Fishing reports
8043 reports across all 50 states — current conditions and what's biting.
Black bass season hits stride as summer warmth arrives in Hudson Valley
Water temps clocking 71°F (USGS gauge 01357500) confirm that summer has fully arrived in the Hudson Valley corridor, and the timing lines up with what NY DEC's Fishing Line reported in its June 12th issue: the black bass bite is picking up as warmer weather takes hold. Largemouth and smallmouth are the headline species right now, staging on points, submerged weed edges, and river channel structure as bass season hits full stride. River flows are substantial, with 2,390 cfs at the upper gauge and 10,900 cfs downstream, so anglers targeting moving water should look for slack pockets and seams behind current breaks. With a first quarter moon overhead, dawn and dusk feeding windows are worth prioritizing this week. Trout anglers should exercise caution: at 71°F, coldwater species are under thermal stress in main river channels and will seek cold springs, tributary mouths, and the thermocline in deeper Finger Lakes basins.
Chickamauga and Watts Bar bass dialed in on cover flipping and current windows
MLF News reports Dale Pelfrey of Rockwood, Tennessee won the BFL Volunteer Division event on nearby Cherokee Lake with a five-bass limit of 16 pounds, 5 ounces by flipping heavy cover all day. That tactic translates directly to Chickamauga and Watts Bar's docks, laydowns, and mid-lake brush piles as post-spawn bass settle into summer patterns. In a separate Tennessee-region event, MLF News notes Old Hickory Lake's BFL winner found his fish most active when generators started pulling current offshore: the TVA generation rhythm that defines the late-June bite across Tennessee Valley reservoirs. Tributary inflow is light, with USGS gauge 03578500 recording 258 cfs on June 23, pointing to low-to-moderate feeder input into the system. No water temperature reading was available from the gauge, but late June on these TVA reservoirs typically means surface temps in the high 70s to mid-80s°F, pushing bass toward deeper main-channel points, submerged timber, and current seams near the dam tailwaters.
Smallmouth dialed in on Champlain as lake temps hit summer stride
Water at 66°F per USGS gauge 04294500 puts Lake Champlain squarely in smallmouth bass prime territory heading into the final days of June. Post-spawn fish have recovered fully and are shifting into active summer feeding mode, concentrating along rocky points, boulder shoals, and emerging weedline edges. Tactical Bassin's summer bass breakdown confirms that fish at this temperature become predictable, locking onto depth transitions and forage corridors, a pattern well-suited to Champlain's diverse structure. Tube jigs, a bait Tactical Bassin specifically spotlights as underused and deadly in summer, and finesse drop-shot rigs on rocky bottom are worth prioritizing. Landlocked salmon are a different story: 66°F sits at the warm edge of their thermal comfort zone, and fish are almost certainly retreating toward deeper, cooler water ahead of full summer heat. No direct Lake Champlain regional reports appeared in this week's feeds; conditions here draw on gauge data and established seasonal patterns for the lake.
Driftless browns taking streamers and terrestrials as summer window opens
MidCurrent's recent fly-tying coverage spotlighted a Root River Rod Co Driftless-specific streamer, a pine squirrel jig built to bounce the rocky bottom without hanging up in tight, technical water. That pattern signals where subsurface presentations fit as the region enters late June. The Wisconsin River at Muscoda (USGS 05407000) is reading 7,530 cfs as of June 23, above typical June levels, pointing to recent rainfall across the broader watershed. While that mainstem number runs high, the spring-fed coulee streams that define Driftless trout habitat tend to buffer runoff swings effectively, and we're likely seeing cleaner, cooler conditions on most headwater streams than the Wisconsin River alone suggests. No water temperature reading is available from this gauge cycle. Conditions favor early-morning and evening sessions: concentrate on low-light hatches and terrestrial falls near undercut banks and shaded riffles. Brown trout are the primary target; brook trout hold in the coldest upper-reach tributaries.
Eastern WA trout and bass season builds as Yakima flows settle toward summer
USGS gauge 12484500 recorded the Yakima River at 2,990 cfs on June 22, reflecting late-season snowmelt tapering toward summer baseflow across the Columbia Basin. Direct angler reports for Eastern WA are limited in this week's feeds, but WA WDFW Fishing Reports' statewide creel and stocking monitoring remains active — check their current schedules before targeting reservoirs or stocked lakes. With flows still elevated, Hatch Magazine's summer trout guide recommends targeting slack-water seams and inside bends where fish hold without fighting current. Early morning is the prime window before Columbia Basin temperatures climb. Smallmouth bass across the lower Yakima and Columbia tributaries should be transitioning into post-spawn summer patterns and feeding actively in warmer eddies. Walleye in Eastern WA reservoirs remain a steady warm-season option. Check current WA regulations before targeting species with seasonal windows.
