Fishing reports
7516 reports across all 50 states — current conditions and what's biting.
King Salmon Season Peaks on the Kenai as Late-June Flows Run High
The USGS gauge at site 15266300 on the Kenai River logged 10,600 cfs and 53°F at 3 a.m. local time on June 29 — flows driven by late-June glacial melt and snowmelt typical of this stretch. Water at 53°F sits squarely in the comfort band for migrating chinook salmon and resident rainbow trout. Late June is historically the heart of the first king salmon run on the Kenai main stem, with fish stacking in deeper holes and along current seams from the upper canyon down toward Soldotna. It is worth noting that the current data feed contains no charter captain reports, tackle-shop updates, or state agency fishing advisories specific to the Kenai or interior rivers for this cycle; conditions here are grounded in the gauge reading and seasonal patterns typical for this region at this time of year. The full moon on June 29 can push actively migrating fish through tidally influenced lower-river reaches. Verify current king salmon counts and any emergency order status before heading out.
Central PA limestone trout enter the prime trico window
Spring Creek is running at 106 cfs this morning (USGS gauge 01546500), a moderate level consistent with what these limestone spring systems typically carry into summer. No water temperature reading came through from today's gauge data; limestone aquifers characteristically keep Spring Creek and Penns Creek in the low-to-mid 60s°F even during heat waves, giving these streams a decided edge over freestone waters as summer deepens. The defining event this week is the trico. Late June marks the traditional start of the trico spinner fall on Central PA's limestone runs, with dense flights of spent spinners hitting the surface in the early-morning hours. Gink and Gasoline's trico coverage describes the spinner fall as a density-of-bugs moment demanding tight #20–22 spent-wing patterns presented drag-free in the film. Scud and sow bug nymphs remain the limestone staple through the afternoon lull — Caddis Fly notes scuds "make up a massive portion of a trout's diet" in nutrient-rich waters, which Spring Creek and Penns Creek exemplify.
Full Moon Striper Transition: Gulf of Maine Bass Shift to Summer Pattern
On The Water's June 26 striper migration map shows bigger bass now concentrating on sand eels, squid, bunker, and herring across the Northeast as the spring run gives way to summer patterns, a transition well underway in the Gulf of Maine. Saltwater Edge Blog reports that cooler-than-expected water temperatures have extended the prime striper and squid bite into late June, keeping fish engaged in nearshore and rip-zone structure that can hold fish well into July. Tonight's full moon adds fuel to the bite: expect heightened feeding activity on the strongest tidal exchanges, particularly during the predawn and dusk windows when bass push up on bait schools. OTW Surfcasting notes that sharks (including white sharks) have been showing up in Massachusetts waters immediately to the south, a signal that apex predators are tracking the same bait concentrations moving through the Gulf. Anglers should check current state regs before harvesting striped bass, as seasonal slot limits typically apply.
Chesapeake Mouth Stripers Shift to Summer Patterns on the Full Moon
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 run gives way to summer. That transition is playing out across the Mid-Atlantic coast and applies squarely to the Chesapeake mouth. No NOAA buoy data or USGS gauge readings were available for this report cycle, so water temperature and current conditions are unconfirmed. The full moon peaking June 29 typically drives strong tidal surge through the Bay mouth, pushing baitfish onto structure and edges where stripers stage. Saltwater Edge notes that water temps held cooler than usual further north this month, a trend that may be extending keeper striper action before fish push to deeper summer haunts. Cobia, summer flounder, and bluefish are seasonally expected at the mouth this week, though no local charter or tackle-shop reports were captured in this cycle to confirm specific bite windows.
Stripers Push Deeper as Full Moon Marks Summer Shift in Narragansett Bay
Saltwater Edge Blog's June Full Moon forecast signals the seasonal transition is underway: striped bass are pulling out of their spring inshore haunts and moving toward deeper, cooler oceanfront water. On The Water's June 26 striper migration map corroborates the shift, with bigger bass now concentrating on sand eels, squid, bunker, and herring as the regional fishery pivots from spring to summer mode. Back inside the bay, Saltwater Edge reports scup, black sea bass, and fluke have settled into their usual summer holding spots. Squid fishing had been exceptional through mid-June; Saltwater Edge's New Moon forecast described both squid and striper action as "fantastic," but that same forecast predicted squid would begin tapering off by the full moon. No NOAA buoy data was available for this report cycle, so check local stations for current water temps before launching. This week's full moon tides and fast-moving rips set up well for working bass on structure.
