Fishing reports
7516 reports across all 50 states — current conditions and what's biting.
Long Island Sound Stripers Shift to Summer Haunts Under the June Full Moon
Per On The Water's June 26 striper migration map, bigger bass across the Northeast are concentrating around sand eels, squid, bunker, and herring as the spring run transitions into summer patterns. Rhode Island-based Saltwater Edge Blog reports that cool water temperatures have held through late June, a condition that has kept both striper action and squid fishing strong — the squid bite described as 'fantastic and not showing signs of slowing.' For stripers, Saltwater Edge's June Full Moon forecast notes the characteristic summer shift: fish moving out to deeper, cooler oceanfront water. Long Island Sound anglers should target rip edges and current seams during the strong tidal windows that accompany the June 29 full moon. Bottom species are also in good position: scup, black sea bass, and fluke are reported by Saltwater Edge as settling into their typical summer stations on reef structure and sand flats.
Chinook hold deep as late-June heat settles across Columbia and Rogue
Water temperature hit 71°F at USGS gauge 14211720 on the morning of June 29, with flows logged at 20,500 cfs — readings that mark the late-June thermal crossover on Oregon's Columbia and Rogue drainages. At 71°F, summer Chinook salmon face thermal stress and will gravitate toward deeper, cooler holding lies rather than pushing actively through open mid-river water. No regional charter or tackle-shop reports arrived this cycle, but Tactical Bassin notes that elevated summer temperatures push fish onto predictable patterns, with bass metabolisms running high and feeding aggressively through morning windows. Smallmouth bass on the Columbia should be in peak summer form at these temperatures, keying on rocky current seams and structure edges. Tonight's full moon adds a condensed pre-dawn light window worth planning around. Verify current Chinook and summer steelhead retention rules with state regulations before heading out — summer-run seasons vary by zone on both drainages.
Allegheny tailwaters: smallmouth and walleye on full-moon summer pattern
The Allegheny River is flowing at 5,460 cfs per USGS gauge 03036500 as of the June 29 morning reading — a healthy mid-summer pulse that concentrates fish near current seams, eddy pockets, and structure below the navigation dams. No site-specific PA Fish & Boat biologist report data landed in this cycle's feeds. Drawing on broader national signals, Wired 2 Fish observes that July bass metabolism is running at its annual peak, with fish feeding aggressively on a range of prey; Tactical Bassin similarly reports that current-oriented presentations and topwater bites are producing summer bass across the country. With the full moon arriving June 29, walleye and sauger should push into tailrace current seams after dark, and channel catfish typically intensify nocturnal feeding during full-moon windows. Smallmouth bass, the Allegheny's signature species, remain the top daytime target in mid-depth current breaks and eddy lines. PA Sea Grant flagged harmful algal bloom awareness for Pennsylvania waterways this week — check conditions before launching.
Summer transition arrives on the Kennebec as stripers settle into river holds
The Kennebec River gauge (USGS 01046500) was recording 4,910 cfs on the morning of June 29, a moderate-to-elevated late-June flow with no water temperature reading available this cycle. Per On The Water's June 26 striper migration map, bigger bass from New York to Maine are now shifting into summer patterns, concentrating around sand eels, squid, bunker, and herring as the spring push winds down. On The Water also notes that surfcasters across Maine have been finding stripers staging along shallow beaches, a signal that fish are pushing into tidal river mouths including the lower Kennebec and Penobscot. The Full Moon arrives June 29, historically a reliable trigger for aggressive feeding at dawn and dusk. Landlocked salmon and smallmouth bass hold the upper drainages this time of year, though no direct tackle reports from those specific waters reached our sources in this reporting cycle.
Western NC Trout Active in Shaded Runs as Summer Pattern Takes Hold
USGS gauge 03512000 on the Little Tennessee drainage logged 64°F and 614 cfs at 9 a.m. on June 29 — water temperatures still within the productive zone for Smokies trout but firmly announcing summer-pattern fishing. No Smokies-specific guide or shop intel appeared in this cycle's feeds, so conditions below draw on gauge data and typical late-June Southern Appalachian rhythms. Fish remain active at this temperature but will compress toward shaded, oxygenated water during midday, making morning and evening the priority windows. Tonight's full moon may push the evening rise later than usual — look for it to develop closer to 7:30 or 8 p.m. rather than at dusk. As Flylab (Substack) notes in a recent piece on reading riseforms, splashy surface activity points to caddis or stoneflies while subtle sips signal mayflies or midges — a practical field diagnostic for matching the hatch on pressured Smokies streams.
