Presidents of the USA with a Passion for Fishing

Fishing, sport, obsession, passion, hobby, or way of life? It is all of these. It is an activity that, first and foremost, draws a sizable portion of the male population worldwide. Interestingly, even some of the most influential people on the planet, the presidents of America, supported fishing. Or, more precisely, a good portion of them. 

Some enjoyed it; for some, it was a way to relax and escape from everyday life, obligations, and spotlights. This article will highlight the most ardent anglers among the U.S. presidents and share fascinating anecdotes about their experiences while casting and retrieving bait.

George Washington

We must begin our list with George Washington. Why? Well, there are many reasons. First, he served as the nation’s first president from April 30, 1789, until March 4, 1797. Moreover, he did not engage in fishing only because he was a passionate angler but also for financial gain.

He saw more possibilities for a big catch in the Potomac River, so he combined the beautiful and the useful. He sold his catch to fishmongers who came here to buy fish. He was successful as a merchant. Over time, as the business progressed, he started to export fish even to other continents.

Fun fact: Legend says that once, during a Congress session in Philadelphia, instead of attending political discussions, he decided to spend the day fishing on the nearby Schuylkill River. His passion for fishing was so strong that he brought a complete diplomatic set for negotiations on his boat. While others were negotiating in the building, he calmly talked with his colleagues on the water, with papers and quills floating in his boat.

Grover Cleveland

Grover Cleveland served as the 22nd and 24th President of the United States. His first term ran from March 4, 1885, to March 4, 1889, and his second was from March 4, 1893, to March 4, 1897. 

He was a president who enjoyed fishing. There were moments when even presidential duties did not prevent him from doing so. He simply loved to get away from it all and enjoyed relaxing fishing in the calm rivers. He was also known as a great lover of nature. Fishing was an excellent opportunity for him to take a break from the oval cabinet. 

And here's a fun fact: He once had a fishing contest with his friend, the Secretary of the Navy, and accidentally snagged his friend's pants while casting. It turned an ordinary fishing day into a funny reminder of the president's love of friendly competition and the occasional fishing mishap.

Herbert Hoover

Herbert Hoover (31st President of the USA) was born on August 10, 1874 in Iowa. Hoover's presidential term spanned from 1929 to 1933.

He had a passion beyond politics – he was a skilled angler known as The Fishing President. Despite the troubles of his presidential term, Hoover found solace by the river, where he pursued his love for Trout fishing.

By formal profession, this engineer even wrote a book about fishing, "Fishing for Fun." Also, he had an exciting sentence: "All men are equal before fish."

He was so well-known as an angler that the statute in his museum shows him in a suit for fishing, not a presidential suit.

His favorite fishing spot was the Rapidan River in Virginia. In addition to being remembered as a fishing enthusiast, this president will be remembered as a fighter for preserving the environment.

Fun fact: One notable incident occurred when a mouse fell into the presidential swimming pool, and Hoover promptly used a fly rod to fish it out. His skillful fly fishing technique came in handy even in unexpected situations!

Theodore Roosevelt

Theodore Roosevelt was born on October 27, 1858. He took office on September 14, 1901, and served as the 26th president of the United States of America until March 4, 1909. Roosevelt assumed the presidency after the assassination of President McKinley in 1901; people re-elected him in 1904. So, he served as the President of the USA from 1901 to 1909.

With Theodore Roosevelt, we must mention something else besides fishing. He is known as the most fantastic nature lover among all US presidents. He grew up in New York and loved to explore nature since childhood. The following fact confirms how much he loved nature. Namely, when he once went fishing with legendary naturalist John Muir in Yosemite National Park, Roosevelt said it was the most fantastic place he had ever seen.

His favorite fishing spot was the Yellowstone River in Montana. He also loved the rugged terrain of the Rio Grande in Texas. Most of all, he liked to fish for Rainbow, Brown, and Brown Trout.

Franklin Roosevelt

Franklin D. Roosevelt was born in 1882 in New York. From 1933 to 1945, he served as President of the USA. He is the only president in the USA who has won four presidential elections.

Of course, like most presidents, he also used fishing as a pastime or an escape from the stress of political life. Interestingly, he thought that spending time fishing and nature, in general, helped him make the right political decisions. His passion for fishing connected him to nature and provided a valuable balance between his political career and personal life.

