Fishing reports
8043 reports across all 50 states — current conditions and what's biting.
Columbia River summer Chinook push building as late-June transition arrives
USGS gauge 14105700 logged the Columbia River at 95,200 cfs and 66°F on June 22, reflecting typical late-June snowmelt runoff from the upper Columbia Basin. These elevated flows mark the transition window between the spring Chinook season's tail end and the building summer Chinook run. No charter or shop reports from the Columbia corridor appear in this week's feeds, so conditions are drawn from gauge data and seasonal patterns rather than direct angler testimony. Based on historical norms for this stretch of river, summer Chinook — upriver brights bound for Idaho and eastern Oregon tributaries — are typically beginning to stage in building numbers by late June. White sturgeon fishing remains available on select reaches year-round, though slot-size regulations typically apply in summer; check current ODFW rules before targeting them. IFish.net Fishing Reports confirms Oregon anglers are active regionally, though specific Columbia River salmon reports are absent from this cycle.
Smallmouth and perch in the weeds as Winnipesaukee eases into summer
The Winnipesaukee River outflow is logging 967 cfs as of June 22 (USGS gauge 01081000), consistent with late-spring flows easing toward summer baseline. No local charter or tackle-shop feeds reached our system this cycle, so conditions here are synthesized from regional patterns and national fishing intel. Lake Winnipesaukee's late-June picture is familiar: smallmouth bass have moved off spawning beds and are scattering to rocky structure, weedline edges, and submerged points. Tactical Bassin's summer coverage notes that bass become highly predictable once temperatures climb, keying on shade, forage, and depth transitions. Finesse presentations — drop shots, Senko-style stickbaits — earn bites in clear-water lake conditions. Lake trout and landlocked salmon are pushing deeper toward the thermocline as surface temps climb through June. Yellow perch and white perch remain dependable near submerged structure. The First Quarter moon this week tends to support active feeding during the low-light edges of the day.
Taneycomo trout fishing goes day-to-day as June mini-fronts roll through
Lilleys Landing's June 2026 update opens with a frank assessment: 'consistency isn't in the fishing dictionary' on Lake Taneycomo right now. A steady parade of mini-fronts has brought repeated rain and wind, flipping trout fishing from good to poor and back within the same week. Per Lilleys Landing, the generation schedule has held relatively steady through this volatility, giving anglers a framework to plan around — when generators run, current concentrates fish near the dam; when flow backs off, slower pools and flats open up downstream. The broader seasonal backdrop is a near ten-month drought that has kept Table Rock at or near power pool, eliminating flood-control releases and the shad-push dynamics that sometimes energize the fishery. Generation is now purely demand-driven. No USGS gauge data is available for the Taneycomo tailwater this cycle. The First Quarter moon this week adds low-light transitional windows that may favor early-morning and evening runs between the fronts.
Hiwassee and Caney Fork tailwaters offer summer trout refuge as heat builds
USGS gauge 03565000 returned no readings at press time, leaving flow and temperature on both the Hiwassee and Caney Fork unconfirmed for this cycle — check TVA's generation schedule before loading the truck, as turbine releases govern wading access on both tailwaters. With that caveat on the table, late June is typically when these cold-discharge rivers earn their reputation as summer trout refuges. MidCurrent's Tying Tuesday feature this week singled out midge-style patterns as the go-to for 'the clear, pressured water of tailraces' — an apt description of both rivers under low-light conditions. Gink and Gasoline recently reinforced the case for precision, drag-free presentations on tailwater-conditioned trout that have seen every attractor in the box. Look for rainbows stacked in oxygenated riffles just below generation outflows, with browns pushing to deeper seams by midday as summer pressure peaks.
Walleye and catfish dial in as summer patterns settle across Ohio
Fishing the Midwest notes that rivers 'can provide some outstanding fishing action throughout the summer' — a signal Ohio River anglers know well, as flathead and channel catfish staged in deeper holes and current seams typically build steam through late June. No real-time gauge or buoy readings are available for this reporting cycle (USGS gauge 03271601 returned no data), so flow and temperature should be verified locally before launching. On Lake Erie, the late-June window generally finds walleye pushing off post-spawn staging toward mid-lake structure and rocky humps, with trolling crawler harnesses and deep-running stickbaits the standard playbook. Tactical Bassin observes that summer bass 'become very predictable' once anglers dial in depth and temperature variables — a framework that applies equally to smallmouth patrolling Erie's cobble shorelines. Conditions reflect seasonal norms; no corroborated catch reports from citable Ohio-specific sources were available this period.
