Fishing reports
17878 reports across all 50 states — current conditions and what's biting.
Guntersville and Wheeler bass brace for the Fall transition
Late-summer bass fishing across Tennessee River reservoirs like Guntersville and Wheeler is entering its trickiest stretch, and Tactical Bassin's new breakdown of 'Don't Make These 3 Late Summer Fishing Mistakes' lands right on schedule — the video warns anglers not to keep slow-fishing the same spots that worked all summer as the Fall transition approaches. No fresh buoy or gauge readings came back for this stretch of the Tennessee River today, so treat any temp or flow numbers with caution and check a local source before running. Typical for late August on these highland reservoirs, largemouth are sliding between shallow early/late feeding windows and deeper midday holds, a pattern Tactical Bassin's hot-August-heat reservoir video also outlines — working shallow points at first light before pushing to finesse presentations as the sun climbs. With tonight's Full Moon, expect a stronger low-light and after-dark bite than the daytime grind. Spotted bass, catfish, and crappie should hold to typical deep-structure late-summer positioning until nights start cooling.
Full-moon catfish bite carries Kansas rivers into fall transition
A full moon overhead this week favors the nocturnal catfish bite that defines late-August fishing on the Kansas and Arkansas Rivers, with channel cats and flatheads typically most active after dark as water eases off its summer peak. No buoy or gauge readings came through for this stretch, and this week's angler-intel sweep carried no dispatches specific to Kansas rivers, so this report leans on seasonal knowledge rather than fresh local reports. On the technique side, Tactical Bassin's late-summer roundup flags the shift anglers should watch for as August turns to September — moving off spots that produced all summer and adjusting retrieve speeds as bass start feeding up for fall, advice that applies to Arkansas River smallmouth as much as anywhere else. White bass activity typically stays slower through the hottest stretch before picking up as water cools. Check current flow before heading out.
Fall Chinook Chatter Builds Near the Columbia's Buoy 10
A lone report out of the Columbia River's Buoy 10 zone this week described an angler trolling the green-line edge in roughly 22 feet of water and calling the bite hot for Chinook — worth noting, but a single unverified account, not a confirmed pattern, per IFish.net's forum. Further upriver near Chinook Landing, anglers were still working the same stretch, consistent with the fall Chinook push that typically builds through late August on the lower Columbia. No fresh buoy or gauge readings came through this cycle, so current water temp and flow aren't confirmed — check the latest USGS and NOAA data before you go. With a full moon overhead, expect a stronger tidal push through the lower river and a bite that may concentrate around dawn, dusk, and moon-up/moon-down windows. Smallmouth should still be workable on typical late-summer structure patterns, while trout activity tends to slow as water warms this time of year on the Rogue.
Late-summer transition puts KY Lake bass and crappie in play
No fresh buoy or gauge data came through for Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley this cycle, and this week's angler-intel sweep didn't turn up any reports specific to the reservoir system either — so this update leans on typical late-August patterns rather than a fresh bite report. Nationally, bass-focused outlets are flagging the same seasonal hinge point: Tactical Bassin's latest posts warn that late summer is where anglers get stuck fishing yesterday's pattern, and point toward shallow bait-imitating moving baits (buzzbaits, topwater) as fish start keying on baitfish ahead of the fall shakeup. On big-water reservoirs elsewhere, Fishing the Midwest notes forward-facing sonar has changed where anglers find suspended fish rather than assuming they're glued to bottom structure — a trend worth keeping in mind on Kentucky Lake and Barkley's ledges and creek channels. Treat all of this as general seasonal guidance until a local report comes in, and always confirm current conditions before you launch.
Delaware ponds heat up for topwater bass and snakeheads
Topwater largemouth are turning on in Delaware's vegetation-choked ponds and lakes, per The Fisherman — NJ/DE Freshwater's report out of Smith's Bait Shop in Leipsic, with snakeheads mixing in around the same weedy cover. The shop also flags perch and panfish showing up in the spillways at Garrisons Lake, Massey Mills, and Silver Lake — a pattern typical for late summer as water begins its slow cool-down heading toward fall. No live buoy or gauge readings are available for the Christina and Nanticoke systems today, so treat flow and temperature as unknowns until you check a local source streamside. Tonight's full moon tends to sharpen early-morning and after-dark feeding windows for bass working shallow cover. With Labor Day approaching, expect pressure to stay moderate on weekdays and pick up over the holiday weekend. Weedless plastics and topwater worked through matted vegetation are the go-to presentations right now.
