America’s Best Fishing States Index of 2026 includes the Garden State

It’s o-fish-ial!

New Jersey fishing industry is the reel deal.

FishingBooker, the online fishing guide company has released it’s report on America’s Fishing Index of 2026 which evaluates performance across Anglers’ Interest, Facilities, Financial, and Geographic pillars.

The extensive research was compiled from hundreds of thousands of fishing trips, reviews, and reports, as well as industry research based on 17 different criteria’s the report stated.

For the four edition, the report details the best US fishing states and real changes compared to last 2025.

Below are the results of the search for the Garden State:

New Jersey’s 2025 rank was 28, and its 2026 rank is 15. There is a 13-spot jump, and here’s why.

• With a total of 86 points, New Jersey has officially moved from the bottom tier into the upper half of the nation, proving that its diverse mix of urban freshwater and world-class saltwater access is a major draw for modern anglers.
• While the state is rising fast, Angler Interest remains a growth area. With a score of 22 out of 55, the data suggests that New Jersey’s actual fishing quality is currently outpacing its national reputation.
• A Geography score of 15 out of 25 reflects the state’s elite saltwater infrastructure. In 2026, the state’s Artificial Reef Program, one of the most active in the country, saw new vessel deployments (such as the Susan Rose), creating immediate hotspots for black sea bass, fluke, and tautog.
• New Jersey’s 2026 rise was fueled by a massive overhaul of its Trout Stocking program. By adding 19 extra days to the season and expanding stocking to 23 new ponds, the state has made freshwater fishing more accessible to suburban and urban families than at any point in the last decade.

Key Findings of the from research:

• The 2026 top 5 looks very different than in previous years, with North Carolina and South Carolina surging into shared 4th place and Michigan rising from 4th to 3rd.
• Florida takes the top spot in 2026, climbing from 2nd place last year and reclaiming its position as the best fishing state in the US.
• There are 3 more newcomers in the top 10 compared to 2025:
• The top 10 contains:
  • 6 Atlantic states
  • 2 Great Lakes states
  • 3 Gulf Coast states

Top 20 Fishing States in the US

• Florida
• Maryland
• Michigan
• North Carolina and South Carolina (tied)
• Louisiana
• Texas
• Massachusetts
• New York
• Wisconsin
• Rhode Island
• Hawaii and Delaware tied
• Georgia
• Alaska and New Jersey tied
• Virginia
• Maine
• Minnesota
• Ohio