Fishing reports
6969 reports across all 50 states — current conditions and what's biting.
Delta bass dial in on summer structure as flows stay strong
The Sacramento River at Freeport (USGS gauge 11447650) was moving 19,300 cfs at 69°F as of early this morning, a healthy summer flow that keeps the Delta's classic bass water stained and oxygenated. Freshwater intel specific to the Delta was thin this week — NorCal Fish Reports maintains dedicated regional coverage but had no fresh numbers posted at check time — so this update leans on seasonal patterns and adjacent regional signals. Tactical Bassin's July roundup points anglers toward jigs and flipping presentations in heavy cover as bass metabolisms peak in summer heat, a pattern that fits Delta largemouth well. Striped bass are showing well along the NorCal coast this week per Western Outdoor News — Saltwater, with big fish reported outside the Golden Gate; that bay-side activity often precedes stripers pushing into Delta channels behind bait. Catfish and sturgeon remain seasonally steady bottom options. Check current state regs before harvesting.
Salt River bass find summer rhythm as flows stay low
The USGS gauge on the Salt River (site 09498500) clocked flow at 57.7 cfs before dawn Thursday, a subdued reading consistent with mid-summer low-water stage on this stretch — no water-temp sensor was reporting, so surface temps aren't confirmed but are likely climbing into the mid-80s given the July heat. No AZ-specific catch reports came through our regional feeds this cycle, so we're leaning on seasonal patterns and general summer-bass tactics rather than fresh local intel. Nationally, bass anglers are locked into classic July patterns: per Tactical Bassin, jigs and Neko-rigged worms are producing shallow and around cover as bass key on low-light windows, and power-fishing shallow water is paying off when temps spike. Fishing the Midwest's latest notes point anglers toward working weed lines and adjacent cover for feeding fish this time of year. Expect Roosevelt Lake and the Salt River chain to be following the same script — early and late bites, deeper holding water midday.
Golden stones and Green Drakes stack the deck for South Fork trout
Anglers flipping rocks on the Henry's Fork are finding golden stoneflies packed in thick and glowing bright orange this week, per Flylords Mag — a solid sign that summer stonefly activity has kicked into gear across the broader Snake River system, South Fork included. The South Fork gauge (USGS 13037500) was running a healthy 14,200 cfs as of early Tuesday morning, typical summer irrigation-season flow that keeps fish holding tight to seam lines and softer inside water rather than exposed banks. Trout Unlimited's latest tip has anglers switching over to pink terrestrials now that summer is in full swing, with grasshoppers and ants blowing into the current as a reliable trigger on breezy afternoons. Caddis Fly (OR) is also reporting good dry-dropper action on jigged Yellow Sally and Green Drake nymph patterns, both bugs that run strong on big Idaho freestones and tailwaters this time of year. Expect cutthroat and rainbow trout keyed on surface activity during warm afternoons, with brown trout staying more of a low-light target while water holds on the warmer side.
Bass and catfish turn on as Arizona rivers settle into summer flow
USGS gauge 09380000 logged 64°F water and 6,560 cfs of flow in the predawn hours on July 9, numbers consistent with steady summer discharge on Arizona's Colorado and Salt River system. None of today's angler feeds carried a dedicated Arizona river report, so this update leans on seasonal patterns rather than a fresh bite log. The broader summer bass chatter still applies to these warmwater stretches: Tactical Bassin's latest July roundup points anglers toward faster reaction baits and shallow power-fishing as bass metabolisms peak in the heat, and Fishing the Midwest's Bob Jensen is pushing weedline versatility for bass and panfish alike right now. Field & Stream's bluegill primer backs that up, favoring bream over mud-bottom weed edges. Warming water typically pushes trout activity toward dawn and dusk windows, while catfish tend to pick up through the heat of the day. Treat today's numbers as a baseline check, not a confirmed hot bite.
Missouri River flows stay low as Black Hills anglers dial in summer patterns
USGS gauge 06440200 logged flow at just 8.18 cfs this morning, a low-water reading typical of mid-summer drawdown across South Dakota's Missouri River tributaries and Black Hills streams. No buoy or water-temperature reading came through this cycle, so plan to check a local thermometer or nearby gauge before heading out. Regional angler-intel feeds skewed toward national bass and technique content rather than SD-specific reports this week, so this update leans on typical July patterns: Tactical Bassin's July bait roundup points anglers toward moving baits as water warms and metabolisms climb, while Fishing the Midwest's Bob Jensen notes that working weedlines is producing fish broadly across upper-Midwest waters this season as anglers add versatility to their summer approach. With low flow and warm surface temps likely, expect walleye and smallmouth to hold tight to structure and current breaks, and Black Hills trout to bite best in the cooler early-morning window.