Trophy Snook Stack Up for Spawn as Red Snapper Season Faces Injunction
Snook Nook out of Stuart is calling June one of the best months of the year for catch-and-release snook on Florida's Treasure Coast, with trophy fish in the 40-inch-plus range staging for their annual spawn along the Indian and St. Lucie Rivers. The harvest season is closed through August 31 (verify current FWC regulations), but Snook Nook notes this is prime time to pursue that bucket-list fish. Handle breeder fish quickly and carefully. Meanwhile, South Atlantic red snapper anglers face significant uncertainty: CCA Florida reports that a federal court issued a preliminary injunction blocking Florida's Exempted Fishing Permit pilot program just hours before the Atlantic coast season was set to open. Anglers planning offshore red snapper trips should check current regulatory status before booking. Tarpon remain a late-June fixture along the beaches and coastal passes, on pace with typical seasonal patterns.
Grand River running high as summer bass and walleye settle into seasonal patterns
The Grand River is logging 3,170 cfs at USGS gauge 04119000 as of June 23 — above typical late-June base flows — pushing fish toward current breaks, submerged structure, and slack-water pockets along the banks. No surface water temperature is available from this gauge or from Great Lakes buoys this cycle. The MI DNR Weekly Fishing Report, most recently dated June 17, remains the authoritative statewide reference, though full catch detail from that edition was not accessible at press time. Fishing the Midwest is advising anglers to work weedlines to find walleye and mixed-bag species as the summer season hits full stride — a tactic that maps directly to the Grand River's weed-edged backwaters and Lake Michigan's shallower nearshore bars. Smallmouth bass are the standout river target: fully post-spawn, aggressively chasing crayfish and baitfish through rocky current seams and riprap. With the First Quarter moon in play, the productive windows tighten to dawn and dusk; midday fishing in elevated flows and building summer heat will be slower.
Spanish Mackerel and Big Bluefish Dominate NC's Cape Lookout Corridor
Rich of Chasin' Tails, reporting to Fisherman's Post (NC) from Morehead/Atlantic Beach, confirms surf and pier anglers have been doing well with bluefish, spanish mackerel, and bonito this June — a strong nearshore showing that spans the region. Morgan of The Reel Outdoors (Swansboro/Emerald Isle) echoes the mackerel story, noting fish moving in "in good numbers" into nearshore zones and along the beachfront, per Fisherman's Post. Pulling spoons along the surf line has been the consistent producer from Emerald Isle through the Cape Lookout area. Up at Hatteras and Ocracoke, Tom of Hatteras Jack reports bigger bluefish — fish pushing past 30 inches — connecting on casting metals and cut baits in the surf, with sea mullet running steady alongside them. Inshore, red drum are scattered and holding in deeper holes around the Morehead corridor, per Chasin' Tails via Fisherman's Post. No NOAA buoy readings are available for this cycle; verify water temperature and current sea state locally before heading out.
Catawba and Roanoke bass moving deep as summer flows settle
USGS gauge 02142900 on the South Fork Catawba recorded 24.5 cfs early Tuesday morning, low and stable summer flows that push fish predictably offshore into deeper structure. No water temperature was reported at this station, but late-June conditions in piedmont NC typically mean surface temps well into the upper 70s across the main Catawba impoundments, accelerating the summer transition. Direct reports from Catawba or Roanoke-area shops and guides did not surface in this cycle's intel feeds. However, Tactical Bassin's summer-pattern breakdown reinforces what local veterans already know: once temperatures peak, bass concentrate around offshore humps, creek channel bends, and deeper ledges in predictable fashion. On the Roanoke drainage, John H. Kerr Reservoir's striped bass are typically post-spawn and holding in the thermocline by late June. Catfish activity climbs as water warms. Plan around early and late sessions; midday power fishing in the open basin rarely delivers in these conditions.
