Fishing reports
16592 reports across all 50 states — current conditions and what's biting.
Snake and Salmon River Fish Shift Into Early-Fall Feeding Mode
A regional USGS gauge in the Snake and Salmon River system logged 65°F and 1,120 cfs early this morning, solid late-summer numbers that still favor an active bite before the real fall cooldown. We didn't pull a fresh Idaho-specific dispatch this cycle — no state agency or local shop report came through the feed — so this update leans on the flow data plus broader seasonal signal. Nationally, bass anglers are already talking fall transition: Tactical Bassin's early-September coverage this week notes bass keying hard on baitfish near open water as temperatures ease, a pattern that typically shows up on the Snake's smallmouth water within a few weeks. On the trout side, terrestrial patterns are still producing elsewhere late in the season per Caddis Fly (OR), and that approach should still be worth a look on Salmon River side channels. Flows are steady, no spike to complicate wading.
Des Moines River bass shift into early fall feeding mode
USGS gauge 05465500 on the Des Moines River is running 5,580 cfs this week, keeping current up and water on the stained side. No water-temp reading came through with this update, but early September is squarely fall-transition territory for Iowa's rivers. Fishing the Midwest's regional coverage points anglers toward living weed edges and current breaks as baitfish start bunching up, with a bladed swim jig doing double duty on smallmouth, walleye, and the occasional pike. Tactical Bassin's September notes back that up, describing bass pushing shallow onto baitfish early and late before sliding to moving-water reaction baits once the sun climbs. On The Water's fall-transition roundup adds swimbaits and other moving baits to the box as shad and other forage begin migrating. Catfish should stay steady on cut bait worked through the deeper current seams typical of elevated late-summer flow like this.
Low, clear water settles in as VT bass shift into fall mode
Flows have dropped to a bare trickle across the watershed, with our regional gauge reading just 3.8 cfs as of Tuesday midday — about as low and clear as this system gets heading into September. No captains or shops filed reports specifically from the Connecticut River or Lake Champlain this cycle, so we're leaning on the broader seasonal pattern bass anglers nationwide are watching right now: On The Water's fall-transition roundup and Tactical Bassin both point to baitfish pushing shallow as water cools, with bass keying on topwater, crankbaits, and swimbaits around schooling activity. Fishing the Midwest notes a bladed swim jig doubles as a multi-species option for bass, pike, and walleye this time of year — a reasonable starting point on low, clear Vermont water too. Expect finesse presentations and low-light windows to outperform until flows and temps shift.
Cumberland tailwater sits at a flow lull as bass eye the fall turn
The USGS gauge on the Cumberland River tailwater (site 03413200) logged a bare 2.8 cfs this morning, a minimal-flow reading consistent with the dam sitting off generation right now — good news for waders working the tailwater's usual trout water, though no water-temp reading came through with this update. No angler reports came in directly off Lake Cumberland or its tailwater this cycle, so we're leaning on the broader seasonal picture: Tactical Bassin's latest September coverage has bass across the region transitioning off summer patterns and keying on baitfish near open water, while On The Water flags the same fall-transition shift pushing fish onto moving prey. Expect that pattern to apply lakeside as surface temps start easing. Cumberland's résumé species — smallmouth, largemouth, walleye, and its noted lake striper fishery — should all begin waking up as the transition takes hold; check current state regs before harvesting anything this month.
Tennessee River bass push into grass as fall feeding kicks in
Bass on the Tennessee River chain are settling into their early-fall transition. A Tactical Bassin video shot on the Tennessee River this week shows an angler working active fish tight to grass, mixing flipping, topwater, and reaction baits to keep up as fish chase baitfish in open water. The same outlet's September roundup backs that up, noting bass across the region are feeding aggressively on baitfish and that fast-moving baits — topwater, crankbaits, and swimbaits — are producing whenever schooling fish are located. USGS gauge 03578500 is reading a modest 7.57 cfs, pointing to low, stable flow through the system; no current water-temperature reading is available for this cycle. With the moon in its Last Quarter phase, expect a workable but not blowout bite. Striper, catfish, and crappie activity has no direct local reporting this week, so treat those as typical-for-season until fresher intel comes in.
