Fishing reports
8043 reports across all 50 states — current conditions and what's biting.
Toledo Bend bass push offshore as midsummer dog days arrive
Texas Fish & Game Magazine flags what any East Texas veteran already senses: as late June arrives, the productive spring shoreline patterns on Toledo Bend and Sam Rayburn give way to a deeper, offshore game. Bass that were hugging shallows through the spawn are now pulling to submerged timber, channel edges, and mid-lake humps. The Sabine River gauge (USGS 08030500) recorded 7,960 cfs of flow at dawn today — a moderate reading that can position fish along current seams near creek channel intersections feeding the reservoir. No water temperature was available from today's instruments, but mid-to-upper 80s on the surface are typical for East Texas impoundments in late June, pushing feeding activity toward low-light windows. No guide or shop reports surfaced for crappie, catfish, or striped bass this cycle — all three are listed as seasonal-default Active, typical for these reservoirs in summer. Anglers willing to adapt to offshore structure will separate themselves from those still working the bank, per Texas Fish & Game Magazine.
Summer bass season peaks on Winnipesaukee as Merrimack drops to low flow
The USGS gauge on the Merrimack (01073500) recorded 121 cfs at dawn on June 23, a summer-low reading signaling clear, warm conditions on the main stem. No water temperature was captured this cycle. With flows this modest, river smallmouth concentrate in deeper pool-and-seam structure; Fishing the Midwest notes that summer rivers reward anglers who dial into shade, depth, and current breaks rather than chasing open water. On Lake Winnipesaukee, bass are locking into the early-summer pattern Tactical Bassin describes: post-spawn fish splitting between shallow weedlines at low-light and deeper structural edges by midday. Finesse presentations are earning strikes in clear water. Wired 2 Fish points to the Senko worm as a proven confidence bait when bass turn finicky in gin-clear conditions. Landlocked salmon and lake trout are likely pushing toward thermocline depths as late-June surface temperatures climb, making deep trolling the more reliable path for cold-water species this week.
Clarks Hill bream-bed pattern fires as summer heat pushes bass deep
The June 20 Southern Waters Fishing Report from GA Sportsman / Georgia Outdoor News summed up the midsummer reality plainly: the bite was 'fairly slow this week due to the hot weather and the rains,' with most fish pushed into deeper, cooler water across Georgia's river systems. USGS gauge 02197000 logged the Savannah River at 4,510 cfs on the morning of June 23, and the Clyo gauge was tracking 3.2 feet and rising as of June 18, reflecting recent precipitation runoff. The clear bright spot is Clarks Hill Lake on the Savannah River chain, where anglers worked a late-June bream-bed pattern to solid effect: Phoenix BFL competitor William Bates turned that bite into a $9,150 payday despite lower-than-normal water levels on the reservoir. At Lake Russell on the GA-SC line, a June 14 tournament found a tough summer bite, with the winning five-fish limit checking in at just 12 pounds, 9 ounces, confirming that river-system bass have fully entered the summer doldrums.
Delaware Bay Shifts to Summer Mode as Spot, Croaker, and Kingfish Arrive
The Fisherman (Northeast) reported in its June 18 NJ/DE Bay regional forecast that summer visitors are already on the scene, with spot, croaker, kingfish, and even a striped burrfish showing in the lower Bay right at the solstice. The spring-to-summer transition is well underway. On the striper front, On The Water's June 19 migration map shows bigger bass now concentrating around sand eels, squid, bunker, and herring as the aggressive spring run gives way to more localized summer holding patterns. Bottom fishers should note that black sea bass bag limits have reset with the season — The Fisherman flagged the 10-fish limit ending June 21 in the NJ/DE region, dropping to a bycatch limit — confirm current Delaware DNREC rules before keeping fish. Delaware Surf Fishing also flagged continued closures at Cape Henlopen Fishing Pier, with nearly 200 feet of the seaward end now gated off. No buoy data was available for this cycle; check NOAA before heading out.
Stripers Push North Along NH Coast as Summer Patterns Take Hold
The striper push is tracking northward through the Gulf of Maine corridor. Dave Anderson, reporting in The Fisherman — South Shore MA to ME, noted a strong push of larger fish reaching Maine this week, while flagging a brief soft spot from Rockport through the Merrimack — a zone that straddles the NH border. Surfland Bait & Tackle confirms the Merrimack River bite has largely wound down with just a few stragglers left, but Joppa Flats continues to hold stripers for tube-and-worm trollers, and a low-40-inch class bass was reported off the beaches. Mackerel is the engine driving the action: Beauport Fishing Adventures out of Gloucester-Rockport reported tons of mackerel on most trips with stripers chasing them, plus reliable flounder action inshore. No NOAA buoy readings are available for the NH coast this cycle — confirm conditions locally before launching. First Quarter moon this week supports moderate tidal movement and productive low-light feeding windows.
