Whether you’re trying to land rainbow trout in Yellowstone, casting for largemouth bass in the Everglades or surf fishing off the shore of the Channel Islands, our National Parks provide plenty of options for legendary catches. Being surrounded by some of the most beautiful sites the country has to offer makes the experience even more worthwhile and with parks across the country, there's a chance your new favorite fishing spot is closer than you think. We'll walk you through what to consider before you head to your local park and give you some options for free or discounted access.
- Check Fishing Regulations
- Free Access for U.S. Veterans
- Other Lifetime and Annual Park Passes
- Gearing Up for a Fishing Trip
Check Fishing Regulations
Fishing opportunities and regulations vary from park to park, so it’s best to check the NPS fishing page before you go. The NPS maintains a map of National Parks with fishing opportunites to make it easy to find a park near you and know any fishing regulations or required licenses ahead of time. Just find your park, click the pin on the map and start planning your trip!
Free National Park Access for U.S. Veterans
The National Park Service offers free annual passes to current military service members and their dependents and free lifetime passes to veterans and Gold Star families. These passes cover entrance to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service sites, National Park Service sites, and covers Standard Amenity Fees at Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation sites, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers sites. You can order a card online for a small processing fee or show approved documents when you enter one of the sites that issues passes to get your card same day with no processing fee. You can get more information or order a card on the National Park Military Pass page.
Other Lifetime and Annual Passes
U.S. citizens and permanent residents of the United States who have been medically determined to have a permanent disability are eligible for free lifetime access as well with the Access Pass. The pass can be ordered online or received at a site that issues passes just like the Military Pass. Seniors are eligible for a reduced-rate annual pass or a lifetime senior pass for a one-time fee. If you aren’t eligible for one of the special passes, the NPS also offers an annual pass that pays for itself if you visit any of the National Parks more than three times per year.
Gearing Up for a Fishing Trip
Need help gearing up for a trip? We offer a ton of fishing resources in many of our stores including free line spooling, locally assorted tackle and frozen bait. Plus, with a great selection of fishing rods, reels and combos, we have everything you need to get ready for your next fishing trip at a National Park and beyond. Check with your local West Marine store to see what fishing services they offer, gear up and get out there.