World's Best Fishing Lodges 2025
Top 10 Bucket List Fishing Lodges in the World
Ranking the top 10 fishing lodges in the world is no easy task. With so many extraordinary destinations scattered across the globe, each offering its own magic, species, and setting, narrowing it down is nearly impossible. That’s why we turned to deep research and AI to analyze countless client reviews, testimonials, guide feedback, and expert opinions from around the world. The result is a carefully curated list of 10 of the finest bucket list worthy fishing lodges on Earth — places where world-class angling meets unforgettable experience. From wild Alaskan rivers to remote tropical atolls, these are the lodges that truly rise above the rest.
10. Crocodile Bay Resort – Costa Rica (Osa Peninsula)
Why it’s a top lodge:
A legendary fishing lodge reborn as a luxury eco-resort, Crocodile Bay offers world-class inshore and offshore fishing with all the comforts of a high-end tropical resort. After a full day battling sailfish, marlin, tuna, or roosterfish in the remote Golfo Dulce, guests return to a brand-new rainforest resort (part of Hilton’s Curio Collection) complete with a spa, pool, and gourmet dining. Despite the upscale upgrades, the lodge remains a dream destination for anglers and hasn’t lost its fishy soul. In fact, On The Water magazine notes that Botánika at Crocodile Bay is flawless and luxurious yet unfussy, still nestled in the wild Osa Peninsula where the splendor of the rainforest and spectacular fishing endure.
High-caliber captains and boats, a fleet of top-notch gear, and a vast menu of bucket-list species (sailfish, dorado, roosterfish, tarpon and more) make this an angling paradise. Guests consistently praise the warm Costa Rican hospitality and attentive service – think chilled eucalyptus-scented towels and fresh sashimi appetizers made from your catch. With its five-star amenities in a remote jungle setting, Crocodile Bay brilliantly combines hardcore fishing adventure with luxury resort comfort, earning stellar traveler reviews as an ideal family-friendly fishing retreat (non-anglers enjoy wildlife tours, kayaking, and spa days while anglers fish).
Standout features:
World-class Pacific offshore fishing (record-class billfish, tuna) and inshore action (roosterfish, snapper) with a large private fleet of boats
A 5-star resort experience (spa, pool, gourmet dining) in a remote rainforest location
Top-notch guides and fishing managers (fluent in English and local waters)
A strong reputation evidenced by industry accolades and high TripAdvisor ratings
9. Poronui Lodge – New Zealand (North Island, Taupo Region)
Why it’s a top lodge:
Set on a 16,000-acre private estate of pristine wilderness, Poronui is New Zealand’s premier fly fishing lodge, famed for trophy wild brown and rainbow trout. This historic property (once a modest fishing camp, now a world-class sporting lodge) offers 25+ miles of private rivers and streams, plus heli-access to countless backcountry waters, delivering what many consider the country’s best wilderness fly-fishing. Poronui has earned international acclaim – ForbesLife magazine even named it one of the top 10 fly fishing lodges in the world.
Anglers rave about the variety of fishing: stalking 5+ pound browns in crystal-clear spring creeks, casting dries to rising trout on remote mountain streams, and experiencing true solitude on waters rarely touched by others. What truly sets Poronui apart is its combination of spectacular fishing and five-star lodging/service. The main lodge, perched above the Taharua River “home pool,” features cozy timber cabins, gourmet farm-to-table cuisine, an extensive wine cellar, and even a full wellness spa and shooting range on site.
Non-angling companions have ample activities (horseback riding, hiking, sporting clays, Maori cultural tours), and guides here are renowned for their expertise and hospitality. According to Orvis and other industry sources, Poronui consistently ranks at the very top for its service quality, guide staff, and overall experience – truly the country’s best wilderness fly fishing venue. With a long list of returning clients and a #1 ranking on TripAdvisor for specialty lodging in its region, Poronui Lodge exemplifies Kiwi hospitality and angling excellence rolled into one.
Standout features:
Sight-fishing to large wild trout in an untouched New Zealand landscape
Heli-fishing excursions that take you to remote alpine streams
An exclusive and intimate lodge (only 7 guest cabins) with five-star cuisine and wine
A storied reputation (host to celebrities and fishing legends) backed by accolades
8. Tikchik Narrows Lodge – Alaska, USA (Bristol Bay)
Why it’s a top lodge:
Located in the heart of the Bristol Bay backcountry (accessible only by floatplane), Tikchik Narrows Lodge offers the quintessential Alaska fly-in fishing experience with a level of luxury and service that is unrivaled in the Last Frontier. Set on a narrow peninsula between two lake systems, Tikchik boasts unbelievable panoramic views of water and tundra from its main lodge (which features a 270° glass-walled dining room and lounge).
