Fishing reports
8011 reports across all 50 states — current conditions and what's biting.
Western Basin walleye shifting to summer structure as Erie warms
NOAA buoy 45005 logged 69°F water temperature on Lake Erie early this morning, with light winds around 9 mph — manageable conditions for anglers making the run to the offshore reefs. At this temperature, Western Basin walleye are well past the spring spawn and typically transitioning into summer patterns: holding on mid-lake reef edges and deeper structure rather than the shallow rock piles that concentrated fish in May. Regional angling feeds this week carried no charter reports or tackle shop updates specific to Lake Erie walleye — available intel skewed heavily toward bass and saltwater species elsewhere. Fishing the Midwest noted that versatility is the defining quality of successful open-water anglers this season, with walleye sometimes yielding the spotlight to whatever species is most cooperative on a given day. Without direct on-the-water confirmation from Western Basin sources, this report is grounded in the buoy read and established late-June seasonal behavior: walleye are present but more scattered than during the spring reef peak, making depth adjustment and structure selection the deciding factor heading into the weekend.
Georgia Coast Redfish Holding Deep as Summer Heat and Rain Slow the Bite
A bull redfish caught near Saint Simons with Capt. Tim Cutting proves red drum are still present along the Georgia coast, but GA Sportsman / Georgia Outdoor News' Southern Waters report of June 20 is direct: the bite was 'fairly slow this week due to the hot weather and the rains,' with most fish congregated in deeper water. Anglers working inshore structure and tidal creek channels are outpacing those hunting shallow flats. Offshore, the planned July 1 recreational red snapper season in federal waters off Georgia has been halted by a federal court ruling — the Southeastern Fisheries Association challenged the Exempted Fishing Permits that would have allowed a 62-day season, per GA Sportsman / Georgia Outdoor News. With the Savannah River gauge at 3.2 feet and rising and the Altamaha at 5.1 feet as of June 18, elevated freshwater flows may be suppressing nearshore salinity. Check current state and federal regulations before targeting any species.
Yakima trout and Columbia smallmouth fire up as Eastern WA enters summer
WA WDFW Fishing Reports confirms active creel monitoring and stocking operations across Eastern Washington this season, though specific regional catch data wasn't captured in this feed cycle. Late June marks a familiar seasonal turn: post-snowmelt flows on the Yakima River typically stabilize by now, water temperatures begin their midsummer climb, and trout concentrate in deeper, well-oxygenated lies or shaded riffles to avoid midday heat. Dawn and dusk windows are the reliable approach for rainbow and brown trout. Smallmouth bass on the Columbia River system tend to hit rocky structure and current breaks with increasing aggression as water warms toward summer levels. First Quarter moon this week supports low-light feeding windows on both rivers and lakes. Hatch Magazine's recent Pacific Northwest coverage highlights ongoing bull trout conservation discussions in regional tributary systems, a reminder to check current WA regulations for any waters you plan to fish. No gauge or buoy data was available for this report cycle.
Blue catfish firing across Texas lakes as summer heat sets in
A 75-pound, 50-inch blue catfish hauled from Belton Lake on June 6 by angler Michael Padgett is the standout story on Texas freshwater right now, per Wired 2 Fish: a catch that underscores just how loaded Central Texas reservoirs are with trophy-class blues this season. Up in the Fort Worth corridor, North Texas Catfish Guide reports Eagle Mountain Lake sitting nearly full with consistent fresh-water inflow, a setup that keeps blue and channel catfish actively feeding. "Fish are moving, fish are feeding, and when you get on them it happens fast," the guide notes. As temperatures climb toward peak summer, Texas Fish & Game Magazine signals that largemouth bass are beginning their mid-summer transition off the bank and onto deeper offshore structure. Lone Star Outdoor News points to Rio Grande cichlids as a fun warm-weather target for anglers in South Texas now that cooler-season species have wound down.
Okeechobee largemouths go deep as Florida summer heat peaks on the St. Johns
MidCurrent's coverage of a legal win for Florida guides near the Everglades Agricultural Area highlights how central Lake Okeechobee and the surrounding freshwater corridor are to the state's sportfishing community. No NOAA buoy or USGS gauge readings are available for this reporting period, but late June conditions on both Okeechobee and the St. Johns River follow a predictable seasonal script. Tactical Bassin's summer bass analysis describes the post-spawn two-zone split that defines this time of year: bass push onto shallow vegetation edges for brief topwater windows at first light, then drop to deeper grass lines and offshore structure as midday temperatures climb. On Okeechobee, that means early pushes into hydrilla and lily pad fields before retreating to deeper ledges. Black crappie, locally called speckled perch, typically slow significantly in summer heat, while bluegill, shellcracker, and catfish remain consistent targets around submerged structure.