Old-school jigs still working Mille Lacs walleye as fall nears
Fishing the Midwest's Mike Frisch, who fishes the Alexandria, MN area regularly, notes that traditional Mille Lacs-style walleye presentations — jigging live bait, pulling spinner rigs tipped with leeches or nightcrawlers, and crankbait trolling — are still producing even as forward-facing sonar reshapes how many anglers locate fish in today's clearer lake water. A companion post from the same source flags the bladed swim jig as a multi-species option worth having tied on, since it draws strikes from walleye, smallmouth bass, and northern pike alike over emerging weed flats. Our only hard number today is a flat 0 cfs reading from USGS gauge 05227530, a local flow gauge rather than a direct measurement of Mille Lacs itself, so treat lake conditions as inferred rather than confirmed. With weeds still green heading into September, expect a structure-based bite rather than a wide-open one this week.
Fall transition puts bass on the move at Texoma and Eufaula
The most concrete read we have today comes from the USGS gauge (07331600) serving the Texoma/Eufaula watershed, showing flow holding near 57 cfs as of midday September 2 — a stable, low-to-moderate stage typical for late summer before fall rains push levels up. No water-temperature reading came through, but this part of Oklahoma is squarely in the seasonal fall-transition window bass anglers everywhere are watching right now: per Tactical Bassin's latest September coverage, largemouth are shifting off summer haunts and keying on baitfish schooling near open water, with topwater, crankbaits, and swimbaits doing the work. Fishing the Midwest's fall notes back that up, pointing anglers toward the healthiest remaining green weed edges as baitfish and gamefish relocate once shallower vegetation starts to die back. Expect Texoma's striper and white bass schools to follow the same baitfish-driven logic as surface temps ease. Crappie remain the slower bite until water cools further.
Hill Country bass push toward baitfish as fall transition begins
USGS gauge 08158000 in the region is holding a steady 294 cfs today, with no fresh water-temp reading logged as of this morning — flows that read as unremarkable for early September and don't suggest recent heavy rain or drawdown on the Highland Lakes chain. No shop or captain report specific to Travis, LBJ, or Buchanan came through this cycle, so we're leaning on regional seasonal patterns: Tactical Bassin's September bait rundown this week points anglers toward topwater, crankbaits, and swimbaits around schooling fish as bass key on baitfish moving toward open water, while Fishing the Midwest notes fish sliding off dying summer weed edges toward the last green cover as the transition sets in. Expect largemouth to still be scattered but increasingly baitfish-oriented, with striper and white bass activity typically starting to build on the Highland Lakes chain this time of year as surface temps ease. Check state regs before harvesting, and confirm local conditions before you launch.
Winnipesaukee smallmouths dial in as fall bass transition begins
Smallmouth bass fishing across New Hampshire's river systems remains a bright spot heading into September, with The Fisherman — New England Freshwater reporting that the Hooksett and Nashua stretches of the Merrimack continue producing nice smallmouths, while pike are showing above the Essex Dam in deeper water — a pattern that typically extends onto Winnipesaukee's rocky points and drop-offs this time of year. On The Water flags the fall transition as underway statewide, with baitfish migrations pulling bass shallow to feed as water begins to cool; Tactical Bassin echoes that September bass are actively chasing baitfish and can be covered quickly with reaction baits before they disappear on inattentive anglers. Our lone flow reading, from USGS gauge 01081000, shows moderate discharge (328 cfs) with no temperature data available today. Lake trout and landlocked salmon reports were quiet in this cycle's intel — expect that to change as surface temps drop further into September.
East Texas bass shift into fall patterns as reservoirs hold steady
Flow at USGS gauge 08030500 is running near 728 cfs as of midday September 2, a steady late-summer stage feeding the East Texas reservoir system. No water-temp reading came through on this gauge, but regional water bodies are still carrying summer heat into early September. Over at Lake Fork, the closest reporting big-bass fishery in this part of the state, Lake Fork Trophy Bass described August holding lake levels in good shape with plenty of bass-holding cover despite a run of 100-plus-degree days, and clients still landing quality fish through the heat. Toledo Bend and Sam Rayburn anglers should expect a similar pattern: bass loaded up shallow through summer are starting to slide toward the fall transition. Per Tactical Bassin, September bass nationally are moving onto baitfish and can be caught on moving baits — topwater, crankbaits, swimbaits — before schooling activity picks up later in the month.
