Best Fishing Vacations in October

October is a fall-fishing month through and through. In the north, salmon runs are in full swing and trout rivers run lower and easier to wade. On the Atlantic coast, red drum and bluefish move along the beaches. At the tip of Baja, the marlin season overlaps several major tournaments. Hurricane season does not officially end until November 30.

Where to go in October

Northern Michigan. Pure Michigan describes a Manistee River coho run in late October and Chinook as a fall target from piers and rivers such as the Manistee and Pere Marquette. Its fall guide names walleye, smallmouth bass and lake whitefish among early-fall species, too.

Kenai Peninsula, Alaska. Fish and Game’s run timing chart lists Kenai River coho through mid-October, and Dolly Varden through October. Rainbow trout are listed from mid-June through April. Check current regulations and the weather forecast before you go.

Outer Banks, North Carolina. The visitors bureau lists fall catches including channel bass (red drum), king mackerel, bluefish, speckled trout, flounder and tuna. It says bluefish over 15 pounds can blitz the beaches in fall, and the surf and pier season peaks again in November.

Cabo San Lucas. October is the last month of the July through October blue and black marlin window listed by Visit Los Cabos, and yellowfin tuna and dorado are in season. Visit Los Cabos lists the Los Cabos Billfish Tournament in October and Bisbee’s Black and Blue in late October. Book well ahead if your dates overlap tournaments.

Florida Keys. Sport Fishing magazine describes a fall tarpon window around Marathon from September through November, and the Keys tourism office lists kingfish as active from September.

Also consider: Southwest Montana, where Visit Montana calls fall a good season for lakes and rivers, with lower water making wade fishing easier.

Planning notes for October

• Weather: Fall storms in the north and late-season tropical systems on the coasts. Keep spare days. See safety and weather.
• Pack warm: Mornings can be cold, especially on rivers. See our packing list.
• Run timing: Check recent reports before driving to a salmon river.
• Rules: Check current regulations and licenses. See fishing licenses.

Seasonal patterns are broad and vary every year. Water temperature and rain move the fish.

More ideas: fall salmon fishing. The destinations below are those whose season data includes October.