Stripers shift to summer holds as cobia move through Chincoteague
On The Water's June 26 striper migration map reports bigger bass concentrating around sand eels, squid, bunker, and herring as the spring run transitions into summer patterns along the mid-Atlantic coast. No NOAA buoy data was returned for Chincoteague Inlet this cycle, so precise water temps are unavailable — check local sources before heading out. Tonight's full moon drives strong tidal flows through the barrier island guts and the inlet channel, historically one of the better feeding windows of the month. Late June is also prime cobia season for the Eastern Shore, with fish typically working channel edges and crab-pot buoy fields — though no Chincoteague-specific captain or shop reports were available this cycle to confirm current numbers. Flounder over sandy bottom and bluefish along the inlet mouth round out the summer picture. As stripers push into deeper, cooler offshore water, early morning tidal windows are the most productive remaining option for inshore keeper fish.
Rangeley trout and salmon settling into summer depth pattern for late June
Mainely Fly Fishing's early-spring 2026 report logged ice-out on area ponds as early as April 4th, a near-normal opening that set the season on schedule through the spring. With USGS gauge 01054200 returning no flow or temperature readings this cycle, current conditions for the Androscoggin headwaters are unconfirmed; verify locally before heading out. The seasonal expectation for late June places Rangeley's brook trout and landlocked salmon well into their summer transition: warming surface layers push both species toward deeper water, inlet mouths, and any spring-fed coves holding cooler temperatures. Tonight's full moon can suppress daytime surface feeding, concentrating the productive window into early morning and late evening. Togue (lake trout) remain a reliable mid-summer option for trollers working deep structure. Caddis and spinner falls may still trigger dry-fly action at dusk on smaller tributary streams draining into the Androscoggin. Plan to be on the water no later than 7 p.m. to catch the last of the evening light.
Northwoods muskies on jerkbaits while walleye shift to summer weedline edges
Rollie & Helen's Musky Shop in Vilas County reported this week that water temperatures across many Northwoods lakes have held steady in the low 70s despite wild weather swings and persistent winds. Muskies are fully post-spawn and active: Guide Jake Smith has been putting clients on fish using jerkbaits worked through the weeds, per the shop's late-June 2026 conditions update. The bigger story is the transition now underway. Fish that loaded up in shallow, muddy bays through mid-June are pushing toward deeper weedlines and offshore structure as those flats continue to warm. For walleye, the Northwoods' primary draw, the incoming full moon focuses the best action on low-light windows. AnglingBuzz has been covering slip-bobber and jig tactics built specifically for this phase of the season, and Jason Mitchell Outdoors recently detailed casting light jigs upwind for scattered summer walleye.
Kentucky Lake bass chasing deep shad as full-moon week arrives
Wired 2 Fish's July 2026 lure roundup is the clearest signal available this cycle for conditions on Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley: bass in the South are currently split between deep shad schools on open-water structure and shallow fish still working cover relating to bream activity. USGS gauge 03611500 returned no flow or temperature reading this pull, so water conditions must be estimated from seasonal norms — late June typically places surface temps in the low-to-mid 80s°F on these Tennessee River reservoirs. Tactical Bassin (blog) calls July one of the most aggressive feeding months of the year for bass, citing peak metabolisms and predictable shad-driven locations. The full moon this week stacks in favor of catfish anglers, who traditionally see strong action on both lakes during lunar peaks. No local charter, shop, or state agency reports were captured in this data pull — species-status notes reflect seasonal patterns and national-source intel rather than on-water confirmation from the western Kentucky system.
Spanish Mackerel Strong at Cape Lookout as Outer Banks Bluefish Run Big
Rich at Chasin' Tails (per Fisherman's Post) reports surf and pier anglers around Morehead City and Atlantic Beach connecting with bluefish, Spanish mackerel, and bonito through June, with red drum scattered inshore around deeper holes. The Spanish mackerel story is consistent coast-wide: Morgan at The Reel Outdoors (Fisherman's Post, Swansboro/Emerald Isle) confirms good numbers flooding nearshore and beachfront zones, and Tex's Tackle at Wrightsville Beach (Fisherman's Post) reports anglers pulling mackerel on spoons off the beach. At Hatteras/Ocracoke, Tom at Hatteras Jack (Fisherman's Post) reports bluefish running large, with fish reaching 30 inches and beyond hammering casting metals and cut baits in the surf, while sea mullet fishing holds steady alongside them. Red drum are scattered around deeper inshore holes near Morehead. With the Full Moon on June 29 pushing high tidal movement and concentrating bait along the nearshore, anglers have strong timing on their side heading into this first July weekend.
