Best Fishing Vacations in May

May has a lot going on for fishing travel. Northern lakes open, coastal surf fishing builds, Keys saltwater species are in full swing, and western rivers have a last window before snowmelt. It also comes before most summer school breaks, which can make lodging easier to find.

Where to go in May

Minnesota Lake Country. May brings Minnesota’s fishing opener for walleye, bass, trout in lakes and northern pike. State law sets it for the Saturday two weeks before the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend. Explore Minnesota says walleye in most of the state are spawning or just finished by then, and early-season fish are often near spawning areas in water less than 10 feet deep.

Outer Banks, North Carolina. The visitors bureau says the surf and pier season peaks in May (and again in November). Cobia in the sounds peak from late May to early June, Spanish mackerel arrive from late April, and blue marlin are caught offshore from late spring.

Florida Keys. The Keys tourism office lists tarpon near the Middle Keys bridges, permit on the flats and mahi-mahi all in season in May. Wahoo are listed as mostly in April, May, November and December. Grouper have their own open seasons, so check FWC rules before you plan to keep one.

Southwest Montana. An Ennis fly shop describes the Mother’s Day caddis lingering into early May and a March Brown hatch on the upper Madison in early to mid-May. Runoff usually arrives in May, with timing and size depending on the year’s snowpack, so plan flexibly and expect nymph fishing if rivers rise.

Costa Rica Pacific Coast. Sport Fishing magazine puts the northern Pacific billfish season from May through December, with one Flamingo operator naming May through August as its sailfish peak.

Also consider: Lake of the Ozarks, where the Missouri Department of Conservation suggests brush piles near points for crappie in late spring.

Planning notes for May

• Opener weekend: If you want to fish the Minnesota opener, book lodging early.
• Runoff: In the mountains, call a local shop a week out to check river conditions.
• Weather: Spring storms can still bring wind and rain. See safety and weather.
• Hurricane season: NOAA’s National Hurricane Center lists the eastern Pacific season as starting May 15. Keep an eye on forecasts for Pacific trips.
• Rules: Check current regulations and licenses. See fishing licenses.

Seasonal patterns are broad and change from year to year. Water temperature and weather decide the details.

See also: spring fishing trips. The destinations below are those whose season data includes May.