Fishing reports
16994 reports across all 50 states — current conditions and what's biting.
Central Mass Bass Fire Up at Wachusett and Local Ponds
Bill Alando's 12-year-old grandson landed a 5-pound smallmouth bass on his third cast with a jig at Wachusett Reservoir this week, and Bill followed up with a 4-plus-pound bass of his own on a topwater lure — per Jerry's Bait and Tackle in Milford, reporting through The Fisherman — New England Freshwater. The same report had a youngster named Logan popping a 5-pound largemouth on a shiner from shore, likely at Louisa Lake, while other local anglers picked up panfish and bullheads at area ponds. Central Mass bass are clearly still eating well into late August, with jigs and topwater both drawing solid strikes from morning into evening. Farther north, the same feed notes Merrimack River smallmouth action remains excellent from Lowell to Lawrence, suggesting the aggressive bite extends across reservoir and river systems in the wider region right now. No fresh water-temp or flow readings came through for this cycle — check conditions locally before heading out, and plan around dawn and dusk with tonight's Full Moon likely sharpening those low-light feeding windows.
Late-summer heat pushes Eastern WA trout deep, bass hold steady
No fresh buoy or stream-gauge readings came through for the Yakima and Spokane-area waters this cycle, so this update leans on general late-August patterns for Eastern Washington rather than a specific numeric reading. WDFW's statewide creel and catch reporting program, referenced via WA WDFW Fishing Reports, tracks angler success and fish-stocking activity across the state's lakes and rivers, though no region-specific figures were available today. Typical for this point in summer, shallow water warms through the afternoon and fish tend to slide toward deeper holes, current seams, or shaded structure during the heat of the day. Rainbow trout on Yakima-system water generally fish best in low-light morning and evening windows once surface temps climb this high. Smallmouth bass in Columbia Basin impoundments usually stay aggressive through the heat. Kokanee typically slow down as reservoirs stratify late in the season. With a full moon tonight, expect a livelier overnight bite and a quieter midday than usual — verify current regulations and access before heading out.
Missouri River Walleye and Black Hills Trout Settle Into Late-Summer Patterns
A full moon lit the sky over the Missouri River and Black Hills on August 26, marking the seasonal hinge point when late-summer patterns start giving way to the early fall bite. No NOAA buoy or USGS gauge readings came through for this stretch today, and this week's regional intel pull didn't turn up any direct reports from South Dakota guides, shops, or the state agency, so this update draws on general seasonal knowledge rather than fresh field accounts. Typical for this window, Missouri River walleye should be sliding off summer humps toward deeper current breaks and main-lake structure as surface water stays warm through the day. Black Hills stream and reservoir trout tend to fish tougher through late-summer heat, with the best windows concentrated at dawn and dusk when water is coolest. We'll keep watching for fresh regional reports as the transition into September accelerates.
Catfish action holds strong on Texas reservoirs into late August
Blue and channel catfish remain the most reliable bite across North Texas reservoirs, with North Texas Catfish Guide reporting steady limits — including multiple fish over 30 pounds in past trips — on Eagle Mountain Lake whenever fresh water pushes into the system and lake levels rise, conditions the guide consistently ties to active, feeding fish. White bass have also shown up in numbers on the main lake in the same outfit's summer reports, running alongside the catfish bite. Largemouth bass are tougher this time of year: per Tactical Bassin's hot-August guidance, the pattern is shallow points early on topwater before the sun climbs, then a switch to a finesse jig as the day heats up. With a full moon overhead and late summer sliding toward fall, Tactical Bassin also warns against leaning on spots that worked earlier in the season instead of adjusting with the transition. Inflow and lake level remain the biggest swing factors on catfish activity across Texas reservoirs right now.
Gag and Amberjack Season Nears as MS Sound Reds Keep Tailing
The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources confirmed this week that recreational Gag Grouper and Greater Amberjack seasons open in Mississippi territorial waters at 12:01 a.m. on September 1, 2026, per MS DMR — Gag running through October 1 and Amberjack through October 14. That's the headline for Sound anglers gearing up for reef trips as summer winds down. Inshore, the pattern stays typical for late August: redfish tailing in the grass on calm mornings, a technique Salt Strong (articles) highlights for picking apart pressured, clear water, with flounder still workable around channels and cuts per the same source. The last recorded reading from buoy 42067 showed light wind near 7 m/s and warm air close to 81°F, consistent with a stable late-summer stretch on the Sound. With the Full Moon pushing bigger tidal swings this week, expect current-driven feeding windows both inshore and, once the reef season opens, offshore. Check state regs before harvesting reef species.