Columbia River Chinook and sturgeon carry the bite as sockeye season closes
Columbia River gauge readings this morning show water temperature at 66°F with flow running a hearty 114,000 cfs at site 14105700, numbers consistent with a typical mid-summer push on the big river. The headline for salmon anglers: per Outdoor Hub, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has canceled the Upper Columbia Sockeye Season this year after early return data tracked to less than half the pre-season forecast of 275,000 fish at Bonneville Dam, so anglers specifically chasing sockeye should shift species or water for now. Summer Chinook typically remain a dependable target through the Columbia system into July, and flows like these are generally workable for white sturgeon on the lower river, though anglers should always confirm current retention rules before keeping fish. No direct shop, charter, or state-agency report came through for this stretch today, so treat the technique notes below as seasonal generalities rather than fresh on-the-water intel.
Truckee River trout keep eating dries ahead of peak summer heat
Reno Fly Shop's reports out of the Truckee River describe strong early-summer conditions carrying into the season: good flows, "prime" water temps, and steady afternoon dry-fly action on Pale Morning Duns, Green Drakes, Yellow Sallies, Golden Stones, and caddis. By mid-June the shop was already steering anglers to fish before the heat builds and the midday recreational "tube hatch" crowds the river, noting crayfish are becoming more mobile as sun angle and temps increase, and that very late-day caddis, stonefly, and evening hatches keep fish eating on top. No fresh USGS reading is currently available for gauge 10265200, so treat flow and temperature as unconfirmed until the next update. Flylords Mag also flagged Lahontan Cutthroat being stocked into Lake Tahoe, tying into the historic Tahoe-Truckee-Pyramid Lake fishery. Expect the Eastern Sierra pattern to keep favoring early mornings and last light as summer progresses.
Weedline walleye bite carries MN's Iron Range open-water push
The 2026 open-water season is in full swing across Minnesota's Iron Range and Boundary Waters lakes, and this week's Fishing the Midwest column from Bob Jensen is steering anglers toward the weedline pattern — working emerging summer vegetation edges for walleye, with panfish and bass sharing the same structure. Flow on the regional USGS gauge (05129115) read a moderate 213 cfs early Wednesday morning, a typical mid-summer stage that should keep water clarity workable for both jig-and-minnow presentations and moving baits. No water-temperature reading came through on this gauge, so anglers should check their electronics or a stream thermometer before committing to a depth. Jensen's broader point — that the most productive anglers stay versatile and chase whatever's actively feeding rather than fixating on one species — fits the region well right now, with walleye, smallmouth bass, northern pike, and panfish all realistic July options across Iron Range lakes. We're calling the weedline the play of the week.
Summer terrestrials take over as Wind River, North Platte trout dial in
Trout Unlimited's latest TROUT Tip is flagging pink terrestrials as a go-to summer pattern, and that guidance lines up with what's typically unfolding on Wind River and North Platte trout water heading into mid-July. The USGS gauge at site 06259000 didn't return a current flow or temperature reading for this update, so treat conditions as unconfirmed until the next check-in. In the meantime, the broader seasonal signal points toward classic summer trout behavior: fish keying on hoppers, ants, and beetles blown onto the water during the heat of the day, with lingering stonefly interest at the margins, echoing Caddis Fly's recent notes on jigged Yellow Sally nymphs for summer dry-dropper rigs. Expect rainbows and browns to still respond to subsurface caddis and stonefly imitations during low light, shifting to terrestrial patterns as the sun climbs. Cutthroat should stay catchable in cooler upper-elevation stretches. Confirm current flows locally before heading out since live gauge data wasn't available this cycle.
Mille Lacs walleye settle into classic summer structure pattern
Flow at gauge 05227530 reads a steady 21.7 cfs this morning, a quiet, low-runoff number that fits the stable mid-summer stretch Minnesota rivers typically settle into once the spring melt is long gone. Water temperature wasn't reported at this station, but by early July Mille Lacs walleye have typically shifted off spring shoreline haunts and onto the lake's classic summer program, deep mud flats, main-lake humps, and rock reefs. Fishing the Midwest's Bob Jensen notes the 2026 open-water season is in full swing and versatile anglers are adding weedline presentations to their rotation as fish spread out with the warm-up, a pattern that tracks with walleye working emerging cabbage edges before sliding deeper through the day. We didn't pull a direct Mille Lacs-specific report this cycle, so treat the structure read as seasonal expectation rather than a confirmed bite. Smallmouth bass, perch, and pike round out the lake's summer rotation and should all be showing activity given the calendar, though we'd want a shop or charter report to confirm specifics before committing a full day plan around any one pattern.
