10 Fishing Festivals in the US

The nicest part about participating in a fishing festival is the opportunity to contribute to the community's development, create a sense of pride within the community, and engage the community. Below, we’ll guide you through all the fishing festivals you would not want to miss wherever you may be in the United States.

1. Ennis on the Madison River Fly Fishing Festival in Ennis, Montana

The Madison River in Montana has world-class fly fishing for rainbow and brown trout. As a result, fly-fishing enthusiasts worldwide flock to Ennis, known as the "Fly Fishing Capital of the World," on the river's edge. Thousands of people go to Ennis during the Madison Fly Fishing Festival every Labor Day week each year to enjoy this popular sport among fishing enthusiasts.

It's a terrific opportunity to honor fly fishing and the Madison River, but also the Ennis community and how it's embraced the fly fishing culture, economy, and all of the fly fishers who come here to fish from all over the world.

2. Fall Fish Festival in South Lake Tahoe, California

The Fall Fish Festival is another fish festival every angler should not miss. It celebrates a wide range of fish species found in Lake Tahoe and surrounding rivers. These species include the federally endangered Lahontan cutthroat trout and lesser-known smaller fish. Children and their parents are encouraged to participate in various activities, including fish painting, educational booths, streamside information, mascots, and a visit by Smokey Bear in previous years.

3. Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza held in Brainerd, Minnesota

The Brainerd Jaycees Ice Fishing Extravaganza is the world’s largest charity ice fishing tournament. The event has been held since 1991, 10 miles north of Brainerd, Minnesota. The event is essentially an ice fishing competition, with prizes awarded to those who catch the top 150 largest fish.

Visitors may watch over 12,000 ice anglers on a single bay all put their fishing lines into the water simultaneously as the celebrations begin each year. At noon, a cannon blasts, signaling the start of fishing in the 2,000+ holes that organizers had pre-drilled into the well-frozen Gull Lake.

4. Felsenthal Bream Fest in Felsenthal, Arkansas

The Felsenthal Bream Fest, a unique get-together founded in 1985 to commemorate the scrappy, delectable panfish sought by practically every angler in the region, brings thousands of people to Felsenthal every Memorial Day weekend.

The festival’s major event is a bream fishing tournament on the Ouachita River and nearby lakes. Competitors must weigh-in 20 fish per boat to be eligible for cash awards of hundreds of dollars for adults and youngsters. Other events include a boot camp obstacle course competition, arm wrestling, the Camo Country 5K race, live music, and street dancing.

5. Walleye Madness at Midnight in Port Clinton, Ohio

Despite its modest size, Port Clinton has a big heart for celebrations, especially on New Year's Eve! Thousands of people have gathered together and waited for hours for the "Madness at Midnight'' Walleye Drop for the past 20 years. Port Clinton is known as the "Walleye Capital of the World," so what better way to ring in the New Year than by dropping a 20-foot, 600-pound walleye from the sky once the clock strikes twelve? Local businesses actively promote the holiday by preparing walleye specialties, such as walleye chowder, walleye sandwiches, walleye cinnamon chips, and walleye popcorn, among others. To commemorate the city's famed fish and celebration, a local winery created a “Walleye White Wine.”

6. Virginia Fly Fishing & Wine Festival in Doswell, Virginia

The Virginia Fly Fishing Festival is the country's largest event of its kind, drawing fly anglers from all across the country. This event is the perfect opportunity for anglers looking into honing their fly fishing skills or parents who want to introduce the hobby to their kids. Fine wine tasting, microbrewery beer, and everything you ever wanted to know about fly fishing is part of this one-of-a-kind event.

7. Kids Fishing Festival in Mammoth Lakes, California

At the Kids Fishing Festival, there is plenty of entertainment for kids and adults alike. Fly-tying lessons, a trout t-shirt painting booth, casting lessons, and a living stream aquarium tank are among the most popular activities. Kids may examine a variety of aquatic insects under a microscope and see what a trout looks like after being dissected at an entomology and dissection booth. If you decide to make a day of it, there will be tacos, drinks, and snow cones available for purchase.

8. Heber Valley Fly Fishing Festival in Midway, Utah

Attendees at the Heber Valley Fly Fishing Festival can test sample fly rods from various fly rod manufacturers to discover which best suits their fishing style and needs. Anglers of all skill levels can learn new techniques and fine-tune their skills by attending free sessions hosted by local fly fishing guides and industry experts throughout the weekend. Local artisans, casting competitions, gear giveaways, and a kids' fishing derby will all be part of the Heber Valley Fly Fishing Festival. Kids can also participate in the derby and receive free youth fly fishing instruction.

9. Bullhead Days Festival in Waterville, Minnesota

Waterville, Minnesota, has the dubious distinction of being "The Bullhead Capital of the World," having made the bullhead a local icon throughout the years. They're well aware that deep-fried bullheads are delectable. Bullheads are also ideal targets for kids who want to catch some fish because of their abundance and easy catchability. This yearly event dates back to the 1960s and includes a carnival, flea market, a kids' fishing tournament,  sailboat regatta, demolition derby, and parades.

10. Florida Seafood Festival in Apalachicola, Florida

The Florida Seafood Festival is an annual two-day festival in the historic town of Apalachicola in picturesque Franklin County. Attracting thousands of tourists from all over the United States, the festival takes place near the mouth of the Apalachicola River in Battery Park in Apalachicola. Mouth-watering seafood, arts and crafts exhibitions, seafood-related events, and live music are only some of the things guests will truly enjoy at the festival.

So, what are you waiting for? Plan your calendar, join the locals, and celebrate some of these fish festivals with fellow enthusiasts!