More importantly, it sits amid Western Alaska’s most productive fisheries: anglers can fly out daily to pristine rivers teeming with all five species of Pacific salmon, giant rainbow trout, Arctic char, Dolly Varden, Arctic grayling and more. Few lodges in Alaska offer such variety – one day you might sight-cast to leopard rainbows sipping mice on a small creek, next day you’re battling silver salmon or trophy char. Tikchik’s strategic location even allows great fishing right near the lodge on non-fly-out days.
Despite the remote wilderness setting, guests are pampered with white glove hospitality from the moment they arrive. A recent group review called Tikchik the finest fishing lodge in all of Alaska, praising its excellent guides, skilled pilots, dedicated and friendly staff, and superb dining. Owner Bud (Andy) Angstman and his team have decades of experience and run a tight ship – with an army of staff outnumbering guests to ensure every need is met (from fresh-baked breakfast to your cocktail waiting when you return from fishing).
The lodge accommodates only about 24 guests per week, staying in private cedar cabins with modern amenities (electricity, full bathrooms, daily housekeeping). After long days of fishing (often flying to different rivers each day), guests gather for gourmet family-style dinners featuring fresh Alaskan seafood and meats, then swap stories by the fire. Many describe it as an unbelievable week of trophy fishing in one of the most beautiful settings in the world.
Standout features:
An unparalleled diversity of fisheries (salmon runs, big rainbows, char, pike) accessible via lodge-owned floatplanes
Remote isolation (no roads, no other lodges for miles) combined with 5-star comforts (plush cabins, daily laundry, fine dining)
A nearly 1:1 staff-to-guest ratio ensuring personalized care
A long-standing reputation for excellence (Orvis-endorsed with a 5.0/5 rating, and numerous repeat guests over 30+ years)
7. Agua Boa Amazon Lodge – Brazil (Amazonas)
Why it’s a top lodge:
Tucked deep in the Brazilian Amazon, Agua Boa is a fly-fishing-only lodge that has achieved near-mythical status among anglers seeking trophy peacock bass. It’s frequently cited as arguably the finest fly fishing operation in the Amazon, known for phenomenal fishing and an unexpected level of comfort in the middle of the jungle. In fact, Forbes recognized Agua Boa as one of the world’s top 10 fly fishing lodges.
Guests fly in via charter plane to a private airstrip and are immediately immersed in untouched rainforest – the Agua Boa River is clear water, white-sand bottom (a rarity in Amazon), allowing sight-casting to fierce peacock bass, aruana, payara, and even giant arapaima. The lodge’s fly-fishing program is world-renowned for both numbers and size of fish: three species of peacock bass thrive here, with 10+ pound fish common and 20-pound monsters possible.
What really astounds visitors is the luxury oasis that the lodge provides amid the rainforest. Six spacious, air-conditioned bungalows overlook the river, complete with private baths, comfortable beds, and daily maid service. There’s a 20-meter swimming pool with a poolside bar – as one guest noted, the luxury of the lodge and swimming pool perched on the edge of the river was surreal in such a remote place.
Cuisine is a mix of Brazilian and international, with fresh local fruits and regional dishes, and yes – ice-cold caipirinhas after a hot day on the water. Importantly, the guide team is superb: local guides deeply knowledgeable about the river and wildlife (caiman, monkeys, birds galore) work alongside experienced international fly guides. The result is a seamless experience that has drawn anglers back year after year. Many clients return annually, and hosted group trips here sell out quickly given Agua Boa’s fame.
Standout features:
Sight-fishing in clear Amazon waters for giant peacock bass and other exotic species
Exclusive access to 100+ miles of protected river (fly fishing only, catch-and-release) with minimal pressure
An on-site swimming pool, bar, and upscale facilities that defy the remote location
Exceptional guest care from the moment you land in Manaus
6. The Clubhouse (West Coast Fishing Club) – Canada (Haida Gwaii, BC)
Why it’s a top lodge:
Perched on a cliff at the northern tip of Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Islands) in British Columbia, The Clubhouse is a luxury fishing lodge that redefines what an ocean fishing retreat can be. It delivers legendary salmon and halibut fishing in wild, remote waters, while wrapping guests in five-star comfort and service. The West Coast Fishing Club’s flagship lodge, The Clubhouse is often called the world’s best ocean salmon fishing experience and has been lauded by publications like Robb Report and Forbes for its excellence.
