Fishing reports
17101 reports across all 50 states — current conditions and what's biting.
Chinook buzz builds at Buoy 10 as Columbia season heats up
Anglers posting to IFish.net Fishing Reports this week describe brisk chinook action at the mouth of the Columbia, including one report of a rod pulled overboard near Buoy 10 while trolling solo in roughly 22 feet of water, and another of a rod lost off Chinook Landing further upriver near Portland — both signs of heavy gear-in-the-water pressure and fish being worked hard. A third post mentions tackle lost at the mouth of the Lewis, another Columbia-system access point seeing traffic this week. No state agency, charter, or shop report corroborates the pace of the bite described, so this reads as angler chatter rather than confirmed hot fishing — but three separate reports from different Columbia-system spots in the same week does suggest boats are finding fish worth staying locked onto. No fresh buoy or gauge readings were available for this update, and there's no direct intel on the Rogue system this cycle.
Late-summer bass grind holds as Kentucky Lake awaits the fall turn
Tactical Bassin's newest 'Hot August Heat' breakdown is the playbook reservoir anglers everywhere are leaning on right now: hit shallow points and laydowns at first light with topwater and a finesse jig, then slide deeper as the sun climbs and the thermocline pushes fish off the bank. On The Water's late-summer largemouth piece backs the same shallow, low-light approach, favoring frogs and compact jigs in dense cover before the heat pushes fish out. No direct on-the-water reports came in for Kentucky Lake or Lake Barkley this cycle, so treat the species notes below as seasonal expectation rather than a confirmed local bite — smallmouth should still be working deep ledges and river-channel structure typical of late August, crappie likely holding tight to deep brush in the heat, and catfish remaining a strong after-dark option while water stays warm. The full moon overhead should sharpen dawn and dusk feeding windows this week.
Late-summer hopper window builds for Bitterroot trout as Flathead trout go deep
No fresh buoy or gauge readings came back for Flathead Lake or the Bitterroot this cycle, so this update leans on regional seasonal patterns and the broader angler-intel wire. The clearest signal is from Hatch Magazine's late-August terrestrial rundown, which notes the whole Greater Yellowstone region is deep into a hot, smoky summer and anglers there have been counting down to peak hopper season since early August — a pattern that typically holds for western Montana trout water too, including the Bitterroot. On Flathead Lake, late-August conditions typically push lake trout and kokanee into deeper, cooler water, with success shifting toward early-morning and after-dark presentations. Bull trout remain catch-and-release only under standing Montana regulations — check current rules before targeting mixed-species water. Treat all of the above as seasonal expectation rather than a confirmed bite report; no shop, guide, or agency source in this cycle covered Flathead Lake or the Bitterroot directly.
Late-summer patience pays on Idaho's Snake and Salmon River trout water
No buoy or gauge readings came back for the Snake and Salmon River drainage this week, and none of this week's angler-intel feeds — which skewed toward Southeast catfish, Great Lakes multi-species, Sierra Nevada trout shops, and saltwater fly reports — covered these specific Idaho waters directly. Rather than guess at a bite, this update leans on typical late-August behavior for the region: under a full moon and the season's low, clear flows, resident rainbows and smallmouth bass tend to hold in faster, better-oxygenated riffles through the warm midday stretch and become more catchable as light fades morning and evening. The Salmon River's late-summer window is also when the drainage typically starts seeing early fall Chinook and steelhead staging near cooler tributary mouths, though exact timing shifts year to year and should be checked against current Idaho Fish and Game run reports before planning a trip. Treat the species notes below as seasonal expectation, not a confirmed bite, until a local shop or agency report lands.
Full Moon Nights Set Up Catfish Bite on Iowa's Des Moines River
A full moon lights up late-August nights over the Iowa and Des Moines Rivers this week, and no fresh buoy or gauge readings came through for this stretch — so treat the numbers on this report as sparse until better data lands. The seasonal pattern here is well established regardless: warm, stable late-summer flows typically keep channel catfish as the most reliable target after dark on cut bait, while white bass scatter and go quiet once their spring runs are long finished. Regionally, Fishing the Midwest has been writing this week about how forward-facing sonar keeps changing where anglers find walleye, noting the fish are no longer sticking to the bottom-and-structure rulebook the way anglers were taught for decades. On The Water's late-summer largemouth advice — working dense shallow cover during low-light hours with frogs, compact jigs, and stickbaits — applies just as well to Iowa's river pools and backwaters as anywhere else covered in that piece. We'd lean on local reports over any of this once they surface.
