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Award winning watercolorist, Thom Glace. “Watercolor Study of a Northern Pike.”

By Mark Modoski / Field & Stream / May 15, 2018

Field & Stream found the 50 hottest new rivers, lakes, and streams—one for every state—to catch big bass, trout, walleye, catfish, and more. Road trip, anyone?

Alabama

Water: Lewis Smith Lake

Targets: Largemouth Bass and Striped Bass

Alabama is home to some of the best bass lakes in the U.S., but Lewis Smith Lake wasn’t one of them until recently. The deep, clear lake that seemed lifeless for years currently has a thriving fishery thanks to the newly flourishing blueback herring population, which largemouths and stripers are chowing down on.

Alaska

Water: Situk River

Targets: Sockeye and Pink Salmon

The Situk gets less attention than some of Alaska’s other rivers, and while it sees its share of traffic during the spring and fall steelhead runs, anglers all but disappear in the summer. Big mistake, because the Situk has strong runs of pink and sockeye salmon waiting for anyone seeking solitude.

Arizona

Water: Saguaro Lake

Target: Largemouth Bass

A fish kill in 2005 decimated Saguaro’s largemouth population. However, with rejuvenated grass growth, clean mountain water flow, and a resurgence of baitfish, the bass population has rebounded big time. Saguaro is now a top trophy lake in Arizona, and one that the locals consider a hidden gem.

Award winning “Virginia Rainbow Trout” watercolor by Thom Glace.

Find your state here . . .

Featured Image is a largemouth bass. Photo: Curtis Fry, Creative Commons.

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