Memphis, TN is One of the Best Fishing Cities in America

I'll admit it, I'm a sucker for just about any kind of "Best or Worst of" type of list. I'm always curious to see who's at the top and bottom, and why. Over the years I have noticed that more times than not, poor Memphis, TN is near the bottom of a "best of" list or the top of a "worst of" list.

Memphis has a lot to be proud of - a rich musical heritage, a delicious food scene, Graceland, and the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Unfortunately, there are also a lot of negatives associated with Memphis - a high crime rate, a struggling public school system, and economic disparities.

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I'm excited to say that I finally found a "best of" list that has Memphis near the top, and it is for something I never expected. Memphis, TN is #7 on a list of the Best Fishing Cities in the U.S.

Why Is Memphis Such a Great Spot for Fishing?

According to FishingBooker, the folks that created this list, the biggest reason Memphis is a fishing mecca is the Mississippi River, which is home to some mega catfish that weigh anywhere from 50 to 100 pounds. Memphis, and the surrounding area, also have several lakes and waterways, where anglers can find a variety of fish, including Crappie, Bass, Carp, Gar, and more.

ALSO READ: This TN City Has Been Named One of the Wildest in America

I'll admit, I did NOT expect to see Memphis anywhere on a list of the best places to fish. The rest of the top 10, for the most part, makes more sense to me - although #8 might be an even bigger question mark...

Destin, FL
Galveston, TX
Honolulu, HI
Virginia Beach, VA
Brick Township and Point Pleasant, NJ
Biloxi, MS
Memphis, TN
Detroit, MI
Fort Collins, CO
Provo, UT

LOOK: Here are the 25 best places to live in Tennessee

Stacker compiled a list of the best places to live in Tennessee using data from Niche. Niche ranks places to live based on a variety of factors including cost of living, schools, health care, recreation, and weather. Cities, suburbs, and towns were included. Listings and images are from realtor.com.

On the list, there's a robust mix of offerings from great schools and nightlife to high walkability and public parks. Some areas have enjoyed rapid growth thanks to new businesses moving to the area, while others offer glimpses into area history with well-preserved architecture and museums. Keep reading to see if your hometown made the list.

PICTURES: See Inside Keith Urban + Nicole Kidman's Luxurious Tennessee Farmhouse

Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman were living it up in their 5,086-square-foot, 4-bedroom farmhouse in Franklin, Tenn., a rural community 30 minutes outside of Nashville. The house is beautifully well-appointed. The master bedroom features a very large walk-in closet, and the gated, 35-acre property also includes a gym, recreation rooms, an office and a three-car garage, as well as a utility barn. The couple sold their rural farmhouse in 2018 for $2.7 million.

Gallery Credit: Sterling Whitaker