Late-Summer Bass and Walleye Bite Settles Into Typical Patterns on VT Waters
No buoy or gauge readings came back for the Connecticut River or Lake Champlain corridor this cycle, and none of today's angler-intel feeds carry a Vermont-specific report — so this update leans on typical late-August patterns for the region's freshwater fisheries rather than fresh on-the-water intel. With a full moon overhead, expect stronger overnight and early-dawn feeding windows as fish key off low light and moving water rather than sun-drenched banks. Smallmouth bass on both the Connecticut River and Lake Champlain typically hold tight to current seams, ledges, and rocky drop-offs this time of year, while largemouth push into thick shoreline cover during the hottest stretch of the day. Walleye tend to slide deeper and feed most actively after dark. We'll flag it clearly if a Vermont-specific report comes through before the next update — for now, treat this as a seasonal baseline rather than a live bite report.
Lake Erie's multi-species reputation gets national spotlight
A guided trip on Lake Erie made national fishing news this week, with Wired2Fish detailing a stubborn fight worked up through 38 feet of water — part of the outlet's case that Lake Erie may be the best multi-species fishery in North America. No fresh buoy or gauge readings came through for the Ohio shoreline or the Ohio River this cycle, so today's read leans on typical late-August patterns for the region: walleye still holding on deeper structure while surface water stays warm, smallmouth bass working rocky humps and current breaks, yellow perch schooling over bottom structure, and Ohio River channel catfish staying active on cut bait after dark. We'd normally lean harder on local buoy and gauge data to sharpen this, but none came in today. Anglers should confirm current water conditions locally and check Ohio regulations before harvesting any species, since specifics can shift quickly this time of year.
Late-Summer Shallow-Cover Bite Holds as Cumberland Tailwater Stays Steady
With no fresh buoy or gauge readings in for this stretch today, the clearest signal comes from On The Water's late-summer largemouth playbook this week: work dense shoreline cover in low light with frogs, compact jigs, and stickbaits rather than grinding open water at midday. That shallow-cover, dawn-and-dusk approach translates well to Lake Cumberland's brushy coves and dock rows as bass slide shallow to feed before the heat sets in. Below Wolf Creek Dam, the Cumberland River tailwater's steady, cold generation-driven flow typically keeps rainbow trout feeding through late-August heat that shuts warmwater bites down elsewhere on the system. Tactical Bassin's late-summer notes this week also flag the temptation to slow down and fish old spots out of habit as a mistake heading into the fall transition. With no direct temp or flow numbers to confirm today, treat bite windows below as seasonal expectation, and lean on the full moon to push some feeding activity into darkness and first light.
Night bite delivers a trophy rainbow on Arkansas's White River
A trophy rainbow trout finally came to hand after weeks of near-misses, according to guide Jesse Brison's account picked up by Wired 2 Fish: the Mountain Home-area guide had repeatedly spotted the same big fish holding near Shipp's Ferry, where the White River meets the Norfork River, before finally connecting on a night trip with his 21-foot jet boat. That persistence-pays-off pattern fits the White and Norfork tailwaters this time of year — cold, dam-controlled releases keep water temperatures comfortable for trout even as late-August air temps run hot, and a full moon overhead makes low-light and after-dark fishing especially productive right now. Rainbow trout are the headline species on this stretch, with browns holding in the same cooler tailwater runs and smallmouth bass active in the warmer free-flowing sections. No fresh buoy or gauge readings came through for this update, so check generation schedules and current flow before planning a float.
Ozarks bass slide into shade as summer heat lingers
Hot, muggy late-August air has Lake of the Ozarks and Osage River anglers leaning on classic seasonal know-how rather than fresh readings — no new buoy or gauge data came in for this cycle, so expect warm, stable water and plan around light rather than numbers. On The Water's latest breakdown of late-summer largemouth notes that bass are tucking into dense shoreline cover during low-light windows, with frogs, compact jigs, and stickbaits drawing strikes before the sun climbs high. Tactical Bassin's recent late-summer rundown points anglers toward main-lake points and deeper structure as the fall transition nears, with buzzbaits still effective in low light. Catfish anglers can take a cue from the after-dark bite Wired 2 Fish highlighted nationally this week, with big blues feeding hard once temperatures drop at night. Crappie should stay tucked deep under the current full moon, while white bass keep working shad schools on open flats — typical for this point in the season here.
