Fishing reports
8043 reports across all 50 states — current conditions and what's biting.
Smallmouth in Peak Season as Warm Water Grips Oregon's Columbia and Rogue
USGS gauge 14211720 logged water temperatures at 74°F with flows of 12,700 cfs Monday afternoon, marking a pivotal late-June threshold across Oregon's Columbia and Rogue drainages. That reading tells the story: salmon and steelhead have entered thermal stress territory, while warmwater species are in full stride. Hatch Magazine's current feature on fishing through summer drought conditions notes that anadromous fish become vulnerable and largely inactive once water climbs into the mid-70s, a dynamic now squarely in play here. Smallmouth bass are the primary target. Rocky mid-channel structure, ledges, and current seams on both rivers offer prime habitat in the 70-75°F range where bass feed aggressively. Dawn topwater and swimbait presentations on exposed rocky points and mid-river boulders are the plays right now. Anglers targeting salmon or steelhead should check state regulations for any temperature-triggered advisories before heading out, as emergency restrictions can activate quickly when gauges read this high.
New River Smallmouth Heat Up as Late-June Low Water Sets In
USGS gauge 03051000 logged 201 cfs Monday evening — lean, clear summer flows that tend to concentrate New River smallmouth in deeper pools and along shaded current seams. No water temperature reading was available from the gauge, but late June in central West Virginia typically pushes river temps into the mid-to-upper 60s, right in the prime smallmouth window before July heat arrives. WV-specific charter or shop reports were not available this cycle, so on-water intel is limited. That said, Tactical Bassin's summer bass breakdown tracks well with these conditions: post-spawn fish have separated into deep summer haunts, making tubes, drop-shots, and slow-rolled swimbaits along current breaks productive choices. Fishing the Midwest's Bob Jensen notes that lower summer flows push fish into predictable slots — making the modest gauge reading an asset rather than a liability, as fish are easier to locate when water runs low and clear. First Quarter moon this week aligns with prime solunar windows worth planning around.
Late-June warmth opens prime cutthroat windows on Flathead and Bitterroot
USGS gauge 12372000 logged the Flathead River near Polson at 18,100 cfs and 62°F Monday evening, placing the system deep in late-runoff mode but with water temperatures climbing into the productive range for westslope cutthroat and rainbow trout. High flows make wading impractical on most main-stem stretches; boat-based nymphing along tributary confluences is the more realistic approach right now. Direct shop or charter reports for this specific region were not available in this reporting cycle. Flylab (Substack) documents how June in the northern Rockies brings rapid, volatile weather shifts capable of swinging flows and temperatures quickly in either direction, a pattern anglers here know well. On the Bitterroot, late June typically marks the onset of the summer hatch rotation: Caddis Fly (OR) flags Yellow Sally stonefly nymphs as a standout producer across Western U.S. drainages at this stage. Check current Montana FWP regulations before targeting bull trout, which carry special restrictions in this drainage.
Cumberland tailwater prime for wading as Lake Cumberland bass go deep for summer
USGS gauge 03413200 on the Cumberland River logged a very low flow of 7.29 cfs on the evening of June 22, pointing to minimal generation through Wolf Creek Dam and favorable wading conditions in the tailwater below. No water temperature was recorded at the gauge. Direct on-the-water angler intel for Lake Cumberland or the tailwater is absent from this reporting cycle; none of the active feeds covered this region specifically. Drawing on general seasonal knowledge: Lake Cumberland bass have entered their predictable summer pattern, with fish separating into two groups after the spawn. Shallow feeders work low-light edges at dawn and dusk, while deeper daytime holders park over offshore structure following baitfish and cooler water, consistent with the summer framework Tactical Bassin outlines for warmwater reservoirs. The Cumberland River tailwater receives cold hypolimnetic releases from Wolf Creek Dam, which typically keeps rainbow and brown trout active through summer heat that shuts down most other regional fisheries. Verify current generation schedules before wading.
Summer Patterns Peak in the BWCA as Minnesota's Record-Breaking Season Rolls On
Wired 2 Fish reports Minnesota anglers have already certified 9 state fish records in 2026, including two by official weight and seven in the catch-and-release category, pointing to a bumper crop that signals an exceptionally productive year across the state's lakes and rivers. For the Boundary Waters and Iron Range, late June marks the critical transition from post-spawn dispersal to summer structure fishing. Walleye are pushing off spawning flats and settling onto deeper weedlines and rocky humps; smallmouth bass are primed on boulder-strewn shorelines and mid-lake reefs. Fishing the Midwest notes the 2026 open water season is in full swing, with weedline work paying dividends for anglers who probe the seam between weeds and open water. USGS gauge 05129115 reads 345 cfs, a moderate flow supporting good canoe access on Iron Range waterways. No sensor temperature is available for this report window; mid- to upper-60s°F is typical for the region at this date.
