Fishing reports
7517 reports across all 50 states — current conditions and what's biting.
Big stripers running the east end as Long Island shifts to summer pattern
Per On The Water's June 25 Long Island report, big stripers are feeding on a buffet of bait off the east end, with Montauk sustaining an excellent bass bite on squid and sand eels, a pattern holding since at least mid-June. The Fisherman's Long Island forecast for the week of June 25 confirms outstanding striped bass action island-wide, alongside improving sea bass and porgy fishing. Fluke are gaining momentum, with keeper fish showing up more consistently from the South Shore bays through the Peconics. South Shore reefs are producing sea bass on rigs and jigs, per On The Water. Offshore, OTW Saltwater's northeast report from June 24 puts canyon fishing at a red-hot start for the season, with yellowfin and bigeye tuna active. With the full moon peaking June 28, strong tidal movement should amplify the bite across all these fisheries this weekend.
Croaker, Spot, and Sheepshead Hit Their Stride in the Chesapeake
The Chesapeake region is rolling into its best fishing of the season. The Fisherman — DE/MD/Chesapeake correspondent Eric Burnley reported that June closed with more croaker, spot, sheepshead, and flounder than any point all year, noting "there is no reason why this good fishing should not continue into July." In the DE/MD/Chesapeake region, Smith's Bait Shop at Bowers Beach confirmed striped bass taking bloodworms and cut mullet alongside flounder on live minnows. Breakwater Tackle at Cape Henlopen noted spot and croaker as the primary catch, with sheepshead responding to sand fleas and green crab near pier structure. The full moon this weekend is driving strong tidal surges through Bay channel edges and jetties — prime conditions for bottom-feeders to feed aggressively. Keeper flounder counts are building steadily toward their midsummer peak. June ended well, and July looks better.
Muskies hot in the weeds as Northwoods walleye lakes enter summer transition
Water temps holding in the low 70s across Vilas and Oneida County lakes, per Rollie & Helen's Musky Shop's Late June 2026 report, and fishing has remained productive despite wild weather swings and persistent wind. Muskies are fully post-spawn and scattered, with jerkbaits in the weeds the standout pattern; Rollie & Helen's notes guide Jake Smith has been finding fish on that approach. The shop also flags the Northwoods is now in its Early-to-Mid-Summer Transition: shallow bays are warming fast, pushing forage and apex predators into new holding areas and demanding tactical flexibility from anglers. For walleye chasers, Fishing the Midwest's Bob Jensen highlights the weedline as the key summer contact zone, a prescription that pairs well with the slip-bobber and suspended-fish plastics presentations AnglingBuzz is covering in its current walleye content. Anglers looking to escape weekend pressure should consider overlooked waters like Boot Lake in Vilas County, spotlighted by Rollie & Helen's as a true Northwoods sleeper.
Summer Patterns Take Hold on Flathead Lake and the Bitterroot
Hatch Magazine's current feature on bull trout in the Northwest lands as a timely reminder for anglers headed to Flathead Lake and the Bitterroot: these native char are present throughout the drainage, but catch-and-release rules and protected status vary by reach — verify Montana regulations before targeting anything that isn't a lake trout or cutthroat. No live NOAA buoy or USGS gauge data returned for this region this cycle, and no direct Flathead Lake or Bitterroot on-the-water reports surfaced in current feeds, so conditions here are grounded in seasonal patterns rather than live readings. Late June typically finds the Bitterroot's snowmelt pulse easing, with westslope cutthroat moving back toward riffle edges and current seams as flows moderate. On Flathead Lake, tonight's full moon often concentrates forage near the surface after dark, nudging lake trout shallower than their usual summer holding depths. Early mornings and the final hour of daylight are the windows to prioritize this weekend.
Post-spawn giants prowling Kentucky Lake as early summer sets in
No gauge or buoy readings came through for this run, so conditions are drawn from seasonal norms and the broader angler-intel feeds. Late June puts Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley squarely in the post-spawn transition, a window B.A.S.S. News called out this week as underappreciated for trophy-class action, with postspawn giants holding near cover before heat drives them to deeper ledges. Tactical Bassin (blog) notes that summer bass become highly predictable as temperatures rise and settle into consistent daily patterns. Tonight's full moon (June 28) pushes feeding windows toward low-light hours at dawn and dusk, prime timing on both lakes. Crappie have typically completed their move to mid-depth suspended structure by this date based on seasonal norms. Blue and channel catfish build toward their July peak. Check TVA lake-level updates and local ramp conditions before launching; no real-time water data was available for this report.