Smallmouth and largemouth dial in as Winnipesaukee weeds thin
No buoy or gauge readings came back for Winnipesaukee this week and direct on-lake reports were thin, so this update leans on regional New Hampshire freshwater intel plus the seasonal pattern. The Fisherman — New England Freshwater notes smallmouth bass action remains excellent along New Hampshire's Merrimack River stretch near Hooksett, a useful regional signal for smallmouth appetite as late August turns toward the Fall push. On The Water reports late-summer largemouth are holding tight to dense shoreline cover, feeding best in low light on frogs, compact jigs, and stickbaits — a pattern that should carry over to Winnipesaukee's weedlines, docks, and rocky points. Tactical Bassin (blog) flags a common late-summer mistake: anglers slowing down and sticking with spots that worked weeks ago instead of following baitfish into shifting weed edges. With a full moon overhead, look for the strongest bites at dawn, dusk, and overnight. Lake trout and landlocked salmon are likely still holding deep through the warm stretch.
Late-Summer Heat Pushes Cumberland Bass Into Shade and Low Light
No local buoy or gauge readings are available for the Cumberland system this week, but late-August conditions across Tennessee are following the same late-summer pattern anglers nationwide are reporting. On The Water's guidance on beating the bank for late-summer largemouth bass — targeting dense cover during low-light hours with frogs, compact jigs, and stickbaits — lines up well with what typically works on Cumberland lakes and rivers once surface temperatures climb through August. Tactical Bassin's late-summer coverage echoes the same theme: fish are sliding to shade, deeper cover, and baitfish concentrations as the heat holds, with topwater and finesse presentations working best in the first and last light of the day. Expect largemouth and smallmouth bass to stay active early and late, striped bass to hold deep on the Cumberland's cooler stretches, and catfish to remain a dependable option through the heat. Check current state regs before harvesting.
Low-light bank bites carry Texoma, Eufaula through late summer
No fresh buoy or gauge readings came in for Texoma or Eufaula this cycle, so this update leans on technique trends showing up across freshwater fisheries this week rather than a specific numbers read. On The Water's latest shore-fishing guide points anglers toward dense, low-light cover for late-summer largemouth — frogs, compact jigs, and stickbaits are getting bit, a pattern that travels well to Eufaula's brushy flats and Texoma's rocky banks. Tactical Bassin's coverage of reservoir bass in August heat backs that up: start shallow on points with topwater and a finesse jig at first light, then slide deeper as the sun climbs and the bite backs off. Expect stripers to hold that same low-light rhythm on Texoma, and blue catfish to feed hardest after dark as the heat lingers — both typical for late August on these reservoirs. Crappie are likely tucked on deeper structure, waiting on cooler nights.
Late-summer bass ease shallow as Toledo Bend, Rayburn eye fall shift
No fresh buoy or gauge readings came through for Toledo Bend and Sam Rayburn this cycle, so this report leans on regional late-summer bass intel plus tonight's full moon. On The Water's newest advisory says shore anglers can still connect with big largemouth by working dense, low-light cover with frogs, compact jigs, and stickbaits — a pattern that travels well to East Texas timber and grassbeds as water stays warm into early fall. Tactical Bassin's August notes echo the idea: shallow points early, sliding deeper as the sun climbs, with the buzzbait bite starting to build as the fall transition nears. A few hours north, Lake Fork Trophy Bass reports guides still boating quality bass despite a brutal summer, a sign the broader East Texas bite hasn't shut down with the heat. Blue catfish and white bass typically hold deeper and feed mostly after dark on these reservoirs this time of year.