Lake Mead stripers settle into summer depth pattern as June heat peaks
USGS gauge 09421500 returned no readings this cycle, and none of this week's regional feeds carried Lake Mead or lower Colorado dispatches. Drawing on patterns typical for late June here: striped bass have shifted into summer mode, tracking threadfin shad schools over deeper mid-lake structure and main-channel humps. The topwater window compresses sharply to the first 60 to 90 minutes after first light and a brief dusk flurry; after sunrise, fish push to 30 to 60 feet of water. Tactical Bassin notes that warm-season fish become 'very predictable' as temperatures peak, and that framework applies squarely to Mead's striper population. Channel catfish typically stay active through summer nights on cut bait near rocky points and dam arms. Largemouth remain available along shaded ledges and submerged brush. Check state regulations before harvesting; striped bass limits on Mead can shift seasonally.
Redfish and trout stack on structure as Mississippi Sound heats up
Salt Strong's summer pattern guide notes that big redfish become predictable targets when coastal water temperatures peak, concentrating around specific structural types rather than roaming open flats, the defining setup for Mississippi Sound heading into late June. With no NOAA buoy or gauge data available at report time, exact water temperatures are unconfirmed, but mid-summer conditions typically push inshore fish onto shaded cover, deeper grass edges, and dock pilings by midday. Salt Strong's dock-fishing breakdown reinforces the same theme for speckled trout and flounder: when the shallow-flat bite fades under summer heat, dock shadows and current-swept pilings become the reliable fallback. The First Quarter moon this week brings moderate tidal swings that generally produce morning and evening feeding windows along the Sound's grassy edges and points. Check current MS DMR regulations for any active closures or bag-limit adjustments before heading out.
Summer heat sends stripers deep at Smith Mountain and Buggs Island
USGS gauge 02075045 on the Roanoke River is logging 470 cfs as of this afternoon — moderate inflow for late June as Virginia's freshwater season enters its summer phase. No gauge water temperature is available this cycle, though late-June conditions at both Smith Mountain Lake and Buggs Island (Kerr Lake) typically push surface readings into the upper 70s to low 80s°F, sending striped bass well below the thermocline during midday hours. The First Quarter moon favors low-light bites at dawn and dusk; slow-sinking swimbaits and live gizzard shad worked at 25–40 feet on main-lake humps and channel edges are the classic SML summer striper play. Blue catfish are in seasonal high gear — Wired 2 Fish reported a 75-pound blue caught this month on cut gizzard shad on a large Texas reservoir, a reminder that trophy blues are actively feeding across major impoundments right now. Largemouth are retreating to deeper structure and shaded dock pilings; Tactical Bassin notes summer bass track depth and baitfish rather than roaming shallow flats. No Virginia-specific agency fishing reports were available in this intelligence cycle.
Tarpon peak the Naples flats as permit and kingfish round out Gulf summer action
Tarpon migration is fully underway along Florida's southwest Gulf Coast, with Naples Offshore Fishing Charters reporting steady action intercepting fish as they push through the Naples area. The charter has been running a two-phase daily program: morning sessions jumping and releasing quality tarpon, followed by afternoon permit sight-fishing that has remained consistent. Naples Offshore Fishing Charters describes the current stretch as 'as good as it gets for this time of year,' with kingfish responding to plugs and flies and a solid offshore mix of cobia and amberjacks rounding out the action. No NOAA buoy readings were available at report time, so exact water temperatures are unconfirmed. The First Quarter moon on June 22 can enhance tidal movement through passes — a prime window for working tarpon on the move. Anglers targeting offshore bottom species should check current NOAA Gulf federal season regulations before heading out, as reef fish rules vary.
Saginaw Bay walleyes shift to summer mode as late June opens
Fishing the Midwest's current 'Work the Weedline' feature puts Great Lakes walleye anglers on weedline transitions as summer kicks in — advice that maps directly onto Saginaw Bay, where late June marks the traditional shift from post-spawn recovery to active summer feeding stations on mid-bay humps and deeper structure. USGS gauge 04157000 returned no readings this cycle, leaving conditions without a direct temperature or flow benchmark. A Michigan Sportsman Forum poster briefly noted that "spoons today worked" on a recent outing, but no species or location was confirmed — treat as unverified chatter rather than hard intel. Yellow perch, a Saginaw Bay staple, typically school over mid-bay gravel structure through the summer. Smallmouth bass on Lake Huron's rocky nearshore reefs are generally in aggressive early-summer feeding mode by this date, well past the spawn. Verify current water conditions locally before you head out.