Summer Redfish on the Move in Mobile Bay as Full Moon Tides Build
Salt Strong's June 26–28 regional weekend game plan — the closest published intel covering the adjacent Gulf Coast corridor — points to summer redfish pushed into shoreline cover as the dominant inshore story this weekend. Their concurrent piece on high-tide summer patterns notes that when tidal water rises, redfish vacate open flats and stack against marsh edges and back-bay shorelines where they have access to food and protection. That behavior applies directly to Mobile Bay's expansive grass-flat and back-bay system. No NOAA buoy or USGS gauge readings were available for this reporting cycle, so water temperature and sea state cannot be confirmed from instrument data. Tonight's full moon (June 28) is driving amplified tidal swings that should push redfish further into the backs of coves and creek mouths. Offshore, red snapper remain a summer Gulf staple — Sport Fishing Mag's recent lifecycle coverage underscores the species' affinity for deep structure during summer. Check the local forecast closely before heading out.
South Texas flats hit full summer stride on the Lower Laguna Madre
TexasFishingTips (YT) ran back-to-back Baffin Bay and Laguna Madre area reports this week, including a June 25 outing with Capt. Kevin Navid, signaling consistent captain activity across the upper Laguna system heading into late June. Texas Fish & Game Magazine is running content this week on bull redfish release ethics — noting forty-inch bull reds working the surf alongside jack crevalle pushing through beachfront bait schools — a pattern consistent with late-June baitfish congregation along South Padre's Gulf-facing beach. Salt Strong (YT) is publishing a dedicated summer redfish lure breakdown, reinforcing that shallow-flat redfish are a primary focus for Texas coastal anglers right now. The Lower Laguna Madre's seagrass flats, cited by Texas Fish & Game Magazine as the ecological foundation of the fishery, typically concentrate spotted seatrout in the deeper grass during peak daytime heat, with the most reliable action compressed into the early-morning and late-evening windows. A full moon this weekend will drive amplified tidal movement through the passes and back-bay cuts — plan your tide accordingly.
SF Bay and Bodega Enter Peak Summer Window as Full Moon Tides Surge
California Fish and Game Commission's June 17 emergency action, reported by Western Outdoor News — Saltwater, is the sharpest regulatory signal out of the NorCal saltwater beat this week: a ban on wire leaders and hooks over 1.5 inches for ocean anglers fishing south of Pigeon Point. The rule does not extend north to SF Bay or Bodega territory, but underscores active state management of California's saltwater fisheries. On-the-water reports from regional sources were limited this cycle, so conditions are read through seasonal context: late June is historically prime for California halibut on the sandy Bay flats and striped bass pushing structure through the tidal rips at the Gate. Tonight's Full Moon is driving spring tides to their monthly peak, typically concentrating baitfish on drop-off edges and cueing feeding windows in both species. No NOAA buoy data was available this cycle. Verify sea state and local wind before heading out.
Spanish Mackerel and Big Blues Running Strong Along Cape Lookout
Per Fisherman's Post (NC), late June has delivered a robust push of Spanish mackerel into nearshore waters from Swansboro and Emerald Isle to Atlantic Beach and Cape Lookout. Morgan of The Reel Outdoors reports mackerel moving in good numbers along the beachfront, while Rich of Chasin' Tails confirms the bite at Atlantic Beach with bonito in the mix for surf and pier anglers. Bluefish are the standout story right now: Tom of Hatteras Jack notes fish to 30-plus inches hammering casting metals and cut baits in the Hatteras surf, and the bluefish action continues south for anglers pulling spoons off the beach, per multiple Fisherman's Post reporters. Inshore, red drum are present but scattered, holding in deeper holes. Sea mullet fishing has been steady along the Hatteras surf. Tonight's full moon drives strong spring tides through Pamlico Sound inlets, a pattern that typically concentrates baitfish in the cuts and sharpens the bite on moving water.