King Salmon Running Hot on Lake Ontario as the Summer Bite Peaks
Strike Zone Charters is reporting some of the best salmon action of the season on Lake Ontario, with kings, brown trout, and lake trout all active in 100- to 160-foot water. Depths are shifting daily as wind repositions the thermal layer, but Mag Dipsey Divers are the go-to delivery when fish hold deep; green, white, and chartreuse e-chips are the hot color choices, per the charter. On the tributary side, the USGS gauge at the Salmon River (site 04250750) shows a modest 102 cfs — typical low-summer flow well ahead of the fall salmon run. No water temperature reading is available from the gauge, but late-June conditions in the Salmon River corridor generally mean warm, low water that keeps tributary action quiet. The real show right now is offshore: anglers launching out of Oswego and nearby ports should be targeting the open-lake bite.
Breaking Stripers Lead Buzzards Bay's Summer Transition
Breaking stripers are leading the charge in Buzzards Bay this week, with Little Sister Charters out of Westport Harbor reporting fish busting alongside the occasional blue and bonito. Westport River Outfitters is finding slot and over-slot stripers on nearly every trip, paired with solid black sea bass and tautog on jigs and tubes, including one tautog taken on a live eel. At the Cape Cod Canal, Red Top Sporting Goods reports the bite has eased from its spring peak, though anglers working white pencil poppers and canal jigs are still picking up stripers to the high 30-inch range. Blues have shown off Wareham and along the West Falmouth shoreline, per Red Top. On The Water's June 19 striper migration map notes that bigger bass are now keyed to sand eels, squid, bunker, and herring as the spring run shifts into a summer resident pattern across southern New England.
Cow Stripers Hold on Sound Structure as Fluke Finally Show
The big news on Long Island Sound this week comes from Fisherman's World in CT, where customers reported fluke moving into local waters with genuinely impressive fish between 6 and 10 pounds. Squid is the engine powering both fisheries right now: cans 24, 26, and Green's Ledge are stacked with bait, and drifting a whole live squid is the top technique for flatfish, per Fisherman's World. Striped bass remain the backbone of the Sound bite. Captain Morgan's Bait and Tackle reported a continued run of over-slot cow linesiders adopting the reefs as feeding grounds, with water temperatures having moved into the 60s. Bobby J's noted bass are becoming slightly pickier, with the best bite shifting firmly to low-light windows on deep structure — topwater plugs, soft plastics, live eels, and bunker on a three-way rig are all producing. Rock and Roll Charters confirmed stripers from slot size to 40 inches and larger, alongside solid sea bass and scup. Bluefish are becoming more consistent in eastern Sound waters, per The Fisherman (Northeast).
Late-June Kings on the Kenai as Glacial Flows Peak
The USGS Kenai River gauge (site 15266300) clocked 10,900 cfs and 53°F water temperature on the evening of June 22 — the full push of late-season snowmelt and glacial runoff typical of the summer solstice window. No regional charter reports, tackle shops, or angler forums specific to the Kenai drainage appeared in this cycle's feeds, so on-the-water intel is sparse this week. What the gauge and calendar suggest together: late June is the heart of the first king (Chinook) salmon run on the Kenai, and 53°F water is ideal for fish actively moving upriver. The early sockeye run typically begins arriving in this same window. Rainbow trout and Dolly Varden are seasonally active throughout the drainage. High, fast water at 10,900 cfs tends to push fish tight to inside seams, back eddies, and boulder pockets — factor in water clarity and footing before wading deep. Verify current king salmon regulations before heading out; emergency openings and closures can shift quickly based on escapement counts.
Summer Arrives at Raritan Bay: Fluke Rising as Sea Bass Season Closes
Capt Ron's Atlantic Highlands reported keeper fluke on nearly every drift over Father's Day weekend, with 62°F water temperatures and small Gulp sand eels leading the charge — a 3.9-pound fish took the pool that Sunday. The previous day was tougher at 61°F against a hard west wind, but anglers grinding rocky bottom still produced 8 keepers. The spring sea bass season closed June 21 in New Jersey, dropping to a one-fish bycatch limit through September 22, per The Fisherman — New Jersey edition. Multiple Northern NJ captains are calling this one of the weakest sea bass runs in recent seasons; the Skylarker's Capt. Steve Spinelli described it as "some of the poorest in the last several seasons," and the Golden Eagle is pivoting to bluefish and fluke trips (The Fisherman — Northern NJ). OTW Northern New Jersey's June 18 report confirmed fluke steadily improving from bay to beach, with stripers and bluefish still hitting plugs, clams, and chunks in the surf.