Hill Country bass push deep as mid-summer heat grips Travis, LBJ, and Buchanan
Mid-summer conditions have settled firmly over the Highland Lakes chain. Texas Fish & Game Magazine notes that by late June, the shoreline cover patterns that produced quality bass through May are giving way — pushing largemouth deeper across Travis, LBJ, and Buchanan. The USGS Colorado River gauge (site 08158000) registered 270 cfs on June 22, signaling moderate late-season flow. Canyon Lake, a Hill Country bellwether just east of the chain, sits at 886.46 feet with three boat ramps open and conditions that WORD coordinator Alexis Runnels calls "ideal for fishing," per My Canyon Lake Fishing. In Central Texas, a 75-pound, 50-inch blue catfish was caught and released at Belton Lake on June 6 — Wired 2 Fish covered the catch — signaling that trophy cats are in full summer feeding mode across the region's impoundments. Plan early-morning and post-sunset windows for the sharpest action before midday heat locks fish down.
Lake of the Woods walleye dial into summer structure as the solstice passes
The USGS gauge on the Rainy River (site 05133500) recorded 66°F water temperature and 8,570 cfs on June 22, firmly in summer range for the Lake of the Woods system. Direct charter or shop intel for this specific system was not captured this cycle, so the seasonal picture draws from gauge data and regional reporting. What is clear is that Minnesota is having a standout fishing year: Wired 2 Fish reported this month that the state DNR has certified nine new state records in 2026, signaling healthy fish populations across the state. At 66°F, walleye have transitioned off their post-spawn shallows and are working mid-depth structure: rock humps, mud-to-sand transitions, and the leading edge of the weedline. Fishing the Midwest highlights weedline patterns as the dominant summer tactic in the region, producing walleye alongside northern pike and yellow perch. Sauger are holding in Rainy River current seams, with a jig-and-minnow the reliable call. Perch, typical for midsummer, have likely pulled to deeper sand and gravel flats.
Lake Erie walleye and smallmouth prime up as mid-summer heat sets in
Water at USGS gauge 04231600 reads 70°F with flow at 788 cfs as of June 22 — conditions typical of peak mid-summer on the Lake Erie and Niagara corridor. Direct local angler intel for this region is limited in current feeds, but Fishing the Midwest confirms the 2026 open-water season is "in full swing" and points to weedlines and structure transitions as the go-to summer pattern. Tactical Bassin underscores that summer bass behavior becomes highly predictable once temps stabilize, with fish pulled toward depth transitions, baitfish, and shaded cover. Walleye, smallmouth bass, and yellow perch are the anchors for late June on Lake Erie — seasonal norms suggest walleye keying on mid-lake humps in 20–35 feet, perch hanging over nearshore gravel flats, and smallmouth active along rocky current seams in the Niagara. The First Quarter moon tonight can trigger walleye to push shallower after dark. Check NYS DEC regulations before harvesting.
Mid-Summer Bass Shift Offshore at Toledo Bend and Sam Rayburn
Texas Fish & Game Magazine's Toledo Bend profile and mid-summer bass deep-dive both point to the same late-June reality: the productive shoreline bite that defined spring has run its course, and largemouth have pushed to offshore humps, channel edges, and thermocline-adjacent structure. Texas Fish & Game Magazine notes that by this point in summer, anglers willing to make the depth adjustment consistently outperform those still working the banks. Wired 2 Fish backs the finesse angle: Senko-style stickbaits remain a reliable fallback when fish are reluctant to commit, especially in shallow transition zones. Catfish continue to draw interest; Wired 2 Fish's recent report of a 75-pound blue catfish landed on cut gizzard shad in Central Texas suggests the big-cat bite is running strong across the region. The Sabine River (USGS gauge 08030500) was flowing at 10,200 cfs on June 22, providing steady inflow to Toledo Bend. Surface temps are unavailable from current gauges; check local marina reports before heading out.