Full Moon Opens Night-Bite Window on Catawba & Roanoke Freshwater
B.A.S.S. News flags late June as "one of the overlooked time frames for big-bass action," noting that post-spawn fish across the country are transitioning to summer patterns and pushing to deeper structural edges. No USGS gauge readings or local tackle-shop reports came through for the Catawba and Roanoke systems this cycle, leaving on-the-water conditions data limited. That said, the full moon falling on June 28 is a known trigger for the night catfish bite on both river systems, with cut bait worked tight to deeper holes producing well into the small hours. Tactical Bassin notes that summer bass are "driven by 3 main variables" — shade, bait, and current — placing bridge pilings and deeper creek-channel ledges as prime midday holding areas. Evening weedline presentations, per the same source, can draw topwater and soft-jerkbait strikes before dark. Landlocked striped bass in Roanoke system impoundments typically cluster near thermocline edges as surface temperatures climb through summer.
Mutton snapper spawn peaks on the full moon in the Florida Keys
Mutton snapper are stacking on Keys reefs and offshore humps right on schedule. ALL IN Key West reports the fish are 'chewing like crazy' with the June full moon triggering the species' annual summer spawn aggregations, one of the most reliable windows of the year on this fishery. Yellowtail snappers are equally fired up, described by the same charter as 'practically jumping in the boat.' A recent Gulf-side run by ALL IN Key West returned groupers, snappers, cobia, barracuda, and kingfish in a single outing. Conditions and fish counts are reportedly among the strongest in 16 years of Keys charter fishing, with May and June 2026 delivering back-to-back outstanding months. Live-bait presentations along reef edges have been the consistent producer for yellowtail volume, while the mutton bite extends across structure during the spawn window. With the full moon landing today, the next 48 to 72 hours represent the heart of the summer snapper season.
Full moon opens Puget Sound's summer Chinook and halibut window
WA Sea Grant's Salish Sea-wide Molt Blitz, staged June 26, is the highest-profile regional event surfacing this week, signaling how closely the conservation community is watching the Sound's ecological health as summer fishing ramps up. No real-time NOAA buoy readings or creel-level catch reports appeared in this cycle's feeds, so conditions here draw on seasonal patterns rather than fresh on-water intel. Late June in Puget Sound typically sees resident chinook available in the upper water column, Pacific halibut accessible along the outer coast, and lingcod holding on structure in the 60-120-foot range. This weekend's full moon (June 28) should amplify tidal swings and push bait schools along current seams, historically one of the more productive timing windows of the summer. WA WDFW Fishing Reports remains the authoritative source for updated creel data and any emergency regulation changes before you launch.
Cape Cod Bay Stripers Heat Up as Spring Run Shifts to Summer
Cape Cod Bay stripers are in full swing, with Charley Soares reporting in The Fisherman (Cape Cod & Islands) that the bay is "heating up from Barnstable to Billingsgate and into P-Town Harbor." The Canal has quieted from its spring peak, but bay-side fishing is compensating well. A midday topwater bite at both ends of the Canal produced fish on white and bone-colored plugs, per the same report, and Red Top Sporting Goods in The Fisherman (Cape Cod & Islands) confirms slot to high-30-inch stripers coming on pencil poppers and canal jigs. The Fisherman (Northeast) video forecast from June 25 places "pockets of big fish in multiple locations along the Cape." Per On The Water's June 26 striper migration map, bigger bass are now keying on sand eels, squid, bunker, and herring as the spring run shifts to summer patterns. Bluefish have appeared off the West Falmouth shoreline. Tonight's Full Moon amplifies tidal push; early-morning and late-evening windows will likely be most productive.
Gulf of Alaska salmon and halibut peak as summer arrives
AK Sea Grant's 34th Lowell Wakefield Fisheries Symposium, held at Kodiak Island, put marine heatwaves in high-latitude oceans front and center, a relevant backdrop for Gulf of Alaska anglers heading out this full-moon weekend. No buoy readings or captain reports populated this data fetch, so real-time water temperatures and bite conditions are unavailable for this cycle. That said, late June is historically one of the most productive windows across the Gulf: sockeye salmon runs are typically at or near their peak in many nearshore systems, Pacific halibut are actively feeding in the 100 to 300 foot range, and king salmon opportunities persist in select drainages where late runs are still building. Coho are beginning to show but remain early for most Gulf-area fisheries. Check state regs and run-strength updates before launching, as emergency orders can shift quickly during active salmon periods.