Delaware River Smallmouth Steady as Drought Pinches Late-June Flows
Old School Outdoors in Ewing confirms the Delaware River is still running below normal despite late-June rains, a finding consistent with USGS gauge 01408000 at 180 cfs early Tuesday. Smallmouth bass have held up well in the river corridor despite thin, clear conditions, and catfishing has remained consistently productive, per the same source. JB Kasper's freshwater roundup describes June as 'a great big puzzle' shaped by 90-degree air temperatures paired with lows in the 50s, erratic forecasts, and water running cooler and lower than typical for late month. Bass in local lakes and ponds have settled into an early-morning and late-afternoon pattern, going quiet through midday, per Dow's Boat Rentals. Crappie action has slowed considerably. With the First Quarter moon in play, walleye and hybrid stripers in the larger impoundments are worth targeting after dark on drop-offs and points, per Dow's Boat Rentals.
Limestone Browns Primed for Tricos and Terrestrials as Summer Settles In
USGS gauge 01546500 recorded 93.8 cfs for the region early this morning, moderate and wadeable flows that keep Spring Creek and Penns Creek in productive shape as late June arrives. No water temperature came through this cycle, though limestone-fed systems in Central Pennsylvania typically hold the mid-50s to low-60s°F through summer, giving wild brown trout a thermal buffer when surrounding freestone drainages warm beyond safe levels. Trico season is now underway on these chalk-stream-style waters. Gink and Gasoline's trico hatch and spinner fall primer notes that early morning is the decisive window on clear, pressured spring-creek environments: size 22-24 dries or spent spinners on fine tippet are the standard approach. As the day heats up, Flylords Mag calls terrestrial patterns, including ants, beetles, and inchworms, essential for summer heat. Technical, drag-free presentations remain non-negotiable on these iconic limestone runs.
Stripers Pushing Hard Into Maine Waters on a Mackerel Tide
Maine striper fishing hit a notable uptick this week, with the South Shore to Maine roundup noting a 'strong push of larger fish' arriving in Maine waters, per Dave Anderson's weekly report. Beauport Fishing Adventures, covering the South Shore Massachusetts to Maine corridor, is seeing 'some really nice striped bass both inshore and offshore, with a few fish getting up into the mid-40-inch class.' The driver is bait: Beauport reports 'tons of mackerel on most trips with stripers chasing them.' Offshore, haddock fishing has been 'on again, off again' as fish come to the end of their spawning period, with Tilly's Basin noted as a reliable target. On The Water's June 19 striper migration map frames the broader picture: bigger bass are concentrating around sand eels, squid, bunker, and herring as the spring run transitions into summer feeding patterns throughout the Gulf of Maine.
Spring Stripers Give Way to Summer Bite at the Bay Mouth
The On The Water Striper Migration Map, updated June 19, marks the seasonal shift at the Chesapeake mouth: bigger bass are concentrating around sand eels, squid, bunker, and herring as the spring run transitions into summer patterns. The Fisherman's NJ/DE Bay Region forecast (June 18) notes that seasonal arrivals including spot, croaker, and kingfish have already shown up in adjacent Mid-Atlantic coastal waters, suggesting the lower Bay's summer resident species are staging. No NOAA buoy or USGS gauge data were available for this report, so current water temperature and tidal readings should be verified locally before heading out. The First Quarter moon this week produces moderate, predictable tidal exchanges that favor structure and current-seam fishing. Cobia, a signature Chesapeake summer species, typically begins showing along crab-pot lines and channel edges in late June, though no specific reports confirmed active fish at time of publication.
Stripers and squid firing strong as Narragansett Bay heads into summer
Per The Saltwater Edge (RI), striped bass are firing on squid during the low-light hours of dawn and dusk, with reports of consistent action for both shore and boat anglers throughout Narragansett Bay. Squid schools remain stacked, and that bait concentration is keeping fish in the area. The picture is more mixed for summer flounder: Booked Off Charters described fluke as "a real grind," with only a dozen or so keepers on recent trips despite abundant bait including large schools of sand eels and squid. The Frances Fleet echoed that sentiment, noting fishing is "behind where it should be for this time of year." On a brighter note, Snug Harbor Marina reports larger black sea bass showing up along the beaches and good numbers of scup on the move. Block Island is drawing the biggest stripers right now, per Snug Harbor. Water temperatures have stayed cool, per Saltwater Edge, sustaining the bass and squid bite but likely delaying the fluke push.