Early Summer Chinook Window Opening on Olympic Peninsula Salmon Rivers
River flows clocked in at 857 cfs (USGS gauge 12041200) and 526 cfs (USGS gauge 12035000) at midday June 22, placing both readings in a fishable mid-summer range as the spring snowmelt pulse winds down on Olympic Peninsula drainages. Water temperature data was unavailable at either gauge this cycle. Direct catch reports for these specific river systems did not appear in this reporting period. WA WDFW Fishing Reports maintains active statewide creel monitoring, though no Peninsula-specific update was available in the current data pull. Based on typical late-June patterns for this region, early-arriving summer Chinook begin staging in lower mainstem and tidal reaches around this time, while sea-run cutthroat become increasingly active in estuaries and lower river sections. Summer steelhead hold in select Peninsula drainages through this period as well. Moderate, gradually declining flows like these generally create good access to defined holding water, a promising sign for the coming week.
Hatteras surf lights up with big bluefish as Spanish mackerel surge
Surf anglers at Hatteras are landing some of the year's heftiest bluefish, fish pushing 30 inches and beyond, on casting metals and cut baits, according to Tom of Hatteras Jack via Fisherman's Post (NC). Spanish mackerel have moved into nearshore areas in good numbers from Swansboro through Morehead/Atlantic Beach, with Morgan of The Reel Outdoors noting they have pushed right up to the beachfront. Bluefish are stacked throughout the region at multiple ranges. Rich of Chasin' Tails reports surf and pier anglers near Morehead/Atlantic Beach doing well with blues, Spanish mackerel, and bonito. Inshore, red drum are present but scattered. Better concentrations are holding in the deeper holes rather than open flats. Sea mullet fishing at Hatteras has been steady. No buoy temperature data was available for this report period; anglers should verify current conditions before launching. With the First Quarter moon on June 22, moving tides at dawn and dusk are the prime windows.
Ahi and Mahi Take Center Stage as Hawaii's Summer Offshore Opens
Hawaii Fishing News, the islands' official state record-keeper and home to monthly lunar and tide calendars designed for serious Hawaiian anglers, tracks a First Quarter moon this week, a phase that brings moderate tidal movement and typically marks improved morning windows for offshore pelagic work. No NOAA buoy data was available for this reporting cycle, so current sea surface temperatures and swell heights should be verified through local sources before departure. Based on typical late-June conditions in Hawaiian waters, yellowfin tuna (ahi) are the primary offshore target, concentrating along temperature breaks and current edges. Mahimahi tend to appear near floating debris lines, and ono (wahoo) can intercept trolling spreads along the same corridors. Blue marlin action is building toward its traditional July-through-September peak. No charter reports or tackle shop intel were received for this cycle; species notes below reflect seasonal patterns rather than confirmed on-water reports.
Flip Cover or Work Ledges: Tennessee Reservoir Bass Are Dialed In
Rockwood's Dale Pelfrey boated five bass for 16 pounds, 5 ounces on Cherokee Lake by flipping cover all day, topping the BFL Volunteer Division field and confirming that bass are locked onto shallow structure heading into late June, per MLF News. On Old Hickory Lake, Gallatin's Michael Stout won the BFL Music City Division round with 18 pounds, 2 ounces, noting most fish came from offshore until generated current triggered his best bites. These back-to-back Tennessee tournament results sketch the full summer picture: bass are splitting between flipping targets near shallow cover and deeper offshore ledges depending on reservoir and time of day. USGS gauge 03434500 is running at 161 cfs, reflecting low summer flow on local river systems. No gauge water temperature is available this week, but late June in Tennessee typically pushes reservoir surfaces into the upper 70s to low 80s. A Senko-style wacky rig, per Wired 2 Fish, stays a reliable finesse option when bass won't fully commit to bigger presentations.