Late-summer trout window opens on the Bitterroot and Flathead
No buoy or gauge readings came back for this region this cycle, and the angler-intel feed carried no direct on-the-water reports from Flathead Lake or the Bitterroot River this week. The closest regional item was Flylab (Substack)'s piece on Jim Klug, discussing Montana public-water access out of Bozeman — useful context on the season, but not a bite report. Absent fresh confirmed intel, we're leaning on typical late-August patterns for this fishery: Bitterroot cutthroat and rainbow trout generally key on terrestrials and low-light windows as afternoons stay warm, while Flathead Lake anglers typically shift toward deeper trolling for lake trout as summer stratification holds. Kokanee action is usually tapering by now. Tonight's full moon can nudge feeding toward dawn and dusk. Bull trout remain catch-and-release only under standing Montana regulations — check current state guidance before you head out. We'll update with confirmed local reports as they arrive.
Snake and Salmon Rivers eye the seasonal turn toward fall runs
This report lands on a full moon with no fresh buoy or gauge data and no source filed specifically on Idaho's Snake and Salmon River corridor this cycle, so treat today's picture as seasonal context rather than a confirmed bite report. Late August on these waters typically sits at the tail end of the summer pattern: resident rainbow trout and cutthroat continue to feed actively in early morning and evening windows as daytime water warms, and smallmouth bass stay active in slower Snake River stretches. Anglers across the broader region are starting to watch for the season's first Chinook and steelhead pushing into big river systems as September approaches, though none of that is confirmed by a direct report on these specific waters this week. Check current flows, water temps, and Idaho Fish and Game regulations before you head out, since local conditions can shift fast this time of year.
Iowa and Des Moines Rivers settle into late-summer catfish and walleye rhythm
No fresh buoy or gauge readings came through for the Iowa and Des Moines Rivers this cycle, so today's outlook leans on late-August seasonal patterns rather than a same-day water reading. Warm, stable freshwater typically pushes channel catfish into an active low-light and after-dark bite along deeper holes and current seams this time of year. Walleye anglers regionally are leaning less on the old bottom-hugging assumption — Fishing the Midwest notes this week that forward-facing sonar has shown walleye suspending well off bottom and away from classic points and weedlines, a pattern worth checking on the Des Moines River's deeper runs. Smallmouth bass are in the tricky late-summer-to-fall transition; Tactical Bassin's latest advice is to avoid the instinct to slow down and instead focus on baitfish-following bass around shallow points early and late. Full moon overnight should support the catfish bite. Check local regs before harvesting anything you keep.
Late-summer bass transition sets up on Champlain and the CT River
No buoy or gauge readings came back for the Connecticut River or Lake Champlain this cycle, so this report leans on regional trends and seasonal norms rather than a direct read. Tactical Bassin's late-summer coverage this week flags a topwater and buzzbait bite holding through early morning before bass slide to deeper structure once the sun climbs — a pattern that tracks well for Champlain's weedy bays and the Connecticut River's slower pools. Elsewhere in New England, The Fisherman's freshwater report notes smallmouth still firing in nearby river systems on moving baits along rocky stretches, a reasonable proxy for how Champlain's smallmouth should be positioned on points and drop-offs. Walleye and pike typically shift toward tighter low-light windows as late August turns toward September. Tonight's full moon should stack up a stronger overnight bite for anyone able to fish dusk into dark. Check current Vermont regs before harvesting anything this trip.
Lake Erie's Walleye and Smallmouth Bite Holds Into Late August
Lake Erie continues living up to its reputation as one of the top multi-species fisheries in North America — Wired2Fish highlighted a recent trip where veteran guide Joe Fonzi worked anglers onto fish holding in 38 feet of water, a reminder that much of the lake's late-summer action is happening well off the bank rather than tight to shore. With the Full Moon overhead and Ohio's freshwater fishery starting its slow turn toward the fall transition, walleye and smallmouth bass remain the headline draws around Erie's reefs and drop-offs, while Ohio River catfish and yellow perch stay steady in the mix. Fishing the Midwest notes that forward-facing sonar has reshaped how many Midwest anglers locate suspended walleye away from classic bottom structure this time of year — worth trying if the usual spots go quiet. No fresh buoy or gauge readings came through for this update, so treat depth and temperature notes as general seasonal guidance and confirm current conditions locally before heading out.