Bass patterns solidify on the Tennessee and Coosa as summer current kicks in
Results from Tennessee River BFL events this week offer the clearest regional read on current conditions. At Old Hickory Lake in Tennessee, BFL winner Michael Stout built an 18-pound-2-ounce bag on offshore structure, crediting current as the key trigger, per MLF News. On Cherokee Lake, Dale Pelfrey worked 16 pounds 5 ounces from shallow cover behind a day-long flipping approach. The USGS gauge on the Coosa River (site 02339500) logged 10,100 cfs on June 23, indicating solid flow through the tailwater chain. Water temperature was not available from the gauge; late-June heat in Alabama typically demands early-morning and late-evening windows as surface temps peak through the day. Tactical Bassin notes post-spawn summer bass have split into two predictable groups: fish holding deep on offshore structure and fish sitting in shallow cover, a bifurcation visible in this week's tournament results across the region.
Moosehead togue and salmon push to depth as the summer thermocline sets in
The upper Penobscot was running 2,690 cfs as of early Tuesday morning (USGS gauge 01030500), a moderate late-June flow indicating the spring snowmelt pulse has largely passed and the river is settling into its summer channel. No regional tackle-shop or charter reports reached our feeds this cycle, so this update draws on established seasonal patterns for Moosehead Lake and the upper Penobscot drainage. Lake surface temperatures are typically pressing into the mid-60s at this point in June, pushing landlocked salmon and lake trout (togue) toward thermocline depths of 30 to 60 feet. Smallmouth bass are in their post-spawn prime: shallow rock points, gravel shoals, and submerged structure on Moosehead's bays typically hold aggressive fish in the 10 to 20 foot range. Brook trout have largely retreated to cold feeder tributaries and won't show well in the main lake until water temperatures drop again in early fall.
Late-June Salmon Season Peaks on Southern Lake Michigan
The WI DNR Lake Michigan Fishing Report logged a record coho salmon harvest of more than 210,000 fish in 2024, the best ever on the lake, alongside 160,000-plus Chinook, the strongest numbers since 2012, attributing both marks to recent strong alewife year-classes that boosted stocked-fish survival. No real-time buoy or gauge readings were available for the Chicago stretch this week, so anglers should check the Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant nearshore buoy network for current surface temperatures and wave heights before heading out. Late June is historically the heart of offshore salmon trolling season on the southern lake, with fish suspending near the thermocline in 50 to 90 feet of water. Closer to shore, Fishing the Midwest recommends working weedline transitions and rocky structure for mixed warmwater action as the summer pattern takes hold. Perch on nearshore reefs and smallmouth on rocky breakwall structure round out the options for anglers staying in the shallows.
Texoma Stripers and Eufaula Bass Shifting to Summer Deep Patterns
USGS gauge 07331600 is logging 4,560 cfs in the Red River basin as of June 23, suggesting moderate staining and current that typically positions striped bass on secondary points and deeper ledges as summer heat sets in. No water temperature reading is available, but late-June conditions in Oklahoma traditionally push surface temps into the low-to-mid 80s, compressing the bite into early morning and late evening windows. At nearby Grand Lake O' the Cherokees, MLF News reported Banks Shaw's Bass Pro Tour win last week amid heavy offshore competition, a strong regional indicator that Oklahoma's large reservoirs are firmly in summer mode. Meanwhile, Wired 2 Fish documented a 75-pound record blue catfish taken on cut gizzard shad from a Central Texas reservoir in early June, underscoring the trophy catfish bite that typically holds through summer across Oklahoma and North Texas impoundments, including Texoma and Eufaula.
Louisiana Gulf Snapper Season Running Strong as Summer Temps Peak
Red snapper activity is running at a solid pace offshore Louisiana, with Louisiana Sportsman reporting LDWF landing estimates at 210,474 pounds (roughly 24% of the annual recreational quota) through June 7. NOAA buoy 42001 logged 85°F water temperature in the early hours of June 23, placing Gulf surface temps squarely at the warm-season level that pushes snapper onto deep-water structure and nudges inshore species toward current, shade, and early-morning windows. Winds were light to moderate across both Gulf buoys: 4 knots at 42001 and 8 knots at 42067, suggesting workable offshore runs with typical afternoon sea-breeze buildup to account for. Redfish and speckled trout are mainstays of the Louisiana marsh and delta passes at this time of year, though no specific charter or tackle-shop reports are in the current intel feeds to confirm precise holding locations. Anglers heading offshore should verify the latest LDWF snapper quota status before departure, as Gulf recreational seasons can close with limited notice once thresholds approach.
