Fishing reports
7510 reports across all 50 states — current conditions and what's biting.
Deep-Summer Bass and Striper Bite Shapes Up at Smith Mountain and Buggs Island
Downstream Roanoke River flow registered 507 cfs at USGS gauge 02075045 on June 29, reflecting moderate late-June conditions on the system draining Smith Mountain Lake. Water temperature readings were unavailable from instruments this cycle. Nationally, Wired 2 Fish's July fishing outlook finds bass transitioning firmly offshore, with fish 'out deep on shad' across Southern reservoirs — a pattern that closely mirrors the late-June thermocline behavior typical of landlocked striped bass at both Smith Mountain and Buggs Island. Tactical Bassin's July bass guide notes that fish metabolisms hit a seasonal peak this month, making it an excellent window for deep structure presentations and early-morning topwater. Field & Stream's summer catfishing coverage is a timely reminder that Buggs Island's trophy blue and channel cats enter prime feeding territory right now. No charter or tackle-shop dispatches from either lake were captured in this reporting cycle; the patterns below draw on regional seasonal intelligence and national angling sources rather than direct on-water testimony.
OP Rivers Prime for Steelhead as Early Chinook Enter Late-June Window
USGS gauges on Olympic Peninsula rivers recorded flows of 748 cfs and 542 cfs as of midday June 29 — moderate for late June, with neither a blown-out pulse nor a drought-level squeeze threatening fish passage. No water temperature was available from either gauge site. Specific on-the-water reports from area guides or tackle shops did not surface in current feeds, so conditions here are assessed against seasonal patterns rather than this-week testimony. WA WDFW Fishing Reports indicates the department actively conducts creel interviews and tracks catch across state waters during this period. Based on typical late-June timing, summer steelhead remain the primary target on OP rivers, with early Chinook beginning to stage in lower reaches. The full moon landing on June 29 can coincide with salmon movement at tidal influence zones. Confirm specific river regulations and emergency closures with WA WDFW before making the drive.
Blue marlin and ahi peak as full moon lights Hawaiian offshore grounds
Hawaii Fishing News — the state's official catch record-keeper and moon-tide calendar resource — is the lone intelligence feed for this update; no NOAA buoy readings or gauge data were transmitted for Hawaiian waters as of June 29. That data gap notwithstanding, late June is historically one of the strongest offshore windows the islands offer. Today's full moon typically concentrates baitfish near seamounts and along deep blue-water edges, triggering feeding runs from the pelagics that define Hawaiian summer fishing: blue marlin, yellowfin tuna (ahi), mahi-mahi (dorado), and wahoo (ono). Blue marlin are in their peak season, with the Kona Coast traditionally producing consistent trolling action May through September. Because no charter captain or tackle-shop feeds contributed specific on-the-water reports this cycle, anglers should verify current conditions directly with local operators before launching offshore. No regulatory closures or state advisories appeared in available feeds.
FL Atlantic Coast: Trophy Snook Peak as Redfish Bite Heats Up
Snook Nook's June 2026 report from Stuart confirms this is peak season for trophy snook along the Treasure Coast, with the shop noting a legitimate shot at a 40-inch-plus fish as snook stage for their annual spawn in the Indian River and St. Lucie River systems. The snook season in that area closed June 1 and typically reopens September 1, making all fish catch-and-release right now. Handle every breeder with care. On the redfish side, Captain Rick Murphy (FL Insider) called the Florida redfish bite "ON," with quality fish showing across inshore flats and backwater channels. Full Moon conditions this week drive strong tidal swings that favor feeding windows on current edges and inlet mouths. Offshore, CCA Florida reports a U.S. District Court injunction blocked the 2026 South Atlantic red snapper EFP pilot programs before Florida's Atlantic season could open. No Atlantic red snapper season is currently in effect. Verify current regulations before targeting snapper.
Tampa Bay Tarpon Surge as Full Moon Triggers Prime Spawn Window
Capt. Rick Grassett of CB's Saltwater Outfitters reports July tarpon along the Sarasota coast are 'usually more aggressive' than earlier in the season, and with tonight's full moon arriving right on cue, conditions are primed for travel-lane action at first light. Per Grassett's June and July forecasts, tarpon schools head offshore to spawn close to full moons, making beach setups with live crabs, baitfish, or DOA Baitbusters the go-to approach for spin anglers, while fly casters should anchor on bar edges. Closer to shore, Capt. Chuck Cress (CB's Saltwater Outfitters) reports a successful redfish session this past week on a small oyster bar in upper Sarasota Bay, with mullet and bait activity keeping fish in the area. Capt. Brandon Naeve (CB's Saltwater Outfitters) notes that shark activity, including bull sharks, blacktips, and lemon sharks, peaks through fall in Sarasota Bay and nearshore Gulf waters. Gulf-side snook regulations typically restrict harvest late spring through late summer; check current FWC rules before targeting.
