The 11 Best Colleges For Fishermen

Picking a college is one of the toughest decisions a teenager will ever have to make. Deciding where to spend your next 4+ years and prepare yourself for adulthood is a tough task, and there are several factors that students weigh for these. Academic reputation, career readiness, and campus life are all important things to consider, but just like any decision a hardcore angler will make, they need to consider one thing: How’s the fishing?Finding a school with fishing holes nearby, bass fishing clubs, and easy fishing trips is vital for any angler to keep the passion of fishing alive for all 4 years on campus. These are the 11 best colleges for fishermen in the country (in no particular order):

1. Southern Methodist University:

SMU, located in Dallas, gives students a chance to take full advantage of the array of bass fishing lakes Texas has to offer. In the spirit of “Everything’s bigger in Texas,” SMU is also a short drive to Lake Fork, where lunkers are aplenty (including the state record fish).

2. Winona State:

Winona, Minnesota is a hidden gem for northern anglers. The Winona State campus is just a short cast away from the perfectly upkept Lake Winona, and less than a mile from one of the most exciting fishing holes on the entire Mississippi River. Skip the 10,000 other lakes in Minnesota and you’ll be catching bass, trout, walleye or bluegills.

3. University Of Washington:

Located in Seattle, anglers are in the best of the Northwest when they’re wetting lines in this city. Arguably the best salmon fishing in the nation, UW has Puget Sound’s endless supply of steelhead, rockfish, flounder and sole just waiting to be caught right off campus. Not to mention easy access to Oregon and Idaho’s amazing trout fisheries.

4. University of Miami:

Miami (and most of the rest of Florida) is fisherman’s heaven. From Miami’s campus, you can easily access any type of fishing you crave. Catch snook, redfish, or flounder off the shore, and catch big bass, catfish, or blue gills on your favorite lake! Miami offers some of the most abundant fishing options in the country.

5. San Diego State University:

San Diego, similar to Miami, has the best of both fishing worlds. San Diego State offers saltwater fishing in the Pacific Ocean, as well as easy access to several lakes like Laka Kuyamaca, and even a quick drive to Mexico for an international fishing experience.

6. University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh

This is all about Lake Winnebago. One of the gold standard bodies of water for quality, quantity, and diversity of fish, this lake should be on every angler’s bucket list. It is even great when frozen over! Making UW-Oshkosh one of the best colleges for fishermen is also the proximity to other nearby lakes such as Butte Des Morts and Winneconne.

7. University Of The Pacific:

Located in Stockton, CA, UOP’s campus is directly on the San Joaquin River Delta, and loaded with tons of fishing holes. Students are also just a short drive from some of the best trout streams in the country, or 90 mile trip to the San Francisco Bay for saltwater fishing.

8. College of Charleston

The city of Charleston, South Carolina is a fisherman’s paradise. Saltwater and freshwater anglers at College of Charleston love the proximity of honey holes to this charming southern city. South Carolina state records often come from within a stone’s throw of this campus.

9. University of Alaska Anchorage

A popular career for University of Alaska Anchorage graduates is to enter a fishery (there is a large one near campus). This is because of the abundance of salmon fishing in Anchorage, and all across the state of Alaska.

10. University of Colorado

Boulder, Colorado is one of the best colleges for fishermen for one reason: Boulder Creek. It is somewhat of a hidden gem in the state of Colorado, and flows straight through the ends campus. University of Colorado students can head onto the Boulder Creek nature trail to catch some tight lines between classes.

11. The University Of Alabama

Lake Tuscaloosa and Lurleen are both near to University of Alabama's campus, and provide a home-team advantage for one of the best colleges for fishermen that like to compete. Their bass fishing team is consistently one of the best in the nation, and has been winning tournaments nationwide for years.