UP brook trout and smallmouth prime as late June flows ease toward summer
USGS gauge 04059500 logged 321 cfs on the morning of June 29, a moderate and wadeable flow consistent with Upper Peninsula streams settling into late-June rhythms after the spring melt is well past. Direct current angler intel for the MI UP was sparse this cycle — the MI DNR Weekly Fishing Report feed returned no usable conditions data. Drawing on seasonal patterns and adjacent reporting, UP brook trout should be entering their classic summer low-light window, with dawn and dusk presentations on small attractor dry flies and elk hair caddis outperforming the midday heat. The full moon falling on June 29 may stretch the active feeding window into after-dark hours on slower pools. WI DNR Lake Superior Fishing has documented a growing and popular lake whitefish fishery along the Lake Superior south shore in the Chequamegon Bay region — conditions that trend eastward toward the Michigan border. Smallmouth bass in UP river mouths and inland bays should be approaching peak summer activity.
Summer bass patterns take hold at Santee and Lake Murray as July approaches
USGS gauge 02160390 on the Wateree River logged 125 cfs this morning — low and stable, characteristic of South Carolina's late-June summer profile. No water temperature was transmitted with today's gauge data. Specific on-the-water reports from Santee and Lake Murray were absent from this morning's intel feeds, so conditions here are drawn from regional patterns and wider angler coverage: Wired 2 Fish's July South bass roundup confirms that bass across the region have fully cleared spawning flats and are shifting to summer structure, with topwater producing best at first light before the heat locks fish deep. Tactical Bassin's July bass breakdown reinforces that July can be one of the year's stronger months overall — metabolisms are elevated and fish are actively chasing bait. Tonight's full moon is a factor worth planning around, especially for landlocked stripers and catfish, which both carry strong nocturnal tendencies on the Santee Cooper system and Lake Murray.
PA River Smallmouth Enter Prime Summer Window Under Full Moon
USGS gauge 01540500 recorded 5,550 cfs and 76°F on the Susquehanna system this morning, readings that mark a textbook late-June shift into full summer patterns. At 76°F, water temperatures are squarely in smallmouth bass comfort territory, and Wired 2 Fish notes in their July 2026 lure roundup that bass across the region are "relating strongly to current" — a pattern that translates directly to Susquehanna riffles, ledge drops, and wing-dam structure. The full moon this week tightens prime feeding windows to low-light periods, first light and dusk, while pushing catfish and walleye activity later into the evening. Tactical Bassin confirms that bass metabolisms run at a seasonal high heading into July, with fish feeding aggressively across a variety of prey. One caution: PA Sea Grant flagged harmful algal blooms as a growing threat to Pennsylvania waterways this summer. Check for surface scum or discoloration before launching, and keep pets and children away from any green or blue-green mats.
Summer bass grinding on deep structure at Lake Hartwell and Russell
The June 14 Georgia–South Carolina Line Team Circuit tournament at Lake Russell painted a clear picture of where the fishery stands: per GA Sportsman / Georgia Outdoor News, competitors faced a "tough summer bite," yet Billy Rochester and Brandon Brown still assembled a five-fish limit of 12 pounds, 9 ounces anchored by a tournament-best 3-pound, 3-ounce bass to claim the win. That combination of a demanding bite and a quality anchor fish is the hallmark of late-June Savannah chain fishing. USGS gauge 02192000 logged the Savannah system flowing at 541 cfs as of June 29, pointing to stable lake levels. Tonight's full moon will compress feeding windows — expect the best action in the early morning and after sundown rather than midday. Bass have firmly exited the spawn and pushed into post-spawn summer routines, stacking on deepwater humps, channel edges, and submerged timber as surface temperatures climb.
Big flows reshape the Illinois River as Lake Michigan salmon season peaks
The Illinois River is running at 76,700 cfs at the Valley City gauge as of June 29 (USGS gauge 05586100), well above typical late-June levels and reshaping where fish are holding this week. High current pushes catfish, carp, and white bass off the main channel and into slack backwaters, flooded timber pockets, and wing dam eddies, a pattern Fishing the Midwest underscores when discussing summer river strategy: seek out the seams where still water meets moving current. Wired 2 Fish's July 2026 lure roundup similarly notes that a meaningful share of fish right now are "relating strongly to current," making current-break presentations key. On Lake Michigan, late June sits squarely in peak Chinook trolling season for the southern basin, where IL/IN Sea Grant maintains nearshore monitoring buoys. Anglers targeting Lake Carlton at Morrison-Rockwood State Park in Whiteside County should confirm access; per Outdoor Hub, the site was closed June 23-24 for aquatic herbicide treatment. Full moon conditions tonight favor low-light feeding windows.
