Fishing reports
16592 reports across all 50 states — current conditions and what's biting.
High, Warm Mississippi Flow Pushes LA Anglers to Current Seams
The Mississippi River gauge at Baton Rouge (USGS 07374000) is running high and warm this morning — 402,000 cfs and 85°F at dawn, typical for early September before any real cool-down arrives. Water that high and that warm usually pushes catfish onto current seams, wing dikes, and eddy breaks, while largemouth bass and bream slide into shaded, deeper cover to escape the heat. We don't have a direct bite report from an LA shop or captain this cycle, so treat the species outlook below as seasonal expectation rather than confirmed action on the water. On the habitat side, Louisiana Sportsman — Fishing reports LDWF crews continued restoration work across the Saline-Larto Complex this week, planting coontail to rebuild native aquatic vegetation — good long-term news for bass and panfish nursery water tied into the basin. Until flows drop and temps ease, expect typical late-summer patterns: work current breaks and deep structure, and lean on early and late low-light windows for the best action.
Toledo Bend bass shift toward fall patterns as Sabine flow holds low
USGS gauge 08025500 is showing a quiet, low, stable flow reading this morning as Toledo Bend and the Sabine border ease out of peak summer heat; no water-temperature reading came through at this station. Direct on-the-water intel for this exact stretch is thin this cycle, but the broader Louisiana freshwater picture is active — Louisiana Sportsman reports LDWF crews continuing native-vegetation restoration (planting coontail) across the state's Saline-Larto Complex, a different water body but a sign of ongoing agency attention to Louisiana's freshwater systems heading into fall. Nationally, Wired 2 Fish's September lure rundown and Tactical Bassin's late-summer bass coverage both point to a transitional cue that typically applies here too: bass keying on baitfish migrating shallower as mornings cool, favoring reaction baits, topwater, and bladed swim-style presentations around grass and schooling activity. We'd expect Toledo Bend largemouth to follow that pattern as flows stay low and stable; crappie and catfish specifics for this border water aren't yet reported.
Green River tailwater trout lean on terrestrials as flows hold steady
The USGS gauge on the Green River tailwater below Flaming Gorge read 58°F with flow holding near 1,830 cfs as of early Tuesday morning — a stable, wadeable stage typical for this stretch heading into September. No angler reports came in directly off Flaming Gorge or the Green River this week, so we're leaning on the season's broader trout-fishing signal: terrestrial patterns remain the go-to call on tailwaters and pressured stillwaters right now, per this week's fly-tying roundup from MidCurrent, and sunk-ant presentations are producing for trout late in summer according to Caddis Fly (OR). With water still running cool for early fall, expect standard tailwater fare — hoppers and ants worked tight to the bank during the day, midges and small nymphs picking up any lull. Check current Utah DWR regulations before keeping fish, and confirm dam release schedules before planning a float.
Northwoods muskies flip on early as the fall transition arrives
Wisconsin's Northwoods lakes are sliding into the September transition, and Rollie & Helen's Musky Shop reports water temps have eased into the low 70s after a stretch of severely low water levels this summer — exactly the cooling trigger the shop says kicks off its much-watched topwater window before muskies push toward first frost. Local intel describes fish shifting off sluggish late-summer haunts toward structure edges anglers work at first and last light. Walleye anglers aren't sitting idle either — Fishing the Midwest notes traditional presentations like jigging live bait and pulling crawler harnesses are still producing, even as forward-facing sonar changes how many anglers locate suspended fish on clearer lakes. No fresh USGS readings came through for the regional gauge this cycle, so hard flow and temperature numbers stayed thin; lean on shop reports and your own thermometer for now. Bass and panfish should follow the same cooling cue over the next week as baitfish start pushing shallow and schools tighten up.
Warm-water summer pattern holds across Hudson Valley and Finger Lakes
USGS gauge 01357500 logged 74°F water and 1,730 cfs flow this morning, while the larger gauge downstream at 01358000 is running high at 8,850 cfs. Warm, stable flows keep the region in a late-summer holding pattern. The NY DEC's Fishing Line newsletter has spent August pointing anglers toward panfish and bass in warmer water, with tips on beating summer heat for trout and salmon fisheries statewide. Statewide bass action remains a bright spot per DEC's coverage of the black bass season ramp-up. Elsewhere in NY, Brookdog Fishing Co. out of the Buffalo/Niagara/Lake Ontario corridor continues reporting a strong walleye bite mixed with smallmouth bass through late August, though that's western NY rather than the Hudson Valley or Finger Lakes proper. Expect Finger Lakes and Hudson Valley waters to be following a similar seasonal script — warm-water species active, coldwater fisheries needing early/late timing.
