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Bass

Return to the Old Ball & Chain?

If you haven't fished a Carolina rig lately, now's the time to revisit this timeless classic.

Glenn Walker

Just in from Japan: Heavy Soft Plastic from Makers of Senko

Bass-catching Yamatanuki, with 'one-of-a-kind quiver action,' makes debut in U.S.

Game & Fish Staff

Baitcaster Basics: The Overhead Cast

Bass Crash Course: Technique tweaks to maximize distance and accuracy.

Shane Beilue

Bass Crash Course: How to Properly Tune a Baitcasting Rig

Avoid backlashes by making simple adjustments to your reel and matching your lures to your

Shane Beilue

Live Sonar Has Changed How We Fish, But Is It Too Helpful?

New fish-finding technology is so effective at boosting catch rates that anglers should use it

Dr. Jason A. Halfen

Bass Crash Course: Tips & Tricks for Bladed Jigs

After two decades, this highly customizable, easy-to-use lure is still hard to beat for

Shane Beilue

See All Bass

Catfish

River of Plenty: Fishing, Scenery and History on the Cumberland

The Tennessee river runs rich with biodiversity and adventure, and offers spectacular fishing.

Jen Ripple

Catch the Biggest Catfish of Your Life on the Tennessee River

Tennessee's Lake Chickamauga and Watts Bar Lake offer high adventure for monster catfish.

John Felsher

Hit Small Streams for End-of-Summer Channel Cats

Catching a limit of summertime catfish doesn't mean having to fish big water in the East.

M.D. Johnson

Follow Catfish Highways for Predictable Late-Summer Action

Catfish follow the same paths from resting to feeding areas when the weather gets hot. Set a

Dan Anderson

Catfish Fact or Fiction? 11 Debunked Myths About Whiskerfish

Myths abound about these popular sportfish. It's time we get to the truth of the matter.

Keith Sutton

Western Whiskerfish: Trophy Flatheads, Channels, Even Blues

In the trout-rich West, you can find plenty of big catfish in the big rivers and reservoirs of

Andrew McKean

See All Catfish

Crappie

Under the Ice: Drop-Shot Rigging for Pressured Panfish

When the going gets tough, use this tried-and-true open-water tactic for wary panfish.

Scott Mackenthun

Fulfill Your Crappie Fishing Dreams at the Big 4

If you're serious about big crappies, you owe it to yourself to plan a trip to this quartet of

John N. Felsher

River of Plenty: Fishing, Scenery and History on the Cumberland

The Tennessee river runs rich with biodiversity and adventure, and offers spectacular fishing.

Jen Ripple

Ice Fishing for Crappie on Mississippi River Backwaters

With a steady supply of food, crappies grow big, providing one of the hottest bites of the

Scott Mackenthun

Catch Crappie of a Lifetime

'February is the month to do it' at Tennessee's famed Reelfoot Lake.

Polly Dean

5 Reasons to Get Jiggy with Wintertime Crappie

Long-rodding with jigs produces some of the hottest crappie fishing of the year, even in the

Colin Moore

See All Crappie

Muskie/Pike

Huge Catch Breaks Idaho Northern Pike Record

The certified 40-plus-pounder caught in northern Idaho breaks a 13-year-old record.

Gem & Fish Staff

Prime Time for Your Personal-Best Ice Pike

Big northern pike push shallow in late winter to gear up for the spawn. It's one of the best

Scott Mackenthun

River of Plenty: Fishing, Scenery and History on the Cumberland

The Tennessee river runs rich with biodiversity and adventure, and offers spectacular fishing.

Jen Ripple

Pike Perfection: Nosh on Northerns With This Simple Recipe

It's easy to turn this slimy, bony fish into a dinner delicacy.

Ben Romans

'Speechless': Lake Ontario Muskie a World-Class Catch?

The caught-and-released behemoth was almost five feet long and weighed 58 pounds.

Thomas Allen

Get on Point for Monster Fall Pike

In late fall, big northern pike set up off main-lake points to feast on forage fish. Do the

Matt Straw

See All Muskie/Pike

Striper & Hybrid

Striper Town USA: Salt-Crusted Montauk Point

Head to the eastern end of Long Island for the region's best striped bass fishing. 

Joseph Albanese

No. 1 Topwater Lure for Atlantic Stripers: The 'Doc' Is In

The late-summer's hottest surface plug originally targeted muskies.

Capt. Tom Migdalski

Striper Fishing on the Flats

Tips for approaching and catching big striped bass when they move into shallow water.