His favorite fishing spots were New England waters. He loved to fish for Bass, especially Largemouth Bass. How much he loved fishing is also shown by the fact that wherever he traveled, he carried a box with a fishing tackle. If time permits, Roosevelt would visit exciting fishing spots on each trip.

Jimmy Carter

Jimmy Carter was born on October 1, 1924, in Plains, Georgia, United States. He served as the 39th President of the United States, holding office from 1977 to 1981.

We can freely say that Jimmy Carter was a serious authority among fishermen. He very often received compliments on his fishing prowess. He is even a member of the Georgia Hunting and Fishing Hall of Fame.

Carter's favorite type of fishing was fly fishing. Even during his presidency, Carter often found time for fishing. He especially loved his farm in Plains, Georgia, where he frequently enjoyed the tranquility of fishing in the local ponds or streams. In addition to being a passionate angler, he will be remembered as someone who fought to preserve the environment.

Even after his mandate, he often participated in various fishing events where he stressed the importance of environmental protection.

Dwight Eisenhower

Dwight Eisenhower, aka General, was the 34th President of the United States. He fell in love with fishing in his early childhood. His favorite fishing spot was the waters of Mud Creek. He preferred hunting Sunfish, Bullheads, and Carp.

Throughout his presidency, Eisenhower maintained his love of fishing. During the eight years of his mandate, he organized many excursions that included fishing activities. He once fished with former President Herbert Hoover in the Rocky Mountains. Despite their differing political views, the two statesmen shared a lifelong love of fly fishing.

Barack Obama

Barack Obama (born 1961) was the 44th President of the United States ( from 2009 to 2017). Obama is another one of the former US presidents who enjoyed fishing. He was born in 1961 and was the 44th president of the USA. 

His favorite type of fish is Bass, specifically Smallmouth Bass. He also likes to catch freshwater fish, especially Trout. He often fishes in rivers and streams, where he enjoys the challenge of fly fishing. One of Obama's favorite fishing spots was the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland, known for its diverse fish population. In addition, he loves the waters of Hawaii, enjoying the rich offerings of the Pacific.

Barack Obama developed a love for fishing from an early age, frequently going with his late grandfather in Hawaii. He learned the art of fly fishing from his late grandfather, who took him fishing during his childhood. Obama has fond memories of this time and has often mentioned how these experiences have contributed to his love for fishing.

John F. Kennedy

The passion for fishing did not escape even John F. Kennedy. The 35th president (from 1961 to 1963) was a fan of sports activities, and among them was fishing.

During presidential vacations, especially at the family estate in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts, he enjoyed fishing in the Atlantic Ocean. He loved to fish on his yacht "Honey Fitz" on which he often organized fishing trips with family and friends.

Fishing for Kennedy was a time of relaxation and escape from intense political obligations. Spending time on the water was the perfect opportunity to relax and bond with his family. 

Fun fact: During his visit to Germany in 1963, as part of his nature conservation program, he received a special gift from the German federal government: a fishing license for all German rivers. In reality, it was difficult for him to put this permission into practice. It is interesting to know how many people worldwide knew of Kennedy's interest in fishing.

George H.W. Bush 

George H.W. Bush, the 41st President, also loved fishing. He contributed a lot to sport fishing and significantly influenced the sport. Bush especially enjoyed Bass fishing during his tenure. He enjoyed saltwater fishing and angled in the waters off the coast of Maine, where his family owned a vacation home in Kennebunkport.

Bush was one of the most influential figures in the passage of the Wallop-Breaux Amendments to the Sport Fish Restoration Act. Bush often spoke fondly of his fishing experiences, which he saw as a way to connect with nature. 

Even after leaving the presidency, he enjoyed organizing fishing trips with family and friends. His passion for sports remained a central part of his life. It was his source of relaxation and enjoyment until he died in 2018.

Final Thoughts

The presidents mentioned in the text were in power during different periods and led significantly diverse lives. However, despite all these differences, they all shared a great love for fishing. For them, fishing was more than a pastime; it was an escape to an oasis of peace. Also, it helped many to make essential decisions in peace. Do you know any other presidents or politicians who like fishing? Share them with us in a comment!