Striper and Squid Action Peaks Across Long Island Sound in Late June
On The Water's June 23 striper migration wrap-up — their final migration report of 2026 — signals the spring push has largely run its course, with bass now transitioning into summer holding patterns across the Sound. The more telling signal comes from adjacent Rhode Island waters: Saltwater Edge Blog reports that both striper and squid fishing have been "fantastic" through the June new moon window, with cool water temperatures keeping the bite active and showing no signs of slowing. Fluke (summer flounder) are earning their own headline across the region, with On The Water covering doormat action over deep structure and back-bay jerkbait presentations for summer flounder. With the First Quarter moon producing moderate, workable tidal movement this week, rip lines and current seams are worth targeting at dawn and dusk. No NOAA buoy readings are available for exact water temperatures this report cycle. Check state regulations before keeping striped bass.
Delaware River smallmouth and Pine Barrens bass enter prime late-June window
NJ Fish & Wildlife News this week spotlights Hamburg Mountain WMA's warm-water fisheries — a broader indicator that the state's freshwater circuit is in summer mode — but specific reports from the Delaware River corridor and Pine Barrens remain sparse in this reporting cycle. No USGS flow data was available for the Delaware, and no charter or tackle shop intel directly covered interior freshwater this week. Coastal NJ waters were running at 61–62°F per Capt Ron's Atlantic Highlands (a saltwater reference point), suggesting freshwater temperatures in the upper 60s to low 70s are plausible across the Pine Barrens and tidal-freshwater stretches of the Delaware — conditions that historically signal peak smallmouth action in riffles and transitional zones, and active catfishing on the main stem after dark. Five WMAs across NJ are under seasonal closures through September 7 per NJ Fish & Wildlife News, so Pine Barrens anglers should verify access at their target water before heading out.
Summer Steelhead and Chinook Season Builds on the Columbia and Rogue
The Fly Fishing Forum flagged an Oregon ballot initiative this week that would broadly restrict recreational fishing statewide, a development worth watching for Columbia and Rogue regulars planning their summer seasons. On the water, no live environmental readings returned for these drainages this cycle; gauges and buoys came back empty, so flow stage and temperatures cannot be confirmed here. Oregon-based traffic on IFish.net reflects anglers active on coastal and Willamette-area waters this week, though no direct Columbia or Rogue conditions reports surfaced in the available feeds. Seasonally, late June is a pivotal window: summer steelhead are typically building into the lower Rogue by mid-to-late June, while summer Chinook begin stepping into the Columbia as the spring pulse winds down. Smallmouth bass in the mid-Columbia are approaching their warm-weather peak. Species-status ratings below reflect seasonal baseline rather than confirmed angler reports.
Great Lakes Smallmouth Hit Post-Spawn Stride as Michigan Summer Season Opens
The MI DNR Weekly Fishing Report — most recently issued June 17 — is the authoritative baseline for Michigan conditions heading into late June, though detailed condition data was not captured in this cycle. No NOAA buoy readings or USGS streamflow figures were available at time of publication. That said, Fishing the Midwest reports the 2026 open water season is "in full swing" across the upper Midwest, with weedlines emerging as productive targets for a mix of walleye, bass, and panfish. On the Great Lakes side, chatter on the Michigan Sportsman Forum includes an angler working lower bay waters this week with body baits — busy action, though fish topped out under 3 pounds. Late June typically brings post-spawn smallmouth bass into aggressive feeding mode along rocky Great Lakes shorelines and Grand River current seams, making this one of the better windows of the season to target them before summer heat pushes fish to deeper water.
Red Snapper Season Running Strong as LA Gulf Coast Hits Midsummer
Louisiana Sportsman reports LDWF landing estimates through June 7 show 210,474 pounds of red snapper — 23.9% of the recreational quota — already in the box, confirming a productive offshore bottom bite as the Gulf Coast rolls into its midsummer peak. No buoy readings are available this cycle, leaving water temps unconfirmed, but late June historically pushes nearshore Gulf waters into the upper 80s°F, nudging inshore species toward shaded structure and deeper channels during afternoon heat. Salt Strong notes that big redfish are highly pattern-able in summer conditions, locking onto docks, pilings, and deeper grass edges on early-morning tides before temperatures rise. The first-quarter moon darkens overnight conditions through late June, a factor that tends to concentrate Gulf snapper feeding into more defined daytime windows. Speckled trout and flounder round out the inshore picture for anglers working Delta marshes and nearshore passes.
