Fishing reports
8043 reports across all 50 states — current conditions and what's biting.
Bass and pickerel on thin water as Pine Barrens streams drop to summer lows
USGS gauge 01408000 on the Mullica River at Batsto recorded 25.8 cfs on June 22, confirming low-flow conditions typical of late June in the Pine Barrens drainage. No water temperature reading was available from this station; mid-to-upper 70s are the seasonal norm for this corridor by now. Direct freshwater angler intel for the Delaware River and Pine Barrens is thin this reporting cycle; most NJ-sourced coverage is oriented toward the coast. NJ Fish & Wildlife News confirmed that seasonal closures remain in effect at five Wildlife Management Areas through September 7, 2026. Anglers planning WMA access for stream fishing should verify boundaries before heading out. Low, clear water conditions favor downsized presentations and early-morning timing. Bass tend to concentrate in deeper pools and shaded root-ball undercuts as surface temperatures climb, while chain pickerel hold along submerged vegetation edges in the tannin-stained backwaters the Pine Barrens are known for.
Summer heat pushes bass deep at Lake Lanier and Allatoona
The Chattahoochee tailrace below Buford Dam (USGS gauge 02334430) registered 50°F at 1,220 cfs on June 22, a cold hypolimnetic release that keeps a quality trout fishery running below the dam while the reservoirs above heat through late June. Across Georgia's warmwater lakes, GA Sportsman / Georgia Outdoor News reported June 20 that 'most fish are congregated in deeper water right now' due to heat and recent rains, with the bite described as fairly slow in the afternoon windows. That report tracks with tournament results: at Lake Russell on June 14, competitors managed just a 12-pound, 9-ounce five-fish limit despite a full day's effort, per GA Sportsman / Georgia Outdoor News. At Lanier and Allatoona, the playbook is deep structure: spotted bass holding on offshore humps at 20-plus feet, stripers suspending near thermoclines, and largemouth sitting tight on bottom cover. First light and last light are your productive windows.
Summer steelhead lead WA rivers as late-June warmth arrives
USGS gauge 14113000 logged 898 cfs and 66°F on the evening of June 22, placing water temperature at the upper edge of the comfortable range for migrating salmonids. Direct angler reports for Washington's Columbia tributaries and Puget Sound river systems were sparse this update cycle; WA WDFW Fishing Reports tracks statewide creel data, but specific catch summaries were not available. Seasonally, late June marks the opening edge of the summer steelhead run across Washington, with fish entering river systems now and building through July and August. Summer-run Chinook are also pressing upstream on the Columbia main stem and major branches. Smallmouth bass, a Columbia system highlight in warm months, typically fire as water settles into the upper 60s. WA Sea Grant confirms the 2026 boating season is in full swing statewide. Productive fishing windows will likely narrow to early mornings and late evenings if temperatures hold near current levels. Confirm current retention and emergency rules with WDFW before your trip.
Rangeley trout move deep as Androscoggin headwaters ease into summer
USGS gauge 01054200 registered 145 cfs on the evening of June 22 — a moderate, tapering flow consistent with late-runoff conditions typical of western Maine in late June. No water temperature reading was available from the gauge. Current on-the-water intel specific to the Rangeley Lakes system is thin this week; Mainely Fly Fishing's most recent Maine freshwater coverage dates to the early-spring ice-out period. The nearest regional signal comes from The Fisherman's New England Freshwater desk, where Fishin' Factory 3 reported that freshwater fishing across the region has shifted into 'summertime mode' — trout quiet during midday hours, bass picking up early and late. For Rangeley anglers, late June marks the classic inflection point: brook trout and landlocked salmon typically abandon surface zones and seek thermocline depth as water temps rise, compressing productive windows to first light and the last hour before dark.
Toledo Bend bass retreat to deep structure as summer heat peaks on the Sabine
USGS gauge 08025500 on the Sabine River recorded 93.7 cfs on June 22, pointing to stable, low-summer inflow into Toledo Bend. No water temperature reading was available from this gauge, but late June on the Louisiana-Texas border consistently pushes reservoir largemouth into their deepest holding water as surface heat builds through midday. Tactical Bassin's current summer bass rundown identifies oxygen, forage depth, and shade as the three variables driving fish location now, with offshore humps and submerged channel swings the primary addresses. Catfish are on schedule: Wired 2 Fish covered a 75-pound blue cat taken this month from a bottom hump on cut gizzard shad at a Central Texas reservoir — a rig-and-depth pattern that maps cleanly onto Toledo Bend's deeper creek arms. Dawn and dusk windows remain the most reliable for any topwater or shallow action before the sun climbs. Check local state regulations before keeping anything.
