Fishing reports
7510 reports across all 50 states — current conditions and what's biting.
Red and Missouri River walleyes dial in summer patterns under full moon
Water at USGS gauge 05054000 on the Red River clocked 73°F and 648 cfs on June 29 — full summer conditions are locked in across the region. Jason Mitchell Outdoors has been actively covering spinner presentations for walleyes on Lake Sakakawea, the Missouri River's flagship reservoir, as fish settle into summer structure and current seams. AnglingBuzz rounds out the picture with walleye slip bobber setups for this warm-water phase, noting that jig selection and leader length make a real difference when fish go finicky under bright summer skies. Tonight's full moon is an asset: walleyes are known to push shallower after dark during bright-moon windows, making low-light edges and shoreline points worth targeting in the first and last hour of light. Fishing the Midwest notes that working weedlines is keeping multiple species active as the season matures, with versatile anglers who mix presentations consistently outperforming those locked to a single approach.
Late-June tailwater window: Green River running cool and fishable
USGS gauge 09234500 logged the Green River at 1,360 cfs and 56°F on June 29 — a fishable, productive reading for this renowned tailwater below Flaming Gorge. At that flow, wading remains manageable through the A-Section, and the dam-regulated temperature keeps trout holding in predictable current seams rather than retreating to thermal refuges. MidCurrent's recent fly-tying coverage highlights patterns tailor-made for conditions like these: their featured GFC Fly is described as excelling in 'clear, pressured water of stillwaters and tailraces,' while a beaded purple nymph is called out for low-light, overcast days when high-contrast color does the heavy lifting. No direct reports from local Utah guides or tackle shops appeared in this week's intel feeds; verify current conditions with a local outfitter before heading out. The Full Moon this week tends to compress daytime feeding windows, so early-morning and late-evening sessions are your best bets for consistent surface and nymphing action.
Lake of the Ozarks Bass in Full Summer Mode as Osage Runs High
Osage River water temperature hit 79°F on June 29 (USGS gauge 06934500), confirming Lake of the Ozarks and its tailwaters are locked into late-June summer conditions. Flows on the Osage are elevated at 136,000 cfs, creating heavy current through the tailwater section below Bagnell Dam. Tactical Bassin's July bass breakdown flags this as a period when fish are driven by two distinct population splits — one suspending offshore behind shad schools over deep structure, another still relating to shallow cover during low-light windows. Wired 2 Fish's July lure report echoes this split, noting fish "out deep on shad" with a secondary shallow bite around bream forage. The full moon adds a night-bite component worth planning around. Field & Stream's summer catfish feature identifies these high-current conditions as ideal for targeting trophy channel and flathead catfish on current breaks and eddy pockets.
Wisconsin walleye and bass lock onto weedlines as summer patterns deepen
Weedline walleye are the marquee target right now, per Fishing the Midwest, which flags emerging weeds as the go-to summer structure as the 2026 open water season hits full swing. The Wisconsin River at Merrill is flowing at 644 cfs as of June 29 (USGS gauge 05391000), offering river anglers productive transitional edges for walleye and smallmouth bass. WI DNR Lake Superior Fishing has been tracking a growing lake whitefish fishery in Chequamegon Bay, with boat anglers increasingly targeting this species through summer. AnglingBuzz reports muskie fishing is evolving fast under new angling pressure and forward-facing sonar adoption, making technique adaptation essential. Wired 2 Fish pegs the late-June window as the transition point in northern waters: bass that were shallow in spring are splitting between deep structure midday and feeding shelves at dawn and dusk. Tonight's full moon should concentrate predators during low-light windows on both the river and the big lake.
Summer low flows concentrate Potomac & Patapsco bass and catfish in deep pools
USGS gauge 01589000 logged the Patapsco at 42.6 cfs on June 29 — a low summer reading signaling that fish have pulled off the flats into deeper, cooler holds. Field & Stream highlights catfish alongside bass as the premier warm-season freshwater pairing, noting both species stack near structure when rivers thin and warm. Tactical Bassin confirms July's bass are highly predictable in this heat: feeding aggressively but moving deep on shad, with early-morning and evening windows offering the best surface shots. Wired 2 Fish adds that bass are simultaneously chasing bream near shallow cover in addition to following deeper shad schools — anglers should scout both depth zones depending on time of day. Tonight's full moon should extend active feeding well into the overnight hours, a prime window for catfish on the Patapsco and the upper tidal Potomac.