Erie's Western Basin walleye shift deep as anglers dial in FFS
Wired 2 Fish's recent feature on Lake Erie's Western Basin captures why anglers keep grinding it out this time of year — one angler described fighting a stubborn fish through 38 feet of water alongside veteran guide Joe Fonzi, the kind of open-water battle that defines late-August fishing here. Technique is shifting too: Fishing the Midwest's Mike Frisch notes Forward-Facing Sonar has changed where walleye anglers look, pulling many away from the old bottom-and-structure playbook (points, turns, weedlines) toward suspended fish located via FFS, even as jigging live bait, pulling crawler harnesses, and crankbait trolling still produce. No live buoy or gauge readings came in for the Western Basin today, so treat species status below as seasonal expectation rather than a confirmed hot bite. Smallmouth bass and yellow perch remain part of the multi-species mix that keeps this basin one of the country's standout fisheries through late summer.
Delaware River Smallmouth Improve as Pine Barrens Bass Hold Steady
Weedless-rigged plastics are drawing largemouth out of the vegetation on Lake Nockamixon this week, and Dave's Sport Shop notes Delaware River smallmouth fishing is improving heading toward September, per this week's Fisherman NJ/DE Freshwater column. Elsewhere in the same report, Smith's Bait Shop describes good topwater action for largemouth and snakeheads around vegetation in area ponds, with early perch and panfish already showing in the spillways at Garrisons Lake, Massey Mills, and Silver Lake. Lake Wallenpaupack continues turning out smallmouth and largemouth, according to Hyper Striper Sportfishing, while Allen's Dock calls the bass bite picky but fair and notes pickerel taking killies in the Pine Barrens' cedar-stained waters. No fresh buoy or gauge readings came through this cycle, so treat flow and temperature as general knowledge until updated data arrives. With a full moon overhead, expect the best feeding windows to cluster around dawn, dusk, and overnight low light.
Sea Bass Bite Stays Hot as Jersey Shore Fluke Turns Picky
Sea bass are stealing the show up and down the Jersey Shore this week. Capt Ron's out of Atlantic Highlands reports "every drop was loaded" with sea bass on recent trips, while fluke has been stingy — mostly shorts with an odd keeper mixed in. Offshore, Blue Chip Sportfishing says shark fishing has "busted wide open," with a Friday trip landing three nice mako sharks that were released, alongside steady mahi around the lobster pots. Fishermans HQ LBI is finding 25-40 lb bluefin tuna within 30 miles of Barnegat Inlet on trolled and live-bait spreads, with sand eels, spearing, mullet and peanut bunker stacking up near the inlet. Grumpys Tackle notes warm water has pushed Spanish mackerel and bonito into the mix, best worked with epoxy jigs. Northern NJ boats, per The Fisherman, are already eyeing the switch to striped bass once fluke season closes out.
Moosehead's landlocked salmon and togue go deep under this week's full moon
This week's full moon over Moosehead Lake and the upper Penobscot arrives during the thick of late-August heat, a stretch when landlocked salmon and lake trout (togue) typically push into deeper, cooler water and become a dawn-and-dusk, deep-jigging or downrigger game rather than a surface bite. No direct Moosehead-specific report turned up in the shop, charter, or state-agency feeds this cycle — Maine Sea Grant's latest posts covered oyster restoration and coastal programming rather than lake conditions, so what follows leans on typical late-summer patterns for the region rather than a fresh bite report. Smallmouth bass, which hold up better in warm water than salmonids, are usually the more reliable target through this stretch, working rocky points and weed edges. Brook trout fishing tends to taper with warming shallows and is best served early or in spring-fed, faster water. Check current Maine fishing regulations before harvesting.