Bass Season Opens Strong Across Hudson Valley and Finger Lakes
NY DEC's June 12th Fishing Line reported the black bass bite is 'picking up with the warmer summer weather' — and with the season now open and the Hudson registering 73°F (USGS gauge 01357500), largemouth and smallmouth across the Hudson Valley and Finger Lakes are fully into summer feeding mode. Bass are splitting predictably after the spawn: shallow fish holding on dock lines, laydowns, and weed edges through low-light windows; midday fish pushing deeper onto mid-lake structure as surface temps peak. The Hudson is running at 1,200 cfs on the upper gauge and 7,940 cfs downstream — moderate, fishable levels that concentrate baitfish in current seams and eddy pockets. Musky season is underway across eligible NY waters per NY DEC, with fish settling into summer ambush zones. Trout fishing has become a cooler-water proposition: 73°F readings push browns and rainbows into shaded tributary heads and deeper lake sections. Verify seasons and bag limits with current NY DEC regulations before heading out.
Summer flip patterns heating up across Chickamauga and Watts Bar
Largemouth bass are responding to flipping presentations across the Tennessee River chain this week. MLF News reports that Dale Pelfrey of Rockwood, Tenn. — fishing one chain east at Cherokee Lake — won the Phoenix Bass Fishing League event with five bass weighing 16 pounds, 5 ounces by 'putting a flipping stick in his hand and going flipping all day.' The pattern translates directly to Chickamauga and Watts Bar, where similar dock-and-laydown structure holds fish through summer heat. USGS gauge 03578500 is reading 26.1 cfs, indicating minimal tributary inflow and the stable pool conditions that favor targeted presentations. Water temperature was unavailable from the gauge, though late-June TVA pools typically push into the low-to-mid 80s°F, driving largemouth tight to shaded cover. Tactical Bassin notes summer bass split between shallow refuge and offshore structure, making both flip-focused dock fishing and deeper ledge work viable right now.
Wyoming trout poised for summer dry-fly window on Wind River and North Platte
Caddis Fly (OR) flags Yellow Sallies as "a small, yet important summer bug in the Western US" now active alongside larger stoneflies, and that cue applies directly to Wyoming's Wind River and North Platte trout rivers entering their summer window. USGS gauge 06259000 returned no flow or temperature data this cycle, and no Wyoming-specific shop, charter, or state-agency reports appeared in this week's feeds, so conditions here draw on regional seasonal context. Late June is historically a pivotal transition for these freestone rivers: snowmelt runoff typically crests and begins dropping through mid-to-late June, and as clarity returns, fishing can shift from a waiting game to genuinely productive in a matter of days. Hatch Magazine's current guide to fishing through Rocky Mountain drought conditions is worth reading before your trip. Low summer flows and warming midday temperatures reward anglers who fish early, wade carefully, and time their sessions around the cooler bookends of the day. Check local gauge readings and plan accordingly.
Late-June prime for smallmouth as North Shore tributaries hit summer lows
Wired 2 Fish reports that Minnesota has certified nine state fish records in 2026 — two weight-class catches and seven catch-and-release entries — reflecting standout fish quality across state waters heading into peak summer. For Lake Superior's North Shore, USGS gauge 04015330 shows tributary flow at 6.47 cfs on June 22, summer-low conditions signaling that the spring steelhead chapter has closed and the warm-season transition is fully underway. Smallmouth bass on rocky nearshore structure and river-mouth flats are the most accessible target right now. Lake trout are holding at thermocline depths offshore. WI DNR Lake Superior Fishing notes growing angler participation in the lake whitefish fishery on the broader Lake Superior system. Fishing the Midwest recommends weedline and structure transitions as the core summer walleye tactic — a pattern that translates directly to North Shore rock piles and points. Verify current Minnesota regulations before harvesting any species.
Missouri River walleye on summer hold; Black Hills trout seek cold seams
USGS gauge 06440200 registered zero flow as of June 22 — a striking reading that signals critically low or dry conditions on this South Dakota waterway and warrants a call ahead before fishing smaller tributaries. No direct on-the-water dispatches from the Missouri River chain or Black Hills streams surfaced in this week's regional feeds, so the picture leans on seasonal context and broader Midwest patterns. Fishing the Midwest's Bob Jensen notes that river fishing shines through summer on larger waterways, where depth insulates fish from heat stress, and encourages anglers to work weedlines for a mix of species including walleye. Tactical Bassin underscores that summer bass become highly predictable, gravitating to deeper structure and shade as heat peaks. In the Black Hills, trout typically shift to dawn and dusk feeding windows as June temperatures climb. Plan around early-morning windows and double-check local conditions before launching.
