Dialing in your final list of schools to apply to? Currently, trout-bumming your way through college? Recent grad or washed-up alumni? We’ve all got our opinions when it comes to talking college rankings, so we thought we’d complicate it even more by adding fly fishing to the mix. Our top fly fishing college town list consists of the 25 best schools we deem fit for true fly fishing enthusiasts.
Criteria
While some schools have excellent trout fishing, others may have diverse offerings of species and fisheries. To properly rank the “best fly fishing colleges,” we judged each school on four criteria: diversity of species, proximity to water, fishing quality, and student fly fishing/conservation organizations.
Fly Fishing Clubs
If you’re interested in fly fishing or are a die-hard angler, good student-led fly fishing clubs can make all the difference. They offer a chance to get involved and meet like-minded individuals. We considered traditional fly fishing clubs as well as TU Costa 5 Rivers clubs in our rankings, with 5 Rivers Clubs scores typically rating higher. This stems from the support from Trout Unlimited and Costa giving these clubs the opportunity to work with other schools, making this a countrywide community regardless of where you go to school.
Species Diversity
For some, a trout sipping a dry may be the epitome of fly fishing, but the sport as a whole offers anglers much more. From warm water fisheries to coastal fisheries and everything in between, we felt it was important to take this into account in our rankings. Sure, trout fishing is fun, but it doesn’t hurt to expand your skill set to other areas.
Access to Water
As a college student, close proximity to water is crucial. You may not have a car or easy access to consistent fishing otherwise. We took this into account in our rankings and made sure schools were within accessible range for fishing. Whether between classes or a weekend send, the schools that made our list offer accessible fishing opportunities.
Fishing Quality
The last criteria we rated schools on is the quality of fly fishing. While some schools may have an abundance of water nearby, we thought it was important to differentiate how good the fishing really is. Are there a bunch of stocked streams nearby, or do tailwaters with an abundance of big wild trout flow within driving distance? We considered the average size, abundance, and catchability of different species to rate fishing quality for each school
Final Rankings
After scoring the fly fishing clubs, species diversity, access to water, and overall fishing quality for each school, we summed up the scores to get our rankings for the top 20 best fly fishing colleges of 2026.
Pros
- Legendary fly fishing club and class
- Close proximity to fabled rivers
- Centrally located to an abundance of species and fisheries
Cons
- Local creeks can be technical
Pros
- Close proximity to many Western trout rivers
- Active club
- Exceptional trout fishing
Cons
- Limited mainly to trout
Pros
- Active 5 Rivers affiliated club
- Nearby access to the Gallatin, Madison, and Yellowstone Rivers
- Several excellent local fly shops
Cons
- Trout are the main species you'll be targeting here
Pros
- Nearby access to salmon and steelhead runs
- Active 5 Rivers Club
- Students can target warmwater species, trout, and coastal species
Cons
- Declining steelhead runs can make fishing tough
Pros
- Very active 5 Rivers club
- Good access to a variety of warmwater species
- Coastal fishing is doable for weekend trips
Cons
- Limited mainly to trout
Pros
- Engaged 5 Rivers Club
- Access to mountain streams and nearby tailwater fisheries
- Warmwater species like bass and musky are available
Cons
- The best tailwater fisheries require a trip to Tennessee
Pros
- Large fly fishing club
- Solid local fisheries and several world-class destinations within weekend distance
- Access to high country fisheries and traditional trout rivers
Cons
- Most fisheries require a vehicle to reach
Pros
- Very active 5 Rivers club
- Cache la Poudre River is nearby
- Centrally located to a number of Rocky Mountain tailwaters
Cons
- Local rivers can get a lot of pressure
Pros
- Strong 5 Rivers club
- Access to nearby Boulder Creek
- Short drive to Rocky Mountain National Park
Cons
- Requires decent travel to find unpressured water
Pros
- Excellent 5 Rivers club
- Diverse fishing options range from warmwater to trout
- Yearly club outings will get you on the water
Cons
- Most trout in this region are stocked
Pros
- Has a fishing club
- Walking distance to Miami's canal systems
- Anglers benefit from saltwater and freshwater fisheries
Cons
- Need access to a boat to explore the saltwater fisheries
Pros
- Strong 5 Rivers fly fishing club
- Excellent warmwater fishing opportunities
- Guadalupe bass are found nearby
Cons
- No local trout fishing options
Pros
- Has a fishing club, although not 5 Rivers
- Boise River is a short drive
- Good access to fly shops
Cons
- Limited mainly to trout
Pros
- Excellent saltwater fishing opportunities
- Active club
- Good mix of species to target
Cons
- Not strictly a fly fishing club
Pros
- Good bass, trout, and warmwater fishing
- Active 5 Rivers club
- The Chattahoochee is nearby
Cons
- Requires day trips for the best fisheries
Pros
- Nearby Clear Creek
- Active 5 Rivers club
- Great central access for other Colorado fisheries
Cons
- Need access to a vehicle for day and weekend trips
Pros
- Great 5 Rivers club
- Excellent species diversity
- Several premier tailwaters are nearby
Cons
- Tailwater fishing can be very technical
Pros
- Good smallmouth bass fishing
- Active 5 Rivers club
- Appalachian Mountains offer great brookie fishing
Cons
- Not a world-class fishing destination
Pros
- Great bass and warmwater fishing
- Active 5 Rivers fly fishing club
- Plenty of nearby water to explore
Cons
- Not many trout fishing offerings
#20
Idaho State University
Pros
- Has a fly fishing course for students
- Excellent access to world-class fisheries
- Anglers can encounter trophy-caliber trout
Cons
- No active fly fishing club bumps ISU down on the list
All the central New York schools – Colgate, Cornell, Hamilton, Ithaca, Syracuse – all of the Catskills and Adirondack rivers are in short driving distance, plus all the lakes in the area, and steelhead and salmon too. And don’t forget NYC and LI schools with their saltwater access. But mostly, GO ‘GATE!!!!