Upper Mississippi pools shift into early-fall walleye and bass mode
The Chippewa River gauge (05344500), which feeds into the Pool 4 stretch of the Upper Mississippi, was reading 5,710 cfs early this morning — a steady, unremarkable flow with no runoff spike to push fish into hiding. No water-temperature reading came through the gauge today, but early September on these pools typically marks the start of the summer-to-fall transition, when baitfish start pulling off dying weed edges and predator fish key in behind them. Fishing the Midwest's recent coverage of fall weed patterns notes that as shoreline vegetation dies back, oxygen drops in the thickest cover and baitfish — along with the walleye, bass, and panfish chasing them — relocate to the healthiest remaining green weeds, often on the deeper edge of a flat. The same outlet's look at blending traditional presentations with forward-facing sonar is a reminder that jigging live bait and pulling spinner rigs still produce on these pools even as more anglers lean on electronics.
Finger Lakes bass turn on as fall feeding shift begins
USGS gauge 04232050 read 66°F and just 17.8 cfs at 5:30 a.m. this morning — a classic late-summer low-water signature for the tributaries feeding Cayuga, Seneca, and Skaneateles. That warm, sluggish flow lines up with what national coverage is flagging for early September: Tactical Bassin's latest on-the-water video notes bass transitioning from summer to fall patterns and keying on baitfish schools, favoring topwater, crankbaits, and swimbaits that cover water quickly. Wired2Fish's September lure roundup points to the same trigger — water temps starting to ease and baitfish beginning to migrate, which typically kicks off a broader feeding shift across species. No Finger Lakes-specific shop or charter reports came through this cycle, so lake trout, walleye, and landlocked salmon notes below lean on typical seasonal behavior rather than fresh eyewitness accounts. Smallmouth bass looks like the most reliable target right now; check with a local shop before committing to a spot for the deeper-holding species.
Low, clear flows set up a finesse bite on the Potomac and Patapsco
The USGS gauge on the Patapsco system (site 01589000) is reading a modest 39.5 cfs as of early Tuesday morning — a low, clear-water stage typical of late-summer stream flow in this watershed, with no temperature reading available from the gauge this cycle. We didn't have a direct shop, charter, or agency report specifically out of the Potomac or Patapsco corridor this week, so this update leans on the flow data plus general seasonal patterns for the region rather than fresh on-the-water testimony. Low, settled flows like this typically push largemouth and smallmouth bass tight to shade, current breaks, and deeper pools during the day, while catfish — a mainstay of both rivers — tend to feed steadily on bottom regardless of flow. Early September is usually a transition window as water starts to cool and baitfish activity increases, which can trigger a pickup in feeding. Check back as fresher regional reports come in, and always verify current regulations before keeping fish.
Ozark trout parks settle into steady early-September flow
The Current River gauge at Van Buren (USGS 07067000) logged flow near 780 cfs early Tuesday morning — a moderate, wadable-to-floatable stage as Missouri's Ozark trout parks head into September, with no water-temperature reading available from the site this morning. No fishing reports out of the Current or Niangua watersheds surfaced in today's intel sweep, so we're leaning on general seasonal knowledge rather than fresh local testimony. This is typically the stretch when the worst of summer heat starts to break across the Ozarks, with cooling mornings nudging trout back into a more active early-day feeding window. Elsewhere in the country, Wired 2 Fish's September lure roundup notes anglers are already shifting toward baitfish-imitating patterns as water cools and forage moves — a seasonal technique note that applies broadly even though it isn't Ozark-specific. Treat rainbow and brown trout activity here as a seasonal estimate rather than a confirmed bite until a local report comes in.
