Fishing reports
16302 reports across all 50 states — current conditions and what's biting.
Texas lakes hold onto summer patterns as fall transition nears
Gauge 08211200 is reading 89°F with flow holding near 91 cfs, confirming Texas lakes and rivers are still running summer-warm heading into mid-September. Texas Fish & Game Magazine's look at Lake Conroe frames this as normal for the region — the fall transition for bass and crappie rarely flips on one cold front, and September often still fishes like the tail end of summer before structure and baitfish positioning shift over the coming weeks. Up in North Texas, North Texas Catfish Guide's reports on Eagle Mountain Lake describe blue and channel catfish as consistent producers whenever the lake is full and water is actively moving, a pattern that typically extends into early fall. Largemouth are likely still keying on shad around docks and grass lines rather than committing to true fall staging. With a New Moon overhead, dawn and dusk should be the highest-percentage windows until surface temps start easing off summer highs.
Presque Isle waits on rain as Erie's fall walleye bite builds
USGS gauge 04213000 logged a steady 71.3 cfs late this week, a low, stable read typical of a Presque Isle-area tributary sitting well ahead of any fall rain push. This week's angler-intel sweep didn't turn up fresh, region-specific catch reports for Lake Erie or Presque Isle Bay — the feeds that came back this cycle covered Pennsylvania Sea Grant program news and national outdoor-media stories from other regions rather than local bite notes, and that gap is worth naming rather than papering over. With a new moon overhead and early September water still holding late-summer character, the main lake's walleye and perch fishing should be running on typical seasonal rhythm, while the steelhead crowd watches tributary levels for the first real bump. Low, clear flow like this keeps any early arrivals staged tight to structure rather than pushing upstream. Check the PA Fish & Boat Commission's Biologist Reports directly for the latest Erie-specific creel data until sharper regional intel comes through next cycle.
Early fall transition takes hold on Lake Okeechobee and the St. Johns
St. Johns River flow is running near 1,010 cfs at USGS gauge 02232000 as of Thursday, a moderate reading for early September that keeps grass edges and current breaks in play for largemouth bass. Direct bite reports for Lake Okeechobee and the St. Johns didn't come through in this week's regional feeds, so we're leaning on the seasonal pattern: as Florida eases out of peak summer heat, bass typically start pushing toward dock structure and grass-flat edges chasing baitfish, a shift Tactical Bassin's national fall coverage flags as the driving pattern right now. Bream and black crappie (speckled perch) stay the steadier bet through this stretch, usually holding tight to cover until water cools further into fall. A new moon this week can mean stronger low-light bites at dawn and dusk. Check current Florida freshwater regs before harvesting, and verify conditions before you launch.
Snook Push Toward Winter Haunts as Gulf Grouper Window Opens
Florida's short Gulf gag grouper season is underway, and Sport Fishing Mag reports captains trolling relatively shallow structure to intercept fish before this narrow September window closes. On the snook front, the same source notes fish are beginning their fall shift toward winter holding areas as days shorten, with swimbaits like Mulletron and Diezel MinnowZ producing on aggressive fish. Kingfish remain a dependable player too — captains out of Naples Offshore Fishing Charters have posted steady action on kings worked with plugs and flies near structure in recent reports, a pattern that typically carries into fall on the Gulf side. Regulatory attention stays fixed on red snapper, with CCA Florida flagging a new stock assessment and allocation debate heading into the Gulf Council's review. No live buoy or gauge readings came through for this update, so water temps aren't available — check your own thermometer and local tide tables before running.
Fall mahi push arrives as Keys reef bite carries into fall
Saltwater Sportsman notes South Florida's second mahi season typically fires up in mid-September and runs through fall as fish push south along the Gulf Stream — timing that lines up with today's date. In the Keys, ALL IN Key West's captains ran a hot reef bite through the summer, with yellowtail snapper "practically jumping in the boat" and mutton snappers stacking up hard, though that mutton push was tied to the full moon; with tonight's new moon, expect the spawning-aggregation bite to ease before rebuilding at the next full moon. Bud n' Mary's Islamorada crew flagged tarpon on the bridges and mahi offshore as the summer's headline bite, a pattern that typically tapers into early fall as tarpon move off the bridges. No live buoy or gauge readings came through for this update, so treat water temps and sea state as unconfirmed until you check a local source before running offshore.
