November sits between summer travel and the winter holidays, and several fisheries are in season. The Outer Banks surf has its second peak, the Florida Keys sailfish season opens, Cabo keeps producing tuna and dorado, and Michigan rivers turn to steelhead.
The Atlantic and eastern Pacific hurricane seasons officially end on November 30.
Where to go in November
Outer Banks, North Carolina. The visitors bureau says the surf and pier season peaks in May and November. Its fall lineup includes channel bass (red drum), king mackerel, bluefish, speckled trout, flounder and tuna, and it notes that big bluefish can blitz the beaches in fall. Pack warm layers for the beach.
Florida Keys. The Keys tourism office lists sailfish season as November through March, wahoo as mostly in April, May, November and December, and kingfish as active from September to March.
Cabo San Lucas. Visit Los Cabos lists dorado from July through November and yellowfin tuna from September through January, and the Cabo Tuna Jackpot is held in November. It describes fall and winter as excellent for all-around action.
Northern Michigan. Pure Michigan’s fall guide names steelhead as a late-fall target from November through December.
Costa Rica Pacific Coast. Sport Fishing magazine puts the start of the central and southern Pacific billfish peak in November, with the northern season running through December.
Which November trip fits you
For a warm escape before the holidays, the Keys or Cabo. For a cool-weather beach trip with surf fishing, the Outer Banks. For a drive-to river trip, Northern Michigan steelhead. For billfish, Costa Rica’s central and southern coast as its peak begins.
Planning notes for November
- Thanksgiving week: If your trip falls over the holiday, book flights and charters early.
- Weather: Fronts bring wind on the coasts and cold to the north. See safety and weather.
- Gear: Rain gear and warm layers, even for southern trips with early boat runs. See our packing list.
- 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.
More ideas: warm-weather winter fishing. The destinations below are those whose season data includes November.
Destinations with fish in November
From each destination's sourced season data. "Peak" means sources single this month out; a typical year, not a promise.
- Outer BanksPeak month
Marlin, Sailfish, Tuna, Mahi-mahi, Wahoo, King mackerel (peak), Redfish, Speckled trout, Bluefish (peak), Flounder, Bass, Striped bass
- Florida KeysPeak month
Bonefish, Permit, Sailfish (peak), Snapper, Grouper, Wahoo, Tuna (peak), Snook (peak), Redfish (peak), King mackerel (peak)
- Cabo San LucasPeak month
Marlin, Mahi-mahi, Tuna, Roosterfish
- Lake of the OzarksPeak month
Bass (peak), Crappie, Catfish
- Bahamas Out IslandsPeak month
Bonefish, Wahoo (peak)
- Louisiana Gulf CoastPeak month
Redfish, Speckled trout
- Destin
Snapper, Grouper, King mackerel, Mahi-mahi, Tuna, Wahoo, Sailfish, Marlin, Redfish
- Belize Flats and Cayes
Bonefish, Permit, Tarpon
- Lake Erie Western Basin
Walleye, Panfish, Bass
- Northern Michigan
Steelhead, Lake trout, Walleye
- Little and Big Bay de Noc
Walleye
- Costa Rica Pacific Coast
Marlin
- Kenai Peninsula
Trout
- Saginaw Bay
Walleye
- 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.
- 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)
- Unrivaled Fishing Throughout the Keys (Florida Keys News Bureau) (media.visitfloridakeys.com)
- Sport Fishing in Los Cabos (Visit Los Cabos) (visitloscabos.travel)
- Fall Fishing in Michigan: Your Ultimate Guide (Pure Michigan) (michigan.org)
- Billfish Angler's Guide to Costa Rica (Sport Fishing) (sportfishingmag.com)
- Tropical Cyclone Climatology (NOAA National Hurricane Center) (nhc.noaa.gov)