Bass retreat to deep structure as NC Catawba flows run at summer lows
USGS gauge 02142900 logged just 1.85 cfs this morning on the Catawba watershed, confirming the low, warm conditions that define late June on these systems. No water temperature was available from the gauge, but midsummer heat across the Catawba and Roanoke drainages typically locks largemouth and white bass into deeper ledges, submerged timber, and creek channel swings by midday. Wired 2 Fish notes that July bass nationwide are highly predictable right now: fish are stacked in deeper water chasing shad, with the best action compressed into early-morning and late-afternoon windows. Tactical Bassin reinforces that message, flagging finesse presentations and deep-diving cranks as the go-to midday playbook. The Roanoke River's celebrated spring striped bass run has fully wound down by this point in the season. On the positive side, tonight's full moon opens prime nighttime windows for catfish and shallow-feeding bass along transition edges before first light.
Keys Reef Bite Peaks: Mutton Snapper Spawn Fires on Full Moon
With the full moon coinciding with late June, mutton snapper spawning aggregations are reaching peak intensity across the Florida Keys reef system. ALL IN Key West, a charter operation with 16 years on these waters, calls the current bite "at an all-time high," with mutton snappers "chewing like crazy" and yellowtail snappers "practically jumping in the boat." The same captain reports that May and June 2026 have been among the best stretches in memory, with a loaded spread that extends well beyond the reef: Gulf-side trips are producing grouper, cobia, barracuda, and kingfish, with live bait consistently outperforming other presentations along reef edges. Offshore, mahi-mahi remain part of the summer picture as conditions keep warm blue water accessible. Note that a federal court injunction has blocked the South Atlantic red snapper EFP pilot programs per CCA Florida, so confirm current federal regulations before targeting red snapper.
Summer chinook and halibut season peaks as full moon drives Puget Sound tides
Washington Sea Grant confirms boating season is officially underway on the Sound, with late June marking the region's best summer fishing window. No buoy or gauge readings reached this report cycle, and no specific bite reports are in hand from WA WDFW Fishing Reports this pull — the department monitors conditions through statewide creel interviews, but no data surfaced here. That said, late June is historically the heart of Puget Sound's summer chinook season and the productive window for Pacific coast halibut before warm offshore conditions shift fish deeper. The full moon on June 29 produces the strongest tidal exchanges of the month across Juan de Fuca and Puget Sound — salmon and lingcod typically stage around slack-water windows at rip lines and channel edges. WA Sea Grant also flagged first-time detection of invasive European green crab on Orcas Island in May; anglers in the San Juans should familiarize themselves with current monitoring and reporting protocols.
Big Bass Lock onto Bait as Cape Cod Bay Shifts into Summer Mode
On The Water's June 26 striper migration map shows bigger bass now concentrating around sand eels, squid, bunker, and herring as the spring push transitions to summer patterns — and Cape Cod Bay sits squarely in that transition zone. Saltwater Edge's June New Moon forecast adds a welcome wrinkle: water temperatures have been running cooler than expected through late June, a condition that has kept both striper and squid action strong well past the point when most anglers expect the bite to thin out. Shore-based shark regulations are in full effect throughout Massachusetts, per OTW Surfcasting, which notes a catch-and-release of a white shark off Nantucket this week as a timely reminder to stay alert in productive striper zones. Offshore, OTW Saltwater's June 24 report puts canyon fishing in red-hot territory for yellowfin and bigeye, while the latest OTW podcast with analyst Devin Acton flags Cape Cod bluefin as a developing story worth watching.
Gulf of Alaska Halibut and Salmon Season Peaks Under the Full Moon
AK Sea Grant's coverage of the 34th Lowell Wakefield Fisheries Symposium at Kodiak highlighted ongoing research into marine heatwave dynamics reshaping high-latitude Gulf of Alaska waters — the most relevant context available this report cycle. No buoy readings or on-the-water angler intel from Gulf of Alaska waters came through the current data feeds. Based on typical late-June patterns, Pacific halibut are distributed across 90- to 300-foot bottom contours throughout the Gulf, with the season at or near its midsummer peak. Sockeye salmon are staging in near-shore waters ahead of river entries that typically intensify through July. King salmon seasons have closed or restricted in most areas by late June — verify current regulations before targeting chinook. Lingcod and rockfish round out the bottom-fishing options through summer. Tonight's full moon will generate strong tidal exchanges; targeting tidal transitions is the classic move for bottom species this week.