Bonito bite heats up in Narragansett Bay as albies loom
Green bonito are thick around Narragansett Bay's south county beaches and the harbor of refuge this week, with fish keying on larger forage like sand eels and herring that's actually made them easier to fool than earlier in the season, according to Snug Harbor Marina and The Saltwater Edge, both via The Fisherman — Rhode Island. Saltwater Edge Blog (RI) says the fall run is officially kicking off, with bonito and a few Spanish mackerel already showing and false albacore expected any day. Striped bass fishing has been sluggish, slowed by lingering warm water and shark pressure per The Saltwater Edge, though the fall migration should turn that around soon. Bottom fishing remains the more reliable bet: Frances Fleet and Quonnie Bait and Tackle both report strong fluke, black sea bass, and scup catches, with a few fluke pushing 10 pounds. Offshore, Booked Off Charters and Snug Harbor Marina are finding good recreational bluefin tuna action.
Full moon tides put Hawaii's blue-water pelagics in play
No buoy or gauge feeds returned data for the Hawaiian Islands this cycle, and none of today's angler-intel sources filed a current on-the-water report specific to Hawaii — Hawaii Fishing News, the state's official record-keeper and moon/tide calendar resource, is in the feed but didn't post a fresh bite update. So this report leans on general seasonal knowledge rather than fresh testimony: late August sits inside Hawaii's peak warm-water pelagic window, when yellowfin tuna (ahi), mahimahi, and wahoo (ono) are typically most active around current lines, FAD buoys, and temperature breaks, with blue marlin also in range offshore. Tonight's full moon should sharpen tidal exchange around channels and points, which can concentrate bait and predators around structure for a night or two. Treat species status below as seasonal expectation, not confirmed current activity — always confirm with a local source before planning a trip.
Smallmouth Bite Holds Steady on Maine's Big Rivers as Summer Wanes
Smallmouth bass are still the headline act on New England's big rivers as August winds down, with The Fisherman — New England Freshwater reporting steady smallmouth action through the Merrimack's Lowell-to-Lawrence stretch and into New Hampshire's Hooksett section, plus largemouth bass keying on Senkos and topwater in Massachusetts ponds. No NOAA buoy or USGS gauge readings came back for the Kennebec or Penobscot corridor today, and this week's angler-intel sweep didn't turn up a dedicated Kennebec or Penobscot river report, so we're grounding this update in regional trend rather than a local catch. Expect that same pattern to hold on Maine's larger rivers: smallmouth working current seams and rocky structure as baitfish schools tighten up, with brook trout and landlocked salmon sliding into cooler, deeper water as afternoon temperatures linger. Tonight's full moon should push some of that activity into low-light and overnight windows.
Hiwassee, Caney Fork trout bite rides the generation schedule
No angler reports came in this cycle naming the Hiwassee or Caney Fork specifically, so this update is built on how these Tennessee tailwaters typically fish in late August. Both rivers stay fishable through summer heat only because of dam releases — cold bottom-draw water pushed downstream during generation is what keeps rainbow and brown trout comfortable when a freestone stream this far south would already be too warm. The pattern to plan around is simple: fish tighten up and feed hardest during and right after a generation pulse, then go quiet and spooky in the low, clear water between releases. Smallmouth bass holding in the warmer stretches, particularly lower Caney Fork, should stay active independent of the trout-focused generation window. With tonight's full moon adding overnight light, some of the usual sharp dawn window may soften as fish feed intermittently through the night instead. Standard approach for both rivers right now is nymphing or small streamers timed to the water release.
FFS redraws the walleye map as Iron Range bass hold the weeds
Forward-Facing Sonar is rewriting where anglers find walleye in Iron Range and Boundary Waters-area lakes, according to Fishing the Midwest's Mike Frisch: fish once assumed to sit tight to bottom structure and classic points are turning up suspended in open water, well off the areas jigging and bottom rigs would cover. The same outlet reports largemouth and smallmouth bass still keying on emerging weed growth this time of year, with moving baits worked over weed tops drawing strikes. No fresh buoy or gauge telemetry came through for this region this cycle, so water-temp and flow context aren't available this week. Northern pike typically hold tight to weed edges through late August in these lakes, and panfish activity usually eases some as fish begin staging for the fall turnover — though no regional source confirmed either pattern directly this week. Under tonight's full moon, low-light feeding windows around dawn and dusk should carry extra weight for walleye especially.
