Fishing reports
7516 reports across all 50 states — current conditions and what's biting.
Lake Champlain smallmouth peaking as summer bass and catfish patterns lock in
Fishin' Factory 3, reporting to The Fisherman — New England Freshwater, puts it plainly: freshwater fishing is in full summertime mode across the region. The shad run on the Connecticut River is done, and rivermen have pivoted to channel catfish and bowfins. Bass fishing has settled into warm-weather rhythms — fake frogs, Whopper Ploppers, Senkos, and shiners accounting for most catches during the low-light bookends of the day. Those conditions track directly upstream into Vermont's reach of the Connecticut River. On Lake Champlain, the full moon tonight (June 28) should energize late-evening topwater sessions for smallmouth and largemouth. Rod Teehan's New England Freshwater dispatch notes smallmouth keying on bigwater structure — a pattern well-suited to Champlain's ledges and rocky points. No NOAA buoy or USGS gauge readings were available for this update; check state resources for current flow levels before heading out.
Ohio Reservoir Bass and Walleye Shift to Summer Structure Ahead of Full Moon
Fishing the Midwest is spotlighting weedline fishing across Upper Midwest reservoirs as the 2026 open-water season hits full stride — a pattern that maps cleanly onto Mosquito Lake and Pymatuning as both waters enter established summer-pattern fishing. No buoy readings, gauge data, or local shop reports arrived directly from these northeastern Ohio reservoirs this cycle. Tactical Bassin notes that post-spawn bass have split into two distinct groups: shallow-cover fish holding near visible structure and deeper fish tracking main-lake breaks, with finesse presentations — including the Neko rig — outperforming power gear under summer pressure. The June 28 full moon typically concentrates walleye feeding into low-light windows at dawn and dusk on Ohio's inland reservoirs. Anglers should cross-reference a local bait shop or the Ohio DNR before launching to get the most current ground-truth conditions.
Upper Mississippi summer patterns peak for walleye, smallmouth, and crappie
Blake Tollefson (AnglingBuzz, YT) is putting summer crappies and walleyes at the top of the Midwest freshwater report this week, with crappies schooling in deeper haunts and walleyes responding well to slip-bobber presentations over soft bottom — patterns that translate directly to the Upper Mississippi pools from Clinton to Dubuque. Jason Mitchell Outdoors (YT) rounds out the regional signal with pack-smallmouth content, consistent with the late-June transition when bass push off post-spawn staging and settle into main-channel current seams. No local gauge readings are available this cycle; conditions on the upper pools are drawn from these regional Midwest sources. The full moon on June 28 can compress the best feeding windows into dusk and dawn bookends. Wing dams and rock bars throughout this stretch traditionally hold walleye and sauger in summer, while backwater sloughs and connected lakes warm quickly in late June and concentrate largemouth bass.
Mille Lacs walleye shifting to summer structure as full moon peaks
AnglingBuzz (YT) is currently featuring walleye content on forward-facing sonar and suspended big plastics — a tactic that tracks closely with what late June typically demands on Mille Lacs. No direct buoy or gauge readings were captured for this report cycle, and no Mille Lacs-specific charter or shop reports surfaced in the feed; conditions are grounded in seasonal norms and regional technique guidance. Jason Mitchell Outdoors (YT) adds a timely breakdown on jig-worm presentations and light-jig upwind casting setups, both well-suited to mid-lake rock and gravel structure as walleye complete their post-spawn dispersal. Tonight's full moon on June 28 is the dominant variable: walleye in clear lakes like Mille Lacs shift feeding activity strongly toward low-light windows under a bright moon, making dawn and dusk the priority sessions over the next several days rather than counting on midday action.
Eastern Sierra Trout Hit Summer Stride as Late-June Hatches Fire
Trout Unlimited's Golden Trout Project update calls late June 'a splendid time to explore' the southern Sierra's high-elevation fisheries, and regional signals back that outlook. Reno Fly Shop (NV), reporting on the neighboring Truckee River corridor through mid-June, confirmed solid trout fishing with evening caddis, stonefly, and dry-fly sessions producing well once summer heat eases, a hatch progression that typically mirrors Eastern Sierra streams at the same seasonal stage. The shop flagged afternoon thunderstorms as a welcome factor breaking high air temperatures and extending the productive window into late evening. Cutthroat Anglers (CO) notes that historically low Western snowpack and widespread drought across the region may translate to below-average stream flows, which tends to concentrate fish in deeper pools and undercut banks. Expect PMDs, Yellow Sallies, Golden Stones, and caddis to headline the hatch menu on accessible waters, with high-country golden trout terrain now opening as snowfields retreat. Check current flow conditions before committing to a specific drainage.