Kennebec smallmouth settle into a steady early-fall pattern
USGS gauge 01046500 has the Kennebec running near 1,490 cfs as of this morning, a stable, unremarkable flow for mid-September with no temperature reading currently available from that station. This week's angler-intel sweep didn't turn up any Kennebec- or Penobscot-specific bite reports from shops, charters, or the Maine state-agency feeds we monitor — Maine Sea Grant's recent items cover oyster restoration and marine-economy programming rather than river conditions, so we're not able to attribute a specific bite pattern to a named source this cycle. What follows leans on general seasonal knowledge for these rivers rather than fresh testimony. Early-to-mid September on the Kennebec and Penobscot typically means smallmouth bass sliding onto current breaks and ledges as water cools, landlocked salmon starting to stage ahead of the fall run, and brook trout becoming more willing to chase as overnight temps drop. A new moon this week should mean quieter, clearer conditions for low-light presentations. Verify current regs before keeping anything, especially around salmon and trout closures that vary by water.
Panhandle anglers eye fall kingfish push as gag season winds down
Direct on-the-water reports out of Destin and Pensacola were thin this cycle, but the regional trade press is flagging the seasonal turn anglers watch for every September. Coastal Angler Magazine's early note on the fall run — "October is coming. The kings are coming with it" — points to the king mackerel migration that typically builds along the Gulf as water starts to cool, and Panhandle trollers should see more consistent action on planers and live bait over the next few weeks. Sport Fishing Mag's rundown on Gulf gag grouper trolling is a reminder that the short fall grouper window is active on Florida's Gulf side right now, best worked over nearshore structure. Redfish typically move onto grass flats and into passes as temperatures ease this time of year — a normal seasonal pattern rather than anything reported locally this week. Red snapper stays a check-the-regs fish; no Panhandle-specific bite reports came through this cycle, so treat species notes below as seasonal expectation, not confirmed local action.
Tarpon shift inside as Sarasota snook bite turns on
Sarasota's adult migratory tarpon are thinning out of the coastal Gulf this month, per Capt. Rick Grassett's September forecast from CB's Saltwater Outfitters — fish are sliding into inside waters to rest and feed before their fall migration, holding around bridges and over deep grass flats and responding to DOA Baitbusters, Shrimp and TerrorEyz or live bait. Snook fishing should be good through September per the same report, with fish still working the surf in the coastal Gulf and around ICW docks and bridges close to passes. Closer to shore, CB's captains are putting clients on fish too: Capt. Chuck Cress reported redfish eating a popping cork with live shrimp on a rising morning tide, and Capt. Brandon Naeve's trip boated a 27-inch spotted seatrout, a reminder that Sarasota Bay remains one of the region's better trout grounds when anglers target the sunrise and sunset feeding windows.
Smokies Trout Bite Shifts to Dawn and Dusk as Late-Summer Heat Lingers
Our only hard read today comes from USGS gauge 03512000, showing 175 cfs and a warm 74°F at 7pm — on the high side for a healthy trout stream and a sign that afternoon water is still carrying summer heat into September. That kind of reading typically pushes the bite to the margins of the day: early morning and last light, when water cools a few degrees and trout feed more actively. Caddis Fly (OR) notes that grasshoppers are a late-summer staple in trout diets right now, so a hopper pattern worked along undercut banks and grassy edges is a reasonable starting point. Gink and Gasoline's stealth-and-presentation tips are worth leaning on too — warm, low-stress water tends to make trout spookier and pickier, especially in clearer Smokies freestone streams. Flow at 175 cfs is moderate and wadable, not blown out, so access shouldn't be the limiting factor this week — timing and temperature will be.
Taneycomo trout hold steady through the daily generation swing
Lake Taneycomo's trout fishing remains consistent heading into September, per Lilleys Landing's latest report: Table Rock Dam has been running minimum flow from around 7 a.m. into the afternoon before ramping up to roughly two and a half units (135 megawatts) through the evening. Water temperature has climbed to about 53 degrees, which the shop calls normal for this time of year, though dissolved oxygen has dropped enough that dam operators are now injecting liquid oxygen into the outflow to protect the fishery. Earlier reports from the same shop described trout hitting aggressively with no pecking around, the trophy release program picking back up after a slow spring, guides favoring the Provo rig in the afternoons, and a simple drift presentation — weight on bottom, drop-shot loop about 18 inches up, tied on Vanish fluorocarbon per guide Blake Wilson's tip. With flows swinging daily, the morning minimum-flow window is the one to plan around.