Peak summer bite sets deep on the Mississippi and Atchafalaya
Water temperature at 82°F per USGS gauge 07374000 signals peak summer conditions on the lower Mississippi and Atchafalaya as of June 29, with river flow running high at 625,000 cfs. Elevated stage has pushed fish away from shallow backwater flats and into deeper current seams, eddy lines, and slack-water pockets. Catfish hold the center of the freshwater action — blue catfish and flatheads are staging near bottom structure after dark, and tonight's full moon sets up one of the better overnight bite windows of the summer. Wired 2 Fish reports that across the South heading into July, bass are sitting either "deep on shad" or "relating strongly to current," both patterns that translate directly to Atchafalaya Basin oxbows and main-channel flats. Louisiana Sportsman noted hybrid striped bass activity at Lake Claiborne as of June 26, a signal that reservoir striper fishing remains in play. Dawn and dusk windows are where the bite lives; Louisiana's late-June midday heat suppresses surface and shallow action across the board.
Central MA bass hitting hard under the late-June full moon
USGS gauge 01105500 is logging just 10.2 cfs this morning, near summer-low conditions that push Central MA river bass tight to shaded structure and deep pool edges during midday heat. The second gauge (01111500) reads a more moderate 34.9 cfs, offering better dissolved oxygen for smallmouth in river channels. No water temperatures are available from local sensors today, though late-June air warmth typically drives shallows into the low-to-mid 70s range. Tactical Bassin's early-summer breakdown notes that bass metabolisms are 'at an all time high' heading toward July, with fish aggressively feeding on a variety of prey species, an encouraging sign for anglers hitting Central MA ponds and rivers this week. Tonight's full moon extends the productive low-light feeding window into dusk and beyond. Work weedlines, shaded docks, and current seams at dawn and the final hour of light for the best shots at largemouth and smallmouth through the holiday week.
Wabash running strong as summer smallmouth and catfish patterns take hold
The Wabash River is moving at 4,410 cfs this morning per USGS gauge 03335500, a moderately elevated flow carrying some color from recent runoff but staying well within fishable limits. Fishing the Midwest reports that river fishing across the region is particularly rewarding through the summer months, with smallmouth keying on current seams and deeper channel structure while catfish stack in slower, warmer pools. Wired 2 Fish confirms the July pattern broadly: bass are split between deep shad-oriented structure and targets near shallow cover, with the bite running strong at the metabolic peak of midsummer. The full moon tonight should compress prime feeding into low-light windows, specifically the first hour after sunrise and the last before dark. On Lake Michigan's Indiana shoreline, the offshore salmon and perch programs typically ramp through late June into early July, though no buoy temperature data is available for this cycle. Check local conditions before heading onto the big lake.
Potomac smallmouth heat up as summer flows run lean on Virginia's rivers
USGS gauge 01646500 puts the Potomac at Little Falls at 2,900 cfs this Monday morning — a below-average reading for late June that's concentrating fish in deeper pools and along current seams. No water temperature reading is available from this gauge, but late-June conditions in the Northern Virginia corridor typically push surface temps well into the upper 70s. None of our regional feeds filed a specific Potomac or Shenandoah report this cycle, but the seasonal picture aligns with what Tactical Bassin describes for midsummer bass fishing: metabolisms at an all-time high, with fish feeding aggressively on a variety of prey. Smallmouth on the Shenandoah and upper Potomac should be working rocky current breaks and deeper ledges during this lean-flow period. Channel and blue catfish are typically in prime form on the lower tidal Potomac through midsummer. Tonight's full moon (June 29) is a reliable trigger for nocturnal catfish runs along the main-stem river.