Guntersville & Wheeler Bass Push Offshore as Summer Heat Sets In
Summer has fully settled over Lake Guntersville and Wheeler, sending largemouth bass into predictable offshore holding areas. Tactical Bassin identifies rising temperatures as the key driver pushing bass to structure-oriented, deeper water, noting that "once you understand these simple concepts, you can always find fish" — with baitfish position the primary locator. A parallel pattern emerged on a nearby Tennessee River reservoir: MLF News reports the winning angler at Old Hickory Lake ran "mostly offshore" once TVA began pulling current, a dynamic Wheeler mirrors closely on its own generation cycles. For selective fish, Wired 2 Fish spotlights the Yamamoto Senko as a top summer confidence bait, noting its subtle cadence consistently outperforms when bass turn finicky in the heat. USGS gauge 03575100 recorded tributary inflow of 349 cfs on June 22; no water temperature reading was available from that gauge. Catfish anglers should work bottom humps after dark with cut gizzard shad — Wired 2 Fish's blue catfish coverage underscores how effective a soaking approach can be in June.
Post-runoff window opens on the Colorado River as green drakes approach
Crystal Fly Shop (CO) reports the Colorado River is 'on the back end of runoff now with currently great water conditions and happy fish' — the window to fish is open right now, before summer heat tightens things further. USGS gauge 09095500 recorded 2,210 cfs and a 71°F water temperature on June 22, putting the river at the upper edge of comfortable trout habitat. At this temp, trout are still feeding actively but shift toward deeper, cooler runs and shaded seams as midday arrives; morning sessions are the priority. Cutthroat Anglers (CO) frames the 2026 season plainly: fish are 'grouped up, and ready to bite for the angler willing to hike a little further or cast a little lighter.' Green drakes are the headline hatch on deck, with Crystal Fly Shop projecting a full-force emergence in the coming two weeks. Golden stones, PMDs, and caddis round out the menu. Large attractor patterns are fishing well in the higher water. On the Arkansas River, expect similar late-runoff conditions with the same early-window advantage.
Yellowstone cutthroat trout dial in as Snake River runoff begins to ease
The USGS Snake River gauge near Moran is logging 6,870 cfs with water at 59°F as of this morning — high flows typical of late-June snowmelt in the Tetons, but edging toward the seasonal turning point. Flylab (Substack) contributor John Juracek, writing from the Yellowstone region, notes that June is this drainage's most volatile month: temperatures can swing from near 70°F to overnight snow in a single cycle, spiking flows and resetting fish behavior within 24 hours. Right now, cutthroat and browns are stacked in soft current seams, inside bends, and slower bank edges where the heavy push lets up. Caddis Fly (OR) flags Yellow Sallies as 'a small yet important summer bug in the Western US' just beginning to emerge on high-elevation drainages — making jigged Yellow Sally nymphs and dry-dropper setups the rig to have ready. MidCurrent's recent hatch coverage notes surface and film feeders starting to activate as daytime temperatures climb. Early morning and late evening are your best windows before recreational river traffic builds midday.
Colorado Tailwater Trout Prime as Salt River Bass Move Deep for Summer
The USGS gauge at Lees Ferry (09380000) logged 60°F and 8,140 cfs on June 22 — right in the heart of the temperature window where rainbow trout feed most actively on the Colorado River tailwater below Glen Canyon Dam. At this flow, drifting nymphs and streamers along current seams and boulder gardens is the standard approach; wade access is restricted at these levels, so a drift boat puts anglers on the full trophy stretch. No direct local reporting from Arizona tackle shops or charter operations was available in this cycle's feed. On the Salt River reservoirs, late June signals the full shift into summer bass patterns. Tactical Bassin notes that as water temperatures rise, bass become highly predictable, concentrating on deeper structure driven by shade, current, and forage — tube jigs, finesse drop-shots, and deep-running crankbaits are the typical summer producers. Channel catfish action on both systems generally holds strong through the heat.
Summer walleye and bass lock into current breaks on the Upper Mississippi
USGS gauge 05344500 is clocking 16,900 cfs on the Upper Mississippi as of June 22, signaling elevated but fishable flow that should be pushing walleye and bass tight to current breaks, wing-dam notches, and slack water behind islands. Fishing the Midwest notes the 2026 open water season is in full swing, with Bob Jensen specifically calling weedline presentations a top walleye move now that summer patterns are set. For bass, Tactical Bassin's seasonal breakdown underscores that post-spawn fish become highly predictable in early summer, orienting to shaded structure and depth transitions — a pattern that maps well to the backwater sloughs and rock-lined banks of the Upper Miss pools. Water temperature is unavailable from today's gauge reading; mid-to-upper 70s are typical for this stretch in late June, which puts channel catfish into active feeding mode, especially after dark. First Quarter moon on June 22 should sharpen low-light bites at dawn and dusk through the coming days.