Walleye and bass locking into current breaks across Upper Mississippi pools
The Upper Mississippi River at USGS gauge 05344500 (near Prescott) is flowing at 15,200 cfs as of June 29, a moderate late-June reading that positions walleye, sauger, and bass on predictable current-break structure — wingdams, pool-tail seams, and channel-edge transitions from Prescott down through La Crosse. No gauge water temperature is available for this reporting cycle. Fishing the Midwest's weedline feature highlights that summer open-water anglers are working pool edges for walleye as fish complete their transition into summer patterns. AnglingBuzz (YT) reports that Midwest crappie anglers are targeting suspended fish over deeper pool basins, with forward-facing sonar reducing locate times. Jason Mitchell Outdoors (YT) spotlights light-jig casting for walleye in current as the go-to summer river technique. Tonight's full moon extends low-light feeding windows for walleye and catfish, making the first and last hours of daylight the prime windows to be on the water.
Lake Superior lakers and coho rolling as inland MN lakes enter peak summer
The MN DNR's June 25 Lake Superior Summer Fishing Report shows surface temps ranging from 38°F near Two Harbors to 52°F near Duluth, with anglers landing good numbers of 19–29 inch lake trout and 16–19 inch coho salmon — plus scattered chinook to 32 inches — trolling bright spoons, stickbaits, and flasher flies 20–50 feet down over 70–120 feet of water. The warmest, most productive pockets are concentrated near the Duluth end of the lower shore. Inland, the Mississippi River near the Twin Cities is flowing at 11,100 cfs (USGS gauge 05331000) as of June 29, and a second gauge (USGS 05288500) reads 5,740 cfs — no water temperature data is available from either station. Direct bite reports for inland North Woods lakes are thin in this cycle, but AnglingBuzz coverage from Blake Tollefson points to summer crappies keying on deeper basin structure with big hard baits and forward-facing sonar. Tonight's full moon typically narrows walleye feeding into low-light windows — plan your launch accordingly.
Lake Erie smallmouth enter peak summer window as Niagara corridor warms
Water at USGS gauge 04231600 registered 72°F on June 29 — right in the sweet spot for Lake Erie smallmouth bass, which historically peak in late June as rocky mid-depth structure heats up. No offshore buoy data is available for this cycle, but warm inshore readings signal the seasonal transition that typically pushes walleye toward deeper thermocline edges while smallmouth spread across boulder fields and transition flats throughout the eastern basin. Tactical Bassin notes that across northern bass waters entering July, fish are feeding aggressively and splitting between shallow cover and deeper summer sanctuaries — a pattern that maps cleanly onto Lake Erie's mixed-depth structure. Fishing the Midwest points to weedline edges as productive contact zones for both walleye and bass as summer locks in. Direct charter or tackle-shop reports from the Niagara corridor were not available in this update; anglers should verify local conditions before heading offshore. The Full Moon this week favors low-light bite windows at dawn and dusk.
Missouri's summer bite peaks: bass and catfish active as big river runs full
Water temperatures at USGS gauge 06934500 are holding at 79°F on June 29, with the river pushing 135,000 cfs — elevated flows that concentrate fish along current seams, eddies, and submerged structure rather than open flats. Tactical Bassin notes that July marks the point where bass metabolisms peak and fish become highly predictable, staging along two main summer zones: deep offshore structure tied to shad schools, or shallow current edges where baitfish congregate. Wired 2 Fish echoes that anglers nationwide are finding largemouth holding tight to bream and baitfish in the shallows, with moving baits over emerging weedlines producing well. Catfish are in prime summer mode — Field & Stream's summer catfish coverage highlights drift-boat presentations as a go-to tactic for river cats through the warm months. Tonight's Full Moon should extend productive feeding windows well into the evening. Crappie have largely retreated to deeper, cooler water until temperatures begin to ease.
