Delaware ranked 3rd best state for fishing for the 3rd consecutive year

Delaware has once again earned a top spot in the annual ranking of the best fishing states in the U.S., securing third place for the third year in a row.

The ranking, released by FishingBooker, the world’s largest platform for booking fishing trips, places Delaware among the country’s best fishing destinations for 2025.

The ranking is based on a comprehensive study that evaluates states on 17 criteria across four categories: Community, Facilities, Financial, and Geography.

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Delaware earned 106 points out of a possible 210, performing particularly well in the Community and Financial categories.

“Delaware’s consistent ranking reflects its strong fishing community and accessible fishing opportunities, the report stated, for both freshwater and saltwater fishing.

Among the standout factors contributing to Delaware’s high ranking were its participation in both saltwater and freshwater fishing, a low cost for annual non-resident fishing licenses, and a reasonable price for resident fishing licenses relative to median wages.

Delaware also scored highly for its share of fishing guides with Angler’s Choice Awards, showcasing the quality of local fishing services.

The top four states remained unchanged from 2024, with Alaska maintaining the number one position, followed by Florida and Delaware. Michigan rounded out the top four.

Here are the top 10 fishing states for 2025:

1. Alaska
2. Florida
3. Delaware
4. Michigan
5. Wisconsin
6. Minnesota
7. Maryland
8. Rhode Island
9. Maine
10. Georgia

FishingBooker’s rankings are based on a mix of internal data, including thousands of fishing trips and customer reviews, as well as publicly available information.

The methodology considers a wide range of factors, from local fishing participation rates to the affordability of fishing licenses.

For more info on the report, click here.