PA limestone trout enter prime trico season as summer flows settle
USGS gauge 01546500 recorded 155 cfs on the evening of June 22, placing Spring Creek and Penns Creek in moderate, wade-friendly territory as central Pennsylvania moves firmly into summer. No water temperature reading was captured at the gauge; limestone springs buffer thermal swings, but late-June afternoons can push slow-water temps toward stress thresholds for trout. Direct on-water reports from these specific creeks were absent from this reporting cycle, so conditions below draw on gauge data and seasonal context. Gink and Gasoline's recent piece on the trico hatch and spinner fall is well-timed: late June is when trico spinner falls historically begin firing on PA limestone streams, demanding size 20-24 spent-wing patterns on fine tippet over flat, slick runs. MidCurrent's Tying Tuesday also spotlighted midge-style flies designed for "clear, pressured water" — a description that fits both Spring Creek and Penns Creek year-round. PA Sea Grant has flagged a June 25 webinar on harmful algal blooms, a useful reminder to monitor warm-weather water-quality conditions on slower sections.
Maine Stripers Surging as Larger Fish Push North into the Gulf
Striped bass are the story in the Gulf of Maine this week. Per The Fisherman — South Shore MA to ME, correspondent Dave Anderson reports that "Maine striper guys reported a strong push of larger fish this week" as the northward migration accelerates. Mackerel remain abundant throughout the region, drawing bass north and holding them in place — Beauport Fishing Adventures out of the Gloucester/Rockport corridor noted "tons of mackerel on most trips with stripers chasing them," a pattern that mirrors what Maine anglers are experiencing. Flounder has also been offering reliable action along nearshore structure in the southern Gulf of Maine. Offshore, haddock fishing has been described as "on again, off again" per Beauport Fishing Adventures, with fish winding down their spawning period. No live NOAA buoy readings are available for this report cycle, so consult local marine forecasts for current sea temps and wind conditions before heading out.
Indiana Lake Michigan enters midsummer salmon mode
The WI DNR Lake Michigan Fishing Report's 2024 end-of-season tally is the strongest lake-wide signal available for Indiana anglers planning a summer run: record coho salmon harvests surpassed 210,000 fish and Chinook returns topped 160,000, the best since 2012, with a rebounding alewife forage base credited for the surge. Those year-classes are now a season older and roaming the full southern basin, including Indiana's stretch of shoreline. The Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant operates nearshore buoys in the southern Lake Michigan basin, but no current readings are available this cycle, leaving water temperatures unconfirmed. Typical for late June, the thermocline tends to set up well offshore as surface temps climb, pushing Chinook deep while coho and any lingering steelhead can still be found at shallower contours during early-morning windows. Closer to shore, pier and breakwater spots along the Indiana Dunes corridor typically shift toward yellow perch and smallmouth bass as summer settles in.
UP trout streams settle into prime early-summer window as flows ease
USGS gauge 04059500 recorded 227 cfs on the evening of June 22, a moderate post-runoff level that signals UP trout streams are entering fishable early-summer conditions. Dedicated on-the-water intel from charter captains or tackle shops in the region was not returned in this reporting cycle, and the MI DNR Weekly Fishing Report page loaded without accessible content this week. What the data does support: with flows backing off spring highs and water clearing across the UP watershed, late-June hatches — caddis, sulphurs, and the iconic Hexagenia limbata — typically define the season on UP brooks and rivers, pulling trout into evening and dusk surface-feeding lanes. The WI DNR Lake Superior Fishing program has documented a growing whitefish fishery in the Lake Superior region, making the lakeshore a viable second option for anglers who can't pin down stream access. Early mornings and the last two hours before dark are the windows to prioritize heading into this weekend.
Summer Stripers and Deep Bass Rule Santee and Lake Murray
USGS gauge 02160390 recorded a flow of 124 cfs on the evening of June 22, reflecting the typical late-June low-water conditions that define this system as South Carolina's midsummer heat locks in. No gauge water temperature is available this cycle, though Midlands reservoirs generally climb into the low-to-mid 80s°F by late June. Local charter and tackle-shop feeds are quiet this week, so the assessment leans on seasonal patterns and national blog intel. Tactical Bassin notes that summer-warmed bass split into a predictable offshore group and a shallow-cover group, with schooling fish suspending over timber and channel edges — a pattern that maps directly onto Santee Cooper and Lake Murray. Wired 2 Fish highlights that offshore bottom humps and deeper structure hold fish through peak summer heat. Striped bass remain the headline quarry across the Santee system and Lake Murray, suspending in the thermocline by day and pushing toward the surface at dusk and dawn.