Fall Transition Kicks Off Bass Bite on Ohio's Big Reservoirs
USGS gauge 03110000 held a steady 58 cfs as of early Tuesday afternoon, signaling normal late-summer base flow feeding Ohio's inland reservoir system — no runoff spike, no muddy pulse to push fish off structure. Water temperatures at Mosquito and Pymatuning aren't in today's data, but early September is exactly when these impoundments start their fall transition, as baitfish shift toward main-lake points and creek channels and gamefish follow. Per Tactical Bassin's latest September coverage, bass are grouping up on baitfish in open water right now, with topwater, crankbaits, and swimbaits all producing when schools show. Fishing the Midwest points to the same shift from a different angle, noting fish pull off dying, oxygen-poor weed growth toward healthier green cover as summer fades. We'd expect walleye and crappie to start following that same baitfish push over the coming weeks, with muskie action typically building as water cools further. No direct reports in from the lakes themselves this cycle — treat species notes below as seasonal expectation, not confirmed bite.
Upper Mississippi pools bass push into fall transition near Clinton-Dubuque
USGS gauge 05420500 logged water at 83°F with flow running an elevated 29,000 cfs this morning — a summer-strength push that's still shaping how fish are relating to structure through the Clinton-Dubuque pools. High, warm water tends to hold walleye deeper and tighter to current breaks, while smallmouth and white bass stay more willing to chase as they start the seasonal shift toward baitfish. Per Fishing the Midwest, a bladed swim jig with a plastic trailer is a solid multi-species search bait right now, drawing bass, pike, and walleye around emerging weed edges and current seams. Tactical Bassin notes that September bass across the Midwest are transitioning from summer to fall patterns, pushing baitfish in open water — moving, schooling fish that reward anglers covering water rather than sitting on one spot. Expect current-driven bites at wing dams and eddies while the flow stays up.
Ohio & Cumberland rivers bass push into the fall transition
Flow at USGS gauge 03301500 held light and stable at 48.1 cfs as of Tuesday midday, typical of the low, settled water Ohio and Cumberland River anglers see before fall rains start pushing levels around. Water temperature wasn't reported at this station, but the seasonal signal lines up with what Tactical Bassin (blog) found this week on a nearby Tennessee River pool: bass holding tight to grass and actively feeding on baitfish as the summer-to-fall shift kicks in, with their crew mixing flipping, topwater, and reaction baits to stay on fish through the day. Fishing the Midwest's read on the same transition backs it up — as weeds start dying back late in the season, baitfish and gamefish concentrate around whatever green, living grass remains. Expect largemouth and smallmouth to keep favoring moving baits around cover through the week. Catfish should stay a reliable bite in the deeper river channels, and crappie will likely start easing toward deeper structure as afternoons cool. Check Kentucky regs before harvesting.
Roosevelt Lake bass eye fall transition as Salt River flow holds steady
The Salt River gauge near Roosevelt Lake (USGS 09498500) read 101 cfs at 9:30 a.m. local time on Sept. 2, a steady late-summer flow with no water-temperature reading logged this cycle. No Arizona-specific catch reports came through this week's angler-intel sweep, so we're leaning on the calendar and national trends rather than local testimony until reports pick back up. Nationally, bass anglers are already talking fall transition: Tactical Bassin's latest September coverage points to reaction baits and topwater worked around baitfish schools as bass key on shad, while Fishing the Midwest notes fish pushing toward green, oxygen-rich weed edges as summer winds down. Those seasonal shifts typically show up on Roosevelt Lake and the Salt River chain through September too, with largemouth bass following baitfish onto points and flats and catfish holding steady on cut bait after dark. Panfish action should stay modest until water temps drop further. Check current fishing regulations before heading out.