Cooling Streams Lift Hoot-Owl Limits Across Southwest Montana
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks lifted hoot-owl afternoon-fishing restrictions on several southwest Montana streams this month, including the upper Clark Fork above its confluence with the Blackfoot and the lower Bitterroot below Hamilton, as stream temperatures finally dropped after what Hatch Magazine calls a "long, hot, smoky summer" across the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (per MT FWP Fishing News). That cooling trend lines up with the terrestrial window Hatch Magazine is counting down to — hopper, ant, and beetle patterns fished tight to grassy banks as trout key on the last big bank-side calories before fall. Flylab's conversation with Bozeman guide Jim Klug on Montana public fishing access is a reminder that afternoon and evening water on these southwest streams is opening back up just as access conversations heat up statewide. Expect improving all-day opportunity on the Clark Fork, Bitterroot, and Silver Bow drainages as cooler nights hold, though not every closed reach is reopening at the same pace.
Lake Cumberland bass shift gears as summer patterns fade
Per Tactical Bassin's late-summer coverage this week, reservoir bass are drifting off standard summer haunts as the Fall transition approaches, a pattern that applies directly to Lake Cumberland's largemouth and smallmouth. No fresh NOAA buoy or USGS gauge readings came through for this region today, so treat water temperature and flow as unconfirmed until you check the Wolf Creek Dam generation schedule and a local surface-temp report before launching. Typical for late August on a deep Kentucky reservoir, warm surface water pushes bass shallow at first light and deep by midday, while the tailwater below the dam stays a cold-water fishery governed by dam releases rather than air temperature. Tactical Bassin's August-heat notes describe anglers working shallow points with topwater and finesse jigs early, then sliding deeper as the sun climbs — worth testing on Cumberland's rocky points and secondary points. Tonight's full moon favors an early, low-light bite window on both the lake and the tailwater.
White River trout guide finally lands trophy stalked for weeks
A night bite produced the trophy of the season on the White River near Shipp's Ferry, where the White and Norfolk rivers meet in north-central Arkansas. Mountain Home guide Jesse Brison, who runs clients out of the area in a 21-foot jet boat, finally connected with a giant rainbow trout he'd spotted repeatedly over several weeks, landing it after dark, per Wired 2 Fish. The catch tracks with what's typically a strong late-summer window for big rainbows and browns in the White River tailwaters below Bull Shoals and Norfork dams, where cool, steady dam-release water keeps trout active even as surface temperatures climb elsewhere in the region. No fresh buoy or gauge readings came through for this update, so we're leaning on angler reports rather than hard numbers this cycle. Trout are the clear headline species right now, with low-light hours doing the work. Check local forecast before heading out.
Bass anglers eye the fall turn on Alabama's Tennessee, Coosa rivers
No fresh buoy or gauge readings came in for the Tennessee and Coosa river systems this cycle, so this report leans on general late-summer patterns rather than hard water-specific numbers. Late August in Alabama typically means warm, stable water with bass sliding between short shallow feeding windows and deeper, cooler holding structure — a shift Tactical Bassin flagged this week, cautioning anglers against the common late-summer mistake of only fishing spots that worked a month ago instead of adjusting as the fall transition approaches. Buzzbaits are getting renewed attention as a fall-transition search bait, per Tactical Bassin, useful for covering shallow flats early and late in the day as baitfish push shallow. Spotted bass, the signature draw on the Coosa chain, and largemouth should still respond to typical dawn-and-dusk shallow patterns, while landlocked stripers and catfish tend to stay active in deeper river channels through the lingering heat. Treat all of this as seasonal generalization until localized Tennessee/Coosa reports come back online.
