New York fishing reports
434 reports for New York — what's biting, water temps, and where to focus.
Lake Ontario Salmon Bite Heats Up as Browns and Lakers Mix In
Strike Zone Charters is reporting that salmon are 'here' on Lake Ontario, with fishing described as 'very good' over the past week and brown trout and lake trout mixing into the catch. The bite is locked into 100 to 160 feet of water, with daily depth adjustments required as wind shifts move the temperature break. Mag Dipsey Divers are the go-to setup when the thermocline pushes deep, with green, white, and chartreuse e-chips getting results. NOAA buoy 45142 recorded 62°F at the lake surface on June 10, with winds around 13 mph and 1.6-foot swells. The Salmon River is flowing at 66.1 cfs per USGS gauge 04250750 — low and clear for early June — which limits in-river action for now. Anglers chasing the current bite are best positioned on the open lake, either with a charter or a trailered boat, rather than wade fishing the tributaries this week.
Post-spawn bass roaming as Finger Lakes warm into June
USGS gauge 04232050 logged 65°F in the Finger Lakes watershed late on June 9, with tributary flow running thin at 5.77 cfs — a dry-conditions signal heading into mid-month. That temperature puts local waters squarely in the post-spawn smallmouth window. Wired 2 Fish's current post-spawn breakdown notes that bronzebacks at this stage are roaming off their spawning beds toward rock structure and offshore feeding zones, often feeding inconsistently between moves. Tactical Bassin's June bass report identifies a wobble-head jig paired with a shaky-head worm as the reliable two-bait combo for reaching offshore fish right now, with chatterbaits and dropshots filling out the pattern. On Cayuga, Seneca, and Skaneateles, walleye and lake trout round out the headline species; both trend toward deeper, cooler water as surface temps push into the mid-60s. Direct Finger Lakes-specific reports from local charters or tackle shops were not available in this feed cycle.
Post-spawn bass and Hudson River stripers in early-summer form
Water temperatures on the Hudson logged at 73°F at USGS gauge 01357500 on June 9 confirm the region has crossed firmly into early-summer conditions. NY DEC's The Fishing Line opened striped bass season on the Hudson on April 1, and On The Water's June 5 striper migration map reports that fish along the Northeast coast are beginning to settle into summering grounds, with water running a few degrees cooler than seasonal norms in some corridors. Post-spawn smallmouth bass are the other headline: Wired 2 Fish notes bronzebacks in this window are roaming and inconsistent, responding best to moving baits on shallow flats before retreating to offshore structure. On the Finger Lakes side, NY DEC flagged musky season as "around the corner" in its May 22 issue; that opener has now arrived, giving trophy hunters their first shots of the season. Trout face increasing thermal pressure as river temps climb into the mid-70s.
Post-spawn smallmouth and Niagara trout prime as Lake Erie warms into summer
On The Water's 'Valley of the Giants' feature spotlights the Niagara River valley as trophy territory for lake trout, brown trout, and steelhead — reinforcing that this corridor holds serious fish across seasons. The USGS gauge 04231600 reads 692 cfs at 74°F as of June 9, signaling that Lake Erie's nearshore has crossed firmly into summer temperature territory. For smallmouth bass, that's the green light: post-spawn fish that were locked to shallow flats are now recovering and feeding again, and Wired 2 Fish notes that transitional bronzebacks respond best to finesse rigs — drop shots, tubes, and shaky heads — worked along offshore rock and deeper structure transitions. Walleye, the backbone of Lake Erie's western basin, typically hit their early-summer stride as baitfish consolidate on mid-lake reefs and humps. The waning crescent moon this week pushes the best feeding windows toward dawn and dusk low-light periods across the board.
Post-Spawn Smallmouth Take Center Stage on the Finger Lakes
Water at 62°F per USGS gauge 04232050 puts the Finger Lakes right in the heart of productive early-summer territory. Smallmouth bass are the headline species: Wired 2 Fish reports that post-spawn bronzebacks are cycling between shallow flats, rock structure, and offshore feeding zones, often feeding inconsistently as they recover from the spawn. Tactical Bassin confirms June is the time to commit to offshore structure — their go-to combination of a wobble-head jig and shaky head worm has been producing quality fish on isolated bottom structure away from the bank. On Cayuga, Seneca, and Skaneateles, rocky points and submerged humps in 10–25 feet are worth covering methodically. Lake trout, walleye, and yellow perch round out the deeper basins; trout will increasingly favor thermocline depth as surface temps push toward the upper 60s. The Last Quarter moon this week tends to compress topwater feeding windows — earlier mornings and dusk edges will likely outperform midday. Tributary streams connected to the lakes are running at a very low 4.34 cfs, signaling clear, gin-low conditions for any stream-trout work.
Hudson Valley smallmouth and Finger Lakes walleye hit early summer stride
Water at the Mohawk-Hudson confluence is reading 69°F (USGS gauge 01357500), with the Mohawk at 3,030 cfs and the Hudson at Waterford logging 9,110 cfs. Both readings are elevated from recent rainfall but trending toward summer range. Those temperatures put Hudson Valley smallmouth squarely in post-spawn recovery and aggressive feeding mode. Tactical Bassin's June reports identify isolated offshore structure as the key zone, with chatterbaits and reaction baits producing strikes alongside finesse presentations like the neko rig and dropshot. On the Finger Lakes, NY DEC's May 22nd Fishing Line confirmed musky season is now underway, while walleye and other coolwater species have been open since May 1 per DEC's April report. The spring stocking of browns and rainbows through DEC hatcheries distributed trout across tributary streams, but at 69°F, early-morning and evening sessions are increasingly critical as river water pushes into summer thermal territory.
