New York fishing reports
187 reports for New York — what's biting, water temps, and where to focus.
Hudson Valley bass bite peaks as summer warmwater pattern takes hold
Water temperatures at USGS gauge 01357500 have climbed to 76°F as of June 12, pushing the region firmly into summer warmwater mode. Bass are the primary target across Hudson Valley and Finger Lakes waters right now: Wired 2 Fish's current summer bass coverage points to crankbaits and swing-head jigs on deeper structure once the sun is high, with early-morning topwater along weed edges and current seams worth working first. Trout anglers should note that 76°F sits in the high-stress range — Field & Stream's water temperature guide for trout highlights that conditions like these can trigger voluntary hoot-owl closures on sensitive streams, so check NY DEC advisories and practice careful release. Walleye remain active in the Finger Lakes during low-light windows, and NY DEC's May 22 Fishing Line confirms muskellunge season has arrived — warm surface temperatures historically fire up trophy musky on designated NY waters. Hudson mainstem flow reads 5,770 cfs at gauge 01358000, suggesting moderate, fishable current conditions.
Lake Erie Smallmouth Firing as Summer Bass Patterns Set In
Water at USGS gauge 04231600 hit 75°F this morning, marking a warm start to mid-June across Western NY's freshwater system. The clearest on-water signal for this region comes from Tactical Bassin, whose Great Lakes smallmouth outing documented fish feeding actively even in choppy Lake Erie conditions, with the Dark Sleeper and Spark Shad delivering a big bag including two trophy Smallmouth. Wired 2 Fish's summer bass breakdown aligns: bass push shallow at first light before retreating to deep offshore structure once the sun climbs, making an early start critical. Flow at gauge 04231600 sits at 1,530 cfs, keeping current seams well-defined for anglers working Lake Erie tributaries and the Niagara corridor. Walleye have likely shifted to their deeper, low-light summer rhythm as surface temps climb past 70°F. Steelhead, which dominate the Niagara tributaries each spring, are off the table at current temperatures.
Low, Clear Water and Evening Hatches Define Mid-June on Catskill Trout Streams
USGS gauge 01413500 shows 58.4 cfs on a Catskill watershed stream as of the early morning of June 12, with USGS gauge 01415000 recording just 10 cfs on a smaller tributary — both figures consistent with the transition from spring runoff into summer low-water conditions. No water temperature readings are available from either gauge. With flows this lean and a waning crescent moon, mid-June conditions favor technical dry fly and nymph presentations over heavier attractor rigs. MidCurrent's recent tying coverage notes patterns built for every feeding lane as hatches begin to fire — a description that fits the Delaware system tributaries and Adirondack headwater streams well at this point in the season. Flylords Mag's current deep-dive on PMD fishing is timely: Pale Morning Duns are among the most important Catskill hatches in June, and low, clear water makes precise presentation essential. Expect educated fish, fine tippets, and long leaders to separate results from frustration.
Stripers Firing from Eastern Sound to Montauk in Early June
Per On The Water's June 4 report, the striper bite is firing from the Eastern Sound to Montauk, with fluke fishing showing signs of improvement around NYC and bluefish action remaining spotty across the island. That momentum has been building for weeks: On The Water's May 21 dispatch flagged a strong push of big bass and bunker into Western Long Island Sound, with the North Fork and Montauk heating up noticeably. The Saltwater Edge Blog (RI) observed in late May that as some bass push north, more fish from the south continue to fill the void — a classic early-summer rotation that keeps Long Island waters well-supplied through June. As of June 9, OTW Saltwater's striper migration report confirms bunker, mackerel, sea herring, and sand eels are fueling improving action northward through southern New England. No buoy readings are available to confirm current water temperature, but the pattern across multiple sources is consistent: this is a productive early-June striper window for Long Island anglers.
Lake Ontario salmon running strong as offshore summer bite builds
Strike Zone Charters reports salmon fishing on Lake Ontario has been 'very good this past week,' with brown trout and lake trout mixing into the bite. The productive zone is 100-160 feet of water. Mag Dipsey Divers are doing the heavy lifting, and green, white, and chartreuse e-chips are accounting for most fish when temperature breaks push them deeper. Depths shift day to day as wind reorganizes the thermal structure, so staying mobile and adjusting regularly pays off. Inshore, USGS gauge 04250750 shows flows at 67.8 cfs, indicating low, clear conditions in the tributary system, typical for the Salmon River corridor as spring runoff subsides heading into summer. No water temperature data is available from monitoring stations this cycle. For tributary anglers, low clear flows call for longer leaders, finer presentations, and a focus on shaded pools and deeper runs during midday hours.
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.