Fishing reports
16412 reports across all 50 states — current conditions and what's biting.
Tennessee River Bass Shift Into Fall Feeding Mode
On the Tennessee River, bass are grinding through the classic summer-to-fall transition, per Tactical Bassin (blog), with active fish keying on baitfish near open water and around grass edges — flipping, topwater, and reaction baits are all producing depending on conditions through the day. That pattern lines up with the Chickamauga and Watts Bar stretches, where similar grass and channel-swing structure holds late-summer largemouth. Our lone gauge reading this morning, USGS 03578500, showed flow sitting low and stable at 7.94 cfs, conditions that typically favor clearer water and more precise boat positioning. Panfish anglers should note Wired 2 Fish's reminder that bluegill and crappie often slide off shallow cover into deeper, suspended positions once summer heat lingers, so downsizing baits and probing deeper structure is worth trying. Striper and catfish action typically holds steady into September on this chain; check state regulations before harvesting.
Mille Lacs walleye anglers lean on livebait rigs as fall nears
With no fresh temperature reading logged at gauge 05227530 (flow reported flat at 0 cfs this morning) and no MN-specific buoy or shop report in this cycle, we're grounding today's outlook in seasonal technique intel rather than a hard number. Fishing the Midwest's recent "Blending Old & New" piece is the most directly relevant signal: traditional Mille Lacs staples — jigging live bait, pulling leech- or crawler-tipped rigs, and crankbait trolling — still produce in the area's clear water, even as more anglers lean on forward-facing sonar to locate suspended fish. The same publication's Alexandria-area notes on bladed swim jigs point to solid multi-species action (walleye, pike, bass) on shoreline flats with emerging weeds. Early September sits right at the seasonal hinge — weeds are starting to thin and baitfish are pushing off summer structure, which typically nudges walleye and pike onto transition edges. Confirm local conditions before heading out; direct Mille Lacs readings weren't available this cycle.
Fall Transition Takes Hold on Lake Texoma and Eufaula
USGS gauge 07331600 is running a modest 54.5 cfs this morning with no water-temperature reading logged yet, consistent with the low, stable flows typical of early September on the Texoma and Eufaula watersheds. National technique reports line up with the seasonal shift into fall: Tactical Bassin (blog) notes bass are transitioning from summer to fall patterns, pushing onto baitfish in open water and responding to flipping, topwater, and reaction baits, a pattern On The Water also flags as baitfish migrations reshape the bite this time of year. Fishing the Midwest points to dying late-summer weed beds pushing bass and forage toward the healthiest remaining grass — worth checking as Texoma and Eufaula grass lines start to thin. Wired 2 Fish adds that panfish are sliding deeper and suspending while water stays warm, favoring smaller baits over shallow cover. No source filed a direct Texoma or Eufaula report this cycle, so treat species status below as seasonal expectation, not a confirmed local bite.
Winnipesaukee's Big Water Keeps Producing as Fall Nears
Lake Winnipesaukee's flow gauge (USGS 01081000) is holding steady near 338 cfs, a solid late-summer baseline with no dramatic swings to report. Per The Fisherman — New England Freshwater, New Hampshire's big waters — Winnipesaukee, Winnisquam, and Newfound Lake — are still producing solid results as the calendar turns toward fall, keeping smallmouth bass and lake trout the go-to targets for boat anglers working structure and deeper water. Panfish anglers should take a cue from Wired 2 Fish's late-summer advice: as water warms and weeds thicken, bluegill and crappie often slide off classic shallow cover and suspend deeper or around structure, so downsizing baits and probing deeper water pays off right now. With a waning crescent moon overhead, expect a fairly typical late-summer pattern through the week — steady grinding for anglers willing to work the depths rather than fish memory-shallow spots.
Toledo Bend, Rayburn Bass Shift Into Fall Feeding Mode
Our regional flow gauge (USGS 08030500) logged 1,310 cfs early this morning, a steady read heading into the first full week of September on the Toledo Bend and Sam Rayburn system. Water temperature wasn't available from the gauge, but the seasonal signal from East Texas is consistent: Texas Fish & Game Magazine's Lake Conroe report notes that fall doesn't flip overnight in Southeast Texas — it arrives in stages, with September often still fishing like late summer. Tactical Bassin's September playbook backs that up, describing bass transitioning off summer haunts and actively feeding on baitfish as cooler nights approach, with docks and grass edges worth checking as fish reposition. Crappie should follow the same shift, per that same Lake Conroe transition report. Expect largemouth to still favor deeper structure and shade through midday, then push shallower on baitfish in low light. Standard early-fall patience applies — the switch flips gradually, not all at once.