Delaware Bay early-summer window: fluke builds as blues and bass stay active
OTW Northern New Jersey's June 18 report documents fluke improving from the bays to the beaches statewide, with striped bass and bluefish hitting plugs, clams, and chunks in the surf. Those conditions bracket Delaware Bay, where the calendar points to a solid early-summer window. No real-time buoy readings were available for the bay this report cycle, but NJ coastal waters were logging around 61–62°F at Atlantic Highlands per Capt Ron's Atlantic Highlands NJ — roughly consistent with typical late-June bay surface temps. Grumpys Tackle (NJ) is calling out drum, bass, and blues as current saltwater headliners, while Blue Chip Sportfishing reports sea bass as "red hot" and stripers still "crushing" on recent NJ charters. Fishermans HQ LBI confirms water temps in the low-to-mid 60s with consistent multi-species action building coastwide. First-quarter moon this week drives moderate tidal exchange — a workable setup for fishing Delaware Bay's channel edges and mid-bay structure.
Quabbin & Wachusett Bass Turning On as Summer Pushes Trout Deep
Tactical Bassin's current summer bass coverage confirms the transition most central Massachusetts reservoir anglers know well heading into late June: post-spawn smallmouth are settling into predictable structure-driven patterns, making this one of the better windows to dial them in before full summer heat sets in. No gauge or buoy readings are available in this period's data pull, so conditions here are grounded in established seasonal patterns for both reservoirs. Surface temps at Quabbin and Wachusett typically reach the low-to-mid 70s by late June, pushing lake trout and landlocked salmon well below the epilimnion toward thermocline depth — often 30 to 50 feet down. Fishing the Midwest highlights weedline edges and rocky structure transitions as the go-to summer contact zones, both of which are well represented at Quabbin's irregular shoreline and Wachusett's submerged points. The First Quarter moon this week produces moderate solunar feeding windows favoring dawn and dusk sessions. Always confirm current access rules and gear restrictions before heading out — both reservoirs carry water-supply regulations that differ from standard Massachusetts waters.
Allegheny tailwaters in summer mode: smallmouth and catfish on pattern
PA Sea Grant is hosting a free Harmful Algal Blooms webinar on June 25, a timely signal that late-June heat can accelerate bloom development across Pennsylvania waterways. No gauge or buoy data reached us this reporting cycle, so flow readings and water temperatures are unavailable; check USGS before heading out. With summer locked in and the First Quarter moon overhead, Allegheny and Pittsburgh-area tailwater smallmouth should be transitioning into predictable post-spawn feeding lanes near current seams and deep structure edges. Tactical Bassin notes that once water temps peak, bass consolidate around a handful of depth and current variables and become easier to pattern. Wired 2 Fish highlights the tube jig as a high-percentage summer weapon, a strong match for the rocky substrate typical of these tailwaters. No local charter or tackle-shop intel was available in this reporting window; conditions here are grounded in seasonal norms for late June in western PA.
Lake Michigan salmon and bass activity building for late-June
Angler chatter on the Michigan Sportsman Forum around Father's Day weekend describes trollers finding pods of fish after heading east of the channel in area bay water, with roughly 1-foot waves keeping outings manageable through midday. A separate lower-bay session reported body baits accounting for 80 percent of the catch, with fish running to about 3 pounds. No NOAA buoy or USGS gauge data was available for this reporting window, leaving water temperatures and Grand River flow unconfirmed. On a broader lake scale, the WI DNR's 2024 Lake Michigan harvest review recorded over 210,000 coho salmon and more than 160,000 Chinook — the best Chinook numbers since 2012 — pointing to a healthy forage-driven system. With late June typically marking the transition to summer salmon-staging mode near river mouths, Chinook should be pushing shallower as alewife schools concentrate. Smallmouth bass along rocky nearshore structure are entering their most predictable window of the year.