Upon arriving via chartered helicopter, guests are struck by panoramic views of the Pacific and the elegant design – picture panoramic ocean views stretching to the horizon, interiors adorned with understated elegance, and a welcoming ambiance that rivals the finest urban hotels. The lodge features plush oceanview rooms, a spa, cedar hot tubs, and lounges with fireplaces. Each evening, gourmet meals prepared by internationally trained chefs showcase local seafood (Dungeness crab, spot prawns, wild salmon) paired with fine wines.
At the same time, the fishing is nothing short of spectacular. Haida Gwaii lies along the migratory path of all five Pacific salmon species – chinook (king) salmon in particular stop to fatten up in these rich waters, resulting in some of the largest kings in the world caught each season. Short runs from the lodge’s private dock put anglers into thick action for chinook, coho, plus feisty halibut, lingcod, and other bottomfish. Guests fish from top-of-the-line Boston Whaler boats with expert guides who tailor each day to the group’s skill and target preferences. The waters around Langara Island are notably calm and sheltered (thanks to nearby landforms), making this one of the few places where even beginners can comfortably fish the ocean.
Wildlife sightings are constant: humpback whales breaching, orcas patrolling, eagles on every treetop, and sometimes bears on the shoreline – all part of the daily backdrop. The Clubhouse has a sterling reputation for service and hospitality. Many guests are repeat visitors (often corporate groups or families that return annually), a testament to the experience. From the personalized guided fishing (with fish cleaning and packing for travel) to the on-site masseuse ready to ease tired muscles, no detail is overlooked.
The social atmosphere is another highlight. Evenings often feature cocktail hour in the lounge, a communal gourmet dinner, and storytelling sessions at the bar – a camaraderie that many describe as a trip highlight.
Standout features:
Arguably the best salmon fishing location in the world with multiple 50+ lb chinook landed each season
A truly remote and pristine setting on Haida Gwaii with unbelievable scenery and wildlife
A 5-star resort ambiance with helicopter transfers, deluxe rooms, spa, gourmet dining
Decades of industry accolades and returning clientele who swear by its magic
5. Tiwi Island Retreat – Australia (Bathurst Island, Northern Territory)
Why it’s a top lodge:
Tiwi Island Retreat is a barefoot-luxury escape tucked away on the remote southwest coast of Bathurst Island, about 100 kilometers north of Darwin. What makes it special is its seamless blend of laid-back tropical comfort and wild, off-the-grid fishing in one of Australia’s most untouched coastal regions. Accessible only by light aircraft and boat, this is a place where you’ll trade roads for red dirt, and crowds for mangrove estuaries full of life.
Fishing here revolves around a variety of iconic Top End species. You’ll target barramundi, threadfin salmon, golden snapper, mangrove jack, queenfish, giant trevally, and mud crabs in a mix of tidal creeks, flats, estuaries, and inshore reef systems. Skiff-based trips are guided by knowledgeable locals who know the tides and structure intimately, with a flexible daily approach depending on conditions. Many guests land their first metre-long barra here, and reviews regularly mention multiple species days with non-stop action.
What truly sets the experience apart is the lodge itself. Tiwi Island Retreat is rustic in the right ways — beachside, breezy, and beautifully simple — but elevated where it matters. The lodge features around 18 rooms in a low-slung timber complex overlooking the sea. Rooms are clean, air-conditioned, and styled for comfort, with queen beds or bunks depending on your group. Meals are served open-air under palm thatch, with hearty breakfasts, fresh seafood dinners, and cold drinks in the beachfront bar. Guests often gather around the fire pit for drinks after dinner, sharing stories of the day’s best catches.
Hospitality here is a highlight. The staff — many of whom are local Tiwi or longtime Territory hands — are regularly praised for their warmth, attention, and ability to make everyone feel at home. Whether it’s organizing a crab cookout, a wildlife tour, or surprising you with sundowners on the sand, the team at Tiwi Island Retreat goes above and beyond. The lodge also offers other activities like mud-crabbing, quad biking, swimming in the natural infinity pool, and cultural experiences with local communities — making it ideal for couples or groups with mixed interests.
