A lake or river well off the beaten path is a common dream scenario for urban anglers who think they're out of luck being in a city. Sure, some of the best fishing around can be found in exotic locations far from civilization, but denouncing the opportunities urban fishing presents is a big mistake. You don't have to travel hours from home to have fun fishing: that local park may have a pond filled with plenty of fish just waiting to be caught.
The nine pros below have fished in locations all over the world, but even they have their favorite urban fishing spots that yield quality results. Read on to find out where some of the best urban fishing spots in the world are.
Be sure to check out our urban fishing section for more great tips and techniques for city fishing.
Fishing has been Karl Kalonka's passion since he was just a kid. From skipping classes to fish in high school to creating his own publication, Ontario's BASS Magazine, Karl has never deviated from his dreams of fishing for a living. That dream came true with his popular program Extreme Angler TV, where education meets entertainment.
Favorite Urban Spot: Lake Simcoe, Ontario.
Why?: Close to home and offers some of the finest multi-species fishing anywhere in the province, not to mention world class smallmouth bass fishing!
Species: Jumbo yellow perch, Northern Pike, Largemouth & Smallmouth Bass, Whitefish, Crappie...you name it, Lake Simcoe has it!.
Technique: Everything from using slip floats and small grubs for Crappie and Perch to deep water jigging for whitefish or drop shotting for smallmouth bass.
Bill Spicer is an accomplished fly tier, author, guide, lecturer, and teacher and is an FFF Certified Master Fly Casting Instructor. He is the co-host of The New Fly Fisher television show and owner of Ontario School of Fly Fishing. The only thing he loves as much as fishing is teaching, so check out below what he thinks is the best urban fly fishing spot in the world.
Favorite Urban Spot: Erindale Park, Mississauga, Ontario.
Why?: Excellent spring steelhead and fall salmon runs.
Species: Steelhead, chinook salmon, brown trout, and smallmouth bass.
Technique: Dead drifting nymphs.
After a successful 10-year career in the Canadian Football League, Henry Waszczuk entered the next phase of his life by following his passion for fishing. He has been the co-host or producer for numerous shows, including co-founder of the popular Canadian Sportfishing media company. He is now host of two TV Series: Fins & Skins and the award-winning Fishing the Flats.
Favorite Urban Spot: Lower Grand River, Ontario.
Why?: Most relaxed type of fishing available using a drift boat, kayak, or canoe.
Species: Smallmouth bass and trout.
Technique: Fly fishing the runs and pools, wooly bugger patterns.
Host of WFN's original series Hookin' Up, Mariko Izumi's show has taken her around the continent in search of fun and fish. A travel enthusiast with a passion for catching fish, Mariko carries on the fishing tradition set down by her uncle, Bob Izumi, and father Wayne Izumi, a pro angler in his own right.
Favorite Urban Spot: San Francisco, California.
Why?: So many piers to choose from and totally family friendly!
Species: Sunfish and Striped Perch.
Technique: Lightweight tackle, pile worms - simply fish off the piers!
There are few out there who know as much about where to fish in the North American oceans as George Poveromo. As host of the World of Saltwater Fishing, George explores the best spots in the world for saltwater enthusiasts. Here's his take on where to fish the ocean in an urban setting.
Favorite Urban Spot: North Biscayne Bay, Miami.
Why?: Beautiful inshore waters.
Species: Spotted seatrout.
Technique: Casting topwater plugs.
Jason South has fished all over the world, but there's a reason he's made a life in Florida. The state undoubtedly has some of the best fishing on Earth, and his show, Florida Adventure Quest, sets out to show exactly what's out there.
Favorite Urban Spot: Miami, Florida's Intracoastal Waterway.
Why?: The incredible scenery of the lights from the city at night while nailing huge tarpon.
Species: Tarpon.
Technique: Drifting big live shrimp in the late night outgoing tide.
Gary Cooper has been producing and hosting fishing shows for over 20 years, beginning with Gary Cooper's Fishing Diary in the 1980's, now renamed to Nice Fish. A B.C. angler who loves to promote the sport of fishing any chance he gets, Gary's main goal is to keep the spirit alive so future anglers can continue to enjoy his favorite past-time.
Favorite Urban Spot: Langford Lake, B.C.
Why?: Close to home, A great place to take the children fishing. No outboards allowed, Get exercise rowing. Trout can top 3 pounds.
Species: Rainbow trout.
Technique: Troll flies or small lures. Or cast flies to rising fish.
Mike de Avila - aka Mike D - is host of WFN's Lunkerville, a show all about real people with real fish stories. Through his travels Mike D has experienced some of North America's top urban fishing spots while showcasing tips and techniques from the everyday angler.
Favorite Urban Spot: Central Park Lake, New York.
Why?: Catching nice bass in the middle of New York City and watching tourists freak out! A quick subway ride from my apartment.
Species: Largemouth bass.
Technique: Senko and shallow diving crankbaits.
Bob Izumi is a Canadian fishing icon and long-time host of the Real Fishing Show, which has been on the air for over 25 years. He has fished in locations all over North America, from the Arctic to the Gulf. In addition to being Canada's most famous fishing tv personality, he is also the nation's most successful tournament angler.
Favorite Urban Spot: Kingston, Ontario.
Why?: Good population of smallmouth.
Species: Smallmouth bass.
Technique: Dropshotting.
Nine pro anglers reveal their favorite fishing spots in all of North America.
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Carl Morris Jr and Sean Martin of Ohio take home $2,500 after winning a King Kat tournament on the Monongahela River at Morgantown, West Virginia.
IGFA Saltwater Adventures, hosted by industry veteran Bill Boyce and produced by WFN: World Fishing Network and the International Game Fish Association (IGFA), will return to WFN for its second season on Wednesday, May 23rd at 8:30 p.m. ET.
National Guard pro Scott Martin, the reigning Forrest Wood Cup champion, led wire-to-wire in a tight FLW Tour event on the Potomac River, earning $125,000 for the victory.
The Department of Fish and Game (DFG) reminds sport anglers to be vigilant about properly identifying their salmon before keeping them.
The spring chinook fishery will reopen this weekend (May 19-20) for two days of fishing on a section of the Columbia River stretching 163 miles upstream from Bonneville Dam.
WFN: World Fishing Network is the only 24/7 television network dedicated to all segments of fishing with programming that covers instruction, tips, tournaments, travel, food, boating, outdoor lifestyle and more. WFN's wide-ranging programming lineup includes a selection of the best international series and the most diverse species coverage of any outdoor network. Featuring popular programs hosted by the world's top anglers, the network also includes a variety of exclusive lifestyle shows including Hookin' Up with Mariko Izumi and WFN's Reel Fishy Jobs. WFN also delivers the beauty of fishing in stunning High Definition with WFN HD, which delivers 100 percent High Definition programming 24/7. Originally launched in December 2005, today WFN and WFN HD are available in more than 20 million households through North American cable, satellite and telecommunications distributors. In the U.S., distributors include Verizon FiOS, Dish Network, Comcast, AT&T U-Verse, GVTC and Charter Communications.