Driftless Trout Streams Run High as Summer Terrestrial Bite Builds
USGS gauge 05407000 logged flow near 9,270 cfs this morning, a level well above the low, clear baseflow Driftless Area spring creeks typically carry in July. That points to recent rain and likely stained, pushy water on the main stems. No water temperature came through with this reading cycle, so bring a stream thermometer and check conditions before committing to a run. With no direct shop or agency reports in from the WI Driftless region this cycle, we're leaning on general trout guidance: Trout Unlimited's midsummer terrestrial tip notes trout keying on hoppers and ants blown or dropped into the current this time of year, a pattern that should hold once flows settle. Until then, expect fish pushed tight to bank cover with slower, more technical presentations. Smaller spring-fed tributaries and groundwater-driven sections typically clear and fish better than the freestone reaches when a mainstem gauge is running this high.
Weedline bass and current-break walleye hold through peak summer
The USGS gauge at site 05344500 logged flow at 18,700 cfs this morning on the Upper Mississippi, keeping the Prescott-to-La Crosse pools running with solid current as the region settles into full summer patterns. No captain or shop reports specific to these pools came through today's feed, so this outlook leans on regional Midwest technique intel: Fishing the Midwest's Bob Jensen notes the 2026 open-water season is in full swing and pushes anglers toward weedline versatility, while colleague Mike Frisch flags that small on-the-water adjustments, like touching up hook points on moving baits worked over emerging weeds, are turning follows into fish in the boat right now. Tactical Bassin's July roundup, aimed at bass anglers nationally, reinforces that jig presentations in heavy cover and early/late shallow-water windows are the play as metabolisms run hot. We're treating today's picture as seasonally typical rather than a hot bite report until on-river sources check in.
North Shore Lake Trout Stay Hot as Twin Cities Rivers Run High
Nineteen- to 25-inch Lake Trout are coming over the rail in good numbers along Lake Superior's Lower Shore, with the MN DNR Lake Superior Summer Fishing report (July 2) crediting trollers running bright stick baits and spoons 20-80 feet down over 70-120 feet of water. Coho Salmon in the 16-18 inch range are mixing in, while Chinook remain scattered — only a few 20-28 inch fish reported. Surface temps have climbed to 48-56°F per the same report, up from the 35-50°F readings DNR logged back on June 4. Inland, Twin Cities river anglers are dealing with elevated flow: USGS gauge 05331000 is running 15,400 cfs and gauge 05288500 is at 7,010 cfs as of this morning, worth factoring into wading and boat-ramp plans. Fishing the Midwest's Bob Jensen is pointing anglers toward weedlines as the open-water season hits full swing, a solid bet for bass and walleye while metro rivers stay up.
Olympic Peninsula rivers steady as summer salmon season gets underway
Flows on the two monitored Olympic Peninsula gauges sit at 645 cfs and 340 cfs as of early this morning, moderate levels for mid-July with no temperature readings currently reporting. Direct on-the-water "what's biting" intel for these specific salmon rivers is thin this week, but the broader state picture carries a caution: Outdoor Hub reports WDFW has canceled the Upper Columbia Sockeye season after pre-season sockeye forecasts of roughly 275,000 fish came in at less than half that at Bonneville Dam, a signal that some 2026 Washington salmon returns are running behind expectations. WA WDFW's statewide fishing and stocking reports remain the go-to for river-specific creel data, so check those before you head out. With no confirmed reports of active bites on these particular rivers yet, we're treating this as an early-season setup week rather than a hot bite, and we'll update as agency creel counts and shop reports come in.