Terrestrial season keeps Green River trout dialed in through late August
No Green River or Uinta Lakes-specific reports came through this cycle's angler-intel sweep, so this update leans on general late-August seasonal knowledge for Utah's blue-ribbon tailwater and high-country lakes rather than fresh on-the-water accounts. Under this week's full moon, the Green River below Flaming Gorge typically keeps producing on terrestrials, with hopper, ant, and beetle patterns drawing feeding browns and rainbows through the afternoon while fish hold deeper during peak daytime heat. The high Uinta lakes, sitting well above the valley floor, generally run noticeably cooler this time of year, keeping cutthroat, brook trout, and kokanee more consistently active through the day than lower-elevation water allows. Flows on the Green are typically low and clear absent storm influence in late August. Always check current Utah DWR regulations before harvesting. We'll fold in region-specific captain and shop reports the moment they surface in the feed.
Merrimack River smallmouth locked in through Hooksett stretch
Smallmouth bass are locked into a strong bite on the Merrimack River this week, with action described as excellent through both the Lowell-to-Lawrence stretch and the Hooksett, New Hampshire section, per Roger Aziz, Jr. writing for The Fisherman — New England Freshwater. No fresh buoy or gauge readings came through for the Merrimack or Lake Winnipesaukee this cycle, so treat water temp and flow as unconfirmed until checked on the water. Late August under a Full Moon typically pushes smallmouth and largemouth toward deeper structure and drop-offs during peak daylight, with the sharpest bite windows compressing around dawn, dusk, and low-light stretches. Lake trout and landlocked salmon on Winnipesaukee are likely holding deep as surface water stays warm, though no direct lake reports came in this week. For now, moving-current sections of the Merrimack are the clearest target if smallmouth is the goal.
Delta anglers eye late-summer bass and striper windows
No fresh buoy or gauge data came back for the Sacramento-Delta this cycle, so this read leans on typical late-August patterns for the system rather than a specific new report. Under tonight's full moon, expect the usual late-summer split: striped bass and largemouth holding tight to deeper channel edges, tule breaks, and points during the heat of the day, then sliding onto flats and shallower structure in the low-light windows around dawn, dusk, and through the night tide swings a full moon tends to amplify. Catfish typically stay consistently active through late-summer warmth regardless of light conditions. None of the angler-intel sources gathered for this cycle covered Delta-specific water, so treat species calls below as seasonal expectations rather than confirmed bites — check a local Delta-specific report or shop before locking in a spot, and always confirm current regulations before harvesting anything.
Fall Chinook Chatter Builds at Buoy 10 on the Lower Columbia
Chatter from IFish.net Fishing Reports has anglers working the Buoy 10 zone at the mouth of the Columbia, with one forum post this week describing 'HOT chinook action trolling solo' just north of the legal boundary near Skipanon in about 22 feet of water — encouraging early word, though it's a single angler account and not yet backed by a shop or charter report, so treat it as a lead worth checking rather than a confirmed pattern. Elsewhere on the system, lost-gear posts from Chinook Landing and the mouth of the Lewis River suggest trollers are already working those stretches hard, typical staging water as the fall Chinook run builds through late August. On the coast, an angler fishing out of Garibaldi found salmon slow but rockfish cooperative. No fresh buoy or gauge telemetry came through for this update, so treat flow and temperature as unknowns until the next check. With a full moon overhead, expect stronger tidal swings to influence bite windows on tidewater stretches.
Truckee River carp fire up as trout wait on cooler water
Truckee River conditions are trending toward the trout's favor after a hot stretch, with Reno Fly Shop reporting that water temperatures should drop over the next few days and fishing should improve. Bug life has been sparse through mid-August, but anglers are still finding trout on crayfish patterns and mayfly imitations early in the morning on both the California and Nevada sides, per the shop's on-the-water report. The bigger story right now is carp: late-summer carp fishing has been very good on the fly, with anglers working urban stretches in the Truckee Meadows and Battle Born Pond in Spanish Springs. Earlier reports from the same shop noted trout pushing their peak feeding window earlier in the day as hot air temperatures warmed the river through July, making midday less productive. With today's full moon and cooling water reportedly on the way, early starts remain the play for trout, while carp stay a solid warm-afternoon backup.