Spanish mackerel push inshore as Charleston Harbor hits summer peak
Haddrell's Point and Tackle's July 2026 offshore report via Coastal Angler Magazine opens with peak summer heat arriving in force — setting the scene for Charleston Harbor's prime summer fishing window. Regional Carolinas intel from Fisherman's Post confirms Spanish mackerel pushing into nearshore zones and along beachfronts in good numbers, a pattern that typically sweeps Charleston's barrier island beaches and inlet mouths by late June. Sheepshead are making their early move onto hard structure along Carolina waterways, mirroring the classic Charleston Harbor pattern around jetties, docks, and bridge pilings. Red drum are scattered but holding in deeper holes as water temperatures peak. The full moon on June 29 drives the month's strongest tidal exchanges through the harbor, concentrating bait along outgoing drains and rip edges — key windows for inshore predators. No NOAA buoy readings were available at press time; verify current water temps locally before departure.
Walleye and smallmouth lock into summer mode across Michigan's Great Lakes
The Grand River is flowing at 2,620 cfs this morning (USGS gauge 04119000), a moderate late-June level that keeps current-seam fishing productive along the lower river corridor. No buoy water temperatures are available, but late June typically places Great Lakes nearshore surfaces in the low-to-mid 60s°F range. Yellow perch action appears slow in some areas; seasonal patterns suggest fish have scattered off shallow flats and into open basins following baitfish, which is typical for this week of the year. Smallmouth bass and walleye are the stronger bets right now. Jason Mitchell Outdoors (YT) recently highlighted a productive summertime smallmouth session, and AnglingBuzz (YT) is covering forward-facing sonar and larger plastics for suspending walleye as the dominant summer technique. Wired 2 Fish notes that northern-latitude bass are entering a high-metabolism feeding phase as July approaches. The full moon on June 29 adds an overnight feeding trigger along structure-rich sections of the Grand River and Great Lakes shorelines.
Stable Grand River flows set the table for walleye, bass, and offshore salmon
Grand River is delivering 2,620 cfs to its Lake Michigan mouth as of early Monday per USGS gauge 04119000 — a steady, mid-summer level that keeps the river mouth fishable without pushing sediment clouds into the nearshore zone. Direct angler intel for this stretch is sparse this reporting cycle; the MI DNR Weekly Fishing Report was unavailable at pull time. The WI DNR Lake Michigan Fishing Report provides useful seasonal context: 2024 produced record coho returns exceeding 210,000 fish and more than 160,000 Chinook — the lake's strongest Chinook haul since 2012 — credited to robust alewife forage. Those maturing year-classes are now reaching the prime offshore depths that define a late-June Lake Michigan pattern. One Michigan Sportsman Forum user flagged slow perch results while trolling 5–7-foot flats with worms and leeches, though that observation is unverified chatter. The Full Moon peaking this weekend tends to concentrate walleye feeding into the dawn and dusk windows along the river mouth current seam.
Lake Erie walleye and smallmouth dial in for the late-June full moon
Tributary flow into the Lake Erie basin registered a stable 31.5 cfs at USGS gauge 04213000 on the morning of June 29 — a signal of settled, clear-water conditions heading into a full moon weekend that historically lights up Erie's walleye bite after dark. No in-lake water temperature was recorded in today's sensor pull, but late June typically pushes Lake Erie's surface into the low-to-mid 70s°F, driving daytime walleye to 20–40 feet and firing up smallmouth bass along the rocky mid-depth structure Presque Isle is known for. Fishing the Midwest notes that across Great Lakes waters right now, weedlines are holding both walleye and perch — a pattern that maps squarely onto Presque Isle Bay's vegetated edges. PA Sea Grant's late-June harmful algal bloom webinar is a timely reminder to check local advisories before fishing the bay's warmer shallows, where HABs can develop quickly in calm summer conditions.
Trophy Trout Active at Lee's Ferry as AZ Waters Hit Mid-Summer Pattern
USGS gauge 09380000 on the Colorado River logged 8,450 cfs and 58°F early Monday morning, delivering the cold, fast-moving water that keeps Lee's Ferry's trophy rainbow trout active well into Arizona's summer heat. Wading is off the table at this flow; boat access is required for the tailwater stretch. On the Salt River system, largemouth and smallmouth bass are transitioning to their summer pattern. Tactical Bassin notes that bass heading into July are at 'peak metabolic activity, aggressively feeding on a variety of prey species' — a dynamic that typically compresses AZ warm-water action into the low-light hours of early morning and evening as midday heat pushes fish to deeper structure. Tonight's full moon opens a prime overnight window for channel catfish, which reach their seasonal peak across Arizona through the summer months. No local shop or charter intel appeared in this cycle's feeds; species-level assessments are drawn from the gauge reading and established seasonal patterns for this region.