Missouri River walleye set up for the fall feed as flows go quiet
USGS gauge 06440200 logged essentially zero flow early Tuesday morning, with no temperature reading available from the site — a quiet-water signal that lines up with the slack, late-summer stretch anglers see on the Missouri River system this time of year. No SD-specific reports came through this cycle, but the seasonal shift is already showing up in regional coverage: Fishing the Midwest's Mike Frisch is pointing anglers toward dying weed edges as baitfish relocate and walleye follow, while Tactical Bassin describes bass everywhere transitioning off summer patterns onto moving baitfish schools. Those dynamics are broadly applicable across Missouri River and Black Hills waters as water cools into September. Expect walleye to keep shifting toward structure adjacent to remaining green weed growth, smallmouth to key on baitfish rather than sitting tight, and catfish to hold steady on typical late-summer feeding windows. Check current local conditions before heading out — no fresh temp reading is in hand this cycle.
Texas cats and white bass hold strong as fall bite builds
The monitored USGS gauge in the region (site 08211200) is reading 88°F with a steady 95.5 cfs of flow this week — typical late-summer numbers for Texas lakes and rivers heading into early September. North Texas Catfish Guide's reports out of Eagle Mountain Lake describe blue and channel catfish responding well whenever fresh water pushes into the system, with white bass schooling up on main-lake points chasing shad. Largemouth bass are in the seasonal shift Tactical Bassin flagged for September — fish sliding off summer haunts and keying on baitfish near open water, with topwater, crankbaits, and buzzbaits producing best early and late in the day. Wired 2 Fish's September lure roundup echoes that same transition as the hottest stretch of summer starts to loosen its grip. Texas Fish & Game Magazine also notes the Trinity River alligator gar harvest authorization drawing opened September 1, worth checking for anglers planning a fall gar trip.
Western Basin Walleye Settle Into a Late-Summer Holding Pattern
USGS gauge 04193500 logged Western Basin tributary water at 76°F this morning, with flow holding steady near 443 cfs — still summer-warm, though the seasonal turn is starting to show up in what anglers are talking about. Per Wired 2 Fish's September lure rundown, forage and technique choices are beginning to shift as water temps ease off their summer peak, a pattern that tracks with conditions here. Fishing the Midwest's Mike Frisch tackles the question anglers ask every fall — do traditional walleye presentations (jigging live bait, pulling crawler harnesses, trolling crankbaits) still produce now that forward-facing sonar has changed how people find fish? His answer: the old standbys still work, they're just fished smarter. For Western Basin walleye that means fish scattered over structure and open water rather than one predictable pattern. Yellow perch are starting to group up as is typical this time of year, and smallmouth remain catchable around rock and reef edges. Check Ohio regs before harvesting either species.
Iron Range Bass and Walleye Shift as Weeds Begin Fall Die-Back
USGS gauge 05129115 is reading 57.4 cfs early this morning, a steady late-summer base flow across the Iron Range watersheds with no water-temperature reading available this cycle. The bigger story right now is the seasonal shift: per Fishing the Midwest, weed beds across Minnesota lakes are starting to die back as waters cool, pushing baitfish and gamefish toward the healthiest remaining green growth — a pattern that typically plays out through September in this region. The same source notes a bladed swim jig with a plastic trailer worked over shoreline flats and emerging weed edges has been drawing bass, northern pike, and walleye together, and that forward-facing sonar is increasingly blended with traditional jigging and livebait-rig presentations for walleye. Expect that shoreline-flat and weed-edge pattern to hold as the fall transition builds, with low-light hours producing the most consistent action under the current waning gibbous moon.
NH Merrimack Smallmouths Stay Steady as Flows Drop Low
The Merrimack is running thin this week — The Fisherman — New England Freshwater's Methuen correspondent reports the river very low below the Essex Dam in Lawrence, with tidal influence complicating the stretch downstream in Haverhill. Cross into New Hampshire, though, and the story improves: the Hooksett and Nashua sections have no water-level problems and continue turning out nice smallmouth bass, with anglers above the dam also contacting northern pike. Our USGS gauge read a scant 8.34 cfs, underscoring how low regional flows have dropped. Lake Winnipesaukee didn't generate fresh reports this cycle — expect a typical early-September pattern, with smallmouth and largemouth still working shallow cover and lake trout starting to slide toward deeper structure as surface temps ease. Elsewhere in the network, shops noted fishing activity easing off as summer break ends, a seasonal lull rather than a fish-behavior story.