Bull Shoals and Norfork trout face a warm, low-water stretch
Gauge data at USGS site 07060710 show minimal flow and a water temperature pushing into the high 70s as of this morning — a combination that puts Bull Shoals and Norfork tailwater trout in a tougher spot than the cold, generation-driven flows anglers usually count on here. None of today's regional intel feeds carried direct reports from White River guides or shops, so we're leaning on general knowledge of this fishery rather than fresh on-the-water testimony: when generation drops off and residual water warms, rainbows and browns typically pull tight to deeper runs, spring seeps, and shaded banks to find cooler refuge, and morning bite windows become more important than midday. Wading access improves during low-generation stretches, but trout can turn lethargic and line-shy in warmer water, so downsizing tippet and fishing early are the safer plays until flows or temperatures shift.
Catskills trout streams thin out as late-summer flows drop
One Catskills-region streamflow gauge (USGS 01415000) is reading a lean 10.4 cfs this morning — a stark late-summer number that points to skinny, clear water and midday thermal stress for wild trout. That tracks with Trout Unlimited's recent account of drought-stressed rivers forcing voluntary closures elsewhere in the Northeast this summer. A second gauge (USGS 01413500) is holding steadier at 95.7 cfs, offering more workable wading depth and cover. Neither station reported a water-temperature reading, so treat any thermal call as provisional rather than measured. Direct Catskills/Adirondacks bite reports were thin in this week's intel sweep, so we're leaning on the classic low-water September pattern: browns and rainbows pushed into deeper pools and undercut banks, brookies holding better in spring-fed headwaters, and the productive window shrinking toward first and last light. Wade carefully on the low stretch, keep any releases quick, and check current flow before committing to a specific run.
Delaware Bay flounder limits stack up as weakfish push back in
Flounder are carrying Delaware Bay right now. Per Higbee's Bait and Tackle, the EP Tower has been this week's hotspot, with private boaters, party boats and the charter fleet finding limits of keeper flounder to 22 inches and pool winners to 25 inches, mixed with croakers, bluefish, weakfish, tog, triggers, spot and the occasional blowfish. At Port Mahon, Smith's Bait Shop reports flounder taking live minnows or jigs tipped with squid strips over reef sites, trout hitting yellow bucktail-and-worm combos, and croaker and spot working bloodworms. Eric Burnley notes croaker and spot fishing is solid from the Woodland Beach pier out to the Old Grounds — mind the 9-inch minimum on croaker. Weakfish, largely missing all spring and summer, have pushed back into the bay, per The Fisherman's NJ/DE Surf report, with fish to 24 inches on bloodworms and jigs worked around jetty tips.
Salt and Colorado River anglers work around swollen monsoon flows
The USGS gauge at site 09380000 logged 70°F water and a swollen 6,960 cfs flow early this morning (2026-09-02), a sign the Salt and Colorado systems are still carrying elevated monsoon-season runoff into early September. No region-specific angler reports came through this cycle, so this outlook leans on general seasonal knowledge rather than fresh testimony from the water. High, warm flow like this typically pushes catfish into feeding mode along softer current seams and slack water while trimming the bite window for Salt River trout, which stress more as temperatures climb into the upper 60s and beyond. Largemouth and smallmouth bass in these systems are usually starting their fall transition by early September, keying on baitfish as days shorten — a national pattern Tactical Bassin describes this month as fish 'transitioning to Fall patterns and actively feeding on baitfish.' Expect murky, pushy water through the week; plan around morning outings and verify current flow before launching.
North Shore anglers eye the fall salmon push as flows hold steady
USGS gauge 04015330 logged a low, steady flow of 8.16 cfs early this morning, with no rain pulse showing in the reading — typical late-summer base flow for tributaries feeding Lake Superior's North Shore. Water temperature wasn't reported at this station. Direct North Shore bite reports were thin this cycle, so we're leaning on regional trends: Wired 2 Fish's September lure roundup notes fish keying on baitfish as water starts to cool, and Fishing the Midwest points to green, still-living weed edges holding fish as the late-summer-to-fall transition gets underway. To the east on the Wisconsin side of the lake, WI DNR Lake Superior Fishing continues tracking a growing Chequamegon Bay whitefish fishery, a reminder that fall patterns across the basin are already shifting. We expect North Shore action to build through September as tributary temps drop and the seasonal salmon and steelhead push nears.