Despite its isolation, the retreat is polished and professional. Guests arrive via charter flight from Darwin and a short boat ride through the mangroves. It’s remote, yes, but the logistics are seamless, and the atmosphere strikes that rare balance between backcountry adventure and boutique comfort.
Standout features:
Remote island location with untouched estuary and coastal fishing
Diverse species including barramundi, golden snapper, queenfish, trevally, and mud crabs
Air-conditioned beachfront rooms, quality meals, and open-air bar
Warm, highly rated service from a tight-knit team with deep local knowledge
Exceptional for anglers and non-anglers alike, with wildlife, culture, and nature experiences
4. Royal Wolf Lodge – Alaska, USA (Katmai National Park)
Why it takes the new spot at #4:
Royal Wolf Lodge is widely considered the finest fly-out trout lodge in Alaska, set in the heart of Katmai National Park’s bear country. What sets this lodge apart isn’t just the spectacular rainbow trout fishing — it’s the style, exclusivity, and surgical precision of the operation. It caters to a maximum of just 12 guests per week, offering access to dozens of private rivers via bush plane, including the famous Moraine, Funnel, and Battle creeks.
The rainbow trout here are native, massive, and aggressive — they’re known to eat mice, leeches, and big flesh flies all summer. Many of these fish exceed 25 inches, and they’re caught in utterly pristine wilderness settings with not another angler in sight. Guides at Royal Wolf are elite — many have over 15 seasons under their belt, and all are known for an obsessive commitment to guest satisfaction and fish handling ethics.
Guests stay in private, hand-built cabins overlooking a peaceful tundra lake, with views of bears and moose on the far shore. The lodge serves gourmet cuisine and features a cozy great room with a fireplace, fly-tying table, and panoramic windows. It’s as far from a “roughing-it” Alaska trip as you can get — this is an elegant wilderness escape designed for passionate anglers who want the best trout fishing in the world, period.
Standout features:
Arguably the best rainbow trout fishing lodge on Earth.
Ultra-remote wilderness inside Katmai National Park.
Floatplane-accessed waters with almost zero outside pressure. Small, exclusive guest list with 5-star dining and service.
Consistently ranks among the top lodges globally by fly fishing outfitters and returning clients
3. Kau Tapen Lodge – Argentina (Tierra del Fuego)
Why it’s a top lodge:
Kau Tapen is often hailed as the world’s premier trout fishing lodge – though the trout in question are no ordinary fish. They are giant sea-run brown trout (anadromous browns) that migrate from the ocean into the Río Grande of Tierra del Fuego, and Kau Tapen (“house of fishing” in the native Ona tongue) was the first lodge on this now-legendary river.
Opened in 1984, it effectively pioneered the fishery that produces the largest brown trout on the planet – fish averaging 8–15 lbs and frequently exceeding 20+ lbs. Over the course of a week, guests fish the Río Grande’s productive beats (the lodge controls 10+ miles of prime water) with expert bilingual guides, typically using two-handed spey rods to swing flies for these powerful sea trout.
The river is moderate-sized and wind can be fierce, but the guides are terrific instructors and even less experienced anglers often land fish in the high teens. The quality of the fish – chrome-bright, sea-liced trout straight from the Atlantic – and the challenge of figuring them out each day keeps seasoned anglers coming back.
Kau Tapen offers an elegant lodge experience that is as revered as the river itself. The beautiful ranch house lodge sits on the vast Estancia Toon Ken and features eight en-suite guestrooms, a great room with roaring fire and view of the river, a full bar and wine cellar (stocking Argentina’s finest Malbecs), a fly-tying room, and even a sauna and hot tub to soothe sore casting muscles.
Cuisine is gourmet Patagonia fare – hearty asado barbecues, local lamb and beef, fresh baked breads, and plenty of good wine. The service has a personal touch; guests are typically greeted by the lodge manager with a drink and warm towel, and from that moment the pampering never stops.
The guide team and staff, led by Nervous Waters (the outfitter that manages the lodge), are often praised for going above and beyond. Whether it’s coaching you into your first spey-caught trout or bringing a hot thermos of Calafate tea to the riverbank on a chilly afternoon, they anticipate needs and deliver.