PA rivers hit prime smallmouth stride as late-June warmth settles in
USGS gauge 01540500 on the Susquehanna system logged 74°F and 4,550 cfs on the evening of June 22, putting the river squarely in smallmouth bass and catfish territory for the late-June weekend. At this water temperature, warmwater species dominate main-stem action while stream trout retreat to cold tributary mouths and spring seeps. No PA-specific charter or tackle-shop reports were available in current intel feeds, so conditions here are grounded in gauge telemetry and seasonal pattern knowledge. Fishing the Midwest notes that rivers are strong summer bets for mixed-bag action across weed edges and current breaks. PA Sea Grant has flagged harmful algal blooms as a growing concern in PA waterways — a relevant advisory for anglers targeting slower backwaters and oxbow pools where blooms can develop quickly in this heat. A PA DEP-partnered HABs webinar is scheduled for June 25. Check water clarity before working any isolated cove or pool off the main channel.
Spot, Stripers, and Cobia Season Arrives at the Chesapeake Mouth
The Fisherman (Northeast)'s June 18 NJ/DE Bay forecast confirms that spot, croaker, and kingfish have arrived as summer visitors in neighboring Mid-Atlantic waters — a seasonal wave that typically reaches the lower VA Chesapeake within days of its Delaware Bay appearance. On The Water's June 19 Striper Migration Map adds that bigger bass are now concentrating around sand eels, squid, bunker, and herring as the spring striper run transitions to a summer holding pattern. No NOAA buoy readings or USGS gauge data were available for this report cycle, and no Chesapeake-specific fishing accounts appeared in the feeds; conditions here are inferred from adjacent regional sources and seasonal norms. Late June is historically the prime window for cobia at nearshore structure and buoy chains along the Virginia coast, with the First Quarter moon driving moderate, predictable tidal movement — plan early tide-change runs for the best shots at all three target species.
Stripers Hot on Squid Around Block Island as Fluke Grind Continues
The Saltwater Edge reports excellent striped bass action on squid in Rhode Island waters, with the most consistent bite locked to early-morning and late-evening low-light windows. Tony Guarino of Booked Off Charters described striper fishing as 'excellent' on trips not canceled by mid-week winds and rough Saturday seas. Snug Harbor Marina points to Block Island as the spot for larger fish, with local Bay action solid but Block the clear destination for size. Fluke has been the frustrating counterpoint: Booked Off is seeing only around a dozen keepers per trip, and the Frances Fleet reports fishing running behind schedule for late June despite large schools of sand eels and squid on the grounds. On the positive side, black sea bass are on the uptick along beaches, and scup are showing in good numbers — the Frances Fleet also notes a growing mix of keeper sea bass among the fluke, a promising sign.
Tough midsummer bite on the Savannah chain as bass go deep
The Georgia-South Carolina Line Team Circuit's June 14 stop at Lake Russell found anglers grinding through a tough summer bite, with the winning five-fish limit totaling just 12 pounds, 9 ounces (anchored by a 3-pound, 3-ounce kicker), per GA Sportsman / Georgia Outdoor News. The shallow bite has largely faded as midsummer heat sets in. GA Sportsman's June 20 Southern Waters report confirms the broader pattern: the bite was fairly slow that week due to hot weather and rains, with most fish congregated in deeper water. Lower-than-normal water levels have been noted downstream at Clarks Hill, where bream beds offered the strongest action in a recent Phoenix BFL event. USGS gauge 02192000 shows the chain flowing at 920 cfs as of June 22. With the First Quarter moon overhead, ledges, submerged humps, and deep channel edges are the go-to addresses through the week ahead.