Lake of the Ozarks bass hold deep as late-summer heat lingers
Late August on Lake of the Ozarks and the Osage River still plays like mid-summer: warm surface temperatures keep largemouth and spotted bass tucked tight to deep bluff walls, standing timber, and creek-channel drops rather than shallow cover. No live buoy or gauge reading came back for this stretch today, so anglers should confirm current lake level and water clarity locally before running deep-water spots. Fishing the Midwest's recent notes on forward-facing sonar are worth applying here too — more anglers nationally are finding bass and other structure-oriented species suspended off traditional breaklines instead of glued to bottom, a pattern that fits the Lake of the Ozarks' bluff walls and old roadbeds well. Tactical Bassin's late-summer breakdown flags this exact window as prime transition season, when moving baits and reaction strikes can still out-produce a slow-down approach before the fall shallow push arrives. Crappie should stay tougher until nights cool, while catfish typically remain a dependable bite in the current warmth.
Late-Summer Transition Bite Building on Winnipesaukee
Direct reports out of Lake Winnipesaukee itself were thin this week, but the closest concrete data point comes from just south on the Merrimack River, where The Fisherman — New England Freshwater notes smallmouth bass action remains excellent through the Lowell-to-Lawrence stretch and into the Hooksett, NH section — a useful read on how New Hampshire's warmwater bite is trending as August winds down. On Winnipesaukee, expect the broader late-summer pattern anglers elsewhere are already describing: Tactical Bassin (blog) flags this window as the time to work shallow points early and late with topwater and moving baits before sliding deeper as the sun climbs, with bass keying on baitfish schools rather than sitting tight to structure. Smallmouth should stay the lake's most consistent player, largemouth still catchable around weed edges, and lake trout and landlocked salmon settling into their typical slow, deep, late-August holding pattern. Tonight's full moon may stretch the low-light feeding window for early risers and evening casters alike.
Cumberland smallmouth and cats set up for the Fall transition
No fresh buoy or gauge readings came through this cycle for the Tennessee & Cumberland system, so this report leans on late-August seasonal patterns and general technique guidance rather than a specific gauge reading. Water is still summer-warm heading into the Fall transition, which typically pushes smallmouth and largemouth off deep structure and toward baitfish concentrations in low light. Tactical Bassin's late-summer breakdown this week flags a common angler mistake heading into early Fall: slowing down and camping on spots that produced earlier in the season instead of following bait migrating shallower, and the shop points to buzzbaits as a strong low-light option for imitating baitfish as the transition sets in. Under tonight's full moon, expect stronger overnight and dawn feeding windows for catfish and roaming stripers, with bass activity concentrated in the first and last hour of light. Check state regs before harvesting anything you plan to keep.
Texoma and Eufaula bass adjust as late-summer heat starts to break
No fresh buoy or gauge readings came through for Texoma or Eufaula this cycle, so today's read leans on seasonal pattern rather than a live number. Late August on these Oklahoma reservoirs typically means stubborn summer heat holding largemouth and stripers deep, with tonight's full moon pushing the best feeding windows toward dawn, dusk, and overnight hours. Tactical Bassin's late-summer roundup this week cautions anglers against fishing only where they've had past success as the season turns — instead scanning for baitfish schools and adjusting retrieve speed and depth as the fall transition nears, advice that applies as well on Texoma and Eufaula largemouth as anywhere else. Striped bass, the signature draw at Texoma, are typically schooled up on main-lake structure and suspended near the thermocline this time of year. Blue catfish tend to stay consistently active through the late-summer stretch. Crappie are usually the toughest bite until water starts cooling. Check state regs before harvesting, and confirm current conditions locally before you launch.
East Texas bass anglers eye the fall transition as summer heat holds
Direct reports from Toledo Bend and Sam Rayburn weren't available this cycle, but nearby Lake Fork gives a useful read on how East Texas reservoirs are holding up: per Lake Fork Trophy Bass, this has been one of the hottest summers on record, yet lake levels remain in good shape with plenty of cover still holding active bass. That pattern typically carries over to Toledo Bend and Sam Rayburn, where largemouth continue relating to remaining vegetation and shade lines through the heat. Tactical Bassin's late-summer coverage this week warns anglers not to default to old patterns as the fall transition nears, pointing to buzzbaits as a strong option for imitating baitfish in low light, morning and night. With a full moon overhead, expect stronger overnight and early-dawn feeding windows on both reservoirs. Water temps and flow readings weren't available from NOAA or USGS this cycle, so treat surface conditions as typical for late-August East Texas until a fresh gauge reading comes in.