Guntersville & Wheeler bass tracking shad deep as July heat arrives
Wired 2 Fish's July 2026 lure roundup captures the dominant southern-reservoir pattern right now: largemouth bass have divided into two groups, with a portion still working shallow bream beds and grass edges while the majority has pushed to deeper main-lake structure, shadowing shad schools over channel swings and ledges in the 15-to-25-foot range. Tactical Bassin (blog) notes that July brings bass metabolism to an annual peak, with fish feeding aggressively across multiple prey types — though the full moon peaking this weekend will likely concentrate the most active bites around dawn and the final hour of daylight. The USGS gauge 03575100 logged 334 cfs Monday morning, signaling steady, low-to-moderate tributary inflow and stable lake levels. No water temperature reading was available from this gauge. Crappie and blue catfish are expected to be Active on typical midsummer patterns, though no local source confirmed their status in this cycle.
Merrimack bass active and Winnipesaukee weedlines firing as NH summer peaks
The Merrimack River is running at 290 cfs as of this morning (USGS gauge 01073500), a low, clear summer level that pushes bass into deeper holes, shaded undercuts, and current seams rather than open flats. No water temperature reading is available from the gauge, but late June in New Hampshire typically places surface temps in the low-to-mid 70s F, a range that keeps largemouth and smallmouth actively feeding. Tactical Bassin notes that July is one of the best months for bass, with metabolisms running high and fish chasing prey aggressively at multiple depths. That pattern applies cleanly to both the Merrimack corridor and Lake Winnipesaukee's coves and weed edges. Fishing the Midwest underscores working weedlines through summer heat, with fish spreading throughout vegetation in the warmer months. Tonight's full moon can extend feeding windows into low-light hours. Lake trout and landlocked salmon on Winnipesaukee are likely holding in deeper, cooler water this time of year.
South Fork Snake entering summer window as Yellow Sallies begin to fire
USGS gauge 13037500 clocked the Snake River near Heise at 13,400 cfs on the morning of June 29, reflecting late-season snowmelt still moving through the upper drainage. Water temperature data was unavailable from this reading. With no direct Snake River or South Fork reports in current angler intel feeds, the closest Idaho trout benchmark comes from Gink and Gasoline's recent Owyhee River session in southeastern Idaho, where resident brown trout were described as "quite picky," responding only to precise, drag-free nymph presentations in clear-water slots — selectivity worth watching on the South Fork's technical sections. Caddis Fly (OR) flags Yellow Sallies as a key summer stonefly hatching across the Western US right now, and MidCurrent's recent hatch-season tying coverage highlights dry-dropper setups as the go-to when multiple bug types are on the water simultaneously. With the full moon overhead, early morning and evening low-light windows are the prime timing for cutthroat and browns on elevated, bright-condition flows.
Bass active at Wachusett as Quabbin lake trout retreat to summer depths
USGS gauge 01174500 on the Swift River at Hardwick, the outlet below Quabbin Reservoir, clocked 17.9 cfs Monday morning, a low reading that reflects typical late-June conditions rather than any notable event. Water temperature data was unavailable from this gauge cycle. No direct angling reports from Quabbin or Wachusett surfaced in this week's regional feeds, so conditions here are drawn from seasonal timing and general pattern coverage. Lake trout and landlocked salmon have almost certainly retreated below the thermocline as post-solstice surface temperatures climb; those fisheries traditionally go quiet through summer and reawaken with fall turnover. Bass and chain pickerel are the better summer story. Tactical Bassin's summer-pattern coverage notes that bass become highly predictable once heat sets in, oriented around dissolved oxygen, forage, and temperature breaks. Fishing the Midwest's weedline breakdown recommends working the deep edge of aquatic vegetation. With a full moon on June 29, plan for best activity at dawn and dusk rather than midday.
Teton cutthroat work the margins as Snake River peaks in late June
USGS gauge 06192500 logged the Snake River near the Tetons at 6,480 cfs and 51°F this morning, placing it squarely in late-June peak-runoff territory. Flows this high push cutthroat trout off main-channel riffles and into softer water — bankside eddies, foam lines, and pool tail-outs where fish hold without fighting the full current. The 51°F reading is a favorable sign: Snake River fine-spotted cutthroat feed comfortably in the low-to-mid 50s, and activity stays strong until summer warmth pushes temps past the mid-60s. Flylab (Substack) contributor John Juracek has written that the Yellowstone region is "subject at any time to violent weather changes, but especially so in the month of June," meaning conditions can shift with little warning. Yellow Sally stoneflies are emerging on western mountain rivers this time of year: per Caddis Fly (OR), jigged Yellow Sally nymph patterns in a dry-dropper setup are well-suited to the fast, high water typical of this period. Tonight's full moon favors early-morning and last-light sessions.
