged Olives may still be on. Runoff usually starts in May, so April can be a good window for trout.
Outer Banks, North Carolina. Spring catches listed by the visitors bureau include red drum, king mackerel, bluefish and striped bass, with cobia arriving later in the spring. Brackish-water largemouth bass season starts in April, with a peak from mid-April to early June.
Costa Rica Pacific Coast. April is the last month of the central and southern Pacific billfish peak described by Sport Fishing magazine.
Planning notes for April
- Spring break: School spring breaks often fall in April. Book early for coastal destinations. See our school break fishing guide.
- Weather: Spring fronts bring wind and rain. Keep spare days. See safety and weather.
- Rules: Some waters have spawning-season rules or closures. Check current regulations before you go. See fishing licenses.
- Guides: Sport Fishing magazine describes spring tarpon season as the busiest time for Marathon guides, so book ahead. See choosing a fishing charter.
Seasons are broad patterns, and spring is especially variable. A cold front or an early warm spell can move the fishing by weeks.
More spring ideas: spring fishing trips. The destinations listed below are those whose season data includes April.
Destinations with fish in April
From each destination's sourced season data. "Peak" means sources single this month out; a typical year, not a promise.
- Florida KeysPeak month
Tarpon (peak), Bonefish, Permit (peak), Sailfish, Mahi-mahi, Snapper (peak), Grouper, Wahoo, Tuna (peak), Snook (peak), Redfish, King mackerel
- Outer BanksPeak month
Marlin, Sailfish, Tuna, Mahi-mahi, Wahoo, King mackerel (peak), Redfish, Speckled trout, Bluefish (peak), Flounder, Bass (peak), Striped bass
- DestinPeak month
Snapper, Cobia, Mahi-mahi, Tuna, Wahoo, Sailfish, Marlin, Redfish
- Bahamas Out IslandsPeak month
Bonefish (peak), Permit (peak), Tarpon, Mahi-mahi (peak), Wahoo, Tuna (peak)
- Costa Rica Pacific CoastPeak month
Marlin (peak), Sailfish, Roosterfish, Mahi-mahi, Tuna
- Lake of the OzarksPeak month
Bass (peak), Crappie, Catfish (peak), Panfish
- Belize Flats and CayesPeak month
Bonefish (peak), Permit, Tarpon
- Lake Erie Western BasinPeak month
Walleye, Panfish, Bass
- Louisiana Gulf CoastPeak month
Redfish, Speckled trout
- Saginaw BayPeak month
Walleye (peak), Panfish
- Northern Michigan
Salmon, Steelhead, Lake trout, Walleye, Trout
- Cabo San Lucas
Roosterfish
- Kenai Peninsula
Trout
- Southwest Montana
Trout
Sources and fact-checking (7)
Facts checked against these sources on October 23, 2026. Seasons, rules and businesses change; confirm with the official source before you travel. How we research.
- Unrivaled Fishing Throughout the Keys (Florida Keys News Bureau) (media.visitfloridakeys.com)
- Magical Marathon Memories: Tempting a Tarpon and Trolling the Hump (Sport Fishing) (sportfishingmag.com)
- Lake of the Ozarks fishing prospects (Missouri Department of Conservation) (mdc.mo.gov)
- Madison River hatches (Madison River Fishing Company, Ennis) (mrfc.com)
- Outer Banks Fishing (Outer Banks Visitors Bureau) (outerbanks.org)
- Outer Banks Boasts Some of East Coast's Best Fishing (Outer Banks Visitors Bureau) (outerbanks.org)
- Billfish Angler's Guide to Costa Rica (Sport Fishing) (sportfishingmag.com)
