Skip to main content

2017 Northern Family Fishing Destinations

Summer's Best 2017 Family Fishing Trips

If you're looking for places where your kids can actually catch fish (and enjoy some fun diversions along the way), these top 2017 family fishing picks from the Great Plains to New England should be at the top of your list.

You'll find those destinations by clicking the link below, as well as the best state-by-state hotspots for bass and crappie, and 12-month Fishing Calendars with 36 great angling spots in every state!

Click the links below for the top picks for the 2017 family fishing destinations near you.

A generation ago, it was not uncommon for American families to pack everyone into the family station wagon and head off for a weeklong summer vacation. Some folks headed west to visit iconic national parks, such as Yellowstone or the Grand Canyon. Others trekked across the Canadian border to sample the legendary fishing of Ontario or Quebec. For many Wisconsin families...
Some fishing trips just sound different. There are outings marked by only the whisper of leaves dancing gently in the breeze, or by ducks murmuring when you get too close or by the plopping of your bait when it hits the water. This wasn't one of those. A buddy and I were casting close together on the bank when the air was ripped by high-pitched squealing. It wouldn't have broken glass or made dogs cover their ears, but it was certainly screechy and giggly...
Ohio offers plenty of great fishing waters, and most anglers have their favorite spots to cast for trophies. But with temperatures warming up and the school year winding down, this is the perfect time to focus on a different kind of destination: the best locations for a family fishing trip. The goal this month is to find waters where your kids can actually catch fish, and perhaps enjoy some fun diversions along the way. Here are a few places where you can make some memories....
My parents didn't care much for fishing, but we did go on camping trips. Some of my fondest memories include a fishing pole, some bobbers a can of garden worms and a tent in campsite in some park or state forest or private campground. My dad realized his sons liked fishing, and wherever we camped, there was always a lake, pond or river at hand....
Parents should be mindful of their kids' attention span, level of interest and angling skills when choosing a lake, pond or river for a fishing-camping vacation. Younger children will do best and have the most fun on waters that contain good numbers of white and yellow perch, bluegills, pickerel or bass. Middle school-aged children will be most interested in bass...
This season, we'll once again highlight some great fishing waters that combine fun family destinations, such as zoos and parks, with fisheries that fish big for kids and families. Think of this list as great fishing water that combines the fun family fishing vacation with a few side trips....

">
The replacement of white bass with yellow bass has apparently benefitted largemouth and smallmouth bass populations at the IGL. Fisheries biologists explain that while white bass were direct competitors with young largemouth and smallmouth bass for small minnows, yellow bass feed more on invertebrates and small wigglies in the water....

2017 Illinois Family Fishing
">
The plains states, including Illinois, were a different matter. Here, the newly arriving settlers found a landscape stretching beyond the horizon with flat, fertile land. Trees were so rare on that primordial prairie that they became landmarks. For just that reason, today we have towns named Buffalo Grove, River Grove, Elk Grove, Sugar Grove, Spring Grove, Franklin Grove and many more scattered throughout the state....

2017 Indiana Family Fishing

2017 Indiana Family Fishing
">
Fisherman is a moniker that no longer fits the overall demographic. Admittedly, in the past, fishing was almost entirely dominated by males, primarily adult males, but that is no longer the case. Anglers now come in all ages and genders and in many cases; fishing is a complete family affair, not just something dad does on the weekends. Indiana, as well as most all states, has taken notice, and there are numerous waters across the state that are family-friendly and offer tons of great fishing opportunity....

2017 Michigan Family Fishing

2017 Michigan Family Fishing
">
The quickest access to deep water is from the west side of the Bay near Linwood. From there it's easy to get to 17 to 22 feet of water where massive schools of walleyes reside through most of the summer. Knowledgeable anglers will tell you that most of the walleyes head to deeper water and the Charity Islands as the Bay's inner waters warm, but Dave Militello and I spent a day on the Bay in early August a couple of summers ago and fished southeast of Linwood. We never got much deeper than 17 feet...

2017 Minnesota Family Fishing

2017 Minnesota Family Fishing
">
So let's take a look around Minnesota and identify some great corners to try a summer vacation with our families this summer. The only requirements to make this list? Excellent fishing a family can enjoy. Good available lodging, and plenty of additional activities and attractions to keep everybody happy, because, let's face it, you just can't fish every minute of every day. Well, not when the family's along anyway...

More 2017 Family Fishing Ideas

2017 Southern Family Fishing Destinations

2017 Western Family Fishing Destinations

2017 Great Plains Family Fishing Destinations

GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Recommended Articles

Recent Videos

With the right materials and know-how, you can construct a reliable blaze for any gathering. Follow these tips to build ...
Destinations

First Turkey Ever: Perfect Conditions Make for a Short Hunt

With the right materials and know-how, you can construct a reliable blaze for any gathering. Follow these tips to build ...
Fishing

Bass Crash Course: Bass Froggin' Game Plan

With the right materials and know-how, you can construct a reliable blaze for any gathering. Follow these tips to build ...
Videos

What to Know Before Going Off-Road

With the right materials and know-how, you can construct a reliable blaze for any gathering. Follow these tips to build ...
Learn

Off-Road Safety Tips and Techniques

With the right materials and know-how, you can construct a reliable blaze for any gathering. Follow these tips to build ...
Gear

The Right Tires for Off-Roading

With the right materials and know-how, you can construct a reliable blaze for any gathering. Follow these tips to build ...
Learn

Bass Crash Course: Shallow-Water Power Lures

With the right materials and know-how, you can construct a reliable blaze for any gathering. Follow these tips to build ...
Destinations

Minnesota Double Down: First Visit to New Farm Goes Perfectly

With the right materials and know-how, you can construct a reliable blaze for any gathering. Follow these tips to build ...
Fishing

Bass Crash Course: Bass Fishing in the Wind

With the right materials and know-how, you can construct a reliable blaze for any gathering. Follow these tips to build ...
Hunting

She Kills The Biggest Bird of the Year

With the right materials and know-how, you can construct a reliable blaze for any gathering. Follow these tips to build ...
Fishing

Bass Crash Course: Unlock the Patterns Squarebill Crankbaits

With the right materials and know-how, you can construct a reliable blaze for any gathering. Follow these tips to build ...
Learn

Tips for Cooking Over an Open Fire

With the right materials and know-how, you can construct a reliable blaze for any gathering. Follow these tips to build ...
Videos

How to Build the Perfect Campfire

Game & Fish Magazine Covers Print and Tablet Versions

GET THE MAGAZINE Subscribe & Save

Digital Now Included!

SUBSCRIBE NOW

Give a Gift   |   Subscriber Services

PREVIEW THIS MONTH'S ISSUE

Buy Digital Single Issues

Magazine App Logo

Don't miss an issue.
Buy single digital issue for your phone or tablet.

Buy Single Digital Issue on the Game & Fish App

Other Magazines

See All Other Magazines

Special Interest Magazines

See All Special Interest Magazines

GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Get the top Game & Fish stories delivered right to your inbox every week.

Phone Icon

Get Digital Access.

All Game & Fish subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets.

To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine.

Get Digital Access

Not a Subscriber?
Subscribe Now

Enjoying What You're Reading?

Get a Full Year
of Guns & Ammo
& Digital Access.

Offer only for new subscribers.

Subscribe Now