Striped Bass Push Into Sound Reefs as Bait Stacks Up
Striper fishing remains the headline story on the Connecticut side of Long Island Sound this week. Bobby J's-Connecticut reports the bass bite continuing strong, though fish are getting a bit pickier, with the best action along deep-water structure for boaters willing to switch from topwater artificials to live eels or a bunker three-way rig during daylight hours. Rock and Roll Charters' Capt. TJ Karbowski is putting clients on slot stripers up to 40 inches and larger, crediting heavy bunker and squid presence for holding fish in the area. Captain Morgan's Bait and Tackle notes over-slot "cow" linesiders breaking into the Sound and setting up on the reefs as water temperatures pushed into the 60s. Fluke have also shown up, per Fisherman's World-Connecticut, with some fish in the 6-10 pound class around Cans 24, 26 and Green's Ledge wherever squid are stacked. Aaron Swanson's regional notes suggest the lights-out striper pattern should hold as summer settles in, with low-light timing becoming more important going forward.
High Allegheny flows push Pittsburgh anglers toward catfish and current seams
The Allegheny River gauge at site 03036500 read 11,600 cfs as of 8 a.m. this morning, a notably high stage for early July that points to recent rainfall runoff moving through the Pittsburgh pools and tailwaters. No water-temperature reading came through with this cycle, and none of today's regional angler-intel feeds carry a direct report from the Allegheny or its tailwaters, so we're leaning on general seasonal patterns rather than a fresh bite report. High, likely off-color water like this typically slows sight-based smallmouth bass fishing but favors channel catfish, which feed confidently in stained current. For technique, Tactical Bassin's summer jig breakdown notes jigs excel worked slowly around current breaks and cover this time of year, a pattern that transfers well to elevated river flow. Check PA Fish & Boat's Biologist Reports page for the latest trout stocking and river-specific updates before you head out, since local conditions can shift fast after a flow spike like this.
Red drum and a building tarpon push keep the Outer Banks busy
Red drum are the steadiest story on North Carolina's sound country right now — anglers working flats and main-river structure on the Pamlico/Neuse system are picking up drum of all sizes, some notably large, per a Custom Marine Fabrication report to Fisherman's Post (NC). Farther down the coast at Topsail/Sneads Ferry, East Coast Sports notes the early-morning topwater bite on red drum has been the highlight, a pattern that typically extends into Outer Banks sound-side flats this time of year. Surf anglers from Carolina Beach to Southport are grinding through a mixed bag of bluefish, whiting, pompano, and croakers, per multiple Fisherman's Post shop reports. Notably, Sport Fishing Mag reports the summer tarpon migration stretching from Southport up through Kitty Hawk keeps growing year over year — a fishery quietly building momentum right in Outer Banks waters. On the regulatory side, the state has asked to withdraw its Red Snapper Exempted Fishing Permit application, so the planned July offshore season isn't happening as anglers had hoped.
Summer salmon push deep off Indiana's Lake Michigan shoreline
No buoy or gauge readings came through for the Indiana shoreline this cycle, so this update leans on regional Lake Michigan trends and typical mid-July patterns for the basin. The WI DNR Lake Michigan Fishing Report notes 2024 was a standout year lakewide, with a record 210,000-plus coho salmon and over 160,000 Chinook salmon harvested basin-wide, the most Chinook since 2012, a sign of a strong alewife forage base supporting salmonids across the lake, including Indiana's waters. Midsummer typically pushes Chinook, coho, and lake trout into deeper, cooler water off Indiana's piers and harbors, while yellow perch and smallmouth bass hold tighter to structure and warmer shallows. Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant is currently funding new seed-grant research specifically targeting southern Lake Michigan, underscoring active scientific attention on this stretch. Check local pier and harbor reports for day-of specifics before heading out.
Cape Cod Bay stripers heat up as canal topwater bite turns on
Cape Cod Bay is "heating up from Barnstable to Billingsgate and into P-Town Harbor," per Charley Soares' Cape Cod & Islands report this week, with a hot topwater bite breaking out at the Cape Cod Canal on white and bone-colored plugs whenever wind let anglers fish the east and west ends. Red Top Sporting Goods says canal stripers are running from slot-size up to the high 30-inch class on white pencil poppers, though bluefish stayed scarce there, with only scattered blues reported off Wareham and along the West Falmouth shoreline. Down the coast, Little Sister Charters out of Westport is finding breaking stripers mixed with occasional bluefish and bonito, and Westport River Outfitters continues landing slot and over-slot bass alongside black sea bass, plus one tautog taken incidentally on a live eel. Freshwater anglers are working ponds and lakes early and late for trout and bass. The striper push is clearly the headline for Cape Cod anglers this week.