Red River channel cats enter prime season as summer settles in
The USGS gauge at site 05054000 on the Red River clocked 71°F and 744 cfs as of midday June 22 — squarely in the prime range for channel catfish and consistent with established late-June patterns across upper Midwest river systems. No ND-specific charter or tackle-shop reports are in this week's feed, but Fishing the Midwest notes that rivers region-wide are fishing well this summer and that versatile anglers willing to work multiple species tend to find more consistent action. At 71°F, channel cats on the Red River typically concentrate near bottom structure and current seams with peak activity after dark; cut bait and prepared dip baits outperform during these warm-water periods. On the Missouri River system, walleye shift to deeper structure and compressed early-morning feeding windows as surface temps climb. The 744 cfs flow reads as moderate and fishable — manageable for both boat and bank anglers working wing dams and channel edges.
Smallmouth in prime post-spawn feeding mode on Lake Champlain
Water temperature logged at 68°F by USGS gauge 04294500 on June 22 places Lake Champlain in prime early-summer smallmouth territory. Post-spawn bronzebacks should be aggressively feeding along rocky shorelines, points, and emerging weed edges through the long June days. Landlocked salmon, however, prefer water temperatures well below 65°F — as surface temps approach and exceed that threshold, expect them to push into deeper, thermally stratified zones where cooler water holds. None of the angler-intel feeds surveyed this cycle carried Lake Champlain-specific reports; current species-level guidance draws on seasonal patterns typical for this region. Tactical Bassin notes that summer bass become highly predictable as temperatures rise, with fish splitting between shallow structure early and late in the day and deeper bottom-holding positions at midday. The First Quarter moon provides solid low-light feeding windows at dawn and dusk. Check Vermont Fish & Wildlife regulations for current bag limits before heading out.
Green River tailwater trout in ideal range as late-June flows settle
USGS gauge 09234500 logged 55°F and 1,210 cfs on the Green River this morning — water temperature sitting squarely in the trout comfort zone heading into late June. No direct local shop or guide reports surfaced in this cycle, but the gauge reading carries meaningful signal: 55°F is near-optimal for both brown and rainbow trout on this Flaming Gorge tailwater, and flows at 1,210 cfs are elevated above typical midsummer norms, pushing fish toward softer seams and slack water behind structure. Nymph and midge presentations fished close to the bottom are the expected workhorse approach under these conditions. Up on the Uintas plateau, high-elevation lakes are typically entering their best summer window by the third week of June, with cutthroat active near tributary inflows and terrestrial patterns beginning to draw strikes around the solstice. First Quarter moon this week should keep overnight lows moderate and afternoon dry-fly windows predictable on both drainages. Check state regulations before targeting any waters in the Uinta Basin.
Lake of the Ozarks bass moving deep as Osage River runs high
The USGS gauge on the Osage River (site 06934500) clocked 77°F water and a substantial 136,000 cfs flow at midday on June 22, pointing to heavy releases from Bagnell Dam and elevated lake levels. That discharge creates productive current seams below the dam, where catfish and white bass stack on any current break. On the main lake, bass have shifted into full summer mode: Tactical Bassin's early-summer pattern guide notes that fish split between shaded shallow structure at first and last light and offshore humps and channel ledges through the heat of the day. Local validation comes from B.A.S.S. News, which reported Osage Beach pro Michael Harlin winning the Turtlebox Bassmaster Open on the Upper Mississippi River using a flipping approach, a technique that carries directly over to Lake of the Ozarks dock and laydown cover. Crappie have dropped to deep brush as surface temps warm.
Lake Superior Whitefish and River Walleye Headline Wisconsin's Late-June Run
Wisconsin's 2026 general fishing season is in full stride as of late June, with both the Wisconsin River corridor and Lake Superior's Chequamegon Bay offering accessible action. USGS gauge 05391000 logged a flow of 644 cfs on the Wisconsin River on June 22 — moderate summer conditions that position walleye and smallmouth bass well in current breaks and along mid-channel structure. On the big lake, WI DNR Lake Superior Fishing has been tracking a growing lake whitefish fishery in Chequamegon Bay; the DNR hosted a management meeting in Ashland this spring after noting a sharp rise in angler interest, both through the ice and from open-water boats. Fishing the Midwest echoes the general tone for the region, reporting that the 2026 open-water season "is in full swing" and flagging weedline edges as productive summer holding water. WI DNR Wisconsin Fishing News reminds anglers that new bag and length-limit regulations are in effect for the 2026-2027 season — verify current rules before hitting the water.