High, Warm Mississippi Pools Favor Cats as Fall Bite Builds
The Upper Mississippi's Clinton-Dubuque pools are running high and unusually warm for early September, with the USGS gauge at Clinton logging 79°F water on a strong 33,300 cfs push as of this morning. That combination — elevated, stained flow with lingering summer heat — is textbook channel catfish water; Wired2Fish's report on red-hot channel cat action elsewhere this week is a reminder of how aggressively cats feed under these conditions. Panfish anglers should take note too: per Wired2Fish, warm water is pushing bluegill and crappie off shallow cover and into suspended, deeper positions, so downsizing baits should pay off. Bass are only in the early stages of their fall shift — Tactical Bassin and On The Water both flag baitfish-focused feeding as water starts to cool, though these pools haven't turned that corner yet. Walleye remain a jig-and-livebait or forward-facing-sonar proposition per Fishing the Midwest.
Ohio River cats keep biting big as KY bass eye fall shift
A state-record channel catfish landed last month from the Ohio River by angler Tyler Harmon, per Field & Stream, underscores that trophy cats are still very much biting on this river system as we roll into September. Locally, USGS gauge 03301500 is reading a lean 24.4 cfs, pointing to low, clear-running water typical of a quiet late-summer stretch on tributary water feeding the Ohio and Cumberland systems — no fresh temp reading came through at this site, so judge thermal conditions on the water rather than assuming typical fall cooling has kicked in yet. Per Wired 2 Fish, panfish are sliding deeper and suspending over open water as summer heat lingers, which tracks for bluegill and crappie spots along these rivers too. Bass anglers should start watching for the fall transition Tactical Bassin describes this week — largemouth shifting onto baitfish and rewarding moving baits. Catfish remain the standout bite on bigger river water right now.
Low, warm water tests patience on Bull Shoals and Norfork
Gauge data from USGS site 07060710 show flow sitting at just 4.24 cfs with water temperature at 76°F this morning — a combination that points to an extended non-generation stretch on the Bull Shoals/Norfork tailwaters. That's warm for a White River trout fishery, which typically holds in the 50s to low 60s thanks to cold bottom-release dam water; without steady generation pushing cold water downstream, tailrace reaches can heat up fast under early-September sun. As Flylords Mag notes in its general breakdown of water temperature and trout behavior, warmer water lowers dissolved oxygen and pushes trout into deeper, slower-moving holds where they conserve energy rather than feed actively. We didn't find fresh angler or shop reports specific to the White River system in today's feeds, so treat this outlook as inference from the gauge rather than confirmed bite reports — expect a tougher, more technical bite until generation resumes and temperatures drop.
Osage River running high keeps Lake of the Ozarks bass in transition
The Osage River is running hot and high this week — the USGS gauge near Lake of the Ozarks logged 85°F water and roughly 37,900 cfs of flow early Monday morning, conditions that read more like peak summer than the usual September cool-down. That combination is pushing panfish deep: Wired 2 Fish notes anglers need to downsize baits and target suspended fish over open water once summer heat pushes bluegill and crappie off shallow cover, a pattern that fits what we're seeing on the gauge. On the bass side, Tactical Bassin's latest September coverage describes fish still keying on baitfish schools near open water even as the fall transition begins, with docks turning into a reliable pattern as shad move shallower. Catfish typically thrive in the kind of elevated, current-driven water this gauge reading suggests. No Missouri-specific shop or captain reports came through this week, so treat species calls below as seasonally typical rather than confirmed local intel.
Toledo Bend Bass Shift Into Fall Feeding Mode
Flow at USGS gauge 08025500 on the Sabine side is running light this week, sitting near 29 cfs with no water-temperature reading logged — a reminder that reservoir conditions across the Toledo Bend system can vary well beyond a single tributary station. With no direct captain or shop reports in from the Bend or Sabine border this week, we're leaning on the broader seasonal signal: Tactical Bassin's September bass coverage and On The Water's fall-transition breakdown both point to bass sliding shallower onto flats and dock cover as baitfish migrations kick off, while Wired 2 Fish notes panfish and crappie are still holding deep and suspended in the lingering late-summer warmth. Expect a mixed bag through the week — some fish still on summer patterns, others starting to shift. Always check current Louisiana regulations before harvesting.