Late-summer terrestrials keep Deschutes redsides looking up
No buoy or gauge readings came back for the Deschutes or Upper Klamath system this cycle, and none of today's angler-intel feeds filed a report specific to this region, so this update leans on typical late-August patterns rather than a fresh bite. Historically this is peak hopper-dropper season on the Deschutes: redside rainbows key on grasshoppers, ants, and beetles bounced tight against grassy banks and basalt seams, with the best window early and late in the day once afternoon heat pushes fish into shade and deeper seams. Upper Klamath's warmwater water, including smallmouth bass, typically stays active through late summer on topwater poppers and soft plastics worked near structure. Steelhead should still be treated as an early-season, catch-and-release-only proposition on the Deschutes this time of year, and regulations should be checked before targeting them. With no verified flow or temperature data available today, treat all of the above as general seasonal guidance rather than a confirmed on-the-water report, and check current conditions before heading out.
Late-Summer Bass Cling to Cover as Ohio Reservoirs Near Fall Turnover
On The Water's late-summer bass advisory this week lines up with the pattern anglers should expect right now at Mosquito Lake and Pymatuning Reservoir: work dense shallow cover during low light with frogs, compact jigs, and stickbaits. No buoy or gauge telemetry came back for these inland reservoirs today, so this report leans on regional technique reporting rather than a fresh temperature reading. Tactical Bassin's coverage of hot August reservoir fishing backs the same idea, with bass sliding from shallow morning points into deeper, shaded water as the sun climbs — a pattern that should sync well with the Full Moon's stronger dawn and overnight feeding windows. Walleye anglers should find the usual late-August mix of forward-facing-sonar suspended fish and traditional bottom rigs, per Fishing the Midwest's recent breakdown of how FFS has changed, but not replaced, classic walleye tactics. Pymatuning's muskie fishery is worth a few casts this time of year.
Late-summer coho push holds as Gulf of Alaska waits on fresh reports
No fresh buoy or gauge readings came in for the Gulf of Alaska this cycle, and the AK Sea Grant feed's latest posts covered community and workforce stories rather than on-the-water bite reports, so this update leans on typical late-August patterns for the region. Late summer here usually still carries the tail of the silver salmon (coho) push into nearshore waters and stream mouths, with halibut and lingcod holding on deeper structure as water temperatures ease off their summer peak. Expect steady, season-typical action rather than a confirmed hot bite from any single source right now. Tonight's full moon should strengthen tidal exchange, which typically helps trigger salmon movement and can sharpen drift-bait presentations for halibut over deeper flats. Anglers should check current state fishing regulations before harvesting, since seasons and limits can shift through late summer.
Late-summer weed die-back signals fall shift on Lake Michigan
Fishing the Midwest's late-summer breakdown flags the seasonal pivot anglers on Lake Michigan should watch for: as weeds start dying back with cooling water, baitfish and the gamefish trailing them relocate to the healthiest remaining green growth, a pattern that typically holds for Door County and Sheboygan's nearshore smallmouth too. No fresh buoy or gauge readings came through for this stretch this cycle, so the rest of this update leans on seasonal pattern and regional chatter. Over on the Michigan Sportsman Forum's Frankfort thread, anglers are already looking ahead to the season's first lake trout and brown trout posts, though nothing concrete has been reported yet. For Door County and Sheboygan specifically, expect the standard late-August rhythm: king salmon and lake trout starting to work deeper structure and river-mouth staging areas, browns showing early and late in the shallows, and smallmouth holding tight to rock and weed edges. Check current Wisconsin regs before keeping anything.
Late-summer heat pushes Salt and Colorado River bites to first and last light
On The Water's late-summer largemouth playbook — work dense shoreline cover during low light with frogs, compact jigs, and stickbaits — is the best available signal for the Salt and Colorado corridor this week, since no fresh buoy or gauge telemetry came in from either river this cycle. Under the Full Moon, expect that pattern to hold for bass generally: Tactical Bassin's August heat coverage points to shallow points and finesse presentations at first light, sliding deeper as the sun climbs and the bite goes quiet through midday. Trout in the cooler, more oxygenated stretches should still be tightest to the first and last hour of shade, typical for late-August water temps in this region. Channel catfish, as Wired 2 Fish's recent heat-wave night trip illustrates, are a good bet after dark when the moon is bright and daytime feeding shuts down. Treat all of this as seasonal pattern, not a confirmed local bite — no AZ-specific reports came through this cycle.