Green River Trout Bite Builds as Fall Flows Cool
Utah's Green River below Flaming Gorge Dam is running near 1,830 cfs with water at 58°F early this morning, per the USGS gauge at site 09234500 — a solid range that keeps trout feeding actively without the stress of late-summer highs. No shop, guide, or state-agency reports specific to the Green River or Uinta Lakes came through this cycle, so the picture below leans on typical September patterns for this fishery rather than fresh on-the-water intel, and we want to be upfront about that gap. Historically this tailwater fishes well into fall as flows stabilize and hopper patterns give way to smaller midges and baetis, while the high Uinta lakes see trout push shallower to feed as surface temps slide. Expect steady rather than explosive action, with the best windows clustering around dawn and dusk as daylight shortens. Check current flow releases before planning a wading trip, since tailwater levels can shift with reservoir management.
Heavy Osage River flow pushes bass toward early fall feeding windows
Water temp on the Osage River gauge below the Lake of the Ozarks dam reads 83°F this morning, with flow running heavy near 45,700 cfs — a sign of active generation that's pushing extra current through the river channel. That kind of flow typically stacks baitfish and gives predator species an easy meal below current breaks. Statewide bass content is turning toward the same seasonal story: Tactical Bassin's September notes describe bass transitioning from summer to fall patterns, pushing shad and baitfish toward open water, with buzzbaits, topwater, and reaction baits producing when fish are actively chasing. Wired 2 Fish's September lure roundup points to the same shift as water starts cooling and baitfish begin moving. On the Lake of the Ozarks system specifically, expect largemouth and smallmouth to key on current seams and baitfish concentrations created by the high release, with catfish typically feeding well in stained, moving water. No lake-specific reports came through this week's feeds, so treat technique notes as general September guidance rather than local intel.
Tennessee River bass dial in as fall feeding kicks off
The USGS gauge on the Duck River system (03434500) held a steady, modest flow of 39.7 cfs early this morning, typical for early September before fall rains reshape the Cumberland drainage. On the water, Tactical Bassin filmed a Tennessee River trip this week where bass were transitioning from summer to fall patterns, grouping around grass edges and feeding on baitfish near open water — flipping, topwater, and reaction baits all produced fish. Wired 2 Fish's September lure roundup echoes the same shift, noting that as water temps ease down and baitfish begin migrating, presentations need to change accordingly. Fishing the Midwest adds a seasonal note worth applying locally: as summer weeds start dying off, staying near the greenest, healthiest remaining grass is where fish concentrate. Expect Cumberland-system largemouth to keep favoring moving, baitfish-oriented patterns over the next couple weeks rather than sitting in one spot.
Heavy river flow tests Mississippi anglers as fall bass patterns build
USGS gauge 07289000 is reading a hefty 543,000 cubic feet per second this morning, a clear sign of heavy current pushing through the Mississippi and Pearl River systems — no water-temperature reading came with it, and no MS-specific shop, charter, or state-agency dispatch landed in this cycle. Lacking a local report, the general seasonal trend from national bass coverage still applies: per Tactical Bassin's early-September breakdown, bass are transitioning off summer patterns and keying on baitfish near open water, rewarding moving baits like bladed jigs, topwater, and swimbaits over a slow-it-down approach. Wired 2 Fish's September lure roundup points to the same shift as mornings start to cool. On a big, high-water river system like this one, catfish typically stay active pushing current seams while crappie tend to lag through the tail end of summer heat. Plan around the heavy flow first — footing, boat control, and bait selection all change when a river is moving this much water.
Wisconsin River holds steady as Lake Superior whitefish scene builds
The Wisconsin DNR's Lake Superior Fishing report highlights a lake whitefish fishery that has 'emerged' in the Chequamegon Bay region in recent years, with anglers working the bay through both open water and ice. On the Wisconsin River side, USGS gauge 05391000 was reading near 355 cfs early this morning, a moderate, wadeable stage that favors typical smallmouth bass and walleye presentations over heavy-water tactics. Water temperature wasn't reported at this gauge, so we'd lean on a handheld thermometer or a call to a local shop before locking in a pattern. Specific 'what's biting' reports weren't available for this stretch today, so species status below leans on typical early-September patterns for the region. Fishing the Midwest's late-summer notes are a useful general guide right now: as weeds start dying back, gamefish and baitfish relocate to the greenest remaining vegetation, a pattern that holds on Wisconsin lakes as much as the Midwest waters it describes.