Driftless streamers dial in for late-summer technical water
Late-summer conditions across Wisconsin's Driftless Area streams favor small, technical presentations over big attractor patterns right now. MidCurrent's latest fly-tying roundup singles out a Driftless-specific pattern — Root River Rod Co's pine squirrel jig streamer, built to bounce the rocky bottom of tight, technical runs without hanging up, a good call as flows stay skinny and clear in late August. The same roundup points to slim nymph patterns for pressured, clear water, which matches the low, gin-clear conditions typical of spring-fed Driftless creeks this time of year. Separately, Hatch Magazine's dispatch from a northeastern Wisconsin stream near Shawano and Wittenburg describes a lightly-fished spot rumored to hold a healthy population — a reminder that some of the state's best water still sits off the radar. No fresh temperature or flow readings came in for this update, so treat groundwater-fed reaches as the more comfortable bet for trout during the current heat.
Lake of the Woods walleye bite leans on electronics as summer holds
No buoy or gauge readings came back for the Rainy River system today, so this report leans on regional technique intel rather than a hard temperature or flow number. Fishing the Midwest's recent notes on "blending old and new" describe walleye anglers across the region increasingly pairing traditional livebait rigs and jigging with Forward-Facing Sonar to find fish suspended off structure rather than pinned to bottom — a pattern that applies directly to Lake of the Woods and the Rainy River as summer holds. With a full moon overhead, expect feeding activity to bunch around dawn, dusk, and overnight windows rather than spreading evenly through the day. Walleye and sauger remain the backbone bite for this fishery in late August, with muskie and smallmouth also worth targeting on active bait and structure. Check current state regulations before harvesting, and verify local conditions before heading out since no direct flow or temperature data was available for this update.
Ozark rivers settle into a classic late-August heat pattern
No fresh buoy or gauge readings came through for Missouri and Ozark River systems this cycle, so this update leans on typical late-August conditions and the broader regional angler intel that did come in. Nationally, guides are adjusting to the ongoing heat wave — per Wired 2 Fish, catfish anglers on southern reservoirs have shifted to night trips as water stays warm, a pattern worth borrowing on Ozark impoundments and deeper river holes right now. Tactical Bassin's late-summer notes push back on the instinct to slow down and camp on spots that worked in July; instead, target bass that are keying on smaller baitfish, and keep moving. Expect smallmouth and spotted bass to bite best in the dawn and dusk windows, catfish to turn on after dark, and cooler tailwater stretches to hold the most consistent trout action through the heat. Tonight's full moon should sharpen the low-light bite.
South Platte's Dream Stream braces for the fall brown trout push
Guides on the South Platte's Dream Stream stretch are already looking toward the fall migratory run — Colorado Trout Hunters points back to one of the best stretches of lake-run browns and rainbows they've seen in recent seasons on that water, with fish typically pushing up from the reservoir as nights cool. Statewide, 2026 has been a rough water year: Pat Dorsey Fly Fishing calls it possibly the worst drought on record for Colorado, and Cutthroat Anglers is telling anglers on low, warm rivers to carry a thermometer and stop fishing once water hits 68°F. On South Platte and Arkansas tailwaters that means mornings are the play right now, with small midge patterns like AvidMax's Chocolate Foam Back and Titan Tube Midge, plus tungsten jig nymphs for faster runs, doing the work in low, clear conditions. Expect pressure to stay lighter than normal until temperatures ease and the fall run builds.
North Shore eyes fall transition as Lake Superior's whitefish buzz grows
Wisconsin DNR's Lake Superior Fishing program is still fielding interest in the lake whitefish fishery that's emerged in Chequamegon Bay on the south shore, evidence that whitefish are drawing more attention basin-wide this year (per WI DNR Lake Superior Fishing). No buoy or gauge readings came back for the North Shore this cycle, and no shop or charter report specifically covering Minnesota's North Shore surfaced in this week's angler intel, so we're leaning on typical late-August patterns rather than fresh bite reports. Lake trout remain the mainstay target as surface water starts its slow cool toward fall, generally holding over deep structure and rocky points this time of year. Coho and chinook salmon are still in pre-run staging, with the real push typically building through September. Smallmouth bass off rocky shorelines should still be productive in the warmer surface layer. Treat the species notes below as seasonal expectation, not confirmed catches, until more North Shore-specific reports come in.