7 Remote Fishing Holes in the United States

The popular hustle culture can be downright overwhelming; the bustle of ticking off to-dos and round-the-clock schedules may lead to stress. Thus, your body may demand a rejuvenating reconnection with nature. Exploring a remote fishing and swimming spot away from the crowds sounds about right; it’s one of the best ways to fully immerse yourself in the natural splendor of the great outdoors.

Finding new, off-the-beaten-path spots to fish is a big part of the fun. Locating these places isn’t easy, but you don’t have to worry. We’ve done the heavy lifting for you. Here’s a list of remote fishing spots in the United States and all you need to know before planning a visit.

1. Beaver Island, Michigan

The 13-mile-long Beaver Island is the third largest island in Lake Michigan and forms part of the Beaver Island archipelago. With a total area of 55.8 sq mi (145 km2), it’s the third-largest island in the Great Lakes State, behind Isle Royale and Drummond Island. 

The island is primarily flat but has large expanses of forest. Little wonder why it’s also called America’s Emerald Isle. It’s 3 to 6 miles (5 to 10 km) wide, some 32 miles (51 km) from Charlevoix, and part of Charlevoix County. It has a humid continental climate with notable variations in seasonal temperature, including warm to hot and frequently humid summers and frigid, sometimes extremely cold, winters.

Unlike Mackinac Island, this island is less well-known and less crowded with people. So, it’s a great alternative if you need a secluded spot to rest and have fun. In addition, the remote Beaver Island is a dream come true for anglers. In fact, it’s recognized as one of the top big carp fishing grounds in the nation.

Smallmouth bass anglers are in for a good catch. Although eight-pound fish are a daily possibility, the typical fish weighs between four and six pounds. Smallmouth bass aren’t extremely challenging to capture, unlike carp. Sight-casting is an option for catching big carp roaming the flats for food and warm shallow water in the summer. The island is home to some of the biggest carp on earth. You can definitely catch fish exceeding 40 pounds, and 30-pound fish are not unusual. Thus, they are the biggest freshwater fish that fly anglers will ever regularly meet.

Heads up! Carp put up a fierce fight due to their adaptation to low-oxygen habitats. They can cover hundreds of meters of line in a single run, and they typically complete two, three, or four long runs before becoming exhausted.

Some small to medium-sized lakes are on the island, such as Greenes Lake and Fox Lake in the center,  Font Lake, Egg Lake, Round Lake, Barneys Lake in the north, and Lake Geneserath in the southeast. Fox Lake is reportedly one of the perfect places in the United States to enjoy remote fishing.

There’s more, though. Beaver Island features over 100 miles of trails for hiking, biking, or scenic rides. In addition, there are beaches with pristine waters for swimming, canoeing, and kayaking.

2. Lake Carmi, Vermont

Lake Carmi is tucked away in the tranquil countryside town of Franklin, northwest Vermont. It’s somewhat shallow, with an average depth of 20 feet (6.1 meters) and a maximum depth of 33 feet (10 meters). The 1,375-acre lake runs northward into the Pike River in Quebec, Canada, and empties into Missisquoi Bay of Lake Champlain. Lake Carmi State Park is on the east shore of the lake.

The main characteristic of Lake Carmi is its rugged, rocky bottom, making it an ideal habitat for many fish species and their prey. Therefore, you need not be concerned about getting a decent catch. At Lake Carmi in Vermont, you can fish for bass (largemouth, smallmouth, and rock), bluegill, northern pike, pumpkinseed sunfish, walleye, and yellow perch.

Anglers can catch species that like the shallows, such as bass, bullhead, panfish, and pike, from the coastline at Lake Carmi State Park. Many yellow perch move to deeper water habitats in mid-summer from these shallow waters in the fall and early summer.

Use bladed spinners, crankbaits, or stick baits when fishing to simulate immature baitfish, which many of the larger species in Lake Carmi enjoy eating. If walleye is your target gamefish, you’ll probably need a boat to venture a little further from the bank and have a chance at catching one.

You can find designated swimming areas within Lake Carmi. There’s also a sandy beach when you need a break from the waters. The best months to visit Lake Carmi are July and August when the temperature averages 20°C.

3. Lake Lurleen, Alabama

Spanning 250 acres in Tuscaloosa County in west central Alabama, Lake Lurleen is a scenic public reservoir formed when a dam was built on a tributary of Big Creek in Tuscaloosa County.  

The lake is roughly one and a half miles (2.41) long, half a mile (0.80 km) wide, and reaches a maximum depth of 48 feet (15 meters). It’s the main feature of Lake Lurleen State Park, named in honor of Alabama’s first elected female governor, Lurleen Wallace.

Licensed anglers are guaranteed to pull in a good-sized catch because the lake features various fish species such as bream, catfish, crappie, largemouth bass, and panfish. You must have a state fishing license, but don’t worry. It is available for purchase online. 

Alabama’s fishing laws are subject to change; they may limit the maximum size and number of fish you can keep. Ensure you check the state park’s website for updated information. 

Pier fishing, bank fishing, and boat launching are also available on the lake. In addition, Lake Lurleen State Park has over 23 miles of hiking, running, and biking trails and is a perfect beach for swimming and sunning. 