High Water Tests Susquehanna Smallmouth as Summer Lingers
USGS gauge 01540500 on the West Branch Susquehanna logged 6,580 cfs and 76°F as of Thursday afternoon — well above typical late-summer base flow for that stretch, the kind of push that usually follows recent rain. Expect stained water and faster current seams, with fish tucking tighter to breaks and eddies rather than roaming open flats. We don't have a fresh shop, charter, or state-agency report specific to the Susquehanna or Allegheny this week, so treat the species notes below as seasonal expectations rather than confirmed bites. Smallmouth bass remain the headline species on both rivers into September and typically stay aggressive right up until the fall cooldown. Muskellunge activity traditionally builds as water eases out of the mid-70s. Walleye tend to shift toward dusk and night feeding when flows run high and murky like this. Check current PA Fish and Boat Commission regulations before keeping anything, and expect visibility to be the deciding factor over the next few days.
National Spotlight Returns to Santee Cooper as Fall Bite Builds
The one hard number in today's read is a low one: USGS gauge 02160390 shows just 67 cfs as of Wednesday evening, signaling thin, settled flow into the Santee-Cooper system heading into the second week of September. No water-temperature reading came through, so surface temps should still be tracking late-summer warm until a real cool-down arrives. The standout item from the intel feeds is national rather than hyper-local: MLF News reports the Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit's Santee Cooper Lakes stop, filmed earlier this year in Clarendon County, premieres this Sunday on VICE TV — a reminder of how much big-bass and big-blue-catfish attention this fishery draws on the national stage. Locally, conditions line up with the classic early-fall transition: bass sliding onto docks and grass edges as baitfish move shallow, per general season guidance from Tactical Bassin and Fishing the Midwest, while stripers and blue cats remain Santee Cooper's marquee draw as water cools.
Early fall transition takes shape at Smith Mountain Lake and Buggs Island
Flows at USGS gauge 02075045 hold at a moderate, steady 542 cfs as of Thursday evening, with no fresh water-temp reading logged for the Smith Mountain Lake and Buggs Island system this cycle. No captain, shop, or state-agency report came in specifically for this stretch of Virginia water this week, so what follows leans on typical early-September patterns for these reservoirs plus general fall-transition technique notes from national outlets. Tactical Bassin's latest fall breakdown points anglers toward baitfish-holding docks and grass-line edges as largemouth shift off summer structure — a pattern that tends to translate well to SML and Buggs Island. Fishing the Midwest's seasonal notes on dying summer weed growth pushing fish toward healthier green cover echo the same early-fall shakeup happening on lakes everywhere right now. The well-known SML/Buggs Island striper wake-up usually needs surface temps sliding into the mid-70s and below, which — going by typical late-summer holdover for the region — is likely still a few weeks out.
Potomac holds steady flow as smallmouth eye the fall shift
USGS gauge 01646500 on the Potomac read 2,120 cfs as of Thursday afternoon, a stable late-summer base flow with no rain-driven spike pushing through — good news for water clarity on the river's shoal stretches and up into Shenandoah feeder creeks. We don't have a fresh 'what's biting' report specific to this stretch this week; Virginia DWR's blog output was hunting-season focused rather than fishing-specific, and none of this week's regional shop or charter feeds cover the Potomac-Shenandoah system directly. So this update leans on seasonal pattern: early September typically has Potomac smallmouth sliding into a fall feeding transition, largemouth working current seams and shaded backwater edges, and channel catfish holding steady in deeper runs regardless of the calendar. Stable, moderate flow like this is generally considered fishable water rather than blown-out water. Expect the picture to sharpen as cooler nights arrive and more local reports come in over the next few weeks.