Late June catfish peak arrives on the Platte and Missouri
A full moon on June 28 sets up one of the calendar's most reliable overnight catfish windows on the Platte and Missouri. No USGS gauge data is available for this report period, so water temperature and flow readings are absent; check current conditions locally before heading out. Fishing the Midwest's Bob Jensen points to summer rivers as consistent producers across the region, noting that anglers willing to work current breaks, deep holes, and structure transitions find action when others go home empty-handed. Tactical Bassin's summer breakdown confirms that predatory fish push to predictable depth corridors as heat builds, a pattern that translates directly to Missouri River backwater sloughs and tributary mouths. The lunar peak will drive late-evening and overnight feeding activity; channel cats and flatheads in particular respond strongly to full moon nights. No region-specific shop, charter, or state-agency reports landed in this feed cycle, so treat timing windows as seasonally grounded rather than source-confirmed.
Iowa & Des Moines Rivers peak summer bite aligns with June full moon
Fishing the Midwest contributor Bob Jensen wrote plainly this week that rivers deliver outstanding summer action when anglers work current seams and structure — a read that maps directly onto the Iowa and Des Moines Rivers as the June full moon crests on June 28. Channel catfish are the headliner right now: the full moon and peak summer water temperatures combine to produce the most aggressive catfish feeding windows of the year, concentrated in the overnight hours along current breaks, riprap, and deep-hole edges. Walleye are transitioning to a summer suspended-fish pattern; AnglingBuzz has been spotlighting slip-bobber rigs and big-plastic presentations for suspended walleye this week, both of which translate well to the deeper wing-dam and ledge structure on the Iowa River. Smallmouth bass are stacking on gravel bars and current seams per Jason Mitchell Outdoors' recent coverage. No USGS gauge readings were available at publication — check current flow data before launching, as summer storms can muddy conditions quickly.
Late-June Full Moon Fires Up Catfish and Bass on the White and Arkansas
The full moon arrives June 28, historically one of the best catfish nights of early summer on the White and Arkansas Rivers. No live gauge or charter-shop reports were available for this cycle, so conditions reflect seasonal norms for the region. Bass are completing their postspawn transition: B.A.S.S. News coverage of late-June patterns notes bigger fish are settling into deeper timber and channel edges while smaller bass scatter across shallower flats. Fishing the Midwest highlights that rivers offer some of the most consistent summer action available, with current seams and weedlines concentrating gamefish as midday heat builds. On the White River, tailwater trout fishing below the storage dams remains a year-round option but is tightly linked to dam release schedules — confirm current flows and check state regulations before launching.
Finger Lakes Smallmouth Peak as Full Moon Sets Up Prime Midsummer Windows
Tonight's full moon (June 28) coincides with the peak of the post-spawn smallmouth season across the Finger Lakes — the strongest setup on the calendar for dawn and dusk surface action on Cayuga, Seneca, and Skaneateles. No NOAA buoy or USGS gauge data were available this reporting cycle, and angler-intel feeds provided no direct Finger Lakes coverage this week, so this report draws on seasonal norms. Late June typically puts post-spawn bass onto rocky points, shoals, and weed-line transitions in 8–20 feet — fish that have recovered from the spawn and are now feeding aggressively. Lake trout and rainbow trout retreat to 40-plus-foot depths as surface temps climb into the upper 60s and low 70s. Landlocked Atlantic salmon on Cayuga and Seneca can be reached by trollers working the 30–60-foot zone. Check with the NY DEC and local tackle shops for current access and harvest regulations before heading out.
Champlain smallmouth in post-spawn swing; landlocked salmon seek depth
The full moon falling on June 28 sets up classic low-light feeding windows for Lake Champlain's smallmouth bass, which are typically wrapping up post-spawn recovery by late June and shifting into aggressive summer feeding mode. No specific on-the-water reports for Champlain came through this week's angler-intel feeds, so conditions here reflect established seasonal patterns rather than firsthand captain or shop testimony — verify locally before heading out. Smallmouth historically concentrate along rocky shorelines, boulder fields, and offshore humps as surface temps climb into the upper 60s°F this time of year, making early-morning tube jigs and drop shots productive. Landlocked Atlantic salmon follow cold water down, suspending over deep structure in pursuit of smelt schools once surface temperatures push fish off the top, with trolling the dominant technique. With no buoy or gauge readings available, checking with a local Vermont tackle shop or the state's angler survey reports before launching is strongly recommended.