4. Raspberry Lake, California

Yet another remote fishing spot in the United States is Raspberry Lake. The lake is a deep blue haven nestled between the peaks of the Siskiyou Mountains in northern California. Straight up from its shorelines, marble cliffs encircle the azure waters in a massive cylinder of rock and pine.

Brown trout, rainbow trout, and smallmouth bass are particularly prevalent in Raspberry Lake. Anglers can use spinners, flies, or baits like salmon, eggs, and worms.  

Summertime, when temperatures range from the mid-70s to the low-80s, is the best time to visit. Nevertheless, fishing is also possible in the cooler months of fall and spring. 

Tempted to take a dip in the warm blue waters after a long day of hiking or backpacking? You should absolutely go for it.

5. Gifford Lake, Oregon

The Olallie Scenic Area is a scenic area designated by the United States Forest Service located in Oregon’s Cascade Range. Olallie Lake, as well as several smaller lakes, including Raspberry Lake, lie between Mount Hood to the north and Mount Jefferson to the south.

In addition to how warm the water is, it’s quite easy to get to Gifford Lake. The trip begins at Lower Lake campground and continues through Fish Lake Trail 717 and Lodgepole Trail 706, which will lead you to a trail that will take you to Gifford Lake.

Anglers may catch rainbow trout and cutthroat trout here. Whatever method they use, baitcasting, fly fishing, or spinning, they stand a good chance of catching something.

The peninsula that protrudes into the lake offers a fantastic campsite and works well as a swimming base. The minimum temperature at the Gifford Lake is 60.01°F (15.5°C) while its maximum temperature is 67.1°F (19.5°C )

6. Lake Hiwassee, North Carolina

With 6,000 acres and 180 miles of shoreline, Lake Hiwassee of North Carolina is fed by the Hiwassee River, Nottely River, and Valley River and encircled by Nantahala National Forest. That makes this another great remote fishing spot in the United States.

As a result of the construction of the Hiwassee Dam in the 1930s, the Hiwassee Reservoir became an important flood control and power generation facility.

The presence of striped bass, which are typically found in coastal waters, is unique to this mountain lake. Two record striped bass have been caught in the lake: the first was a 54.2-pounder caught on a minnow in 1991 by Murphy resident Larry Verner, and the second, a 66-pounder caught by Tyler Shields in 2012, which broke both the freshwater and saltwater records for the state.

The 10.2-pound smallmouth bass, caught in 1951 by Archie Lumpkin in Hiwassee, also holds the state record for the species.

Smallmouth and striped bass aren’t the only present species; Lake Hiwassee also features bream, carp, catfish, crappie, largemouth bass, muskie, spotted bass, walleye, white bass, and yellow perch.

The best fishing seasons are spring and fall, as they are for most mountain lakes. Unfortunately, fishing is only mediocre in the summer and winter.

The lake is available for swimming, kayaking, water skiing, canoeing, rafting, and boating. A few marinas, boat ramps, campgrounds, and access points with a variety of amenities like swimming areas, restrooms, trailer and tent campsites, picnic, water, and hiking trails surround the reservoir. There are also a lot of rustic campsites. 

The Hiwassee Dam Reservation has a boat ramp, a picnic area, and a Visitor’s Overlook.

7. Knife Lake, Minnesota

A stunning lake is probably the easiest to find in a land of 10,000 lakes. Knife Lake in Kanabec County of Minnesota is a suitable spot for anyone in need of a getaway. That is, as long as you don’t mind the wilderness; vast, dense forests surround the lake.

Aside from the serenity, this lake is a go-to for anglers, and it’s easy to see why. It has a public access point for easy access to boaters and anglers.

There are bluegills, crappies (white and black), largemouth bass, northern pike, panfish, and walleye in the reservoir. In addition, yellow bullhead, black bullhead, brown bullhead, rock bass, smallmouth bass, pumpkinseed, and channel catfish are all up for grabs.

The lake also supports the following fish species: hybrid sunfish, green sunfish, common shiner, tadpole madtom, blackchin shiner, golden shiner, freshwater drum, fathead minnow, central mudminnow, golden redhorse, silver redhorse, shorthead redhorse, brook silverside, creek chub, white sucker, northern hog sucker, logperch, and Johnny Darter.

Camping is a fantastic option near the lake. There are several campgrounds with a variety of amenities surrounding the lake. Swimming, hiking, and biking trails are all available to campers.

It’s family-friendly as there are many cabins for rent. 

Conclusion

There are many remote fishing spots in the United States. These give anglers a chance to get away from the hectic pace of daily life. Also, it allows them to fully immerse themselves in nature. 

There are fishing destinations to suit every level of angling, from the remote Lake Carmi to the exceptional Hiwassee Lake.

These far-flung fishing locations will guarantee an unforgettable experience, regardless of whether you are an experienced angler or a novice. So gather your supplies, set out, and prepare to cast your line in some of the most breathtaking and hidden spots this nation has to offer. Have fun fishing!

Summary of 7 Remote Fishing Holes in the U.S.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © iStock.com/Grandbrothers