Why on earth is UNC on this list instead of one of the many schools in western NC? There is exactly zero decent fishing within at least 100 miles of UNC. Come on guys…
Unc-Asheville, APP state, Western Carolina university are the logical choices here.
Eckerd College in St Petersburg, FL – the school is literally on the water with a marina on Tampa Bay
Brevard College in Brevard, NC. Easy access to some of the best trout fishing in the eastern U.S.
I’m with Andrew, “come on man”…
Black Hills State University, located in Spearfish, South Dakota!
This is a incredible fishery that few people travel to specifically for the fishing, however if you decide too, it is 100% worth it. As a local, I have a hard time traveling anywhere else for a fishing trip because most places are a downgrade.
I completely understand why it didn’t make the list because it isn’t exactly well known, but if you’re looking for backcountry spring-fed creeks with brook trout, brown trout well over 16 inches, or wild rainbow trout the Black Hills have got your back! An added benefit of the fact it isn’t a well known place, is that it’s possible to find water where you can fish all day and never see another angler.
There is excellent fishing within a 5 minute walk of campus, and if you’re willing to drive more than 30 minutes you can find some insane fisheries. I would recommend calling the fly shop in Rapid City for more information on where to fish!
Northern Michigan University on the shore of Lake Superior + all the tributaries you want! Chocolay,Dead,Carp,Yellow Dog,Little Garlic…
Missoula is a no brainer. I hate to be the guy that says that is because I go to school there but it’s true. From the Blackfoot to the Bitterroot to the Clark Fork and Flathead. Rock creek and other creeks have ample fish and no people. I have never fished in Colorado but I can’t imagine going to any river and being alone. Just because everyone goes to bozman to fish the Madison and the Yellowstone does not mean its a fly fishing mecca for College kids. In Bozman you need to drive out of town to get to good fishing. You can float anywhere in Missoula after class and that is the true fly fishing college town.
Really not understanding why Washington State University and the University of Idaho are not on this list. They are together almost one University in the middle of trout and smallmouth central.
Only one university has ever been known as Fly Fishing U
Penn State
We Are ! The Penn State Fly Fishing program started by George Harvey and then by Joe Humphreys continues on to this day!
Do you guys know where Idaho State University is? Henry’s Fork, South Fork, Silver Creek. Oh wait, never mind, let’s keep it quiet.
Plymouth State University in Plymouth NH. It’s right smack dab between the Lakes Region and White Mountains. The Pemigewasset & Baker Rivers basically run right thru campus.
Goodness! You include Chapel Hill and ignore both Asheville and Western Carolina. From Asheville, you have not only quick access to the best trout fishing east of the Mississippi (Davidson, South Holston, Green, North and South Mills, etc. etc. ) but you also have great small mouth fishing and even Muskie fishing on the French Broad. Yikes, you really missed the boat.
You forgot to mention the University of Maine in Orono, ME. Nearby, I fly fish for smallmouth/largemouth/striped bass and American shad in the Penobscot river (that surrounds the school), and brook/brown/rainbow trout, salmon, and a whole host of various fish species throughout the state.
Virginia Tech and Liberty College . And Dah VMI in Lexington.
University of Minnesota Duluth. You have Great Lakes Steelhead, Brown Trout, Coaster Brook Trout, Killer Smallmouth Fishing, Workd Class Musky Fiahing all within an hour of campus!
St. Lawrence University in the Adirondacks. Oodles of native trout!!! Weekend excursions kept me out of the bars and probably saved my liver.