San Juan tailwater a refuge as Rio Grande records drought-level flows
USGS gauge 08330000 on the Rio Grande returned a reading of 0 cfs on June 29 — an extraordinary low pointing to severe drought conditions or irrigation diversion on the mainstem. No NM-specific charter, shop, or agency reports surfaced in this week's intel feeds, but drought sentiment is circulating nationally; The Fly Fishing Forum put it bluntly: 'Drought: And so it begins, in June no less.' For trout anglers, the San Juan River below Navajo Dam is the logical pivot. As a dam-controlled tailwater, its flows are insulated from surface drought in ways the free-flowing Rio Grande simply is not. MidCurrent's current tying coverage highlights sparse midge-style patterns as the standard in 'clear, pressured water of stillwaters and tailraces' — a description that fits the San Juan's summer character precisely. Full Moon this week may concentrate feeding into low-light windows. Verify current Navajo Dam release schedules before launching.
White River tailwaters: browns key as summer heat tests the trout bite
USGS gauge 07060710 recorded just 9.1 cfs and 80°F on the White River as of Monday afternoon, numbers that flag a summer challenge for Bull Shoals and Norfork tailwater anglers. At 80°F, the river sits well above the rainbow trout comfort zone; browns, with their higher heat tolerance, represent the better near-term target. Minimal flow suggests the dams are generating little to no discharge right now, which limits the cold-water push that keeps the fishery productive in summer. None of this week's angler intel feeds carry direct reports from the White River; conditions described here draw from current gauge data and established late-June tailwater patterns. MidCurrent's tailrace nymph coverage this week highlights midge and scud imitations as perennial producers in pressured, clear tailwater, and both patterns translate well to Bull Shoals and Norfork. A full moon overhead favors brown trout movement after dark; plan accordingly.
Kansas and Arkansas Rivers heat up as catfish season hits its peak
Water temps hitting 80°F at USGS gauge 06892350 put the Kansas River squarely in peak summer catfish season as of June 29. Flow is running at a brisk 19,700 cfs, pushing fish tight into current seams, eddies, and structure edges rather than open flats. Tonight's full moon opens a prime nocturnal feeding window: channel and flathead catfish are classically most active on summer full-moon nights, making after-dark cut-bait sessions in current breaks the top play this weekend. Tactical Bassin notes that July's elevated water temps push bass metabolisms high, splitting the population between aggressive early-morning shallow feeders and fish parked over deep mid-channel structure through midday heat. Field & Stream's summer catfish feature this week reinforces the drift-boat, slow-current approach that consistently produces on big river systems like the Kansas and Arkansas. Plan early or late; midday sun with 80°F water makes fish lethargic in open runs.
Summer bass bite peaks on Lake Eufaula as Red River runs low and slow
The Red River is running at a thin 21.4 cfs per USGS gauge 07247500 as of June 29 — low, lethargic flow that concentrates fish in deeper pools and channel bends. No water temperature reading is available from the gauge, but late-June conditions in southeastern Oklahoma typically push reservoir surface temps into the low-to-mid 80s°F. Wired 2 Fish reports that bass metabolisms hit a seasonal peak in July across the South, with fish feeding aggressively on shad and bream. Tactical Bassin breaks it down further: expect largemouth to split into two distinct camps — offshore schools trailing shad in deeper water and shadow-seeking fish holding tight to early-morning shallow cover. Tonight's full moon sets up a prime night-fishing window for channel catfish on the Red River, where low-water conditions pinch fish into predictable ambush pools. Crappie have typically retreated to deeper brush structure by late June. Check current state regulations before harvesting any species.
Salmon trollers work the thermocline as Door County enters prime summer season
The WI DNR Lake Michigan Fishing Report confirmed a record-breaking 2024 harvest — more than 210,000 coho salmon (a state record) and over 160,000 Chinook landed, the strongest Chinook showing since 2012, with healthy alewife forage credited for exceptional stocked-fish survival. Those year-classes carry strong biological tailwinds into the 2026 season. No real-time buoy data is available for this report cycle, so anglers should verify local conditions before launching. The Rowley's Bay Boat Launch in Door County, closed through late May for concrete improvements per the WI DNR, is now back in service, restoring full access to northern Door County water. Classic summer tactics apply — spoons and stick baits trolled along the thermocline for Chinook and coho, with rocky nearshore structure worth targeting for smallmouth. A full moon (June 29) can extend low-light feeding activity at dawn and dusk. Confirm current limits and open seasons with the WI DNR before harvesting any species.
