Where to Fish in March: Best Fishing in the U.S.

By Alycia Downs

Mar 04, 2019

Where to fish in March and the species you’ll catch. Springtime bucket list for unbeatable fly fishing, light tackle, or offshore fishing opportunities.

Spring is in the air which means the fishing is heating up in many places and anglers are researching where to fish in March. Action-packed fishing can be found along Texas, Louisiana, and Florida, where the weather is fair, the sun is shining, and the water is getting warmer. Water temperature is a key factor most anglers use to predict fish behavior and 70 degrees is a magic number that signals good fishing!

Whether fly fishing, light tackle, or offshore, there are opportunities for every angler. If you’re looking for the best places to fish in March, here are a few of the best states and species to add to your spring bucket list.

Where to fish in March: Florida

What would any fishing destination list be without Florida, the fishing capital of the world? The fabled tarpon migration begins in late March when schools of “silver kings” can be found cruising the coastlines. Snook heat up inshore around mangroves and structure, while bonefish and permit are heavy-hitters on the coastal grass flats of the Florida Keys.

For the bold offshore angler, sailfish are prominent off of south Florida, typically fished with live bait suspended from kites, and swordfish can be found lurking in the deep. King mackerel begin migrating from south to north chasing baitfish schools just off the coast.

Where to fish in March: Texas

Texas hosts world-class Gulf fishing and some of the best freshwater lakes around. Lunker largemouth bass in the double-digits are common during the spring spawn and are highly-accessible for land-based anglers and those taking advantage of public land.

Redfish and large speckled trout are commonly found in large marshes and back bays, preying on newly-hatched shrimp, crabs, and baitfish. “Blue water” anglers will run into wahoo and king mackerel off the south Texas coast where trolling with big lures attracts big bites.

Where to fish in March: Louisiana

Marshes, bayous, and backcountry bays are ideal for targeting hungry seatrout and redfish using live shrimp for bait. Trophy-size yellowfin tuna can be found around offshore oil rigs and under floating debris off the coast of southeast Louisiana. Similar to the rest of the Gulf states, wahoo can be targeted with trolling lures.

These states are just a few of the best places to fish in March. Every state has their own fishing laws and regulations. When planning your springtime trip, be sure to get your fishing license for your destination. Check out our interactive map for more ideas on where to fish in March. Tight lines!

Alycia Downs
Alycia Downs
Alycia Downs is a freelance content creator and avid sportsman who contributes to numerous publications promoting tourism, fishing, and outdoors. Alycia is a member of the Florida Outdoor Writers Association and is actively involved with conservation and fishing non-profit organizations. Visit her personal blog at tideandtale.com or on Instagram @tideandtale.