Driftless streamers and terrestrials on deck as late June arrives
MidCurrent's Tying Tuesday feature this week spotlighted Root River Rod Co's go-to Driftless streamer — a pine squirrel jig designed to bounce the rocky bottom without hanging up in the tight, technical channels these limestone spring creeks are known for. That's a practical signal for late-June conditions. No NOAA buoy or USGS gauge readings arrived in this report cycle, but Wisconsin's Driftless streams historically drop and clear from spring flows by late June, with water typically warming through the low-to-mid 60s in unshaded reaches and holding cooler near spring-fed inflows. Terrestrial insects are normally coming on strong by the last week of June, making beetles, ants, and early hoppers relevant alongside streamers. The full moon of June 28 tends to push peak feeding toward low-light windows at dawn and dusk. Fishing the Midwest notes that small rivers across the region are worth the investment right now, and versatile anglers willing to cycle through presentations will find the most consistent action.
Texoma stripers and Eufaula bass settle into summer's deep-water playbook
Tactical Bassin's current summer-bass coverage frames what Oklahoma anglers are navigating right now: with late-June heat fully established, largemouth become 'very predictable,' keying on depth, shade, and baitfish after the spawn. No Oklahoma-specific reports from Lake Texoma or Lake Eufaula surfaced in this cycle's intel feeds, so conditions here reflect seasonal norms for these reservoirs. On Texoma, landlocked stripers typically suspend near the thermocline in 20–35 feet of open water by late June, chasing threadfin shad; live bait or umbrella rigs trolled over main-lake humps during early morning hours have historically been the go-to. Eufaula's largemouth have completed their spawn and are pushing to deep creek-channel swing points and submerged timber. The full moon this weekend typically fires late-night catfish and striper feeding flurries on both lakes. Check local tackle shops and the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation for any current conditions updates before you go.
Montana Trout Rivers Eye Drought Watch Heading Into Peak Summer
MT FWP Fishing News issued a statewide heads-up ahead of peak summer: below-normal snowpack from last winter combined with a hotter-and-drier-than-normal forecast has FWP watching blue-ribbon trout rivers closely across Yellowstone and Missouri drainage basins. The agency recently hosted a virtual townhall to brief anglers on protective tools as summer heat builds. A newly launched TroutCast tool, a USGS, Montana State University, and NOAA collaboration that went live June 1, 2026, now lets anglers forecast drought-driven thermal stress on specific rivers before conditions deteriorate. On Canyon Ferry Reservoir, MT FWP Fishing News is urging walleye anglers to keep smaller fish this season, noting that reduced competition allows larger walleye to put on weight faster. No live gauge or buoy data was returned for this reporting cycle; check current USGS stream gauges before committing to any wading trip on moving water.
Catskill and Adirondack trout enter summer mode as trico season opens
No direct flow data or regional shop reports were available for this update, but late June marks a reliable seasonal hinge on these streams. Trico hatches typically begin on classic Catskills pools right around the last week of June, and Gink and Gasoline's overview of the trico spinner fall is a useful primer for what anglers should expect this week. MidCurrent's recent tying coverage highlights surface and film patterns built for 'hatches beginning to fire and predatory fish pushing into the shallows,' a description that fits this window well. The full moon on June 28 pushes optimal feeding to low-light hours: pre-dawn and last light will outperform midday on pressured water. Adirondack brook trout will favor cold tributary mouths and shaded pocket water as daytime temperatures build toward their summer peak. Anglers should verify USGS flows before heading out, as early-summer storm systems can spike levels quickly on both mountain systems.