Summer heat pushes Lanier and Allatoona bass deep as full moon peaks
Georgia's summer has arrived in force, and the gauge makes it plain: USGS gauge 02334430 recorded 50°F water at 636 cfs on the Chattahoochee below Buford Dam on June 29 — the cold hypolimnetic release from Lake Lanier that draws striped bass to the tailwater corridor. The Georgia Wildlife Blog's June 26 update confirms summer fishing is in full swing statewide. For bass anglers on Lanier and Allatoona, Wired 2 Fish reports that July across the South sees fish split between a deep offshore shad bite and a residual shallow pattern — both dynamics apply to Lanier's main-lake humps and Allatoona's creek coves. Tactical Bassin notes that bass metabolisms are "at an all-time high" this month, rewarding anglers who locate summer structure. Tonight's full moon will compress the daytime bite; first and last light become the priority windows. Per GA Sportsman, the heat is real — stay hydrated this weekend.
CT Inland Bass and Panfish Hit Full Summer Stride
Water temps on Connecticut's inland waterways have climbed to 73°F per USGS gauge 01184000 on the Connecticut River mainstem, confirming that summer feeding patterns are now firmly locked in. Largemouth and smallmouth bass are in their prime window: Tactical Bassin notes that July bass split into two predictable groups, shallow cover-holders and deeper structure fish, with topwater, soft jerkbaits, and the Neko rig among the most productive summer presentations. Wired 2 Fish reports fly-rod anglers scoring "good numbers of jumbo bluegills and largemouth bass" on hand-tied urchin and dice-style bugs, a technique that translates well to panfish in shaded coves. Meanwhile, small tributary streams are running lean; USGS gauge 01193500 logs just 28.4 cfs, reflecting dry summer low conditions. Holdover trout are under thermal stress at these temperatures and likely concentrated in cold-water refugia. The full moon this weekend will push the best bass and panfish activity to dawn and dusk windows.
Bass and catfish fill the void as Connecticut River shad run closes out
Flow on the Connecticut River drainage is running at 39.3 cfs as of June 29 — a lean, low-water reading heading into July. The shad run is finished: The Fisherman — New England Freshwater's Fishin' Factory 3 report from Middletown states that Connecticut River anglers have pivoted to channel catfish and bowfins. Bass fishing has locked into warm-weather mode, with early mornings and evenings accounting for the bulk of action on topwater frogs, Whopper Ploppers, Senkos, and live shiners, per that same source. Tonight's Full Moon will compress productive windows tighter — dawn and dusk transitions are the primary feeding periods, with midday expected to slow considerably. Trout have gone quiet; Fishin' Factory 3 described them as "quiet, even at popular venues," consistent with summer heat pushing fish into deep, cool holds. On Lake Champlain, smallmouth and walleye are transitioning into mid-depth summer patterns as surface temperatures continue to climb.
Bass and walleye firing as summer peaks on Mosquito and Pymatuning
With the Mahoning River tributary reading 92 cfs at USGS gauge 03110000 on June 29, Mosquito Lake and Pymatuning Reservoir are deep into the summer transition. Tactical Bassin reports July is when bass metabolism hits its annual peak, pushing largemouth to feed aggressively, splitting between deep shad balls and shallow emerging weedlines. Fishing the Midwest highlights weedline fishing as the signature warm-weather pattern, noting that versatile anglers targeting walleye, bass, and panfish along those edges are seeing the most consistent action. Wired 2 Fish reports anglers scoring jumbo bluegills on urchin and dice-style lure patterns, a technique well-suited to Pymatuning's sprawling shallow bays. Walleye, a hallmark species on both reservoirs, should see a boost from tonight's full moon. Expect the best windows at first and last light along deeper structure breaks. No water temperature reading is available from today's gauges, but late-June northeast Ohio surface temps typically run in the low-to-mid 70s.