Lake Mead stripers shifting deep as midsummer full-moon window opens
Glide baits are the breakout striper technique of 2026, per On The Water — and that momentum translates to Lake Mead's landlocked striper population as the fishery enters its most demanding seasonal stretch. USGS gauge 09421500 returned no readings this cycle, leaving water temperature and flow data unavailable for the lower Colorado corridor. What the absence of data can't obscure: late June on Lake Mead is peak desert summer, typically driving stripers off exposed flats and down toward thermocline depth during daylight hours. Tactical Bassin reports that bass metabolisms hit a seasonal high in July, making this an actively feeding period for anglers who can locate fish vertically. Dawn and dusk remain the prime surface windows; midday bites shift deep to main-basin structure and shaded canyon arms. The full moon this week may extend productive periods into the after-dark hours. No local charter or shop reports landed in this cycle's feeds to sharpen the on-the-water picture.
Cumberland bass split deep and shallow as full-moon summer heat sets in
Wired 2 Fish reports that bass metabolisms are "at an all time high" heading into July, and the Cumberland system is primed to deliver. The USGS gauge at site 03434500 recorded the river running at 148 cfs on June 29, signaling low, clear summer flows that concentrate fish on predictable structure. No water temperature was available from the gauge, but late-June conditions in Middle Tennessee typically push surface temps into the upper 80s range. Tactical Bassin describes the dominant summer split, with one group of bass holding on offshore shad schools and another working shallow cover for bream, as highly predictable once anglers identify those two variables. Tonight's full moon will compress the best action into low-light windows at dawn and dusk. Wired 2 Fish also highlights fly-rod anglers scoring jumbo bluegills on handmade dice and urchin surface bugs, a pattern that translates well to Tennessee's shallow-cover reservoirs and back-country ponds.
Trout dialing in on dries and nymphs as Colorado River runoff fades
The USGS gauge at site 09095500 put the Colorado River at 1,940 cfs and 66°F at midday June 29 — a warm but still-fishable reading that signals the system is shedding runoff fast. Crystal Fly Shop (CO) confirmed the timing in their latest Colorado River report: "We're on the back end of runoff now with currently great water conditions and happy fish," and they're urging anglers onto the water before midsummer heat narrows the window. Large attractor patterns are producing, with green drakes, golden stones, PMDs, and caddis all on the near horizon per Crystal Fly Shop. Nymphing with Rubberleg Stones has been solid throughout. Cutthroat Anglers (CO) frames the broader statewide picture: a historically low-snowpack season has fish "active, grouped up, and ready to bite" in compressed lies — meaning the trout are findable, but light fluorocarbon tippets and precise presentations will be the difference on clear stretches of both the Colorado and Arkansas drainages.
Deschutes summer steelhead stir as drought watch shadows both OR rivers
Drought arriving early in June is the conversation in fly-fishing circles this season — The Fly Fishing Forum flagged the concern directly in a post titled "Drought: And so it begins, in June no less!" — and anglers planning trips to the Deschutes and Upper Klamath should pay close attention. USGS gauge 14070500, which covers the Deschutes, returned no flow or temperature readings for this period; check USGS WaterWatch before leaving the house. That data gap notwithstanding, late June is historically when the first summer steelhead begin nosing into the lower Deschutes, and this week's full moon can trigger low-light migration pushes worth planning around. Redband trout — the river's signature resident fish — predictably stage in deeper, shaded seams as afternoon air temperatures climb, making early-morning and evening windows the most reliable frames. Hatch Magazine has raised ongoing ethical considerations around bull trout in Pacific Northwest systems; anglers in the Upper Klamath drainage should confirm current state regulations before targeting any char species.
Green River tailwater primed for summer trout as cold dam releases hold steady
The USGS gauge at site 09234500 logged 56°F and 1,360 cfs on the Green River below Flaming Gorge Dam as of June 29, placing the tailwater in a productive late-June window. At 56°F, brown and rainbow trout sit well within their preferred feeding range, and flows at 1,360 cfs keep wading access open across much of the lower A-section while maintaining enough current to concentrate fish in well-defined seams and ledge edges. Direct on-the-water reports from this specific stretch are absent from current intel feeds, so conditions here are drawn from gauge data and patterns typical for this tailwater at this time of year. MidCurrent notes that midge-style patterns "excel in the clear, pressured water of stillwaters and tailraces" — a description that fits the Green River's technical character precisely. The Full Moon this week may compress active feeding into low-light bookends; prioritize the first hour after dawn and the approach to dark for best dry-fly and emerger opportunity.