Stripers and smallmouth lead Kennebec and Penobscot into peak summer
Late June marks the traditional striper window on the lower Kennebec's tidal freshwater reaches, with fish typically at peak concentration around this date. No NOAA buoy or USGS gauge readings are available for this cycle, and none of the angler-intel feeds pulled this week included direct testimony from Kennebec or Penobscot guides, shops, or captains. Conditions reporting here draws on established seasonal patterns for both drainages. Smallmouth bass come into their own across both river systems as post-spawn recovery wraps up, and late June is generally the most productive window before midsummer heat pushes fish deeper. Landlocked Atlantic salmon and native brook trout retreat toward cold-water refugia in tributary streams as main-stem temperatures climb through July. Consult local tackle shops and state fisheries resources for current bite details before your trip.
Smokies Trout Enter Summer Terrestrial Season as Heat Builds
Late June marks the shift to full summer conditions across Western NC's Great Smoky Mountains trout waters, though no USGS gauge readings or local shop reports were available for this reporting cycle. With mountain air temperatures climbing and afternoon thunderstorms typical for the region, the Smokies' wild trout fishery is entering its terrestrial window. Flylords Mag highlights that patterns like the Chugger — a foam terrestrial — are exactly what anglers should stock up on for summer heat conditions. Caddis Fly (OR) points to the jigged Yellow Sally nymph as a standout summer dry-dropper option, a pattern equally at home on Southern Appalachian freestone streams. Rainbow and brown trout in lower-elevation runs typically shift to shade and thermal refugia by midday; early mornings and evenings offer the most consistent windows. Wild brook trout at higher elevations stay more active through the day as cooler water persists above roughly 3,000 feet. Check state regulations before heading out — many Smokies streams carry catch-and-release designations.
Summer heat drives bass deep at Lanier and Allatoona as late-June pattern locks in
GA Sportsman / Georgia Outdoor News reported a 'tough summer bite' at Lake Russell on June 14, where the winning team in a Phoenix Bass Fishing League event managed just 12 pounds, 9 ounces on five fish — a sign of how scattered bass become as Georgia's summer heat peaks. The same outlet's June 20 Southern Waters update noted that 'hot weather and the rains' have been slowing bites and pushing fish into deeper water across the state, a pattern that applies equally to Lanier and Allatoona. Largemouth and spotted bass on both lakes are shifting from post-spawn shallows to mid-depth ledges, offshore brush piles, and channel edges, with low-light windows — early morning and dusk — remaining the primary opportunity for topwater action. No water temperature or gauge data were available for either lake this reporting cycle. The Georgia Wildlife Blog — Fishing confirmed continued statewide angling activity through National Fishing and Boating Week (June 6–14).
Columbia summer Chinook and smallmouth on the move in late June
With Washington's boating season now fully underway per WA Sea Grant, river pressure is building on the Columbia mainstem and Puget Sound area tributaries as the last full week of June arrives. WA WDFW's creel-monitoring program is tracking angler activity statewide, though specific catch data for this cycle wasn't available in our feeds. Seasonally, late June puts summer Chinook on the move in the Columbia: fish typically push through the Bonneville-to-McNary corridor en route to upstream spawning grounds, and anchor trolling or back-trolling plugs in deeper holding lies is the standard mainstem approach. Smallmouth bass in the Columbia Gorge reach tend to peak around this window, with fish feeding hard on crayfish along rocky ledges and mid-river structure. No NOAA buoy or USGS gauge readings were available this cycle; conditions can shift quickly with late Cascade snowmelt still contributing runoff. Check current flows before you launch.
UP Trout Streams Prime for Hex Season as Late June Window Opens
WI DNR Lake Superior Fishing has documented a growing lake whitefish fishery in the Chequamegon Bay region, noting popularity among both ice and open-water anglers in recent seasons — a relevant backdrop for those targeting Lake Superior's south shore, including Michigan UP waters. No NOAA buoy readings or USGS stream gauge data were available this cycle, and the MI DNR Weekly Fishing Report was inaccessible at press time, leaving UP stream conditions partially uncharted. That said, late June on the Upper Peninsula is prime Hexagenia territory: the massive burrowing mayfly hatch typically fires on slower, silty-bottomed UP rivers in the final two weeks of June and into early July, triggering some of the year's largest brook trout and brown trout surface feeds after dark. Stream flows on UP rivers typically moderate by now following spring runoff. Check local gauges for current levels before heading out.