Upper Mississippi Goes Full Summer Mode: Bass and Panfish on the Move
Water temperatures have reached 79°F across the Upper Mississippi's Clinton-Dubuque pools as of June 29 (USGS gauge 05420500), and the bite has shifted firmly into midsummer patterns. Fishing the Midwest reports that weedlines are now the high-percentage structure for walleye and multispecies anglers, with fish spreading along submergent vegetation edges as post-spawn movements conclude. AnglingBuzz (YT) highlights summer crappie action responding to larger hard-bait presentations, with Blake Tollefson specifically noting forward-facing sonar as a difference-maker for locating suspended fish in warm water. Largemouth bass are in aggressive feeding mode: Wired 2 Fish reports anglers picking up quality fish on surface lures including dice-style bugs, while Tactical Bassin confirms July bass are tracking both deep shad schools and shallow cover opportunistically. Tonight's full moon window sets up a prime overnight run for catfish along the main channel.
Evening Hatches Drive Eastern Sierra Trout Action Into Late June
The Truckee River has been fishing well on both the California and Nevada sides through mid-June, per Reno Fly Shop (NV), with wet wading season fully underway. Afternoon thunderstorms have been breaking the summer heat, creating productive windows in the early morning and late evening. According to the shop, caddis, stonefly, and evening hatches are drawing trout to the surface once midday recreational pressure eases; getting out before the afternoon tube hatch is the key play. Crayfish imitations are also producing as water temperatures climb into summer range. No flow or temperature readings came through from the USGS gauge this cycle, so anglers should verify conditions before heading out. Trout Unlimited reports the southern Sierra high country is in prime form right now for native golden trout, calling this a splendid time to explore the area. Drought conditions and historically low Western snowpacks flagged by Cutthroat Anglers (CO) suggest summer flows on freestone streams may run below average heading into July.
Summer catfish and bass patterns hit stride on the Platte and Missouri
The Platte River is logging 5,580 cfs as of this morning (USGS gauge 06796000), a moderately elevated summer flow that concentrates fish in slack eddies and current breaks along both the Platte and Missouri corridors. No water temperature data is available from the gauge today; late-June conditions in Nebraska typically place river temps in the mid-to-upper 70s°F, squarely in channel catfish prime territory. Fishing the Midwest reports that the 2026 open water season is in full stride across the region, with weedline patterns and multi-species approaches producing for versatile anglers. Tactical Bassin notes that bass metabolisms are "at an all-time high" heading into July, with post-spawn fish splitting into predictable shallow and deep summer zones. Tonight's full moon adds a reliable nocturnal feeding push; cut shad and stink bait worked along current seams and deep eddies should be the top play for catfish anglers through the week.
Iowa & Des Moines Rivers running full: catfish key in on current seams
The Iowa River at USGS gauge 05465500 is registering 12,100 cfs as of June 29, indicating elevated, fast-moving water well above typical midsummer base flows. With a Full Moon overhead and no water temperature on record at the gauge, anglers should anticipate mid-to-upper 60°F water based on late-June regional norms, prime territory for channel catfish and flathead. Wired 2 Fish reports July bass metabolism is at an all-time high across the Midwest, with fish aggressively chasing prey. Fishing the Midwest notes that working moving baits along weedline edges has been productive for bass. Walleye should be stacking in classic high-water refuges: tailwaters, wing dam slots, and slower tributary mouths. AnglingBuzz highlights slip bobbers paired with jigs as the go-to walleye technique right now. Full Moon nights this week set up well for trophy flatheads holding in the deepest current breaks.
Finger Lakes bass dial into summer patterns under the full moon
USGS gauge 04232050 logged 66°F and just 8.7 cfs on June 29 — drought-level flow signaling the Finger Lakes watershed is running well below normal for late June. With water this warm, bass are most active during low-light windows at dawn and dusk. Wired 2 Fish reports fly-rod anglers catching good numbers of largemouth bass on handmade dice and urchin-style surface bugs — a pattern that translates directly to the poppers and soft surface presentations that draw Cayuga and Seneca smallmouth off rocky drop-offs. Tactical Bassin confirms that July's elevated water temperatures push bass metabolism into overdrive, with fish feeding aggressively but retreating to thermal breaks and deeper weedlines by midday. Fishing the Midwest points to weedline edges as the key summer structure target. Tonight's full moon favors nocturnal feeding runs — plan your best sessions for first light over the next two days.