Upper Mississippi bass, panfish shift into early fall mode
USGS gauge 05344500 near the Prescott-to-La Crosse stretch is reading 6,540 cfs early this morning, with no water-temperature reading logging in this cycle — flow is holding enough current for baitfish to stack along seams and current breaks through the pools. Regional reports from tackle-shop and state feeds specific to these pools weren't available this week, so we're leaning on seasonal patterns and general technique intel. Wired2Fish notes panfish are still sliding deep and suspending over open water as late-summer heat lingers, so smaller baits worked slow and deep are the play for bluegill and crappie. Fishing the Midwest's fall-transition piece points anglers toward the greenest remaining weed edges as early fall approaches — a good starting point for walleye and bass here too. Bass are typically shifting onto baitfish patterns as water begins to cool, per Tactical Bassin's early-September breakdown. Check current state regs before harvesting.
Fall transition begins on Potomac and Patapsco bass water
USGS gauge 01589000 measured flow at a steady 41.1 cfs this morning, signaling normal early-September conditions on the Potomac and Patapsco systems with no big rain pulses working through. Water temperature wasn't reported at this gauge, but late-summer heat typically has largemouth and smallmouth bass sliding toward grass edges, dock shade, and current breaks as the seasonal shift begins — a pattern On The Water and Tactical Bassin are already flagging heading into the fall transition, with baitfish movement pulling bass toward reaction baits and moving water. Wired 2 Fish notes panfish are sliding deeper and suspending over open water as the heat holds, rewarding smaller, downsized baits worked slow near cover rather than the shallow patterns that worked in spring. Blue catfish remain a dependable year-round option on both systems regardless of the surface bite. No Maryland-specific reports came through our sources this week, so treat the species notes below as seasonal guidance rather than confirmed local bites — always check current conditions before heading out.
Ozark trout parks settle into steady early-fall flows
The one hard number we have for the Current/Niangua corridor this cycle is a steady 762 cfs from USGS gauge 07067000, logged at 6:30 a.m. with no water-temperature sensor reporting alongside it. No shop, state-agency, or charter dispatch specific to Missouri's Ozark trout parks came through in this cycle's intel sweep, so we're leaning on general seasonal knowledge rather than fresh on-the-water chatter. Early September on these spring- and dam-fed tailwaters typically keeps water in a trout-friendly range even as regional air temps stay warm, and flow in the 700s cfs is generally moderate and wadeable depending on the specific park's release schedule — always check the day's generation notice before wading in. Stocked rainbows should still respond to standard nymph and small-fly presentations, while wild brown trout in these systems tend to sit deeper and more selectively through early fall. Smallmouth holding in adjacent river reaches are typically entering their fall feeding push this time of year.
Fall transition sets in for Black Hills walleye and bass
Flows at USGS gauge 06440200 are sitting at essentially zero this week, a common late-summer read for smaller Black Hills tributaries as low late-season flow pulls streams down before fall rains bring them back up. On the bigger Missouri River reservoir system, the seasonal shift is already visible elsewhere: Fishing the Midwest notes that as summer weeds start dying back, baitfish and the gamefish following them relocate to the healthiest remaining green weed lines, a pattern that typically pushes walleye and smallmouth bass toward structure edges through September. Tactical Bassin (blog) is seeing bass farther south already transitioning into fall patterns, keying tighter on baitfish near open water as the summer bite fades — a shift anglers here should expect soon too. Panfish are likely still holding deep off summer structure per Wired 2 Fish's read on late-summer behavior. Overall, this reads as a typical early-fall setup for the region rather than anything unusual.