Delta bass and stripers settle into summer channels as June full moon arrives
NorCal Fish Reports covers the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta as a dedicated region, though no on-water conditions came through in this cycle's data pull. Seasonal patterns for late June put largemouth bass fully postspawn and shifting into summer holding mode — staging near tule edges, bridge pilings, and channel structure where shade and current breaks offset building Central Valley heat. Tactical Bassin (blog) breaks down summer bass behavior as driven primarily by thermoregulation, concentrating meaningful feeding windows at dawn and dusk. The June 28 full moon can extend overnight action, particularly for catfish in tidal sloughs. Striped bass typically pull to cooler main-channel depths by late June, though early-morning surface feeding remains possible in well-oxygenated reaches. No USGS gauge data returned for this cycle; water temperature and flow conditions are unavailable. Verify current conditions through NorCal Fish Reports or local Delta tackle shops before launching.
Delta bass and stripers shift to summer patterns under June full moon
Tactical Bassin documents early-summer California bass responding to both drop-shot finesse and power-fishing presentations — a split pattern that typically mirrors Sacramento-Delta channel conditions as fish suspend deeper during midday heat and push shallower at dawn. With the full moon peaking June 28, striped bass in Delta channels are likely feeding most aggressively on overnight tide windows before retreating to deeper slots by midday. No NOAA buoy or USGS gauge readings are available for this report cycle, so anglers should verify water clarity and temperature at the ramp. Largemouth bass are in the postspawn recovery phase typical of late June — per B.A.S.S. News coverage of June postspawn patterns, fish are gravitating toward shaded structure, dock pilings, and deep grass edges as summer heat builds. Catfish action historically peaks around full-moon cycles on channel ledges after dark. Classic early-summer Delta conditions are setting up.
Salt River chain bass go deep as Arizona's summer heat peaks
Tactical Bassin's summer bass breakdown is the most applicable intel for the Salt River chain this cycle: 'as temperatures rise, bass become very predictable,' driven by shade, oxygen, and baitfish: the three variables that govern fish location on Arizona's desert reservoirs every June. No gauge data or local angler reports from Roosevelt Lake, Apache Lake, Canyon Lake, or Saguaro Lake are available in the current feeds. With the full moon peaking June 28 and extreme heat building toward Arizona's pre-monsoon apex, anglers should target bass along offshore channel drops and shaded canyon walls at dawn and dusk. Channel catfish are a strong full-moon bet after dark along the deeper flats. Striped bass on Roosevelt Lake are a credible summer target, suspended in open water chasing threadfin shad, though no direct reports confirm active fish this week. Check local state agency regulations before heading out.
Late-June smallmouth and catfish prime on the New River and Ohio
Tactical Bassin's recent summer bass breakdown is a useful template for WV river anglers this week: post-spawn smallmouth have separated into two patterns, shallow aggressive feeders near current breaks and larger fish holding on deeper structure. No USGS gauge or NOAA buoy readings came in for the New River or Ohio this cycle, so flow and water temperature figures are unavailable. Fishing the Midwest reinforces the seasonal logic, noting that rivers throughout the region can deliver outstanding summer action for anglers willing to work riffles, current seams, and weed edges. On the Ohio, channel and flathead catfish hit their summer prime and respond well to overnight feeding pushes around a full moon, which peaks tonight, June 28. Hybrid striped bass are also in play on the Ohio's main channel. First light and the hours just after sundown are the best windows to be on the water this week.
White seabass scoring off Gaviota as Central Coast shark rules take hold
A kayak angler out of Gaviota landed a trophy white seabass this week, per Western Outdoor News — Saltwater, pushing through rough five-foot swells to get live bait to the bottom and connect with a fish described as a "tanker." Gaviota sits at the southern edge of the Central Coast, and this report signals white seabass are actively feeding along the region's kelp and nearshore structure. No NOAA buoy readings are currently available for the area, so water temperature and swell conditions should be confirmed via local sources before heading out. Rockfish and halibut action remains typical for late June — structure drifts and sandy-bottom presentations are both productive seasonal approaches, though no captain or shop reports are available to pin down specifics this week. Anglers should also note a significant regulatory change: California emergency rules now ban wire leaders and hooks larger than 1.5 inches from Pigeon Point south, covering the entire Central Coast nearshore zone, per Western Outdoor News — Saltwater.
