10 Best Places To Retire if You Love Fishing

You may have specific goals for what to do when you retire, such as traveling more or getting involved in your community.

Perhaps you’re looking at different places to move based on your interests like living in a big city or having access to outdoor activities like hiking or fishing.

But where can you find the best fishing spots if you want to have a rod and reel in your hand? Check out a few of these options to see if they might work for you.

1. Glenwood Springs, Colorado

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Glenwood Springs has several streams or rivers that are fed by melting snow in the Rocky Mountains, making it the perfect spot for fly fishing.

Be aware that it’s a resort town in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, and according to the real estate website Redfin, the cost of living is 16% higher than the national average. You’ll need to factor extra expenses into your retirement budget.

2. Bay City, Michigan

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Bay City could be a great option if you like big-lake fishing, with plenty of fishing spots to choose from along Saginaw Bay in Lake Huron.

According to Redfin, housing is also affordable in Bay City, with a median sale price of $100,000 in January 2024.

3. Cape Coral, Florida

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If you decide to retire in Cape Coral near Fort Myers, take advantage of the unique options available while fishing on the Gulf Coast of Florida.

The median sale price for homes was $410,000 in January 2024, making Cape Coral more affordable than other options on the Gulf Coast, like Naples, and around the same price as St. Petersburg.

4. Mobile, Alabama

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Want to have access to Gulf Coast fishing without living in Florida? Mobile may be an option for you.

Mobile has diverse fishing areas, so you can mix up your fishing spots while living in an affordable area. Homes sold for a median price of $175,000 in January 2024, which may be a better choice than other fishing towns, depending on your retirement budget.

5. Bozeman, Montana

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Bozeman has plenty to offer fly fishermen with stream access to most streams and being close to Yellowstone National Park.

However, housing and living expenses can be a little pricey if you decide to live there on a fixed income. The city’s cost of living is 21% higher than the national average.

6. St. Charles Parish, Louisiana

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Check out plenty of fishing options in St. Charles Parish, including access to Lake Pontchartrain for avid anglers.

Housing is also reasonable in the area, with a median sale price of $257,400 in January 2024, lower than the national median price of $402,523.

7. Wilmington, North Carolina

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Wilmington offers access to the Atlantic Ocean for sports enthusiasts who prefer ocean fishing to freshwater options. Plus, the area provides access to Cape Fear River for a change of fishing scenery.

Wilmington also has a cost of living 4% lower than the national average if you’re concerned about expenses when you retire.

8. San Juan, Puerto Rico

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You don’t have to stay on the mainland to enjoy fishing when you retire, which could make a warm-weather city like San Juan appealing if you want to retire and fish.

Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory, so you don’t have to worry about the paperwork that may come with being an expat elsewhere.

San Juan is also affordable, with a median sale price of $252,424 for homes in January 2024.

9. Casper, Wyoming

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From Casper, you can access the North Platte River, which runs through the city and is home to plenty of trout.

Casper is also a good option if you’re on a budget, with homes going for a median sale price of $295,000 in January 2024, which is more affordable than resort towns in the state like Jackson, with a median sale price of more than $1.2 million for the same period.

10. Eugene, Oregon

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Eugene gives you access to several rivers and plenty of fish, depending on whether you want salmon, trout, bass, or others.

But the cost could be prohibitive depending on how much you’ve saved as the city has a cost of living that’s 9% higher than the national average.

Bottom line

If you’re trying to build wealth and save up to retire in your dream location, there are things you can do now. It’s a good idea to create an estimated budget for your retirement expenses, so you know how much you’ll have to save.

You’ll also want to consider things you can do now to get ahead financially, such as finding a financial advisor who can help you figure out where to put your money to reach your goals.

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