Tennessee River Chain Bass Shift Deep as Full-Moon July Window Opens
USGS gauge 03578500 logged a low, stable 31.3 cfs on the morning of June 29, signaling settled water conditions across the Tennessee River chain heading into July. No direct tackle-shop or charter reports for Chickamauga or Watts Bar came through tracked feeds this cycle, but regional bass intel fills in the picture. Wired 2 Fish reports that across the South fish are currently split between a majority out deep on shad and a secondary group still shallow chasing bream, a pattern that maps closely onto what anglers typically see on TVA impoundments at this stage. Tactical Bassin notes bass metabolisms are at a seasonal peak in July, making fish aggressive and catchable once located. Tonight's Full Moon adds an important variable: expect bass and hybrid stripers to push shallower after dark for an active feed window. Midday heat will drive fish well below the thermocline; focus efforts at dawn, dusk, and through the night.
Lake trout push deep as North Shore tributaries drop into summer lows
With USGS gauge 04015330 logging just 5.57 cfs on the morning of June 29, North Shore tributaries are running low and clear, conditions that typically make stream fishing technical for brook and brown trout anglers. No water temperature reading accompanied the gauge this morning, but late June on the North Shore usually brings nearshore lake temps into the upper 50s to low 60s, with tributary temps capable of climbing higher in low-flow stretches. On the adjacent Wisconsin side of Lake Superior, WI DNR Lake Superior Fishing continues to track a growing lake whitefish fishery in Chequamegon Bay, a sign of broader big-lake activity across the Superior basin. On the Minnesota North Shore, late June sits between the end of the spring steelhead run and peak summer deep-structure fishing. Tonight's full moon creates a prime feeding window: anglers targeting lake trout or coho should plan around the low-light hours at dawn and dusk for best results over the coming days.
High school nationals close tough on Lake Cumberland as post-spawn bass scatter
The Columbia PFG High School Fishing National Championship wrapped on Kentucky's Lake Cumberland with the winning team logging only four bites and three keepers on Championship Friday, per MLF News. That bite rate is a clear indicator of where things stand: late-June bass are in full post-spawn scatter, dispersing toward summer holding areas rather than clustering on predictable structure. USGS gauge 03413200 shows the Cumberland River tailwater flowing at 320 cfs as of this morning, with no water temperature reading available. The full moon tonight typically pushes feeding windows toward low-light hours on either end of the day. Wired 2 Fish reports nationally that July is seeing fish split between deeper shad-following groups and shallower bass relating to current or bream. Both patterns are at play here, across Cumberland's expansive main lake and the regulated tailwater section below Wolf Creek Dam.
King salmon firing on Lake Ontario as summer deepwater bite heats up
Strike Zone Charters reports outstanding salmon fishing on Lake Ontario this past week, noting "salmon fishing has been very good" with brown trout and lake trout rounding out most trips. The productive zone sits in 100 to 160 feet of water, though the ideal depth shifts daily as wind repositions the thermocline. Mag Dipsey Divers are the go-to rig when the preferred temperature layer sits deep, with green, white, and chartreuse e-chips drawing consistent strikes. On the tributary side, USGS gauge 04250750 shows the Salmon River running at 66.1 cfs this morning, a manageable and wade-friendly flow. Water temperature data was unavailable from monitoring stations at report time. With a full moon this weekend, low-light windows are worth prioritizing on both the open lake and in tributary reaches, where smallmouth bass are a reliable late-June option alongside the lake action.
Full Moon Stripers and Squid Fire Up Buzzards Bay and Vineyard Sound
Per On The Water's June 26 striper migration map, bigger bass are now concentrating around sand eels, squid, bunker, and herring as the spring push transitions into summer patterns across the Northeast. In adjacent Rhode Island waters, Saltwater Edge Blog reports striper and squid fishing have both been "fantastic" heading into late June, with water temperatures remaining cool and conditions favorable for sustained action. Tonight's full moon is creating strong tidal currents through Buzzards Bay and Vineyard Sound, a well-known trigger for aggressive striper feeding on the rips and current transitions. OTW Surfcasting notes white sharks are already appearing in Massachusetts waters — shore-based shark regulations are in full effect statewide. Scup, black sea bass, and fluke are settling into their typical summer structure per Saltwater Edge. No NOAA buoy data was available for this update; verify current sea state and water temperature via NOAA before departure.