ModeratedUser150120149

OK, so all of us are bicycle or similar device riders. But, we must do other things. I like to fish. In my new life I'm thinking of doing a lot more of it.

So, a question for y'all. Where in the US can I live to both ride a bike for distances and do fresh water fishing?

Wanderer

Anywhere there is water..............

dalameda

Last September I spent a week in the Eastern Sierra, climbing the biggest hills I could find, and riding the Mammoth Fall Century. While there I camped out in a campground with a well stocked spring running through it. I would ride in the morning, and soak my feet in the stream while fishing in the afternoon. It usually took less than 15 minutes to catch the first fish. That was about as close to paradise as I have been yet.

North Coast Joe

I like to fish, too!



@ Arcola Creek, a Steelhead hotspot on Lake Erie. I usually don't troll for them on the bike, though.

NVanHiker

Where do you live now?

FBinNY 

Bicycling is an anywhere kind of event, so it'll be the freshwater fishing that will make the difference. Depending on the type of fishing, there are the great lakes, but up north the season will be shorter.

You'll probably find good fishing with a long season (warm weather) in North Carolina, Tennessee, and Arkansas or Missouri. All three have interesting bicycling. But, there's good fishing in lots of places, so factor where and how you want to live, and spend a while in various areas before you stick the pin in a map.

BTW- the above was based on lake fishing, like you might with a Bass Boat. If your taste is more to fly fishing for trout, look based on that.

FBOATSB

When I was a kid, ALL fishing required a bike ride. Now I Just ride with a friend in his truck pulling his boat.

FBinNY 

Yes, but you toss a bike into the boat just in case an opportunity to ride it comes along (like running out of gas).

BlazingPedals

What kind of fishing? Streams/rivers? Lakes? Are you planning on doing catch-and-release, since a long ride home probably wouldn't be good for keeping the catch-of-the-day fresh?

OldsCOOL

Where I live you could fish any number of places on more lakes than you can remember. When I was in high school I would strap my tackle to the Motobecane and ride to several lakes....including Lake Michigan.

SalsaShark

My avatar says the Midwestern USA

HillRiderEast

Franklin County in Western Mass. Fly Fishing in the Deerfield River and Boating in the Connecticut River. Great Biking of all sorts. Mountain, Road, Trail. Lots of country roads with little traffic. Dirt roads also continue to exist. Mountain biking on both private and public properties.

a77impala

My daughter and family live in Pierre SD, a five minute ride to the Missouri River, twenty to Lake Oahe. I usually take my grandkids with me though.

curbtender

Nice pole holder... If it wasn't so dang crowded, and expensive, around here I'd say the SF/bay area. They have plenty of reservoirs that are stocked and it's share of rivers. What kind of fishing you talking about?

ModeratedUser150120149

While a person can ride in many places it isn't truly an "anywhere" activity. Many places it just isn't practical or safe. At the same time I've been spoiled by being able to do 20-30 mile rides with relative freedom and safety. Wherever I go I'd like to be able to continue that. And to do it for most of the year.

Fishing would be a separate activity. I'd like to be able to not only fish, but catch. Some places fishing is more of a holiday activity than a routine part of life. I'd like to be able to get to the spot relatively conveniently.

wvridgerider

My son and I plan on fishing the New River in WV this year. Trail runs beside it and is a good smallmouth river.

ModeratedUser150120149

Would that be good place to live?

Dave Cutter

I am sure there must be some places (in America)... that aren't completely desirable for cycling. But I find it hard to accept "many places" as accurate.

I am retired myself and my wife is approaching retirement age as well. I've entertained some thoughts of snow birding. Getting away from the Midwestern cold and snow to spend a few weeks in the sun... sounds better each winter. Enjoy the cooler (yet still hot and dry) northern summers.... but escape to a pleasant warm sunny southern location during "peak crappy" in the winter.

I think the best location.... is two separate locations.

martianone

Live in northern vt, lots of tourists come here to fish. So to get to the best spots often go by bike. Have a "gravel road" bike with 47 mm tires and low gearing, usually getting to those spots involve some dirt roads or down a muddy pasture lane. My favorite fishing outfit is a spinning ice rod with an u/l reel and tackle.often catch fish when others are complaining about nothing biting.
ps.a caveat - can only do this about four months of the year due to weather and bugs.

GravelMN

Lakes region of Minnesota has world class fishing and endless miles of both paved and unpaved scenic roadways, one of the best bike trail systems in the country, and generally very bike friendly atmosphere.

GravelMN

I used to live in Linton on the ND side of Lake Oahe. Good fishing and other water recreation. Nice rolling hills and lots of open prairie for cycling. I still wouldn't trade my MN lakes region for it, but it was a good quality of life.

curbtender

I'm still not getting a feel of what kind of fishing you do... Good place to live is today.

avidone1

Down here in Florida if there is water, there are fish in it.
Ride anywhere you like, see some water, pull over, cast line, catch fish.
I over simplify of course but it really can be that easy.

Biker395 

I've taken one of these along on rides in the Sierra.



Thankfully, my usual luck held out and I didn't catch anything. I don't know what putting a fish in a rear jersey pocket would do, but I'm not hankering to find out.

qclabrat

I'd like to see what anyone has built or bought to use on their bikes to haul fish equipment, including room for waders, boots and tackle

Need to ride about 10-15 miles for the nearest trout stream so needs to be relatively sturdy and moving between 15-20 mph

Also looking for a better idea than this guy for a creel