Wisconsin's Sturgeon Season Opens as Fall Bite Builds
The WI DNR's hook-and-line lake sturgeon season opened September 5 and runs through September 30, per WI DNR Wisconsin Fishing News — anglers targeting the Wisconsin River need a valid 2026 fishing license plus a hook-and-line sturgeon tag before wetting a line. On the flow side, the USGS gauge at site 05391000 is reading 365 cfs as of this afternoon, a steady stage that should keep water clarity workable for finesse presentations. No buoy or temperature readings came through this cycle, so we're working without a hard number on water temp. Up north, WI DNR Lake Superior Fishing notes the Chequamegon Bay lake whitefish fishery has grown into a genuinely popular pursuit in recent seasons, drawing both boat and eventual ice anglers. With no fresh bite reports on walleye, smallmouth, or muskie this week, expect typical early-September patterns: fish easing off summer haunts as days shorten, though nothing here confirms a hot bite yet.
Skein Curing Begins as UP Anglers Eye Early Fall King Run
A local UP gauge is reading a modest 44.2 cfs this morning — low, clear late-summer flow that favors light presentations on trout water, though no water-temperature reading came through with it. On Lake Superior, the WI DNR Lake Superior Fishing office highlights lake whitefish as a growing fishery in the Chequamegon Bay area, worth a look on the Wisconsin side of the lake. Closer to Marquette, Michigan Sportsman Forum members were watching a round of northwest wind push waves into the 2-4 foot range before easing, and a few were already curing skein in anticipation of kings — early prep that hints the fall Chinook push into Lake Superior tributaries may be building, though we're not seeing confirmed numbers yet. Treat that as a lead to watch rather than a settled bite report this week.
Fall weed die-back sets up the bite across Iron Range waters
USGS gauge 05129115 is holding a modest 58.2 cfs as of this afternoon, a steady, low-flow signature typical for area rivers heading into mid-September — no big runoff pulses to muddy things up. No fresh reports came in specifically from Boundary Waters or Iron Range waters this cycle, so we're leaning on regional seasonal patterns rather than fresh bite reports. Per Fishing the Midwest, this is the window when weeds start dying back across Midwest lakes and oxygen drops in the thinning cover, pushing baitfish — and the walleye, pike, and panfish chasing them — toward whatever green, living weed edges remain. That's the pattern worth working right now: find the last healthy cabbage or coontail and you likely find fish stacked nearby. Tonight's new moon means darker skies, which can extend a low-light bite window for walleye and pike working shallower edges after dusk.
Truckee runs skinny as Tahoe trout ease into fall mode
USGS gauge 10311000 clocked the Truckee River at just 7.98 cfs as of Friday afternoon, a lean read that puts anglers into classic low-and-clear early-fall wading conditions rather than the pushier flows of spring runoff. No water-temperature reading came through with this check, so treat surface temps as an unknown until you're streamside with a thermometer. Today's regional and national fishing feeds didn't turn up any Truckee- or Tahoe-specific captain, shop, or agency reports, so this update leans on typical seasonal behavior for the watershed rather than fresh on-the-water intel. Historically, low September flows concentrate fish into deeper runs and pocket water, and cooling overnight temps in the Sierra start nudging trout into more consistent morning and evening feeding windows. Lake Tahoe's deeper structure keeps its mackinaw and lake trout comparatively unbothered by the shallow-river drawdown. Check current state regulations before keeping any fish, and always confirm access points given the skinny water.
Eufaula crappie action heats up as fall transition nears on Texoma
Flow at USGS gauge 07331600 sits at 55.5 cfs this week, a modest, stable reading typical for early fall in the Texoma/Eufaula watershed. No water temp reading came through the gauge today, so anglers should check a handheld thermometer or local shop before dialing in depth. The bigger story is technique: per Wired 2 Fish, longtime Lake Eufaula crappie guide Kayle Ward has been leaning on forward-facing sonar to locate suspended fish, a method that's paying off on Eufaula and nearby Texoma as boats push toward deeper structure ahead of the fall turnover. Bass anglers working both lakes should expect the same seasonal shift other freshwater fisheries are reporting right now — fish keying on baitfish movement rather than pure structure as the water starts to cool. No largemouth- or catfish-specific reports came in from Oklahoma sources this cycle, so treat those patterns as seasonal expectation rather than confirmed local bite.