Hudson Valley bass in post-spawn stride as June warmth arrives
A 71°F water temperature reading on the Hudson at USGS gauge 01357500 (June 8) marks a firm transition into early-summer conditions across the Hudson Valley. Striped bass, according to On The Water's June 5 migration map, are beginning to settle into their summering grounds region-wide — though water is running a few degrees below the seasonal norm in parts of the Northeast, which may keep fish active in shallower river reaches a bit longer than typical. The NY DEC Fishing Line (May 22) confirms coolwater sportfish including walleye have been in season since May 1 and that musky season is approaching. For bass anglers, Tactical Bassin's post-spawn coverage points to offshore structure as the prime zone now — wobble head jigs and shaky head worms are the call on lakes where fish have vacated spawning beds. Hudson River flow sits at a negotiable 2,460 cfs at gauge 01357500, with the downstream read at gauge 01358000 showing 4,980 cfs.
Finger Lakes Smallmouth Come Alive in the Post-Spawn June Window
The USGS gauge on the Finger Lakes drainage logged 67°F at a very low 5.77 cfs on June 8, placing conditions squarely in the prime post-spawn recovery window for smallmouth bass across Cayuga, Seneca, and Skaneateles. Bass have largely cleared their beds and, per Tactical Bassin's June pattern breakdown, are sliding onto offshore structure and transition flats where a wobble-head jig paired with a shaky head worm is one of the most reliable early-summer combinations. Crankbaits are also entering their prime window, covering water from shallow rock transitions down to mid-depth points. Wired 2 Fish notes that forward-facing sonar is reshaping dock-bass presentations this season, worth keeping in mind where dock structures line these deep-basin lakes. Lake trout and landlocked Atlantic salmon are predictably retreating to cooler, deeper columns as surface temps push into the upper 60s. A Last Quarter moon this week favors low-light feeding pushes at dawn and dusk.
Lake Erie walleye and Niagara smallmouth active as summer takes hold
Water at USGS gauge 04231600 registered 71°F and 614 cfs on June 8, signaling firm early-summer conditions across Western NY's Lake Erie tributaries and Niagara corridor. At these temperatures, walleye and smallmouth bass enter one of the most dependable feeding stretches of the year, while tributary trout push toward deeper, cooler water. A Michigan Sportsman Forum angler reported a quick six-keeper river limit before 9 a.m. on June 8 — forum reports call for corroboration, but the timing fits the broader Great Lakes post-spawn rhythm. Fishing the Midwest makes the case that rivers deliver outstanding summer action when anglers target current seams and structure edges. Tactical Bassin (blog) points to crankbaits and shaky-head jig combos as reliable early-June producers — presentations that translate well to Erie's rocky shorelines and nearshore ledges. Early-morning and evening windows are worth prioritizing as midday warmth settles in.
Catskills trout locked into Green Drake season as streams drop to summer lows
USGS gauge 01415000 shows the Beaverkill at 10.4 cfs this morning, and the East Branch Delaware (gauge 01413500) is flowing at 65.4 cfs; both are in wade-friendly, low-and-clearing summer form. Water temperature data was not available from either gauge. June in the Catskills means one thing on the calendar: Green Drakes. Flylords Mag documented the hatch this week, noting that green drake dun imitations drew brookies during afternoon sessions. For the nymph angler, Gink and Gasoline's recent advice rings true in low water: more weight before you change patterns. MidCurrent's latest tying coverage highlights a surface-to-subsurface toolkit built for exactly this stage: CDC emergers and buoyant attractors for fish that are looking up as hatches fire each evening. Wild brown trout are the headliner on the Delaware system's upper branches; brook trout hold in the shaded upper-elevation tribs. Check current New York state regulations before keeping fish.
King Salmon Firing on Lake Ontario as Browns and Lakers Join the Action
Strike Zone Charters (Lake Ontario) reports salmon fishing has been 'very good' over the past week, with brown trout and lake trout mixed into the offshore spread. The productive zone has been 100 to 160 feet of water, though exact depths have shifted daily as wind moves the temperature layer. Mag Dipsey Divers are drawing strikes when the thermocline runs deep, with green, white, and chartreuse e-chips as the preferred presentation. The USGS gauge 04250750 is reading 76.9 cfs as of June 8 — a low, seasonally typical summer flow in the Salmon River tributary system. With the river running slim, the offshore lake bite is clearly the stronger play this week. The Last Quarter moon means progressively darker pre-dawn windows through the coming days, which can sharpen early-morning feeding for salmon near the surface before they drop back to depth as the sun climbs.
Hudson Valley stripers settling in as post-spawn bass hit early-summer stride
USGS gauge 01357500 logged Hudson River water at 68°F on the morning of June 8, placing the valley firmly in early-summer fishing mode. On The Water's June 5 striper migration map reports that Northeast fish are beginning to settle into summering grounds, with water running a few degrees cooler than normal, a lag that typically extends active striper feeding before mid-summer heat sets in. Bass are deep into the post-spawn transition: Tactical Bassin highlights June as a prime window for offshore structure with chatterbaits, dropshot rigs, and crankbaits as fish recover from beds and move to staging areas. The Hudson at Catskill is running 1,470 cfs, a moderate flow that concentrates fish on current breaks and hard structure. Upstream at Green Island the gauge reads 9,690 cfs, reflecting significant tributary volume entering the system. NY DEC The Fishing Line (Freshwater) confirms the coolwater sportfish season (including walleye across Finger Lakes systems) opened May 1, and muskellunge season is approaching.