Michael Tougias

5 Fall Fishing Tips on How to Earn Your Stripers

Want to tangle with giant striped bass during the fall months? Richard B. Russell Lake on the

Terry Madewell

Destinations: Fishing Fun in the Southern Sun

From striped bass to giant speckled trout and largemouths, these two southern destinations

John N. Felsher

Summer Schooling: Join the Feeding Frenzy

Few summer fishing experiences in the Midwest can match targeting predators herding baitfish.

Mike Pehanich

See All Striper & Hybrid

Panfish

Under the Ice: Drop-Shot Rigging for Pressured Panfish

When the going gets tough, use this tried-and-true open-water tactic for wary panfish.

Scott Mackenthun

Crappie for Christmas: The Fondest of Childhood Memories

Pan-fried slabs may not sound like a holiday meal, but as a celebration of Mom's life it was

Keith Sutton

It's Not Too Late for Red-Hot Bluegill Fishing

Follow your senses: Let your eyes—and your nose—guide you to bedding 'gills this summer.

Keith Sutton

4 Hot Target Areas for Summer Panfish

Summer panfish aren't always lurking in deep water. Many find everything they need much closer

Keith Sutton

Jump in a Creek for Fast Panfish Action

If you're looking to catch a few panfish for the skillet, take a break from the heat and to go

Jim Gronaw

All-American Gamefish: An Appreciation of the Bluegill

Sinking spiders, light tackle, summertime fun bring a panfish renaissance for the author.

Lynn Burkhead

See All Panfish

Walleye

Trophy Walleyes at Lake Erie's Bay of Pigs

Head to Erie's Western Basin reefs for phenomenal walleye action during the spring spawn.

Mike Gnatkowski

Unorthodox Tactics to Attract Bigger Walleyes

Go against the flow with jerkbaits, jigs and 3-way rigs to dominate moving-water walleyes.

Jeff Knapp

Pre-Spawn Plays for Walleyes

When walleyes start moving in anticipation of the upcoming spawn, be ready to intercept them

Keith Jackson

Boy, 13, Wins World's Largest Ice-Fishing Tournament with Huge Walleye

Minnesota youth takes the top prize at the 12,000-angler event—a new Ford pickup truck.

Thomas Allen

Get Over the Midwinter Hump to Catch Hardwater Walleyes

Success in this midwinter lull requires a change in tactics.

Scott Mackenthun

Slip Bobber 101: Rig Up for Summer Walleyes

Everything needed to rig slip floats like a pro for more summer fish.

Jim Edlund

See All Walleye

Trout & Salmon

Take It to the Bank for Hefty Cold-Weather Rainbows

Rely on these tactics to increase encounters with big trout when stalking the river's edge.

Gary Lewis

Minnow-Style Lure Tactics for Southern Trout

Big hungry trout can't resist a realistic minnow bait, especially during the winter.

Jeff Samsel

Fly Fishing 201: Next-Level Tips to Become a Better Angler

12 lessons that will help you elevate your fly-fishing game.

Scott Linden

Trout of the Blue Ridge

North Carolina's High Country offers anglers premier trout fishing and eight months of ideal

Larry Larsen

Winter Steel: Tips for Sea-Run Rainbows

Reading rivers, plus other how-to tactics for catching winter steelhead.

Scott Turo

Dream Streams for Serious Steelhead Anglers

These rivers in the Pacific Northwest need to be on your bucket-list radar.

Scott Turo

See All Trout & Salmon

Other Freshwater

Exotic Fishing Paradise Awaits in South Florida

Incredible fishing for hard-fighting peacock bass, other non-native species and largemouths,

John Felsher

Everything You Need to Know About Snakeheads

Once considered a harbinger of doom for Mid-Atlantic waterways, the aggressive (and tasty)

Matt Crawford

Can Plastic Lures Rival Live Bait for Ice Fishing Success?

More and more ice anglers are threading tiny soft-plastic imitations of bugs, worms, larvae

Mike Pehanich

Florida Man Breaks Butterfly Peacock Bass Record by a Fraction

The previous record for the non-native fish species stood for nearly 30 years.

Game & Fish Staff

Record Muskie, Northern Pike Reported in Minnesota

Catch-and-release fishing records highlight summer fishing for toothy predators.

Game & Fish Staff

Take a Spin with Spinners for Trout, Bass, Walleye & More

The flash and whir of spinner blades give them wide appeal, especially when the blade style

Dr. Jason A. Halfen

See All Other Freshwater

Saltwater

Winter 'Yak Attacks for Big Inshore Hook-Ups

Launch a kayak and fish the Southern backwaters for herded-up redfish, trout and more.

Frank Sargeant

Striper Town USA: Salt-Crusted Montauk Point

Head to the eastern end of Long Island for the region's best striped bass fishing. 