Ozark rainbow trout shift to summer timing as Current River runs elevated
USGS gauge 07067000 on the Current River recorded 2,780 cfs at 5:30 a.m. June 29 — a moderately elevated flow for late June that points to recent Ozark rainfall and reduced visibility in the lower river corridor. Water temperature data was not available from the gauge; spring-fed park sections at Montauk and Bennett Spring typically hold well into the comfortable trout range through July. None of this week's regional intel feeds covered the Current or Niangua trout parks directly. Fishing the Midwest notes that Ozark rivers can deliver outstanding summer action when anglers adapt their timing, with early morning and late evening the most reliable windows as air temperatures climb. On the full moon, overnight and low-light feeding periods deserve serious attention. Nymphs fished in deeper runs and shaded limestone pockets are the standard summer playbook for park rainbows — MidCurrent's subsurface pattern coverage this week points to exactly that approach for summer trout on pressured, spring-creek-style water.
Fluke Action Heating Up as Inshore Bluefin Arrive Along the Jersey Shore
A 12.3-pound doormat fluke weighed at Bayonne Bait & Tackle — highlighted in The Fisherman's NJ/DE Bay region forecast — signals the state of the Jersey Shore fishery heading into the July 4th weekend. Water temps at Atlantic Highlands climbed back to 65.7°F per Capt Ron's, and reports from Barnegat Bay to Southern NJ confirm an improving keeper fluke bite with genuine slabs on the boards. The Fisherman's Southern NJ correspondents note an 8-pounder at the Ocean City Reef Site through Fin-Atics and a 7 lb 8 oz back-bay flattie near Wildwood via Pier 47 Marina, with bigger baits and live minnows the key separator. Offshore, a massive squid invasion has drawn bluefin tuna within 20-30 miles of shore; Fishermans HQ LBI and The Fisherman's NJ/DE Offshore both report fish to 70 pounds trolling ballyhoo at the Cigar and Elephants Trunk. Blue Chip Sportfishing reports shark fishing has "busted wide open," including mako releases. The season's sore spot remains sea bass — Northern NJ fleet captains called it one of the poorest runs in years and have shifted programs to fluke and bluefish for July.
Smallmouth and cats holding in low Delaware as summer patterns lock in
The Delaware River is running below its seasonal norm after a June defined by drought, heat spikes into the 90s, and erratic weather, but fishing is holding up. Old School Outdoors in Ewing (per The Fisherman — NJ/DE Freshwater) confirms the river still runs low even after late-month rains, with smallmouth bass described as good and expected to improve into July, alongside solid catfishing. JB Kasper (The Fisherman — NJ/DE Freshwater) frames the month as 'a great big puzzle' of extreme temps and drought, but points toward early-morning and late-afternoon topwater windows as the reliable play heading into summer. On the lake side, Dow's Boat Rentals reports largemouth locked into shadow-chasing dawn-and-dusk patterns, with fish holding tight to remaining vegetation after weed-cutting programs. Tonight's full moon could spark nocturnal feeding runs for catfish and walleye. No NOAA buoy or USGS gauge data was available for this report cycle.
Delaware Bay flounder bite surges as summer species move in
Summer flounder is dominating the NJ side of Delaware Bay as the season hits its stride. Waterfront Marine, per The Fisherman — Southern NJ, calls back-bay fluke action "astonishing," with fish turning up from skinny ICW flats to offshore reef structures. Keeper rates have been climbing — Boulevard Bait & Tackle recently weighed in a 7-pound, 8-ounce back-bay fish, and Pier 47 Marina reports fluke to 26 inches hitting live minnows and Gulp Mullets in as little as 6 feet of water along the ICW behind the Wildwoods. Hands Too Bait and Tackle confirms sheepshead, croakers, and kingfish are now moving in alongside the flounder, signaling that the full summer species transition is underway. The Fisherman — DE/MD/Chesapeake's Eric Burnley wrapped up June on an optimistic note — flounder, croaker, spot, sheepshead, and bluefin tuna all showing in improved numbers bay-wide — and sees no reason for that momentum to stall entering July. Tonight's Full Moon should power up feeding windows on both the incoming and outgoing tidal pushes.