Full moon sets up a catfish night bite on the Clinton-Dubuque pools
Wired 2 Fish's report of a 108-pound blue catfish landed during a night trip amid a late-August heat wave is a useful signal for this stretch too: no fresh buoy or gauge readings and no direct local report came in for the Clinton-Dubuque pools this cycle, so this update leans on typical late-summer patterns for the Upper Mississippi. Walleye and sauger fishing around the wing dams and current seams tends to taper through hot afternoons here, with better windows at dawn and dusk. Smallmouth bass stay more consistently active, holding tight to riprap and current breaks as they feed up ahead of the fall transition. Channel catfish are usually the most dependable target in this heat, and this week's full moon should stretch their overnight feeding window further, matching the after-dark pattern described nationally by Wired 2 Fish. Treat the species read below as seasonal expectation rather than a confirmed on-the-water report until fresher local intel arrives.
Ohio, Cumberland River bass anglers lean into low-light bite
No fresh NOAA buoy or USGS gauge readings came in for the Ohio and Cumberland River systems this cycle, so today's outlook leans on seasonal pattern and this week's national angler intel rather than local flow numbers. Late-August heat has bass anglers everywhere shifting strategy: On The Water's latest roundup on beating the bank for late-summer largemouth points anglers toward dense cover and topwater frogs, jigs, and stickbaits worked during low light, and Tactical Bassin's late-summer breakdown warns against the common mistake of slowing down and camping on old summer spots as the fall transition approaches. Catfish anglers nationally are also working around the heat with night trips, per Wired 2 Fish's coverage of a heat-wave catch out of Virginia — a pattern typical for Ohio and Cumberland River blues and channels this time of year as well. Tonight's full moon should sharpen the low-light bite further for both species groups.
Pearl River anglers dial in shade and after-dark patterns as heat holds
No fresh buoy or gauge data came in for the Mississippi and Pearl River system this cycle, so this report leans on the broader late-summer picture developing across freshwater fisheries right now. Tactical Bassin's newest late-summer roundup cautions against the common mistake of slowing down and sticking only to spots that worked earlier in the year as the Fall transition approaches — worth keeping in mind as Pearl River largemouth likely pull tight to shade and cover through the midday grind. On the catfish side, Wired 2 Fish's report of a guide working a heat-wave night bite on Lake Gaston is a useful signal that channel cats across the South often shift onto a similar after-dark pattern once daytime highs stay locked in. Crappie and bream should stay a steadier, if quieter, option through the heat, especially around this week's Full Moon.
Roosevelt Lake bass shift to dawn and deep water as heat holds
No fresh buoy or gauge readings came in for the Salt River chain this cycle, so this report leans on seasonal norms and national technique coverage rather than a live temp check — expect surface water solidly in the 80s given late August in the low desert. Tactical Bassin's hot-weather reservoir coverage this week reinforces the standard playbook for this kind of heat: work shallow points and topwater at first light, then slide out to deeper structure and finesse jigs once the sun climbs. On The Water's late-summer largemouth piece backs the same idea from the bank — frogs, compact jigs, and stickbaits worked around dense cover during low-light windows. Catfish tend to stay the most dependable bite through stretches like this, feeding actively even as surface temps climb. Smallmouth bass and crappie typically slide deeper and go quiet through midday heat. With a full moon tonight, expect the low-light feeding window to stretch later into the evening and start earlier before sunrise than usual.
Night bite delivers trophy rainbow on the White River
Guide Jesse Brison out of Mountain Home found the payoff on a target he'd been watching for weeks: a giant rainbow trout finally taken after dark near the Shipp's Ferry area, close to where the White and Norfork rivers meet, per Wired 2 Fish. That stretch of tailwater below Bull Shoals and Norfork continues to produce oversized fish for anglers willing to work a known holding spot repeatedly rather than run-and-gun. With a full moon overhead this week, low-light and after-dark presentations are worth prioritizing on familiar runs and seams where big fish have shown themselves before. No fresh USGS gauge or generation data came through for this cycle, so plan around typical tailwater rules of thumb: check scheduled dam releases before wading, and expect the biggest fish to favor low-light windows on pressured water. Standard White River trout tactics apply — small streamers and jigs worked slow through deep, current-broken pockets near structure.