Spot, Croaker, and Stripers in Play as Chincoteague Hits the Seasonal Turn
On The Water's Striper Migration Map (June 19) puts the key story in focus: bigger striped bass are now concentrating around sand eels, squid, bunker, and herring as the spring coastal push transitions into summer holding patterns, a signal that typically reaches Virginia's barrier-island shores right around the solstice. The Fisherman's NJ/DE Bay Forecast (June 18) reinforces the late-June picture with confirmation that mid-Atlantic summer species — spot, croaker, and northern kingfish — have 'already arrived' in the inshore zone, while bluefish are described by On The Water as 'becoming more consistent in eastern waters.' No NOAA buoy readings returned for the Chincoteague area at report time, so water temperature is unconfirmed; no local charter or shop reports were available in this data pull. Virginia anglers targeting black sea bass around nearshore structure should confirm current state bag limits, as the region is transitioning out of the spring season. First Quarter moon tides are currently providing moderate current flow.
Columbia and Rogue Enter Prime Summer Window for Steelhead and Smallmouth
Water temperature logged at 73°F by USGS gauge 14211720 as of June 22 places the Columbia system in mid-summer mode, favoring warm-water species while pushing trout and steelhead into deeper, cooler lies. Angler-intel feeds specific to the Columbia and Rogue were sparse this cycle — IFish.net Fishing Reports shows regional anglers active on familiar stretches, but recent posts skew toward gear and logistics rather than catch data. As Hatch Magazine notes in its ongoing drought-season trout coverage, late-June warmth typically compresses productive windows to the low-light hours around dawn and dusk. Summer steelhead, the signature run on both Columbia tributaries and the Rogue canyon, are typical for this date and likely holding in deeper slots, moving most aggressively in the morning cool. Smallmouth bass, which feed aggressively above 65°F, should be in prime condition along rocky current seams. Verify hatchery retention rules with Oregon Fish and Wildlife before heading out.
MS Sound reds and specks go structural as summer heat builds
No environmental buoy data is available for the Mississippi Sound this cycle, but Gulf Coast fishing intel points to a textbook late-June picture. Salt Strong's summer coverage makes a direct case that big redfish become highly predictable in warming water, clustering around dock pilings, bridge shadows, and grass-flat drain edges where they can ambush bait and stay out of the midday heat. That structural playbook applies across the Sound's protected shallows, where first-light windows (before midday heat locks the bite down) are the prime window for both redfish and speckled trout. Trout are pushing to deeper grass lines and channel edges by mid-morning. Flounder remain productive around barrier island passes and jetty structure this month. Offshore, Sport Fishing Mag's in-depth look at the red snapper life cycle is a timely reminder that summer is prime season for that species along nearshore reefs south of the barrier islands; check current federal and state season frameworks before harvesting.
Summer patterns lock in at Smith Mountain Lake and Buggs Island
USGS gauge 02075045 on the Roanoke River recorded 527 cfs as of early morning June 23, reflecting controlled dam releases below Smith Mountain Lake heading downstream toward Buggs Island (Kerr Reservoir). Water temperature data was unavailable from monitoring stations this cycle; late June typically pushes surface temps into the mid- to upper 70s°F in these Piedmont impoundments, nudging bass off the shallows and into deeper main-lake structure. No Virginia-specific angler reports came through state agency channels — the Virginia DWR Wildlife Blog covered only deer and turkey content this period — so conditions below lean on seasonal norms and broader freshwater guidance. Tactical Bassin's summer bass breakdown notes that rising temperatures drive bass into a predictable two-zone pattern: deep structure mid-day and shaded or current-influenced shallow cover at dawn and dusk. On the catfish front, Wired 2 Fish spotlighted a 75-pound blue catfish caught on cut gizzard shad in Texas, a reminder that cut-bait bottom fishing on large impoundments typically peaks through summer heat.