Merrimack River Pike Stay Hot Above Essex Dam
Northern pike remain the standout freshwater bite in the region right now, with Roger Aziz Jr., per The Fisherman — New England Freshwater, reporting plentiful pike above the Essex Dam on the Merrimack River in Lawrence, most running around 25 inches. The same report notes that New Hampshire's big lakes — Winnipesaukee, Winnisquam, and Newfound — are still producing solid catches heading into early September. Flow at USGS gauge 01073500 sits low at 9.29 cfs, typical for this stretch after a dry late summer, and no fresh water-temperature reading came through this cycle. Panfish behavior is shifting too: per Wired 2 Fish's seasonal notes, warm surface water is pushing bluegill and crappie off shallow cover and suspending them over deeper structure and open water, so downsizing baits should help. Smallmouth and largemouth bass remain a solid option around Winnipesaukee as the fall transition nears. Check current New Hampshire regulations before harvesting pike or bass this week.
Delta Bass Push Toward Fall Patterns as Sacramento Flow Stays Strong
The USGS gauge at site 11447650 logged 66°F water on the Sacramento River early this morning with flow running high near 17,300 cfs, a combination that's keeping Delta channels swift and comfortably warm as the calendar tips into September. Largemouth are in the seasonal transition window — Tactical Bassin's early-September coverage points to bass sliding onto baitfish and grass-edge patterns as summer gives way to fall, a shift that typically shows up on Delta sloughs and tule lines too. Panfish are the tougher read right now: per Wired 2 Fish, warm water and thick weeds are pushing bluegill and crappie deeper or suspended off classic shallow cover, meaning smaller baits worked slower and deeper generally out-produce the usual spring approach. Striped bass and channel catfish remain the Delta's other headline species this time of year, with stripers typically staging for their fall push as flows and temps ease further. We didn't see Delta-specific catch reports in today's feeds, so treat the above as seasonal guidance until fresh local intel comes in.
Chinook Traffic Builds on the Columbia as Water Stays Warm
At the USGS Columbia River gauge (14105700), water measured 69°F with flow running near 99,200 cfs early this morning — warm enough that migrating salmon typically pull toward cooler holding water near tributary mouths this time of year. Angler chatter on IFish.net Fishing Reports pointed to activity near Buoy 10, where one angler reported hot chinook action while trolling solo just north of the green line across from Skippanon, in about 22 feet of water, before losing a rod overboard — the kind of report that suggests boats are stacked up and working the zone hard. A second IFish.net post noted a lost rod and reel at the mouth of the Lewis River, another sign of pressure on that stretch. These are single, uncorroborated angler accounts rather than shop or agency confirmation, so treat the chinook report as promising, not settled. No sturgeon intel surfaced in this week's feeds.
High Water Pushes Driftless Anglers Toward Streamers
USGS gauge 05407000 is reading flow near 3,610 cfs this morning, well above typical early-September baseflow for Driftless Area trout streams — a clear signal that recent rain has pushed water up and likely stained it. That kind of water favors moving big, dark patterns over finesse presentations: this week's MidCurrent Tying Tuesday roundup features Root River Rod Co's go-to Driftless streamer, a pine squirrel jig built to bounce the rocky bottom in tight, technical water without hanging up — exactly the profile that draws strikes when visibility drops. Early September typically keeps grasshoppers and other terrestrials in play along undercut banks too, as water begins its seasonal cooling trend. No water-temperature reading came through this cycle, so anglers should check conditions streamside before committing to a stretch — a flow spike like this can push fish off their normal holding lies until levels settle back down.
Lake of the Woods walleye gear up for the fall weed shift
The Rainy River is running near 4,250 cfs with water still holding at a warm 73°F as of early Wednesday morning per the USGS gauge — conditions that put Lake of the Woods and the Rainy River squarely in the late-summer-to-early-fall transition. No LOW/Rainy-specific bite reports came through today's feeds, so treat what follows as seasonal inference, not confirmed local intel. Regionally, Fishing the Midwest notes that as weeds begin dying back in cooling shallows, gamefish relocate to the healthiest remaining green weed edges — a classic early-fall cue for walleye, pike, and smallmouth on LOW's expansive flats. Panfish anglers should note Wired 2 Fish's point that warm water pushes bluegill and crappie off shallow cover into deeper, suspended positions, so working drop-offs may out-produce the bank right now. Jigging and live-bait rigs remain the dependable regional default for walleye this time of year.
