Spring Fishing Trips

Spring is the season of transitions. Water warms, fish move shallow to feed and spawn, hatches start on trout rivers, and migratory saltwater species arrive on the coasts. For a fishing trip, that means a lot of opportunity and a lot of variability. One warm week can switch the fishing on. One cold front can switch it off again.

The patterns below are broad and come from state agencies, tourism offices and local shops. Conditions vary by year, sometimes by weeks.

Where the fishing is in spring

Florida Keys: tarpon and the flats

The Florida Keys tourism office describes tarpon as a spring fishery along the whole island chain, with fish close to the Middle Keys bridges from April through July. Around Marathon, Sport Fishing magazine describes spring tarpon season running from March through June, when guides often fish mornings, afternoons and nights.

Spring is also when other Keys fisheries pick up. The tourism office lists bonefish prime months starting in March, permit on the flats from April, and mahi-mahi from around April. Sailfish season runs through March, so early spring can overlap both.

Lake of the Ozarks: bass and crappie

At Lake of the Ozarks, the Missouri Department of Conservation names spring and fall as the best times for largemouth bass, especially around points, brush piles and docks. For crappie, it suggests creek channels in the bays in spring and brush piles near points in late spring. Walleye fishing is best at the Truman Dam tailrace in early spring, and white bass anglers try river channels. Catfish fishing is good from April onward.

Southwest Montana: early hatches before runoff

In Southwest Montana, spring is a window between winter and snowmelt. An Ennis fly shop’s Madison River calendar describes Blue Winged Olives starting on the lower river in late March and early April, the Mother’s Day caddis in late April and early May, and a March Brown hatch on the upper river in early to mid-May. Runoff usually arrives in May, though its timing and size vary with snowpack and weather.

Minnesota Lake Country: the opener

Minnesota’s fishing opener for walleye, northern pike, bass and trout in lakes is set by statute for the Saturday two weeks before the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend, so it lands in May. Explore Minnesota notes that by the opener, walleye in most of the state are spawning or have just finished, and early-season fish are often near spawning areas in water under 10 feet deep. If you want to fish opening weekend in Minnesota Lake Country, book lodging early.

Outer Banks: surf and pier season begins

The Outer Banks visitors bureau says the surf and pier season starts in March and peaks in May and November. Its seasonal guide lists red drum, cobia, king mackerel, bluefish and striped bass among spring catches, with cobia in the sounds peaking from late May to early June. Brackish largemouth bass run from April, peaking from mid-April to early June.

Louisiana Gulf Coast

On the Louisiana Gulf Coast, the state tourism office describes speckled trout as peaking from spring through fall, with redfish available year-round.

Also in season

• Costa Rica: Sport Fishing magazine’s guide puts the central and southern Pacific billfish peak through April, while the north’s season begins in May. See Costa Rica Pacific Coast.
• Northern Michigan: Pure Michigan notes that coho fishing on Lake Michigan’s east side is strongest in early spring. See Northern Michigan.

Choosing between them

Spring trips sort roughly by what you want from them:

• Warm weather and big saltwater fish: the Florida Keys, where tarpon and the flats are the main event.
• A drive-to lake trip with steady action: Lake of the Ozarks for bass and crappie, or the Minnesota opener for walleye in May.
• Quiet trout water before the crowds: southwest Montana in March and April, ahead of runoff.
• Beach fishing with the family: the Outer Banks, where surf and pier fishing build through the spring.

If your dates are fixed by a school break, the southern options are the safer bet. If you can choose your dates, late spring generally gives you more options in the north.

How to plan a spring trip

Build in flexibility. Spring weather swings. Book refundable lodging where you can, and keep a day or two in reserve.

Follow the water temperature. Ask guides and shops what the water is doing. Fish respond to temperature more than the calendar.

Watch for openers and closures. Some seasons open in spring, and some waters close to protect spawning fish. Check the agency’s current regulations. See fishing licenses.

Plan around spring break. School spring breaks commonly fall in March or April. If you need quiet water or cheaper rooms, avoid those weeks; if you are traveling with kids, see our school break fishing guide.

Pack layers. Mornings can be cold even when afternoons are warm, on rivers and on the water. See our packing list.

Pitfalls to avoid

• Booking a river trip in runoff. In the mountains, snowmelt can make rivers high and muddy. Ask about runoff timing.
• Fishing spawning areas carelessly. Follow local rules on spawning fish, and handle released fish gently.
• Ignoring wind. Spring fronts can bring strong wind on big lakes and open coasts. See safety and weather.
• Assuming last year’s dates. Openers, hatches and migrations shift. Check current information.

Month by month

• March: Keys tarpon begins, Montana spring hatches, Outer Banks surf season starts, Ozarks walleye.
• April: Keys tarpon and permit, Ozarks bass and crappie, Mother’s Day caddis.
• May: Minnesota opener, Outer Banks surf peak, Keys tarpon and mahi-mahi.