Missouri River cats stay active as Black Hills trout bite holds
South Dakota's Missouri River corridor is still delivering the kind of catfish action Wired 2 Fish highlighted in its recent River Rat feature — trotline-set blue and channel catfish remain a September staple on the big river, and that overnight-soak approach is worth running again as water cools into fall. Our only hard reading this week comes from USGS gauge 06440200, which logged essentially no flow at the September 11 check — treat that as a data gap rather than a dry riverbed, and confirm current stage locally before launching. Walleye fishing on the Missouri's reservoir system remains a typical September draw as fish push shallower behind baitfish, though we have no fresh on-the-water report to confirm the bite has turned on yet. Black Hills trout streams are entering their classic cool, clear early-fall window. With a new moon this week, low-light periods should produce the most consistent activity across species.
Fluke bite holds strong as albies invade Sandy Hook reefs
A 5-pound-9-ounce fluke topped the pool aboard Capt Ron's out of Atlantic Highlands this week, one of several solid catches in what's been a productive stretch for Raritan Bay and Sandy Hook fluke fishing — even after a stiff south wind and hard current scrambled one recent trip. Sea bass have crowded in thick enough around the boat to actually interrupt fluke drifts, Capt Ron's reports, while Blue Chip Sportfishing says its half- and full-day sea bass trips are filling coolers for the whole boat. Just offshore, OTW Northern New Jersey notes albies have joined bonito and Spanish mackerel working the reefs, with fluking staying consistent and the tuna bite spotty at best. Grumpys Tackle (NJ) is seeing the same mix — bonito, albies, and fluke — crossing the counter this week. Striped bass haven't shown up locally yet; the fall migration push is still building offshore. No fresh buoy or gauge readings came in for this update, so check the local forecast and tide tables before you launch.
Early fall stirs Delaware River smallmouth, Pine Barrens bass regroup
Fishermans HQ LBI (NJ) reported this week that "the first hints of fall are beginning to show" along the Jersey Shore — cooler mornings, easing humidity, and bait pushing into the shallows. That same statewide seasonal turn is underway inland on the Delaware River and through the Pine Barrens, though no shop, captain, or agency filed a direct freshwater report this cycle. Typical for mid-September, smallmouth bass should be keying on baitfish along current breaks and rock structure as the river starts to cool, while chain pickerel in the tannic Pine Barrens lakes and cedar-water streams tend to stay aggressive well into fall. Largemouth are likely sliding off summer grass edges toward transition cover near deeper water. No NOAA buoy or USGS gauge readings came back for this cycle, so treat water temp and flow as unknowns until you're on the water. NJ Fish & Wildlife News is also collecting angler tally-form data this season to help shape future regulations.
Fluke and Sea Bass Hold Steady as Bonito and Albies Push South
Fluke remains the steady producer along the Jersey Shore this week. Capt Ron's out of Atlantic Highlands has put customers on solid catches through tricky current, including multiple pool fish in the 5-lb range, while Fisherman's HQ LBI reports fluke still in the mix along with kingfish, weakfish, and snapper blues in warm, clear back-bay water. Sea bass are cooperating well on Blue Chip Sportfishing's half- and full-day trips, with boats limiting out. Bonito, albies, and Spanish mackerel have shown up on the reefs per OTW Northern New Jersey's September 10 report, with the tuna bite described as spotty. Fishermen's HQ LBI is also connecting with bonita, albacore, and bluefin in the 27-30 inch class on offshore runs. Shark fishing has been productive too, with Blue Chip landing multiple mako sharks this week. Bait is plentiful inshore, with spearing and peanut bunker loading the surf and back bays.
Fall striper push nears Delaware Bay as fluke hold on
Fluke remain the most consistent bite along the Jersey Shore heading into mid-September, with Capt Ron's out of Atlantic Highlands reporting steady keeper catches despite tricky current on recent trips, including a run of pool fish in the 5-to-5.5-pound range. Fishermans HQ LBI notes warm, bait-rich water still holding a summer mix of fluke, kingfish, and blowfish in the back bay and surf. No live buoy or gauge readings came back for Delaware Bay itself this cycle, so treat water temp and current strength as unconfirmed until you check on-site. Statewide, NJ Fish & Wildlife News flags bluefish showing at back-bay access points like Shark River, and Coastal Angler Magazine reports the fall striped bass migration is on its way down the coast. Expect the bay's striper and weakfish bite to firm up as that push arrives; for now, work fluke drifts and cut bait for bluefish while the transition plays out.