Spanish Mackerel and Sheepshead on the Move in Charleston Harbor
Fisherman's Post is tracking the early-summer mackerel push along the Carolina coast, with Morgan of The Reel Outdoors (Swansboro/Emerald Isle, NC) reporting spanish mackerel "moving in in good numbers" to nearshore areas and along the beachfront. That wave typically extends into South Carolina waters by late June. Per Fisherman's Post, Lewis of Island Tackle and Hardware (Carolina Beach) notes the first push of smaller sheepshead staging on hard structure. Expect comparable fish to be working Charleston's jetties, bridge pilings, and dock edges as Full Moon tides peak this weekend. The bluefish bite, per Fisherman's Post, remains strong along the beachfront. No NOAA buoy or USGS gauge data was available for this report period; typical late-June Charleston Harbor surface temperatures run in the low-to-mid 80s°F. Full Moon exchanges will push strong tidal currents through the harbor's cuts, creating prime feeding windows at first and last light.
Toledo Bend largemouth push deep as summer heat locks in for late June
The June 26 B.A.S.S. News tribute to Harold Allen — a legendary guide who built his career on Toledo Bend in its 1970s heyday — arrives as a fitting backdrop for conditions on this storied reservoir. No NOAA buoy or USGS gauge data was available for this report cycle. Louisiana Sportsman's June 26 field notes from nearby Lake Claiborne document active hybrid striped bass biting in north Louisiana, hinting that summer feeders are moving across the region's big freshwater systems. At Toledo Bend, with the full moon now peaking and late-June heat locked in, largemouth bass have completed the spawn and are settling into their predictable summer transition: ledges and submerged timber in 18 to 30 feet during midday, with a brief first-light topwater window before the heat builds. Blue catfish typically stage near current-influenced stretches along the Sabine River inflow, while crappie have gone deep and slow — typical for late June in north Louisiana.
Reds and Trout Picking Up Along Georgia's Golden Isles After Midsummer Lull
Joshua Barber's June 27 report in GA Sportsman / Georgia Outdoor News signals a turn for the better along the Georgia Atlantic Coast. Angler Mike Sapp landed a bull redfish in the Saint Simons area last weekend, and Barber notes 'good saltwater reports this week,' with trout and flounder action picking up across the region. The turnaround follows a slower stretch: Barber's June 20 report cited heat and heavy rain as the culprit, with most fish pushed into deeper water. With the Full Moon falling this weekend, Georgia's extensive marsh and tidal creek systems will see amplified tidal swings, prime conditions to move bait through grass edges and drain cuts. Anglers should expect oppressive summer heat; Barber specifically advises staying hydrated before heading out. Target early-morning and dusk windows when temperatures are more manageable and fish are more likely to be actively feeding on the flats.
Walleye, smallmouth, and salmon build as Great Lakes summer patterns settle in
Per Wired 2 Fish's recent coverage, round gobies have become one of the Great Lakes' most significant forage fish, driving trophy smallmouth and lake trout fishing in ways anglers are still adapting to. The MI DNR Weekly Fishing Report for June 24 is the primary current-conditions source for Michigan's Great Lakes and Grand River corridor, though specific regional catch details were not available in this update's data feed. Real-time buoy and gauge readings are also absent, making live water temperature data unavailable. Late June marks a pivotal seasonal transition: post-spawn walleye push toward mid-depth reefs and weed edges, smallmouth enter their most aggressive summer feeding window on rocky structure, and Lake Michigan's salmon fishery begins its slow build toward the August and September peak runs. With the full moon on June 28, plan for dawn and dusk bite windows, as midday light pressure typically drives fish off the shallows during bright, high-sun conditions.
Gulf Coast redfish stack in marsh cover as full moon tides surge
Salt Strong's late-June angler guides note that summer high tides send redfish away from open flats and tight into shoreline structure, including grass banks, dock pilings, and shell edges, where they ambush prey and find cooler water. That pattern is squarely in play along Louisiana's delta marshes and barrier-island backwaters right now, amplified by tonight's full moon driving the largest tidal swings of the month through the coastal cuts. Offshore, Sport Fishing Mag's red snapper coverage underscores that larger fish stack on prime hard-bottom positions, and Louisiana's Gulf reefs and production platforms remain the go-to late-June destination for snapper chasers. Inshore, speckled trout are typical for this time of year holding in deeper bayou channels and shaded dock lines as water temperatures climb toward their seasonal peak. No NOAA buoy readings were available for this update; anglers should check local conditions and verify current state regs before launching.