Full-moon catfish and summer bass prime up on the Mississippi
Field & Stream's summer catfish feature highlights the current prime window for big river cats, and USGS gauge 07289000 confirms elevated flows at 835,000 cfs as of June 29, levels that push fish out of main-channel current and into the slack backwaters, wing dams, and flooded timber the Mississippi is known for. Tonight's full moon adds another layer: catfish anglers working the river at night should find actively feeding fish along current seams after dark. Wired 2 Fish notes that July bass in the South often split into two camps, some still shallow chasing bream and others sitting deep on shad schools. Tactical Bassin's July bass breakdown points to versatility as the key, with topwaters producing in morning hours before the heat sets in. Bluegill action remains solid, with Wired 2 Fish reporting fly-rod anglers scoring jumbo fish on dice and urchin-style bugs in slack backwater cover.
Full Moon Ignites Summer Bass Bite on Alabama's River Systems
Flow on the Coosa sits at 789 cfs per USGS gauge 02339500, running at moderate late-summer levels. No water temperature reading was logged at the gauge, but late June heat across central Alabama pushes conditions into full summer pattern. Wired 2 Fish's July preview notes Southern anglers are finding bass "still shallow chasing bream" while others have moved "deep on shad," with current playing a factor. For the Tennessee and Coosa systems, that translates to targeting main channel breaks and shad-laden points at first light before the sun climbs, then dropping to ledge structure for the midday grind. The full moon — peaking today — can trigger aggressive feeding windows after dark and around dawn; expect baitfish to move along shallow current seams and bass to follow. Catfish are in prime summer form: Field & Stream highlights summer as the "perfect" season for cat action on warmwater river systems. Both species deserve a spot in your float plan this week.
Truckee River Trout Shift to Low-Water Summer Mode on Lean Flows
The USGS gauge on the Truckee River watershed recorded 40.9 cfs on the morning of June 29 — a lean reading for late June in the Sierra Nevada, pointing to an early transition to low-summer conditions. No direct shop, charter, or agency reports for the Truckee and Lake Tahoe region reached our feeds this week, so our picture here is built from gauge data and regional seasonal patterns. Low, clear water is the story right now: trout will be holding in deeper pools and undercut banks, rewarding precise, lightweight presentations over blind casting. MidCurrent's recent pattern coverage highlights beaded nymphs and midge-style ties for "clear, pressured water of stillwaters and tailraces" — a description that fits the Truckee's current character closely. Tonight's full moon may push active feeding windows toward first and last light over the next several days. Check state regulations before fishing, as rules on the Truckee vary by reach.
South Platte browns concentrated as low-snowpack season clears the tailwaters
USGS gauge 06701900 on the South Platte is reading 207 cfs — lean for late June, a direct result of what Cutthroat Anglers (CO) calls a 'historically bad' Colorado snowpack winter. Colorado Trout Hunters reports the Dream Stream just concluded one of its best spring migratory runs in recent years, with lake-run browns pushing hard out of Eleven Mile Reservoir before retreating back with warming temps. Resident trout are the focus now: in low, clear tailwater conditions they're stacked in prime oxygenated lies — deep runs, seams, and shaded pocket water. Cutthroat Anglers (CO) notes that low-water years concentrate fish and reward anglers willing to downsize and step away from crowded access points. AvidMax Blog (CO) has been spotlighting midge emerger patterns this season, including foam-back styles and jigged tungsten nymphs well-suited to gin-clear flows. Trico spinner falls should intensify through morning windows as July approaches. Plan your best fishing for dawn to mid-morning.
Columbia Summer Chinook and Sturgeon Active Through Late-June Warmth
USGS gauge 14105700 put the Columbia River at 66°F and 148,000 cfs on June 29, placing water temperature at the upper edge of the comfort zone for migrating Chinook salmon. At 66°F, fish increasingly seek deeper, cooler water and slow their upstream push, making tributary confluences and shaded channel lies the most productive holds. Wired 2 Fish this week featured a remarkable 1,200-pound white sturgeon caught and released on British Columbia's Fraser River — a signal that Pacific Northwest rivers are producing extraordinary sturgeon encounters heading into summer. Direct on-the-water reports from Columbia River guides or local shops were absent from this cycle's intel feeds, so local angler accounts are limited. With the full moon arriving June 29, stronger tidal exchanges on the lower river may briefly concentrate baitfish and staging salmon near structure. Check current state regulations before keeping any fish — white sturgeon in much of the Columbia system are managed catch-and-release.