Twin Cities & North Woods walleye and bass pivot to summer weedline patterns
The Mississippi River at St. Paul (USGS gauge 05331000) was flowing at 10,800 cfs on June 22, placing river walleye and smallmouth bass in summer holding positions along current seams and rocky structure. Wired 2 Fish reports the MN DNR certified 9 new fish records in 2026, a signal of broadly productive open-water conditions statewide. For anglers targeting inland lakes across the North Woods, Fishing the Midwest notes that summer weedlines are now the primary structural key for walleye and bass, with morning and evening runs along weed edges producing consistent action. On Lake Superior's lower North Shore, the MN DNR Lake Superior Summer Fishing Report (June 18) confirmed anglers trolling bright stickbaits and spoons 10–20 feet down over 70–150 feet of water are landing 17–29-inch lake trout and 15–19-inch coho, a productive offshore bite for North Woods anglers willing to make the run north. No water temperature data is available from current gauge readings.
Deschutes Redside and Summer Steelhead Prime for Late-June Hatch Window
Hatch Magazine's recent piece on fishing western trout rivers through drought offers a timely frame for the Deschutes corridor this week: low flows, rising temperatures, and concentrated fish are the variables to plan around. USGS gauge 14070500 returned no flow or temperature readings at report time, and no direct reports from the Deschutes or Upper Klamath appeared in this week's angler feeds, so conditions below are grounded in established late-June seasonal patterns rather than fresh on-the-water testimony. That said, this week falls squarely within the Deschutes' best dry-fly trout season: PMD and caddis hatches are at or near peak, redside rainbow trout are the primary target in the canyon, and early summer steelhead are beginning to push into the lower river. On Upper Klamath, kokanee are likely moving toward deeper, cooler water as surface temperatures build. Verify current flows before any wade crossings and check ODFW for current restrictions.
Green River tailwater browns and rainbows in a prime June window
The USGS gauge at Greendale (site 09234500) read 1,210 cfs and 55°F on the afternoon of June 22, putting the Green River tailwater below Flaming Gorge Dam squarely in its most productive range. Flows at this level keep all three wading sections accessible, and 55°F sits well within the active feeding band for both brown and rainbow trout. No direct local guide or shop reports reached our feed this week, so we're leaning on technique intelligence from comparable western tailwaters. MidCurrent flagged sparse midge patterns as the go-to for "clear, pressured water of tailraces," and Caddis Fly (OR) put Yellow Sallies front and center for summer dry-dropper rigs across the western U.S. — a hatch that typically fires on the Green in June. Scuds round out the box: Caddis Fly (OR) notes they dominate trout diets in nutrient-rich tailwaters wherever they're established.
Front Range tailwaters primed for summer as trico season kicks off
Colorado Trout Hunters reports one of the best spring runs of migratory fish the Dream Stream has seen in recent memory, a promising sign heading into summer on the South Platte. The USGS gauge at site 06701900 is reading 277 cfs as of midday June 22 — a moderate, wadeable flow for this regulated tailwater, with no water temperature reading currently available. Cutthroat Anglers cautions that 2026's Colorado snowpack has been "historic for all the wrong reasons," with drought pushing statewide conditions toward low-water patterns even on tailwater drainages; their low-water pro tips urge lighter tippet and precise presentations to reach fish concentrated in defined lies. Late June traditionally signals the start of the trico spinner fall on the South Platte — Gink and Gasoline describes the river's trico hatch as one of the most prolific on record — and that window is now opening. Midges and PMD imitations continue to anchor nymph rigs through morning hours on both drainages.
Snake River cutthroat dial in as late-June runoff peaks
USGS gauge 13037500 clocked the Snake River system at 11,500 cfs on June 22, a reading consistent with peak late-snowmelt runoff in southeastern Idaho. Water temperature data was unavailable from the gauge, but flows at this level typically carry cold, off-color water that pushes Snake River fine-spotted cutthroat and brown trout tight to softer structure: inside seams, cutbanks, and back-eddies. No Idaho-specific shop or charter reports appeared in this cycle's intel feeds, so conditions below draw on gauge data and broader western regional context. Caddis Fly (OR) notes that Yellow Sallies are 'a small, yet important summer bug in the Western US' right now, and that framing fits the South Fork well: the bigger salmonfly push is winding down, with Yellow Sallies and PMDs emerging as the next reliable surface triggers. Nymph rigs heavy enough to reach bottom seams through fast current are the high-percentage play until flows moderate, with dry-dropper setups earning their keep at dawn and dusk.