Lake Champlain smallmouth in full summer mode; landlocked salmon go deep
Water temperatures logged at 71°F by USGS gauge 04294500 on June 29 put Lake Champlain squarely in summer territory. Smallmouth bass are the headline act right now. Post-spawn fish have abandoned shallow beds and are orienting to rocky transitions, submerged points, and outside weedline edges. Wired 2 Fish's July lure roundup notes that bass across northern lake country are feeding aggressively, with early-morning topwater drawing strikes before the sun loads the surface. Tactical Bassin's July bass guide echoes that theme, pointing to high metabolisms and fish actively feeding on multiple prey through the hottest month of the year. Landlocked salmon are a different story at 71°F. These coldwater fish prefer temperatures well below that threshold and have retreated toward the thermocline. Deep-trolling with spoons or smelt imitations is the only reliable path to them right now. The full moon this weekend adds an additional low-light feeding window worth planning around.
Texoma Stripers and Eufaula Bass Locked Deep as Oklahoma Summer Peaks
With summer fully gripping Oklahoma, landlocked striped bass at Lake Texoma and largemouth at Lake Eufaula are in their classic deep-water holding mode. USGS gauge 07331600 logged 47.9 cfs on June 29 — low inflow consistent with midsummer drought conditions in the Red River drainage — keeping Texoma's main basin clearer than average and putting a premium on locating fish on structure rather than following stained runoff seams. Tonight's full moon is the headline factor: catfish and stripers historically move aggressively on full-moon nights, and that window stretches into the predawn hours. Wired 2 Fish confirms that across the South right now bass are split between fish "out deep on shad" and a remnant shallow group still chasing bream, while Tactical Bassin (blog) notes that July metabolisms are "at an all-time high," meaning the fish are feeding actively — you just have to go find them on the thermocline. Dawn and dusk topwater windows are worth the early alarm.
Canyon Ferry walleye bite and summer low water ahead for Montana trout rivers
MT FWP Fishing News is urging Canyon Ferry Reservoir walleye anglers to keep more of the smaller fish they land, a management push that signals an active bite alongside a need to thin competition and let larger fish grow. The Missouri River drainage reservoir has supported walleye since 1989 and currently holds a dense population of smaller fish, per MT FWP Fishing News. On the Yellowstone side, USGS gauge 06043500 recorded 1,110 cfs on the morning of June 29, consistent with spring runoff tapering after a winter of below-average snowpack. MT FWP Fishing News recently hosted a virtual townhall flagging summer drought concerns, noting the hotter and drier than normal forecast and a suite of protective tools for the state's fisheries. A new TroutCast drought-forecasting tool launched June 1, 2026, per MT FWP Fishing News, giving anglers and managers a way to project heat-stress risks on blue-ribbon rivers before conditions deteriorate.
Low flows and long hatches: Catskills trout enter summer's technical stretch
Two USGS gauges tracking Catskills trout water registered notably lean flows on the morning of June 29: USGS gauge 01413500 came in at 56.7 cfs and USGS gauge 01415000 at just 8.94 cfs. Water temperature readings were unavailable from both sites. Chatter on The Fly Fishing Forum already has anglers noting drought conditions arriving early in June, and the low gauge numbers back up that concern. With no significant rain in the immediate forecast and the season pushing deep into summer, expect clear, slow-moving water where presentations need to be precise and tippets fine. This is the time of year when Catskills streams shift from mayfly-heavy evenings to trico-dominated mornings, with terrestrials — ants and beetles — filling the midday hours. Full Moon tonight can push nocturnal feeding and suppress daytime activity on flatter stretches. Fish early, fish late, and give low-pressure pools a wide berth.
Eastern WA Enters Peak Smallmouth Season as Rivers Run Strong into Late June
USGS gauge 12484500, covering Eastern Washington's Yakima drainage, logged 3,340 cfs on the morning of June 29 — running notably elevated for late June, signaling that snowmelt or late-season runoff is still working through the system. No water temperature data was available from the gauge this morning. The WA WDFW Fishing Reports feed was active at time of pull but carried no specific angler-catch updates for the Yakima or Spokane drainages. Angler discussion on The Fly Fishing Forum flagged drought concerns beginning in June across parts of the Northwest, though that broader note stands in contrast to the higher-than-typical gauge reading locally. On river, trout will likely seek slower edge water and tailouts while flows remain elevated. Reservoir and lake fishing for smallmouth bass and walleye should be less affected by current; tonight's full moon typically extends walleye and catfish evening feeding windows across Eastern WA lakes.