Winnipesaukee bass fire up for summer as full moon stretches evening windows
The Merrimack River at Franklin, NH (USGS gauge 01081000) was flowing at 995 cfs as of June 29, a serviceable summer baseline for the watershed draining into Lake Winnipesaukee. No water temperature reading was available from the gauge, but late June typically places Winnipesaukee's shallower bays in the upper 60s to low 70s range, warm enough to fire up bass but pushing lake trout toward deeper, cooler structure. Wired 2 Fish reports that urchin- and dice-style surface bugs are drawing jumbo bluegills and largemouth bass in strong numbers across the Northeast right now. Tactical Bassin identifies July as a peak month for bass aggression, with fish running shallow at dawn before settling onto weedlines and depth transitions through midday. The full moon overhead on June 29 should extend productive twilight feeding windows on both ends of the day, making the evening and pre-dawn hours the prime times to be on the water.
Lake Taneycomo trout bite fickle as June fronts roll through
Per Lilleys Landing's June 2026 report, Lake Taneycomo's trout have been anything but predictable this month. A parade of mini-fronts moving through the Ozarks multiple times per day — each bringing rain and wind shifts — has produced a boom-or-bust bite pattern: solid action one afternoon, frustrating silence the next morning. Lilleys Landing identifies the generation schedule as the one constant: operators are running Taneycomo based on power demand rather than flood control, a direct consequence of the prolonged Midwest drought that has kept Table Rock below power pool levels through spring and into early summer. No flood-release pulses and no shad runs mean the tailwater is fishing at relatively steady, lower flows — which, per Lilleys Landing, should make trout more approachable for most anglers as summer deepens. No current readings were available from USGS gauge 07054410. Full Moon conditions tonight may push the best feeding windows toward first light and the hour before dark.
Smokies tailwater trout seek generation windows as summer heat builds
Live gauge data for USGS gauge 03565000 on the Hiwassee system was unavailable at press time, leaving current flow and temperature unconfirmed. Without real-time local intel from Smokies-area tackle shops or guides in this dataset, the report draws on national tailwater content and seasonal patterns. Gink and Gasoline recently profiled precise drag-free nymph presentations for picky trout in clear, pressured tailwater — precisely the style that earns strikes on summer-conditioned Hiwassee and Caney Fork fish. MidCurrent's latest tying content highlights a midge-style GFC Fly built for "clear, pressured water of stillwaters and tailraces," a pattern worth packing for both rivers' glassy summer pools. With a Full Moon overhead on June 29, feeding activity is likely concentrated in low-light windows. Both tailwaters fish best when dam releases are running — time your session around generation schedules, and verify conditions via the TVA hotline before launching.
Lake Erie walleye dial into summer weedlines as Ohio River catfish season peaks
With USGS gauge 03271601 returning no readings today, this report draws on regional angling intel. Fishing the Midwest notes the 2026 open water season is "in full swing," with walleye anglers identifying weedline edges as a key transitional presentation heading into summer. On Lake Erie, Great Lakes Now reports that new monitoring buoys are being deployed to track toxic algal blooms — a seasonal threat worth watching as the July–August peak window approaches. Tonight's full moon is a meaningful trigger for Ohio River flathead and channel catfish, which historically peak through late June and July under low-light conditions. Wired 2 Fish describes the early July period broadly as hot across the country, with bass tracking deeper on shad as surface temperatures climb, a pattern consistent with Lake Erie's post-spawn smallmouth and largemouth behavior. No flow or temperature readings were available today; verify conditions via USGS and local reports before heading out.
Summer walleye patterns lock in across Lake of the Woods and Rainy River
Water temperatures on the Rainy River reached 73°F on June 29 per USGS gauge 05133500, marking a firm transition into midsummer fishing across Lake of the Woods and the Rainy River corridor. At this temperature, walleye — the region's signature species — typically compress against deeper weed edges and main-channel breaks through the heat of the day, with the most reliable action coming during low-light windows at dawn and dusk. No charter- or shop-level reports specific to LOTW were captured in this cycle, but Jason Mitchell Outdoors (YT) has been covering summer walleye technique extensively, flagging light jigs and slip-bobber rigs with jig-worm combos as standout presentations when fish pin to current seams. Fishing the Midwest notes that weedline transitions are producing well for walleye and mixed species across the upper Midwest right now. River flow on the Rainy reads 4,710 cfs — enough current to concentrate baitfish and walleye at classic ambush points along the main channel. Tonight's full moon may tighten the best bites toward the evening window.