Delta bass and stripers gear up as flows stay strong into fall
At USGS gauge 11447650, flow is running high at 21,400 cfs with water temperature at 67°F as of early Tuesday morning — solid late-summer numbers for the Sacramento-Delta system. That water temp sits right in the window where largemouth bass start shifting off deep summer haunts toward baitfish schools on flats and grass edges, a pattern typical for this region heading into September. Striped bass should also begin showing more consistently as water cools further and fall migrants push into the system, though we don't have a fresh Delta-specific bite report to confirm timing this week. Catfish stay a dependable option in the current warm, high-flow water. No dedicated Sacramento-Delta angler reports came through in today's intel sweep — the available fishing-blog and forum content this cycle skewed toward other regions and species, so treat species notes below as seasonal-pattern guidance rather than confirmed on-the-water accounts until a local report lands.
Buoy 10 chatter builds as fall Chinook effort ramps up
The Columbia River gauge at The Dalles logged 70°F water and roughly 104,000 cfs of flow overnight, a steady late-summer stage typical for the start of September. Down at Buoy 10, anglers on the IFish.net forums describe active effort this week, including one report of hot chinook action while trolling solo just north of the legal boundary near Skipanon in about 22 feet of water — promising but unconfirmed chatter from the popular Columbia mouth fishery. A separate post about a rod lost overboard near the mouth of the Lewis River, plus notes of gear and a net turning up at markers along the lower river, point to steady boat traffic on that stretch as well. No shop or charter reports came through this cycle to corroborate bite intensity, so treat the Buoy 10 talk as anecdotal for now. Early September sits squarely inside the traditional fall Chinook window on the lower Columbia, and sturgeon anglers should check current retention regulations before keeping fish.
High water tests Driftless trout anglers as terrestrials still work
USGS gauge 05407000 read 3,540 cfs early this morning, well above the gentle base flows Driftless Area spring creeks typically carry this time of year — a clear sign of recent rain pushing local freshwater trout water up and probably off-color. That kind of push usually shoves fish tight to bank cover, log jams, and slack-water seams rather than the open runs anglers favor at summer-normal levels. Terrestrial patterns remain the go-to; Caddis Fly's recent note on sunken ant patterns for trout "keyed in" late in the season is a good reminder that hoppers, ants, and beetles fished just under the surface keep producing even when clarity drops. Elsewhere in the state, Hatch Magazine's account of a Langlade County outing suggests Wisconsin trout streams are still fishing well into early September ahead of the fall turnover. No water-temperature reading came through with this cycle's gauge data, so plan today's approach around flow and clarity rather than a specific number.
Rainy River walleye stay in summer mode as warmth holds
Rainy River is running strong near 4,250 cfs with water holding at 70°F this morning per USGS gauge 05133500 — a sign the system hasn't tipped into its fall cool-down yet. That lingering warmth keeps Lake of the Woods walleye and sauger working typical late-summer haunts rather than pushing hard toward classic fall structure. Fishing the Midwest's recent look at blending traditional and modern walleye tactics notes anglers are still splitting time between live-bait rigs and Forward-Facing Sonar depending on water clarity, a mix worth carrying into early-September trips here. The same outlet's fall-pattern piece flags that as weeds begin dying off, baitfish and gamefish shift toward the healthiest remaining green cover — something northern pike anglers on Lake of the Woods should start watching for over the next couple weeks. No direct on-the-water reports came in for this specific region this cycle, so treat the species status below as seasonal expectation rather than a confirmed bite.
High, warm Ozark-area river flow keeps catfish the safer bet
A USGS gauge (06934500) covering the Missouri & Ozark river system logged 45,900 cfs and 84°F at 5:30 a.m. Tuesday — still carrying late-summer heat as September opens, with plenty of push in the current. No river-specific angler reports came through this cycle for the Ozark systems, so this update leans on the numbers plus the broader seasonal picture: Tactical Bassin's latest rundown notes bass beginning to shift off summer holding patterns and onto baitfish as the month progresses, while Wired 2 Fish's September lure roundup points anglers toward moving baits — topwater, crankbaits, and swimbaits — as fish start schooling on forage. With water still sitting warm and flow running strong, expect that fall transition to lag a bit on Missouri and Ozark rivers compared to typical September timing further north. Catfish tend to stay comfortable in warm, high water and are a solid fallback while bass sort themselves out. Check current conditions before launching — high flow changes access and safety fast on river systems.