Joseph Albanese

Red-Hot Fishing for Southern Reds

Bull Session: Here is how and where in the Southeast to catch the biggest redfish of your life

Frank Sargeant

Swordfish, Tuna Records Fall in Maryland

End-of-day hook-ups lead to two big saltwater catches.

Game & Fish Staff

No. 1 Topwater Lure for Atlantic Stripers: The 'Doc' Is In

The late-summer's hottest surface plug originally targeted muskies.

Capt. Tom Migdalski

Florida Man Breaks Own Snook World Record … Twice!

It's been quite a snook-fishing season for one fly angler.

Lynn Burkhead

See All Saltwater

Fly Fishing

Take It to the Bank for Hefty Cold-Weather Rainbows

Rely on these tactics to increase encounters with big trout when stalking the river's edge.

Gary Lewis

Fly Fishing 201: Next-Level Tips to Become a Better Angler

12 lessons that will help you elevate your fly-fishing game.

Scott Linden

Dream Streams for Serious Steelhead Anglers

These rivers in the Pacific Northwest need to be on your bucket-list radar.

Scott Turo

A Relaxing One-Day Float Trip: Packrafting and Fly Fishing the North Fork of the Gunnison River

If you're looking for a family-friendly adventure in the outdoors with plenty of opportunities

Jessyca Sortillon

Patagonia Owner Gives $3 Billion Company to Planet Earth

Yvon Chouinard, who founded the outdoors apparel company in 1973, says in stunning transfer,

Lynn Burkhead

All-American Gamefish: An Appreciation of the Bluegill

Sinking spiders, light tackle, summertime fun bring a panfish renaissance for the author.

Lynn Burkhead

See All Fly Fishing

Ice Fishing

Under the Ice: Drop-Shot Rigging for Pressured Panfish

When the going gets tough, use this tried-and-true open-water tactic for wary panfish.

Scott Mackenthun

Prime Time for Your Personal-Best Ice Pike

Big northern pike push shallow in late winter to gear up for the spawn. It's one of the best

Scott Mackenthun

Boy, 13, Wins World's Largest Ice-Fishing Tournament with Huge Walleye

Minnesota youth takes the top prize at the 12,000-angler event—a new Ford pickup truck.

Thomas Allen

Ice Fishing for Crappie on Mississippi River Backwaters

With a steady supply of food, crappies grow big, providing one of the hottest bites of the

Scott Mackenthun

Seeking the Electronics Edge on the Ice

With increasing variety of tech options, which unit, or combination of them, is right for you?

Joel Nelson

Get Over the Midwinter Hump to Catch Hardwater Walleyes

Success in this midwinter lull requires a change in tactics.

Scott Mackenthun

See All Ice Fishing

News

2 Men Plead Guilty for Cheating in Lake Erie Walleye Fishing Tournament

"Thou shall not steal and crime does not pay," lead prosecutor says in case of anglers who

Lynn Burkhead

Legendary Bass Pro Kevin VanDam Says 2023 Will Be His Last Season

'What a ride it's been,' KVD said in stunning announcement that his tournament career is

Lynn Burkhead

17-Pound Largemouth Continues Lake's Amazing Run

Is Texas getting ready to produce a new state-record bass?

Lynn Burkhead

Record-Sized Fish Highlights BPS Super Bowl Commercial

There was an interesting outdoors flavor among the annual onslaught of ads during the big game.

Lynn Burkhead

14-Pounders Galore! Groundhog Bass Bonanza in Texas

It'd be great if there are six more weeks of this kind of lunker fishing on O.H. Ivie.

Lynn Burkhead

Boy, 13, Wins World's Largest Ice-Fishing Tournament with Huge Walleye

Minnesota youth takes the top prize at the 12,000-angler event—a new Ford pickup truck.

Thomas Allen

See All News

Stories

Too Good To Be True! Florida Teen QB Phenom Rejects Football for Bass

People called him foolish to give up super stardom to 'chase little green fish.'

Lynn Burkhead

Crappie for Christmas: The Fondest of Childhood Memories

Pan-fried slabs may not sound like a holiday meal, but as a celebration of Mom's life it was

Keith Sutton

All-American Gamefish: An Appreciation of the Bluegill

Sinking spiders, light tackle, summertime fun bring a panfish renaissance for the author.

Lynn Burkhead

Top 100 Best Places to Fish in America

To celebrate its 100th year, Abu Garcia ranked the best fisheries in the U.S.

Game & Fish Staff

8 Fish with Teeth You Don't Want to Lip

Many fish we catch in North America are no problem to lip with our hand but here are eight

Keith Sutton

How to Add Casting Distance to Reach More Fish

Field skills: The ability to reach out to distant water will make you a better angler.

Frank Sargeant

See All Stories
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