Maine stripers push north as summer mackerel keep bass pinned to structure
Maine's striper season is hitting its stride: anglers up the coast reported a strong push of larger fish this week, per Dave Anderson's South Shore Massachusetts to Maine column for The Fisherman. That push follows the bite shifting north out of Massachusetts, with Cohasset, the Nantasket area, and Boston Harbor holding the most consistent action as fish work their way toward the Gulf of Maine. Mackerel remain thick along the corridor per Beauport Fishing Adventures, and that bait is keeping stripers and bluefish tight to structure. Flounder action has stayed reliable around Gloucester and Rockport, while haddock have been inconsistent as those fish wind down from their spawning period, with Tilly's Basin still producing. No direct Gulf of Maine buoy or gauge readings came through this cycle, so treat water temps as seasonal-typical for early July until fresher data lands.
Mutton and yellowtail snapper bite stays red-hot in the Keys
Mutton snapper are chewing "like crazy" around the recent full-moon spawn, and yellowtail snapper are "practically jumping in the boat," according to ALL IN Key West, which says the May-June bite has been as good as any it has seen in 16 years fishing out of Key West, with July availability just opening up. The same operation is also putting clients on grouper, cobia, barracuda and kingfish on Gulf-side trips, and reports sailfish activity starting earlier than usual this year on live bait in strong Gulfstream current. On the regulatory side, CCA Florida flags that a federal court has issued a preliminary injunction blocking the 2026 South Atlantic red snapper Exempted Fishing Permit pilot program for Florida and neighboring states, landing just hours before Florida's Atlantic red snapper season was due to open — worth checking before targeting that species. We don't have live buoy or gauge readings for the Keys right now, so confirm exact water temps and tide timing locally before running offshore.
Stripers Hold Strong in Buzzards Bay as Bonito Show Early Off the Cape
Striped bass remain the headline in the Buzzards Bay and Vineyard Sound corridor this week. Capt. Carl of Westport River Outfitters is finding slot and over-slot stripers on almost every trip, per The Fisherman — Cape Cod & Islands, while Little Sister Charters out of Westport is on breaking stripers with occasional bluefish and bonito mixed into the feed. Black sea bass are cooperating around Westport Harbor, and tautog are biting on jigs, tubes, and even a live eel. Red Top Sporting Goods reports the Cape Cod Canal bite has slowed with the wind, though shop staff are still picking off stripers to the high 30-inch class on white pencils and canal jigs; bluefish are thin in the Canal itself but showing off Wareham and West Falmouth. Fluke remain unproven locally as boats eye offshore grounds.
Fluke Bite Takes Over the Jersey Shore as Summer Patterns Lock In
Southern New Jersey's back bays are thick with summer flounder — Waterfront Marine says "everyone is flounder fishing," with keeper numbers climbing at spots like the Ocean City Reef Site, where Fin-Atics logged an 8-pound fish, and Boulevard Bait & Tackle weighed a 7-pound, 8-ounce back-bay flattie. Central Jersey mirrors the trend: Creekside Outfitters reports an 8.5-pound keeper striper mixed in with fluke on live spot, while Barnegat Light produces steady action once water temps stabilized after a cool spell, per Miss Barnegat Light. Striped bass are thinning out in the surf — Hook House in Toms River says most anglers around Island Beach State Park are pivoting to fluke as errant stripers fade. Offshore, bluefin tuna remain the story, with Fin-Atics and Hands Too Bait and Tackle both logging fish to 40-60 pounds at the inshore lumps and canyons. Sea bass, meanwhile, closed out one of its poorer seasons per Northern Jersey boat captains.
Summer bass tactics take hold across Hill Country lakes as flows steady
USGS gauge 08158000 in the Hill Country logged 520 cfs early this morning, a steady flow that signals stable water conditions heading into peak summer heat on Travis, LBJ, and Buchanan. Water temperature wasn't reported at the gauge, but with July settling in, expect the Highland Lakes to be running solidly into the upper-70s to low-80s typical for this stretch of summer. Direct on-the-water reports from Travis/LBJ/Buchanan were thin this week, but regional technique intel points to classic summer patterns: Tactical Bassin (blog) is pushing jigs and Neko-rigged worms for bass buried in heavy cover, while Texas Fish & Game Magazine notes forward-facing/360 imaging is paying off on offshore brush piles holding bass and crappie. Wired 2 Fish highlights creature baits like the Pro Hog for flipping thick summer cover. Early mornings and low-light windows remain the play as surface temps climb; stripers and white bass should stay most catchable at first light before the sun pushes fish deep.