Montauk Striper Bite Running Hot; Keeper Fluke Chewing Well Across the Bays
Water temps at 68°F, per NOAA buoy 44065 at the NY Bight, put Long Island in a strong late-June window across multiple species. The headline is On The Water's June 18 Long Island and NYC Fishing Report: keeper fluke are chewing better in the bays from the South Shore through the Peconics, stripers are sliding east in the Sound, and Montauk continues to see an excellent bass bite on squid and sand eels. The On The Water Striper Migration Map (June 19) adds that bigger bass have been locking onto concentrations of sand eels, squid, bunker, and herring as the season shifts into summer patterns. NY DEC Saltwater Fishing and Boating confirms recreational summer flounder, scup, and striped bass seasons are all open, and a bluefish regulation change is now in effect: no size limit, five fish per person. With a First Quarter moon providing steady tidal movement, rips and structure off Montauk are the prime targets this week.
Chesapeake Rockfish Shift Into Summer Mode as Baitfish Spread
Water temperatures hitting 70°F (NOAA buoy 44009) signal the Chesapeake Bay's full pivot from spring striper run to early-summer conditions. Per On The Water's striper migration map dated June 19, 2026, bigger bass are now concentrating around bunker, herring, sand eels, and squid as the seasonal transition deepens — a pattern that tracks closely with what Bay anglers typically see on the main stem and upper Bay channels by late June. Look for surface-blitzing fish early in the day over baitfish pods, then probe channel edges and structure as the sun climbs. Summer flounder are in play on deeper Bay structure and river mouths, with OTW Saltwater highlighting productive deep-water presentations across the region this time of year. Light winds around 11 mph and mild air temperatures keep conditions comfortable. First Quarter moon offers moderate tidal push — prioritize the outgoing tide for the best shot at active rockfish and flounder near channel drop-offs.
Delaware Bay summer bite on: fluke, blues, and drum in the mix
Water temps at NOAA buoy 44009 registered 70°F on June 23, signaling that Delaware Bay has firmly crossed into summer fishing mode on the NJ side. That warm, enclosed-basin water is good news for summer flounder, and OTW Northern New Jersey's June 18 report confirms fluke fishing is "improving from the bays to the beaches" across the region as bait concentrations build. Striped bass and bluefish remain in play, with the same source noting both species are "hitting plugs, clams, and chunks in the surf." On The Water's striper migration map from June 19 adds broader context: bigger bass are now keying on sand eels, squid, bunker, and herring as the spring run shifts into scattered summer patterns. Elsewhere in NJ, Blue Chip Sportfishing reports sea bass fishing as "red hot" with near-limit catches on most trips, and Grumpys Tackle's most recent report flags drum, bass, and blues all showing along the coast. First-quarter moon means building tidal push through the weekend.
Lake Trout and Bass Settle into Summer Depths at Quabbin and Wachusett
USGS gauge 01174500 on the Swift River below Quabbin Reservoir clocked 19.7 cfs early this morning, a lean and stable outflow typical of late June that signals the system has settled into summer mode with no significant cold-water inflow disrupting conditions. No temperature reading is available from the gauge, but surface temps at both Quabbin and Wachusett typically climb into the upper 60s to low 70s by late June, pushing lake trout and landlocked salmon below the thermocline while smallmouth and largemouth bass migrate to weedlines and depth transitions. Tactical Bassin notes that summer bass become highly predictable once temperatures peak, driven primarily by depth, shade, and bait location. Fishing the Midwest's Bob Jensen calls working weedlines one of the most productive mid-summer freshwater tactics. No charter or tackle-shop intel is available for these specific waters this week; this report reflects gauge data, seasonal patterns, and regional fishing intelligence.
Post-Runoff Window Opens on Yellowstone; Canyon Ferry Walleye Bite Building
MT FWP Fishing News is calling attention to a key management opportunity at Canyon Ferry Reservoir: walleye anglers are encouraged to keep smaller fish, a sign the bite is active and a trophy class is building within the long-established population. The Yellowstone River at Corwin Springs registered 1,110 cfs on June 22 (USGS gauge 06043500), a modest late-June flow consistent with MT FWP's warning of a low-snowpack winter and a hotter, drier summer ahead. MT FWP Fishing News also announced TroutCast, a new USGS-Montana State University drought-forecasting tool launched June 1, which projects flow and temperature stress on Montana's blue-ribbon trout rivers — worth bookmarking now. With spring runoff receding on the Yellowstone drainage, water clarity on freestone streams is improving and wade access is opening up. Fish early before mid-day heat builds. The Missouri River tailwater, buffered by cold Holter Dam releases, should remain in prime shape through July.