Summer Inshore Species Move Into Chincoteague as Coastal Transition Peaks
The Fisherman (Northeast) NJ/DE Bay Region report from June 18 confirms that spot, croaker, and kingfish have arrived as seasonal visitors along the Mid-Atlantic coast — a signal consistent with what Chincoteague anglers should be finding in the back bays right now. On The Water's Striper Migration Map (June 19) adds that bigger striped bass are concentrating on sand eels, squid, bunker, and herring as the spring run transitions into summer patterns. No buoy or gauge data is available for this cycle, so exact water temperatures are not confirmed, but late June typically places Eastern Shore waters in the mid-to-upper 70s. Summer flounder should be approaching peak season across the tidal cuts and channel edges behind Chincoteague Island, while red drum work marsh edges on incoming tides. The First Quarter moon this week produces moderate tidal swings that favor inshore predators pushing bait against structure during tidal transitions — plan around moving water.
Illinois River Running High; Summer Catfish, Bass, and Lake Michigan Salmon on the Move
The USGS gauge (site 05586100) recorded the Illinois River at 68,200 cfs on June 22 — elevated summer flow that typically pushes catfish, white bass, and largemouth bass out of the main channel and into wing dams, tributary mouths, and backwater pockets. Water temperature data was not available from the gauge. Fishing the Midwest highlights weedline edges and current seams as the top summer structure zones this season, noting that versatile anglers willing to target multiple species are logging the most consistent action. For those heading north, Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant notes their three nearshore Lake Michigan buoys as a live resource for tracking offshore conditions — late June is historically one of the better windows for chinook salmon trolling. With flows elevated, wade-fishing access on the Illinois may be limited; boat anglers should position on the downstream side of current breaks to find the best summer bite.
Gulf Panhandle Enters Prime Offshore Window as Summer Season Peaks
Anglers Journal reports Florida is pursuing state-level red snapper management off the Atlantic coast this season, a signal of just how central snapper fishing has become to Florida's summer identity. While that regulatory development targets the south Atlantic, Gulf Panhandle anglers from Destin to Pensacola are already in the thick of their own peak offshore window. No NOAA buoy data or direct on-the-water captain reports from this area reached our feeds this cycle, so this report leans on seasonal context: late June typically puts Emerald Coast Gulf surface temps in the mid-to-upper 80s, with red snapper thick around artificial reefs and ledges offshore. Spanish mackerel cruise the nearshore zones, mahi-mahi push into range for boats willing to run offshore, and redfish work the back bays. Verify current FWC seasons before targeting snapper or other regulated species.
Bass lock into summer patterns as CT River catfish step up
Colin at Fishin' Factory 3 in Middletown declared it plainly: Connecticut freshwater fishing is in full summertime mode. Trout have gone quiet across the board, including at popular venues such as the Salmon River, and the spring shad run on the Connecticut River has wrapped up. In their place, channel catfish and bowfins are drawing attention from river anglers, while bass fishing on ponds and lakes has settled into classic warm-weather patterns. The bite is concentrated in low-light windows, with fake frogs, Whopper Ploppers, Senkos, and shiners accounting for the bulk of catches early morning and after dark, per Fishin' Factory 3. At Saugatuck Reservoir, Fisherman's World (NE Freshwater) in Norwalk reports largemouth, smallmouth, and walleye fishing as very good during morning and evening sessions, with night crawlers and shiners leading the way. The Connecticut River gauge reads 67°F at 27,400 cfs, water temperatures that challenge trout but suit bass and catfish well.
High-water summer catfish bite heats up across Mississippi and Atchafalaya
Water temperature at 82°F and flow at 582,000 cfs (USGS Gauge 07374000) define the conditions on the lower Mississippi entering the final week of June — warm, high, and pushing fish out of the main channel. Elevated river stage is the central factor for both Mississippi and Atchafalaya anglers this week: fast current in the main river is funneling catfish, bass, and buffalo into backwater oxbows, slack-water coves, and the sheltered flats of the Basin. The catfish bite is the headliner. Wired 2 Fish recently documented a 75-pound blue cat taken on cut gizzard shad from a deep bottom hump in Central Texas — a tactic that maps directly to the lower Mississippi's summer hole-fishing pattern. LA Sea Grant highlights buffalo fish and catfish as regionally important target species in this corridor. Bass are retreating from midday heat into shaded timber, while crappie have staged down to deeper brush piles post-spawn. Early mornings before 9 a.m. are the most productive window across all species in this heat.