Low summer flows push Potomac smallmouth into deep pools
The Patapsco River reads 45.9 cfs as of midday June 22 (USGS gauge 01589000), a lean summer level that funnels fish into deeper carved runs and shaded pockets holding oxygen and cooler water. No temperature reading is available from the gauge at this pull. Specific bite reports for the Potomac and Patapsco were not captured in this cycle's feeds; FishTalk Magazine's detailed regional reports sit behind a subscriber paywall, so conditions here reflect typical late-June freshwater patterns for these drainages. Tactically, Tactical Bassin notes this week that summer heat pushes bass into highly predictable locations governed by depth, shade, and oxygen availability, making structure-to-structure presentations the dominant play. On the broader mid-Atlantic scene, On The Water's June 19 striper migration map signals that the spring push has fully transitioned to summer mode, a useful seasonal benchmark even for freshwater Potomac anglers. Catfish traditionally peak on summer nights in both drainages.
Connecticut River smallmouth shifting to summer mode as Vermont tributaries run lean
USGS gauge 01135300 on the Wells River logged 72.4 cfs this afternoon, a moderate-to-low reading that reflects the typical late-June drop-off after spring runoff subsides across Vermont's tributary network. No water temperature data is available from our monitoring stations today. With no Vermont-specific charter or shop reports in today's feeds, we're drawing on seasonal benchmarks alongside technique intel from national sources. Smallmouth bass on the Connecticut River and Lake Champlain should be fully post-spawn by this point in June, transitioning to summer staging areas in deeper, cooler water. Tactical Bassin notes that rising summer temperatures make bass predictable: locate depth, shade, and forage access, and the fish follow. Wired 2 Fish points to the weightless Senko as a consistent fallback for finicky bass in clear, shallow conditions, which are likely on both systems given low tributary flows. MidCurrent's recent coverage of Vermont's Battenkill fly-fishing community signals continued cold-water trout activity across the state's mountain streams.
Walleye and bass find summer footing at Mosquito and Pymatuning
USGS gauge 03110000 on the Mahoning River feeder logged 59.5 cfs Monday afternoon, pointing to stable, modest inflow as Mosquito Lake and Pymatuning Reservoir settle into full summer mode. No dedicated on-water dispatches from these specific reservoirs appeared in this week's angler intel feeds, so conditions here lean on seasonal patterns rather than firsthand reports. Late June marks the point when walleye and yellow perch on these Ohio impoundments typically track the thermocline toward deeper main-basin structure, and bass spread between weedline edges and mid-depth humps. Fishing the Midwest notes that weedlines are a key summer target across Midwest reservoirs right now, and that pattern translates directly to Mosquito's expansive shallow flats and Pymatuning's weedy shorelines. Morning and evening transitions favor bite activity over midday as surface temperatures push fish lower. The First Quarter moon supports moderate solunar activity rather than the intense feeding windows associated with a full or new moon.
Summer catfish season peaks along Kentucky's river corridors
The USGS gauge at site 03301500 is reporting 2,700 cfs as of June 22 — a moderate, fishable flow on the Kentucky river system. Water temperature data was not available from this reading, but late-June conditions on the Ohio and Cumberland historically push river temps well into the mid-to-upper 70s°F, the prime window for blue and channel catfish. Wired 2 Fish this week highlighted a 75-pound blue catfish landed on cut gizzard shad while anchored over a bottom hump — a setup that translates directly to the deep river structure these fish favor in summer. Fishing the Midwest notes that rivers are among the most consistent summer fishing destinations, with current seams concentrating fish when heat pushes them off the shallows. Bass are transitioning to deeper offshore staging areas for summer, a predictable shift that Tactical Bassin traces to forage location, depth, and temperature. No region-specific charter or shop reports were available for this cycle.
Catfish and bass prime as Upper Mississippi pools reach summer tempo
Water temp at 72°F and flows running 45,000 cfs at the Clinton gauge (USGS 05420500) as of June 22 put the Upper Mississippi pools squarely in early-summer fishing mode. Channel and flathead catfish are in their prime window at these temperatures, gravitating toward current breaks, wing dams, and deep channel edges after dark. Fishing the Midwest notes this week that rivers, especially larger systems, offer outstanding summer action, with walleye and mixed-bag species responding to weedline and structure-oriented presentations. Bass are entering the predictable post-spawn dispersal phase described by Tactical Bassin, moving from shallow post-spawn flats toward deeper structure and shaded backwater cover as midday heat builds. The First Quarter moon sets up low-light feeding windows at dusk and dawn, making evening catfish runs and early-morning bass sessions the highest-percentage plays this week along the Clinton-Dubuque stretch.