Ozark river bass and panfish hang on late-summer patterns
The USGS gauge at site 06934500 logged 85°F water and a hefty 38,100 cfs flow on the morning of September 8 — summer-warm water moving through a big, high-volume stretch of river. That kind of heat keeps panfish off the shallow cover they held in spring; Wired 2 Fish notes bluegill and crappie are sliding deeper or suspending over open water and around structure once temps climb like this, with smaller baits drawing more bites. Bass sit in the same in-between window: Tactical Bassin and On The Water both describe fish easing from summer holding spots toward baitfish-chasing, fall-transition behavior, working grass edges and open water with reaction baits, topwater, and crankbaits. No Missouri-specific shop or charter reports came through this week, so treat the species calls below as seasonal expectations rather than confirmed local bites — high, warm flow like this generally favors deeper structure and patience over skinny water.
Fall brown trout run stirs on South Platte tailwaters
Colorado Trout Hunters is calling this one of the better runs of migratory brown trout it's seen on the Dream Stream stretch of the South Platte in years, with fish pushing up out of the reservoirs as the fall run gets underway — good news for anglers willing to cover ground on foot. Flows at USGS gauge 06701900 are sitting at a lean 121 cfs, in line with what Cutthroat Anglers (CO) and Pat Dorsey Fly Fishing (CO) have both been flagging all season as a persistent low-water year across Colorado's tailwaters; both shops advise checking stream temperatures and backing off once readings push into the high 60s. Cutthroat Anglers notes trout remain grouped up and willing to eat despite the thin water, especially for anglers who hike a little farther or downsize tippet. On the tying bench, AvidMax Blog (CO) has been turning out compact midge emergers built for exactly this kind of clear, technical tailwater water.
Topwater bass and snakeheads keep working Delaware's low, clear creeks
Water temps are holding in the upper 70s according to Smith's Bait Shop in Leipsic, reporting via The Fisherman — NJ/DE Freshwater, and that's kept the summer pattern locked in across Delaware's freshwater systems: early and late-day fishing is still the rule. Bass are eating topwater at first and last light, with bigger fish sliding into the shadows of weed lines to take soft plastics once the sun climbs. Snakeheads and crappie are mixing into that same topwater bite, while crappie, perch and panfish are stacking up in the spillways below dams on lakes and ponds throughout the region. At USGS gauge 01493500, flow is running low at 11.3 cfs, consistent with the low, clear late-summer water most freshwater anglers are seeing right now: good for sight-fishing structure, though it can push fish tighter to shade and cover during the heat of the day.
South Fork Trout Lean Into Hopper Season as Flows Hold High
USGS gauge 13037500 is reading a healthy 7,460 cfs as of early Thursday morning, a flow that keeps the South Fork's braided channels and mid-river bars well covered heading into the September terrestrial window. No water-temperature reading came through on this cycle, but volume at this level typically still pushes enough current to hold fish off the shallow banks during the warmest part of the day. Regional technique intel points squarely at terrestrials right now: Caddis Fly (OR) describes this stretch of the calendar as full "Hopper Season," noting trout will move several feet to eat a grasshopper pattern off the surface, and separately details a sunken-ant pattern for fish keyed in just under the film once the surface bite slows midday. Flylords Mag's piece on water-temperature-driven trout behavior is a useful lens for reading how fish will respond as flows and temps shift into fall. No Idaho-specific catch reports came through this cycle — treat species status below as seasonal expectation, not a confirmed bite report.
Catawba & Roanoke bass eye the fall feed as flows run low
The lone read we have this cycle comes from USGS gauge 02142900, which logged flow at just 0.12 cfs this morning — a near-trickle that points to the kind of stubborn late-summer drought stress that squeezes Piedmont and Coastal Plain tributaries feeding both the Catawba and Roanoke systems. No captains, shops, or state reports filed direct notes on either river this cycle; this week's feeds leaned toward coastal NC surf reports (Ocean Isle, Topsail, Hatteras) and national bass-tour coverage rather than Catawba or Roanoke intel. With that gap, we're grounding expectations in typical early-September patterns: largemouth still holding shallower cover early and late, catfish steady in slower pools, and panfish sliding deeper as afternoon heat lingers. Tactical Bassin's September bass notes point anglers toward baitfish-mimicking reaction baits as fish begin shifting toward fall feeding — a reasonable starting template until water temps break the late-summer pattern. Low, clear flow like this favors early and late presentations over midday action.