Missouri River Catfish and Bass Lock Into Current Breaks at High Summer Flows
USGS gauge 06934500 logged 135,000 cfs at 76°F on the Missouri River on June 22, with flows running well above typical summer levels. That elevated, turbid current defines the week's strategy: exposed flats and mid-channel structure are largely unfishable, but fish are stacking in eddy pockets, inside bends, and the slack water behind wing dams. Catfish are the clear priority this time of year — blue, channel, and flathead peak during Missouri's summer heat — and high water concentrates them in predictable current seams. Cut gizzard shad soaked on the bottom, a tactic highlighted in Wired 2 Fish's recent big-cat coverage, is the reliable presentation when flows run heavy. For bass, Tactical Bassin notes that summer fish split into shallow ambushers and deeper current-oriented fish, pointing toward flipping heavier cover at current breaks. Osage Beach, Mo.-angler Michael Harlin ran that exact flipping approach to a recent Bassmaster Open win, per B.A.S.S. News.
Beaverkill in summer low-water mode — terrestrials take center stage
The Beaverkill clocked 36.5 cfs at Cooks Falls (USGS gauge 01415000) on June 22, and the East Branch Delaware sat at 155 cfs at Margaretville (USGS gauge 01413500) — flows signaling the Catskills have entered summer low-water conditions. Neither gauge returned a water temperature reading. With streams running lean and clear, fish are predictably tucked into shaded lies, deep pools, and cold tributary confluences. Flylords Mag notes this is the season to stock up on terrestrials, highlighting the Chugger as a must-tie "for the summer heat" — foam-style beetle and ant patterns become the daylight workhorse as canopy insects fall to the surface. MidCurrent's current tying lineup spans the full water column, from high-riding dry-fly attractors to subsurface nymph rigs, a useful reminder that late June demands versatility as hatch timing shifts later into the evening. No regional charter or tackle-shop reports were available for this update; anglers should verify local conditions before heading out.
Trout, reds, and black drum biting through summer storms on Galveston Bay
Pattie and Joe Holecek fished Eagle Point toward the ship channel this past weekend and came away with plenty of black drum, a couple of sheepshead, redfish, and speckled trout despite rain and thunderstorms interrupting the bite, per the Galveston Daily News — Reel Report. South of Galveston, Matagorda Bay is showing variable results depending on whether you're fishing the east or west end. Summer sharks are ramping up along the Texas coast per Lone Star Outdoor News, adding an exciting element to nearshore trips. Whiting are also running strong and are an easy, rewarding catch for anglers looking for a fish-fry outing. The bay forecast cited by the Galveston Daily News — Reel Report calls for south winds 10-15 knots with conditions staying choppy through the weekend, so timing your departure around calmer morning windows will pay off. First Quarter moon this week supports moderate, predictable tidal feeding windows.
Kansas & Arkansas Rivers Heating Up for Summer Catfish and Bass
Water temperature at 75°F — logged June 22 at USGS gauge 06892350 — puts the Kansas and Arkansas River systems squarely in summer catfish prime time. With flow running at 25,800 cfs, current is pushing fish toward wing dams, channel holes, and current breaks where bait and predators stack up. The broader catfish picture is bullish: Wired 2 Fish spotlighted a 75-pound, 50-inch blue catfish taken on cut gizzard shad soaked over a bottom hump — a technique that translates cleanly to the deep holes and structure these rivers hold. For bass, Tactical Bassin notes that summer heat makes fish "very predictable," concentrating them around forage and shade early and late in the day. Soft plastic presentations — Senko-style worms especially — remain reliable when fish turn selective, per Wired 2 Fish. Fishing the Midwest's Bob Jensen underscores that rivers "can provide some outstanding fishing action throughout the summer," particularly when targeting current breaks and weedlines.
Oklahoma bass locking onto summer structure as Red River runs low
The Red River is running at 162 cfs (USGS gauge 07247500) as of June 22, reflecting low-summer flow conditions that concentrate fish along deeper channel edges and outside bends. No surface temperature reading was available from the gauge; late-June lake temps on Eufaula typically press into the low 80s°F range. Oklahoma bass fishing is on display: MLF News reports Banks Shaw earned his first Bass Pro Tour win at Grand Lake in Grove, Oklahoma, coming from behind to top a competitive field that featured Zack Birge and Dustin Connell trading the lead through most of the Championship Round. Tactical Bassin's summer bass analysis notes that post-spawn fish have now split — bigger fish holding offshore on ledges and humps, smaller fish tucked under shade. Catfish are active through the summer heat; Wired 2 Fish highlighted a 75-pound blue cat taken on cut gizzard shad soaked over a bottom hump overnight — a proven approach for Eufaula and the Red River corridor.