Tarpon Migration at Full Stride in Naples as Permit and Kings Heat Up the Gulf
Naples Offshore Fishing Charters reports the tarpon migration is fully underway along Southwest Florida's Gulf Coast, with captains intercepting quality fish as they push through the Naples area — jumping and landing tarpon each session before switching to afternoon permit sight fishing on the flats. The operation calls overall conditions 'as good as it gets for this time of year,' a strong endorsement for a late-June Gulf outing. Offshore, kingfish have been active on plugs and flies, with cobia and amberjacks rounding out what Naples captains describe as a very dynamic fishery. Inshore, Salt Strong notes that summer heat shifts big redfish toward predictable staging areas near structure, while dock fishing has been producing snook, trout, flounder, and grouper as midday temperatures push shallow fish tight to cover. No NOAA buoy readings were available for this report — verify current sea conditions before departing. The first-quarter moon is building tidal exchanges that should keep productive feeding windows going through the early part of the week.
Olympic Peninsula rivers in fishable shape as summer salmon push approaches
Gauge readings as of June 22 show Olympic Peninsula salmon rivers carrying manageable late-season flows: 748 cfs at USGS gauge 12041200 and 542 cfs at USGS gauge 12035000, with no water temperatures recorded at either station. These glacially fed drainages typically settle from snowmelt-elevated peaks right around this point in late June, historically the opening window for hatchery summer Chinook to begin staging at river mouths and pressing upstream. The WA WDFW Fishing Reports program tracks statewide angler activity through creel interviews, though no specific Olympic Peninsula catch data was captured in this reporting cycle. With the First Quarter moon underway, tidal exchange at estuary mouths can help concentrate holding fish on outgoing flows, a traditional timing cue for anglers running large spinners or side-drifting roe through lower river corridors. No other direct angler intel was available for this region this cycle. Confirm current WDFW in-season regulations before heading out, as closures and gear restrictions adjust frequently on these rivers.
Blue marlin and ahi take center stage as Hawaiian summer peaks
Hawaii Fishing News, the state's official sportfish record-keeper, publishes monthly moon-and-tide calendars calibrated for Hawaiian waters — and with a First Quarter moon on June 23, tidal swings are moderate, opening a useful window for both offshore departures and inshore flats sessions this week. This report cycle's intel feeds did not yield specific charter or tackle shop reports for the Hawaiian Islands, so conditions here reflect established late-June seasonal patterns rather than direct angler testimony. That said, late June is historically the heart of Hawaii's offshore pelagic season: blue marlin (kajiki) are actively targeted along deep drop-offs and offshore banks, yellowfin tuna (ahi) stack along thermal edges and FAD buoys, and mahi-mahi track floating debris lines in open blue water. Inshore, papio (juvenile trevally) and bonefish (oio) are typical summer targets on shallow flats during early morning low tides. Verify current conditions with a local charter or tackle shop before any offshore run.
Colorado Tailwater Trout Stay Active as Salt River Bass Dial In for Summer
The USGS gauge at Lees Ferry recorded 63°F water temperature and 10,400 cfs on June 22, keeping the Colorado River tailwater fishery in solid shape despite the late-June desert heat building above the canyon. That flow level makes wading difficult; boat and anchor setups near slack-water pockets along the canyon walls are the practical approach this week. No regional charter or shop reports were available in this cycle's intel feeds, so conditions here are drawn from the gauge data and seasonal baseline. Hatch Magazine's current feature on trout fishing through drought conditions underscores a consistent western theme: tailwaters sustained by cold dam releases hold up well even as surrounding drainages heat and drop. On the Salt River, bass are shifting into the predictable summer depth-and-shade pattern that Tactical Bassin outlines in their early-summer breakdown: shaded rocky cuts, deep channel pockets, and any overhanging structure that pulls fish off warming surface water are the primary targets this week.
Highland Lakes bass push deep as Hill Country summer takes hold
Texas Fish & Game Magazine notes that mid-summer bass patterns on Texas reservoirs are now fully in effect — shallow spring cover has faded and largemouth are hugging deep points, humps, and channel ledges. That shift is squarely in play across Lakes Travis, LBJ, and Buchanan entering the final week of June. The Colorado River at Austin (USGS gauge 08158000) is recording 1,170 cfs, consistent with moderate, stable releases from the Highland Lakes dam chain and suggesting no major drawdown or flood event is in progress. No water temperature is available from the current gauge feed, though surface temps in the upper 80s are typical for the Hill Country by late June. My Canyon Lake Fishing reports that Canyon Lake — a nearby Hill Country impoundment — is sitting roughly eight feet above last year's level, a positive regional signal. Regionally, a 75-pound record blue catfish was caught June 6 at Belton Lake (per Wired 2 Fish), reinforcing that Central Texas catfish are actively stacking on deep structure and eating cut bait.