Santee stripers and bass settle into summer deep-water patterns
Tactical Bassin's current summer bass guide notes that fish 'become very predictable' as heat sets in, splitting between shallow cover accessible at dawn and dusk and offshore schools holding deep structure through midday — a pattern that maps directly onto Santee Cooper and Lake Murray as late June arrives. No local environmental readings or region-specific angler reports are available in today's data feed for these waters, so conditions cannot be confirmed from local sources. Seasonally, landlocked striped bass on the Santee system typically suspend over shad schools at thermocline depth by this point in summer, most productively targeted pre-dawn through mid-morning. Blue and channel catfish remain active through the heat on cut bait. Largemouth bass reward anglers who work topwater in the first and last hour of daylight, then shift to deep ledge presentations midday. The First Quarter moon supports those low-light windows this week. Verify current conditions with SCDNR or a local Santee-area tackle shop before heading out.
Late-June smallmouth and catfish push into summer mode on PA rivers
No direct on-the-water reports for the Susquehanna or Allegheny arrived in this cycle, so conditions below reflect seasonal patterns typical for late June in central and western Pennsylvania rather than verified angler intel. One notable flag from PA Sea Grant: a public webinar on harmful algal blooms is scheduled for June 25, underscoring that HABs are a real and growing summer concern on Pennsylvania waterways — anglers should inspect surface conditions before wading or keeping fish. On the broader freshwater front, Fishing the Midwest notes that rivers become particularly productive through summer as fish concentrate along current seams and structure edges. For smallmouth, late June typically marks the post-spawn recovery window when fish begin feeding aggressively again. Catfish activity generally peaks through the warmest weeks. Walleye and muskie shift to low-light and deeper patterns. No water temperature or flow data was available for this report — check USGS StreamStats and local conditions before launching.
Summer heat pushes Hartwell & Russell bass deep on the Savannah chain
The summer heat pattern is firmly locked in on the Savannah chain heading into late June. At Lake Russell on June 14, the Georgia-South Carolina Line Team Circuit's eighth stop confirmed a tough summer bite: the winning bag of Billy Rochester and Brandon Brown checked in at 12 pounds, 9 ounces for five fish, anchored by the tournament's 3-pound, 3-ounce big bass, per GA Sportsman/Georgia Outdoor News. That modest total signals fish have scattered and gone deep. The GA Sportsman's June 20 Southern Waters Fishing Report reinforces the trend — "the bite was fairly slow this week due to the hot weather and the rains" and "most fish are congregated in deeper water right now." Brighter news comes from Clarks Hill on the lower chain, where a Phoenix BFL event produced strong bass action despite lower-than-normal water levels, with William Bates taking over $9,000 after targeting bream-bed structure. No direct gauge data was available for Hartwell or Russell at publication; check local ramp boards before launching.
Summer Weedline Bite Clicks On for Bass and Walleye in Illinois
Anglers planning a trip to Lake Carlton at Morrison-Rockwood State Park in Whiteside County should note the site is closed June 23-24 for aquatic herbicide habitat-restoration work, per Outdoor Hub. Beyond that access disruption, late June is delivering classic early-summer conditions across both the Illinois River corridor and southern Lake Michigan. Fishing the Midwest reports the open-water weedline is fully established, a reliable staging zone for bass, walleye, and panfish, and recommends working those transitions as fish spread out post-spawn. Tactical Bassin (blog) notes that post-spawn bass have split into predictable shallow and deep populations, and that tube jigs and soft-plastic Senko-style baits are producing once structural breaklines are identified. No NOAA buoy readings or USGS gauge data were available for this report; IL/IN Sea Grant operates three nearshore Lake Michigan buoys whose live feeds are worth checking before you launch.
Late June summer patterns lock in for CT inland bass and panfish
Tactical Bassin's current summer bass breakdown describes two post-spawn groups now active across Northeast freshwater: fish committed to deep structure and fish working shallow weed edges, a pattern that should be well underway in Connecticut's lakes and rivers by the last week of June. No NOAA buoy or USGS gauge data was available for CT inland waters this cycle, and no local shop or charter reports were available from the state. Drawing on regional freshwater intelligence, weedlines are the go-to contact zone for open-water season, with Fishing the Midwest recommending inside and outside edges and lateral weed points as key targets. Rivers are worth adding to the rotation as temperatures climb, since cooler flows concentrate bass, panfish, and trout in oxygenated pockets and shaded runs. Stocked trout in shallower ponds face thermal stress by late June, making early mornings on cold-water streams the most reliable window for coldwater species.