Bluefin and Yellowtail Hot Offshore; New Shark Regs Reshape the Shore Game
The offshore bite off San Diego is running hot this week. Western Outdoor News — Saltwater reports the bluefin tuna fleet has re-engaged in 1.5-day range roughly due west of Point Loma, with the Old Glory scoring 16 bluefin tuna plus a triple hookup on opah in the same zone. Night jigging is producing the better fish. Closer to the beach, the same source notes a 45-plus-pound homeguard yellowtail hauled from Crystal Pier in Pacific Beach, a shore catch that would be a fish of a lifetime by any measure. A kayak angler out of Goleta, also per Western Outdoor News — Saltwater, reported a tanker white seabass on live bait despite five-foot surf. Shore anglers across Southern California should be aware of a sweeping emergency regulation approved June 17 by the California Fish and Game Commission, banning wire leaders and hooks over 1.5 inches within 1,000 yards of shore. Per Surf Fishing in So Cal, this effectively eliminates traditional shark fishing terminal setups from the Central and Southern California shoreline.
Late-June Oregon Coast Window: Chinook, Halibut, and Bottomfish Lead the Summer Push
No buoy readings or gauge data came through for this cycle, and this week's angler-intel feeds carry no direct Oregon Coast saltwater dispatches — so conditions here are assessed against typical late-June patterns rather than live on-water testimony. That said, late June historically opens one of the coast's most productive stretches: ocean Chinook and coho salmon are typically in full swing along the continental shelf and around coastal jetty systems, nearshore Pacific halibut fishing is in stride before summer pressure peaks, and rockfish and lingcod offer reliable bottomfishing year-round. The full moon peaking today (June 28) often compresses the prime bite window into the hour before sunrise and the first hour after dusk. Saltwater Sportsman's recent feature on barometric pressure serves as a useful reminder that feeding activity frequently surges ahead of an approaching front — worth monitoring the coastal forecast closely before committing to an offshore run. Check current Oregon state regs before harvesting salmon or halibut.
Moosehead togue and salmon settle into summer depth
No current gauge readings or on-the-water reports from Moosehead Lake and the upper Penobscot surfaced in our sources this week, so conditions here reflect typical late-June patterns for Maine's north-central lakes and rivers. With summer solstice just past and the full moon peaking this weekend, Moosehead's salmonids — lake trout and landlocked salmon — have likely pushed well below the thermocline, following forage into cooler depths. Trolling with wire or lead-core line to reach 40–60 feet is the standard summer playbook for togue on Moosehead. Smallmouth bass, by contrast, are near their annual peak along rocky shorelines and boulder fields — they tolerate warmer surface temperatures far better than salmonids. The upper Penobscot's tributary streams typically offer the clearest shot at wild brook trout at first light; wading pressure tends to be lightest midweek. Confirm all season dates and bag limits with state regulators before heading out, as rules vary by water and target species.
Coho and Chinook Season Rolling on Southern Lake Michigan
The WI DNR Lake Michigan Fishing Report highlighted a landmark 2024 season across the lake — over 210,000 coho salmon harvested (a record) and more than 160,000 Chinook, the best showing since 2012, both tied to a recovering alewife population that strengthened stocked fish survival. That forage foundation carries into 2026 summer fishing off Chicago. No real-time buoy data is available for the southern Lake Michigan nearshore zone this week; IL/IN Sea Grant operates three nearshore buoys in this corridor, but no readings populated for this report. Typical for late June, Chinook push deeper as surface temps climb while coho hold in shallower thermocline layers. A full moon on June 28 compresses the most productive feeding into dawn and dusk. Yellow perch remain reliable near pier structures along the Chicago waterfront, and per Wired 2 Fish's recent feature on Great Lakes forage, round gobies continue fueling strong smallmouth bass action along rocky breakwalls.
Sea Bass Limits and Bluefin Push Signal Jersey Shore's Summer Turn
Water temperatures holding in the mid-60s along the Jersey Shore, per reports out of Atlantic Highlands, as the fishery pivots from spring to summer. Black sea bass are the standout story: Blue Chip Sportfishing reports limiting out on nearly every charter and calls the bite "red hot." Offshore, bluefin tuna have moved into range behind a massive squid invasion, with Fishermans HQ LBI noting productive grounds just 20-30 miles out. Fluke fishing rebounded after last week's upwelling event; OTW Northern New Jersey's June 25 report puts ocean fluking "back on the upswing," though Capt Ron's Atlantic Highlands notes the bay-and-inlet bite remains picky, favoring simple bait rigs over jigs. Striped bass linger on the beaches, with On The Water's June 26 migration map showing bigger bass concentrating on sand eels, squid, and bunker as the spring run transitions to deeper summer holding water. Mako sharks add an unexpected dimension, with Blue Chip Sportfishing releasing three on a single recent offshore trip.