Fall Brown Run Builds on the Dream Stream as Drought Keeps Flows Lean
USGS gauge 06701900 is reading a lean 87.5 cfs this morning, and that thin flow lines up with what Colorado's fly-fishing community has been reporting all summer. Pat Dorsey Fly Fishing's drought coverage calls 2026 among the worst water years on record and points anglers toward tailwaters as the reliable option, while reminding everyone to quit fishing once water hits 67°F. Cutthroat Anglers echoes the low-water read: fish are grouped up and still eating, but reward anglers willing to hike farther and downsize tippet, with the same 68°F stop-fishing threshold. On the South Platte's Dream Stream, Colorado Trout Hunters notes migratory brown trout are beginning to stage ahead of the fall run. AvidMax's latest tying-Tuesday midge patterns — built for exactly this kind of low, technical tailwater water — are a good sign of what's working right now.
Delaware Bass, Crappie, and Snakeheads Stay Active as Flows Drop
Bass are hitting topwater baits and weedless plastics worked through vegetation at Garrisons Lake, with snakeheads mixing into the same shallow water, per this week's report from The Fisherman — NJ/DE Freshwater. Lums Pond continued producing good crappie action on small jigs tipped with one-inch Gulp. The nearest USGS gauge to the Christina and Nanticoke drainages (01493500) is reading a very low flow near 3 cfs, consistent with typical late-summer base flow — expect clear, slow-moving water with bites concentrated tight to grass edges and structure rather than open channel. No direct water-temperature reading is available for this stretch right now, so we're leaning on flow and seasonal cues. Plan around early-morning and evening windows; a waning gibbous moon should still support some low-light and after-dark feeding activity for catfish and panfish holding in the deeper pools.
Tennessee River bass grinding through the fall transition
Tennessee River bass are settling into the summer-to-fall transition this week, with anglers finding fish holding tight to grass and responding to flipping, topwater, and reaction baits, per Tactical Bassin's on-the-water report out of the Tennessee River. The crew noted fish keying on baitfish near open water and staying on the move, a pattern that typically makes for a challenging but rewarding early-September bite. Our USGS gauge reading at station 02339500 puts flow at 725 cfs as of this morning, a moderate stage that should keep current-oriented fish active along breaks and eddies. Wired 2 Fish's September lure roundup echoes the seasonal shift, pointing anglers toward baits suited for cooling mornings as baitfish begin migrating. Water temperature wasn't available from today's gauge pull, so plan around air temp and time of day rather than a hard number. Grass edges and current breaks are the places to start.
Low, Warm Water Pushes Colorado Trout Bite to Early Mornings
USGS gauge 09095500 logged 66°F this morning with flow running 1,410 cfs — just a couple of degrees under the 67-68°F line several Colorado shops are watching as drought conditions grip the state. Pat Dorsey Fly Fishing's Drought Update 2.0 confirms 2026 ranks among the driest years on record, with tailwaters remaining the most reliable bet as freestone flows keep dropping. Cutthroat Anglers echoes the same warning: once water hits 68°F, it's time to put the rod down and protect the fishery. Crystal Fly Shop reports CPW voluntary closures already active on the Roaring Fork, Crystal River, and the Colorado River between Glenwood Springs and Rifle, where flow is running roughly 2,000 cfs. Early mornings are producing the best window before afternoon warmth pushes temps toward closure territory. Rainbow and brown trout remain catchable on typical late-summer patterns, but anglers should carry a thermometer and plan trips around the coolest hours of the day.
High flows keep South Fork Snake River trout in fall-transition mode
The Snake River gauge (USGS 13037500) logged flow near 7,640 cfs in the early hours of September 2 — a solid push of current for this stretch and enough water to keep fish tucked into seams, back-eddies, and softer edges rather than skinny water. No water-temperature reading came through with this cycle's data, so treat surface temps as unknown until you check on the water. Regional shop and captain reports specific to the South Fork weren't part of this cycle's feed, so we're leaning on general seasonal knowledge rather than fresh bite reports: early September on freeflowing Rocky Mountain trout water typically still has cutthroat, rainbow, and brown trout keyed on hopper and terrestrial patterns through warm afternoons, with mountain whitefish holding deeper in the runs. A waning gibbous moon should favor low-light dawn and dusk windows. Confirm current conditions and local intel before heading out, since this report couldn't ground bite specifics in named regional sources this time.