Lake Michigan's peak trolling window opens as Chinook and coho stage offshore
The WI DNR Lake Michigan Fishing Report's record-setting 2024 harvest numbers — more than 210,000 coho and over 160,000 Chinook (the strongest since 2012) — point to a Lake Michigan fishery entering 2026 with exceptional forage support, as robust alewife classes drove stocked-fish survival to historic levels. No current buoy or gauge readings were returned for the Grand River mouth area in this report cycle, so anglers should verify live conditions before launching. Wired 2 Fish notes that round gobies have further deepened the Great Lakes forage chain, providing additional protein that has supported larger average salmon and lake trout sizes system-wide. Late June typically marks the onset of peak offshore trolling season for staging Chinook and coho on the Michigan side of the lake, while the Grand River corridor holds reliable summer walleye in deeper current seams. Post-spawn smallmouth bass are also in their most aggressive feeding patterns of the season. The full moon this weekend may concentrate dawn feeding windows for all three species.
Full Moon Opens Prime Walleye Window at Lake Erie and Presque Isle
Wired 2 Fish this week examined how round gobies have fundamentally reshaped the forage base across the Great Lakes — a dynamic fully in play at Lake Erie's Presque Isle peninsula, where walleye, smallmouth bass, and yellow perch now key on this invasive species as a primary food source. No live buoy or gauge readings were available for the Erie waterfront this week, so current water temperatures remain unconfirmed, but late June historically settles in the mid-60s to low 70s °F along Pennsylvania's shoreline. Walleye are classically staging in deeper basin water by day and pushing shallower at dusk and overnight; tonight's full moon creates an ideal low-light feeding window worth planning around this weekend. Smallmouth are active along Presque Isle's rocky structure and breakwall reaches. PA Fish & Boat Biologist Reports remains the best source for week-specific conditions before making the drive to Erie.
Bluefish Run Big at Hatteras Surf as Spanish Mackerel Push the Beachfront
Tom of Hatteras Jack reports bigger bluefish to 30-plus inches hitting the surf at Hatteras and Ocracoke on casting metals and cut baits, per Fisherman's Post (NC)'s June 2026 update; that is the most direct OBX-specific read available this week. Sea mullet action has been steady in that same surf zone. Spanish mackerel are the other headline species along the NC coast: Fisherman's Post (NC) reports from Morehead/Atlantic Beach and Swansboro/Emerald Isle show mackerel pushing in good numbers along nearshore areas and the beachfront, a pattern that typically tracks northward to the Banks as June progresses. Bonito have also been showing at Morehead/Atlantic Beach. Inshore, red drum are described as scattered but findable in deeper holes. Tonight's full moon brings stronger spring tides; expect amplified tidal movement to set up productive surf windows this weekend. No NOAA buoy or USGS gauge data was available for this report cycle; check local conditions before launching.
Summer heat sends Georgia fish deep as Savannah River drops
Joshua Barber's June 27 Southern Waters Fishing Report in GA Sportsman puts the Savannah River at Clyo at 4.3 feet and falling as of June 25, down from the elevated conditions that had slowed the bite through the previous week. Barber's June 20 update described fishing as 'fairly slow due to the hot weather and the rains,' with most fish congregated in deeper water. The trend is improving as levels recede and the bite tone recovers. Georgia Wildlife Blog confirms summer is firmly underway statewide, directing anglers to stocking schedules and fishing forecasts at GeorgiaWildlife.com for trout updates. With a Full Moon peaking this weekend and Barber noting that 'it's going to be hot,' productive windows on both the Chattahoochee and Savannah drainages will be concentrated at dawn and dusk, with deep structure holding the better bass and panfish through the brutal midday hours.
Full Moon Tides Drive Summer Redfish Into Shoreline Cover on the Sound
Salt Strong's latest regional game plans highlight summer redfish pushing hard into shoreline cover at high tide across Gulf Coast inshore waters — a pattern that applies directly to the Mississippi Sound as late June delivers full-moon tidal swings to the region. With no NOAA buoy readings available for this cycle, water temperature remains unconfirmed, but the seasonal timing points squarely toward a classic summer bite built around tidal movement and shade. MS DMR's recent waiver of permit fees for storm-damaged coastal structures through June 2027 signals recent rough weather along the coast, which can temporarily scatter fish before they resettle on productive structure. Speckled trout are typically moving off open flats to deeper grass edges and channel margins by mid-morning in this heat. With no direct captain or tackle-shop reports available this cycle, seasonal patterns and Salt Strong's regional intel form the backbone of this report.