Standout features:
Home to the largest sea-run brown trout fishery in the world with consistent catches of 15–30 lb trout
An iconic, pioneering lodge with over 35 years of refinement and high-end service
Extremely high guest satisfaction with five-star accommodations and dining
A unique cultural and natural experience in one of the world’s most remote and striking landscapes
2. Alphonse Island Lodge – Seychelles (Indian Ocean)
Why it’s a top lodge:
In the world of saltwater fly fishing, few names evoke as much awe as Alphonse Island. This tiny coral atoll in the middle of the Indian Ocean (1,000 km off Africa’s coast) is a veritable fishing Eden – home to expansive white-sand flats teeming with bonefish, giant trevally, triggerfish, milkfish, barracuda, and more.
The surrounding waters also offer sailfish, tuna, and wahoo. Alphonse Island Resort not only gives anglers access to this astonishing fishery, but does so with a level of luxury and service that ranks among the best tropical island resorts anywhere.
Fishing-wise, days at Alphonse are full and thrilling. A typical week gives guests three days on Alphonse’s flats and three days boating to nearby St. François Atoll, a larger atoll with even more flats and lagoon systems. Permit, triggerfish, barracuda, snapper, and the infamous giant trevally (GT) are all prime targets. Many trophy GTs over 100 cm are landed each season, and the lodge record milkfish exceeded 40 lbs.
Guided 2:1 by experienced and often world-class guides, the fishing operation is strictly limited in angler numbers and enforces catch-and-release with single barbless hooks – conservation that has kept the fishery pristine. Notably, even non-anglers have a blast here – spouses can snorkel, scuba dive, go on nature tours, paddleboard, or just relax at the pool or spa.
The resort itself is beyond idyllic. Guests stay in chic beachfront bungalows or suites under swaying palm trees, with outdoor showers and private verandas steps from the turquoise lagoon. There’s an infinity pool, beachfront bar, tennis courts, boutique, and a spa. Cuisine is gourmet Creole and international – fresh-caught sashimi, barbecued seafood, tropical fruits – often enjoyed with live music and dancing on Saturday nights.
Standout features:
Unmatched flats fishing diversity – multiple bucket-list species in one trip
A remote private island setting that’s safe, welcoming, and luxurious
High guest satisfaction from both anglers and non-anglers
A blend of elite fishing and a luxury island resort experience rarely matched anywhere else
1. Tropic Star Lodge – Panama (Piñas Bay, Darién Jungle)
Why it’s #1:
For over 60 years, Tropic Star Lodge has been the benchmark of big-game sportfishing lodges – a place of almost mythic status where legendary catches and legendary hospitality go hand in hand. Situated in Piñas Bay in the remote Darién Jungle of Panama, Tropic Star offers access to some of the richest offshore and inshore waters on Earth, with a pedigree of IGFA world records unmatched by any other resort.
It has been repeatedly named the Best Fishing Resort in the World. The nearby Zane Grey Reef and continental shelf drop-off create a bait-rich environment that draws pelagic gamefish in incredible numbers. Multiple marlin releases per boat per day are not uncommon in season.
The lodge itself, a charming compound nestled on a jungle hill overlooking the bay, accommodates about 36 guests in comfortable air-conditioned rooms and private cabins. Days begin with a 5:30am knock and fresh coffee, a hearty breakfast, and then you and your crew board classic 31’ Bertram boats with veteran captains and mates who know these waters intimately.
The lodge employs some of the best captains in the business. The crews will troll, live-bait, or even fly-fish – whatever your goal, they make it happen. By early afternoon, you’ve likely released several billfish or wrestled a trophy dorado and are back at the dock to a welcome of smiles.
Evenings feature fresh seafood dinners (often your catch of the day) in the dining hall and camaraderie at the Marlin Bar, swapping stories under the stars. Despite its seclusion, the lodge provides modern comforts: a pool, spa services, Wi-Fi, and gourmet cuisine.
With over 85% repeat guests, multiple world records, a legendary setting, and near-perfect fishing, Tropic Star Lodge is the definition of a bucket-list destination.
Standout features:
Remarkable fishing results – season after season, huge numbers of marlin and sailfish
A historic and well-run jungle lodge operation with 60+ years of experience
Five-star service, top captains, legendary boats, and jungle-meets-ocean scenery
More IGFA world records than any other lodge in the world
Ready to turn the dream into reality? Whether you’re chasing marlin off the Pacific coast, stalking trout in a glacier-fed river, or wading a remote flat for giant trevally, these lodges offer more than just great fishing — they offer the experience of a lifetime. Send us a message and start planning your bucket list fishing trip today and make one of these legendary destinations your next adventure.