Central MA bass settling into summer low-light patterns at Quabbin and beyond
Largemouth bass fishing across Central MA has shifted into classic early-summer mode: tough in the middle of the day, productive at the edges. Belsan's Bait and Tackle (via The Fisherman) reports anglers who get out early or stay past dark are finding solid action on topwaters and unweighted soft plastics, with daytime fishing remaining a grind. Fishin' Factory 3, covered in The Fisherman's New England Freshwater report, confirms ponds and lakes have settled into warm-weather patterns with fake frogs, Whopper Ploppers, Senkos, and shiners accounting for most catches during low-light windows. Trout have largely gone quiet for the season. At Quabbin Reservoir, The Fisherman's New England Freshwater correspondent fished Gate 31 in New Salem on June 16, targeting smallmouth around Parker Hill, Curtis Hill, and the north end of Mount Pomeroy — cool, partly cloudy conditions made for a tough bite, but the reservoir's big-water smallmouth fishery remains a legitimate draw heading into July.
Okeechobee and St. Johns Bass Lock into Summer Pattern as Rainy Season Opens
The St. Johns River is logging 52.1 cfs at USGS gauge 02232000 as of June 22, reflecting modest flow as Florida's summer rainy season gets underway. No water temperature reading is available from the gauge, but late-June surface temps across central Florida typically push into the low-to-mid 80s, driving largemouth bass firmly into a dawn-and-dusk feeding pattern. Tactical Bassin (blog) notes that post-spawn summer bass are among the most predictable fish of the year, settling onto offshore grass edges and deeper structure and feeding aggressively in low-light windows before midday heat shuts down surface activity. Wired 2 Fish points to the Senko worm as a top confidence bait for finicky summer bass, and Tactical Bassin (blog) highlights tube jigs as an underrated option for working grass lines. On Lake Okeechobee, the sprawling emergent vegetation of the littoral zone provides key summertime cover for bass and bluegill, while crappie typically enter their post-spawn lull until fall cooling brings them back to accessible depths.
Wabash Running High as Catfish and Bass Lock Into Summer Pattern
USGS gauge 03335500 shows the Wabash River carrying 7,640 cfs as of June 22 — elevated for late June and enough current to push fish off shallow structure into deeper channel edges and current breaks. Catfish season is hitting its summer prime, and the heavier flow creates ideal holding conditions along wing dams and outside bends where channels and flatheads concentrate. Fishing the Midwest underscores the opportunity, noting that 'rivers can provide some outstanding fishing action throughout the summer,' with current-related structure as the key locator. Smallmouth bass are transitioning into their post-spawn summer mode; Tactical Bassin notes that summer bass become 'very predictable,' driven by forage, oxygen, and thermal comfort — look for them on rocky current seams and mid-depth flats once the flow settles. Over on Lake Michigan's southern Indiana shoreline, June is the ramp-up month for Chinook and coho, with IL/IN Sea Grant maintaining active nearshore buoys. No water temperature reading was available from this update; check local conditions before heading out.
Potomac smallmouth in full summer stride as catfish nights improve
USGS gauge 01646500 logged Potomac River flow at 2,300 cfs at Little Falls as of June 22 evening, slightly elevated for late June but comfortably within fishable range at most access points. No water temperature data was returned in this cycle. Virginia-specific freshwater fishing reports were not captured from any state agency or regional outlet this week, so the following draws on general late-June patterns and broader angler-blog intel. Smallmouth bass are typically at or near peak activity on both the Shenandoah and upper Potomac right now, pushed into deep runs, current seams, and shaded undercuts by midday heat. Tactical Bassin notes that summer bass become highly predictable, driven primarily by temperature, forage, and structure, and that framework translates directly to Virginia's river smallmouth. Channel and flathead catfish generally intensify through the warmest summer weeks on the main-stem Potomac. Verify current Virginia DWR regulations before targeting any species.
Late June Prime Time for Walleye and Smallmouth Along PA's Lake Erie Shore
USGS gauge 04213000 recorded a moderate flow of 282 cfs on June 22, putting tributary conditions along Pennsylvania's Lake Erie drainage at workable summer levels, though no water temperature reading was available at time of report. Direct on-water reports from the Presque Isle area are sparse this cycle, but Fishing the Midwest notes the 2026 open water season is 'in full swing' across the Great Lakes region. Late June is historically one of the strongest trolling windows for walleye across Lake Erie's eastern basin, with smallmouth bass shifting into post-spawn summer patterns along Presque Isle Bay's rocky shorelines and hard structure. PA Sea Grant has flagged harmful algal blooms as a growing regional concern for Pennsylvania's Great Lakes waters this summer. Anglers should monitor bay conditions before launching, particularly near warmer, shallower embayments where blooms develop quickly. Check local Fish and Boat Commission advisories before heading out.