Deschutes hoppers and early steelhead mark the late-August turn
Late August in the Deschutes and Upper Klamath basin typically means one thing: hoppers skating across riffles and the first steelhead of the fall run pushing into lower-river holding water. No buoy or gauge readings came through for this region on this cycle, and none of today's angler-intel feeds carried direct reports from Oregon's Deschutes or Klamath watersheds, so this update leans on typical seasonal patterns rather than fresh catch reports. Redside rainbows on the Deschutes are usually keying on terrestrials — hoppers, ants, and beetles — through late summer, while early-arriving steelhead start showing in lower-river holding water this time of year. Smallmouth bass in the warmer stretches of the lower Deschutes tend to stay aggressive into September. Upper Klamath Lake, by contrast, is typically past its prime by late August, as summer algae blooms and low dissolved oxygen push redband trout activity down toward tributary mouths and spring inflows. Check state regs before harvesting any species this season.
Late-summer walleye and crappie patterns hold at Mosquito and Pymatuning
Ohio's northeast reservoirs are settling into a classic late-August pattern this week: Mosquito Lake walleye pushing onto deeper flats and old channel edges as surface water warms, while Pymatuning's crappie stack up around brush piles and dock pilings rather than roaming open water. Neither lake shows a dramatic bite shift right now, which is typical for this stretch of summer once the thermocline is fully established. Largemouth bass are following a predictable split-shift routine, feeding shallow around weed edges and rocky points in low light, then sliding into deeper cover once the sun climbs. Channel catfish remain a dependable option after dark on cut bait or nightcrawlers near creek mouths. With no fresh buoy or gauge readings available for this inland region this cycle, anglers should lean on stable seasonal expectations and check current lake-specific reports before planning a trip, especially around the full moon's influence on feeding windows.
Late-August coho push keeps Gulf of Alaska bite going
No fresh buoy or gauge readings came through for the Gulf of Alaska this cycle, and none of today's angler-intel feeds carried on-the-water reports from Alaska waters — the Alaska Sea Grant items in today's pull cover extension staff, fellowships, and outreach programs rather than catch conditions, so there's no direct testimony to attribute here. Leaning on typical late-August patterns for this fishery instead: this is usually peak coho (silver) salmon season across the Gulf, with pink salmon still working through many nearshore systems and halibut fishing generally holding up well on deeper structure as water temps stay near their summer high. King salmon retention is typically closed or winding down by this point in most Gulf of Alaska management areas. Standard approach this time of year is working tide lines and current seams for silvers and mooching or jigging herring-pattern gear for halibut. Check state regulations before harvesting, and check the local forecast before heading out — no verified sky or wind data came through today's pull.
Door County anglers eye peak salmon season on Lake Michigan
No buoy or gauge readings came in for the Door County and Sheboygan stretch of Lake Michigan this week, and none of the angler-intel feeds filed a direct catch report from local captains or shops for this stretch of shoreline, so this update leans on seasonal pattern rather than a fresh on-the-water snapshot. What we do have: the WI DNR Lake Michigan Fishing Report notes 2024 was a standout year on the lake, with anglers landing a record 210,000-plus coho salmon and the biggest Chinook harvest since 2012, a sign the salmon fishery here has been running strong in recent seasons. Late August is typically peak Chinook and coho season on Lake Michigan as fish begin staging for their fall spawning run, with lake trout also active and Green Bay smallmouth bass drawing enough interest that the DNR has been holding public meetings on their management. Check current local reports before you head out.
Arizona river anglers lean on first light as late-summer heat holds
Late August has Arizona's Colorado and Salt River systems settled into the classic summer-heat pattern regulars here already plan around: warm surface water pushes the best feeding activity to first light and last light, with midday bites sliding toward deeper structure, current breaks, and shaded tailwater stretches. No buoy or gauge readings came through for this region this cycle, and this week's national fishing-intel wire didn't carry a dedicated Arizona or Southwest report, so this update leans on general seasonal knowledge rather than a specific local catch report. Typical for late August, striped bass and largemouth bass on the Colorado River reservoir stretches (Havasu, Mohave, Mead) tend to bite best around points and submerged structure in low light, while Salt River smallmouth bass and channel catfish stay most active after dark as water temperatures ease. The Lees Ferry tailwater below Glen Canyon Dam typically keeps trout viable through summer on cold bottom-release water. Tonight's full moon may extend after-dark catfish activity. Check current state regulations before harvesting anything.