Humboldt state University in n. California is the closest to the excellent blue ribbon water ways ; upper/lower Sacramento River, Trinity River, McCloud, Pitt, Hat creek not to mention the Eel, Mad, Smith, Klamath rivers
Gannon University in Erie, PA. Nothing like catching a 32 inch Stealhead with a foot or more of snow on the ground
UNR in Reno, NV. Truckee river, Pryamid Lake, Walker river, Carson River, lots of Sierra lakes and rivers/ creeks within an hour or so.
Amherst MA should be in the 25. It is close to the Swift, Deerfield and Connecticut Rivers and 1 1/2 hour drive to the Farmington River. Lots of smaller rivers and streams hold brook trout and some warm water species. The area not only has an abundance of quality fishing but 5 colleges including UMass Amherst in close proximity. Great town, great schools and great fishing.
Northern Michigan University in Marquette Michigan
Where is the University of Montana in Missoula at the junction of the Bitterroot, Clark Fork and Blackfoot. The University of Montana should be in the top five
Also the University of Vermont is in Burlington
UNC-Asheville, Brevard College (how on Earth did you miss that one) and Western Carolina University
Easiest way to get people to give up their favorite fishing spots – put out a list of mediocre places tied to some school spirit/pride.
There are no trout near Missoul
Florida Gulf Coast University (Super close to the Gulf of Mexico and lots of inshore fishing and beach fishing) and Ursinus College outside of Philadelphia (Right next to two major rivers). Florida Gulf Coast University has one of the most active fishing clubs in the state of Florida’s University system.
Didn’t the flylords founder go to Sewanee…in TN?
Princeton and maybe Rutgers .Northwest NJ and especially Raritan river and its branches have get fishing access.
Corvallis, Idaho?
Brevard College in Brevard NC has the Pisgah Forest and the Davidson River within 3 miles plus the WLEE Program that is teaching Wildlife Experiential Education as part of the campus curriculum
Or Add in UNCW and the Cape Fear River fishing plus within close proximity to the entire NC & SC coast and the Redfish, Marlin and other fishing is an undiscovered gem
Missoula and University of Montana not making this list discredits it in my eyes.
James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA. Mountain brook trout on both flanks of the Valley of Virginia; spring creek browns; smallmouth and muskies; an excellent fly shop in town (owned by JMU alumni) and a couple others in easy driving distance; craft beer and good cafes.
Hahahahah
Your from Basalt ?
You must have not wanted to mention your favorite fishing area
The old Western State in Gunnison CO
How can you pass up the
Mighty Gunnison, the Black Canyon, and every little creek and tributary around .
I get it!
I agree with you
Don’t mention it
Or all the other Pilgs will flock here
Bravo
Chico State. Multiple species. Endless year round options. Easy to get away from other anglers. Super underrated.
University of Oregon has the following fisheries within an hours drive. Pacific ocean Salmon and steelhead. Salmon and Steelhead on the Umpqua R. Smallmouth bass on the Umpqua. The Willamette and McKenzie rivers are top notch. One hour, give or take, you can reach the beginnings of the Cascades lakes trout fisheries going east. Just remember, all fishermen are liar’s.
I’m sure there’s a lot of places that could be added, but I have a few… I went to school in River Falls WI (UW), one of the best trout streams in WI runs right through town, it’s at the top of the driftless, and Madison WI is at the bottom of the driftless… Fantastic fishing at your doorstep, and great college towns…. Also can’t believe Bozeman is not on the list, or Missoula….
Wabash College (Crawfordsville, IN) is near Sigar Creek, one of Indiana’s premiere and most beautiful smallmouth streams. Professor Emeritus and former Dean David Hadley taught a Freshman Tutorial on fly fishing for a number of years. Some Little Giant! WAF.
Gonzaga University – Close to all of the many high alpine lakes in Northern Central Washington as well as some strong Eastern Washington Fisheries like the Spokane River and the less known Rocky Ford in Moses Lake. Not to mention the other cold and warm water lakes and streams that are in Eastern Washington that put you in range of not only trout and salmon but large and small mouth bass, yellow perch, wallleye, and more. Of course, Gonzaga is also 30 minutes from Northern Idaho where you have access to the North and South fork CDA River, the St. John’s River, and priest River. Again, not to mention the many lakes and less known rivers in the area. If all of this isn’t enough for you, Missoula is 3 hours away and British Columbia is 2+ hours away.
East Tennessee State University
Within 30 mins are MULTIPLE trout streams!!
Instagram: TailsOfTheSmokies
How could you possibly miss Michigan Technoligical University in Houghton in Michigan’s upper peninsula. They even teach fly casting in gym class.