Few things scream "country living" or "redneck recreation" as loudly as a day at your favorite fishing hole.
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That's why there's no shortage of Americana, folk and country songs about fishing by artists ranging from Tennessee Ernie Ford ("Catfish Boogie") and Woody Guthrie ("Talking Fishing Blues") to Robert Earl Keen ("The Five Pound Bass") and John Prine ("Fish and Whistle").
Our fishing playlist relies more on modern country music's biggest stars, including Luke Bryan, Little Big Town and Brad Paisley. That disqualifies such pop culture standards as the Andy Griffith Show theme song ("The Fishin' Hole") and Louis Armstrong and Bing Crosby duet "Gone Fishin'."
10. "Fish," Craig Campbell
"Fish" is quite the replacement curse word on this clever throwback to some of the more humorous '90s country hits.
9. "Bait a Hook," Justin Moore
Another twangy throwback that would've suited country airwaves 30 years ago, "Bait a Hook" questions a former partner's new flame's country boy credibility.
8. "Bad Day of Fishin'," Billy Currington
Billy Currington reckons that a "bad day of fishin' beats a good day of anything else" on one of breeziest and funniest musts for any fishing song playlist.
7. "Pontoon," Little Big Town
Modern country gets crossed with a '70s yacht rock vibe on this playful 2012 single by one of the genre's most versatile vocal groups.
6. "Huntin', Fishin' and Lovin' Every Day," Luke Bryan
Bryan songs alone could make for a decent listening rotation for anglers, from this 2015 airplay hit that's reminiscent of Alabama's run of '80s dominance to "Bill Dance" (its namesake co-stars in its music video) and "Tackle Box."
5. "Shut Up and Fish," Maddie & Tae
Maddie & Tae prefer fishing over foreplay on yet another song that brings a healthy dose of levity to our favorite fishing songs roundup.
4. "Buy Me a Boat," Chris Janson
Though he doesn't list a high-end fishing pole on his lottery winner wish list, Chris Janson's clearly daydreaming about quite the luxurious day of fishing.
3. "Just Fishin'," Trace Adkins
Trace Adkins went the sentimental route with this heartstring-tugging song about a father taking his young daughter to the lake for bonding time.
2. "Fishin' in the Dark," The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
There must be some sort of local ordinance that dictates that country star hopefuls, from Nashville's Lower Broadway to a bar near you, have to incorporate this crowd-pleaser and tip jar-filler into their setlist.
1. "I'm Gonna Miss Her (The Fishin' Song)," Brad Paisley
The most sarcastic country hit set at the lake (until at least Old Dominion's "I Was on a Boat That Day") belongs atop any roundup of fishing songs.
Paisley's fishing songs repertoire also brings us honorable mention pick "Catch All the Fish."
READ MORE: 10 Country Songs About Football For Your Game Day Playlist
This story originally ran on Aug. 27, 2020.
