Fishing reports
17903 reports across all 50 states — current conditions and what's biting.
Kennebec and Penobscot settle into typical late-August patterns
No buoy or gauge readings and no shop, charter, or state-agency reports came in for the Kennebec and Penobscot watersheds this cycle, so this update leans on typical late-August patterns for central Maine's landlocked salmon and smallmouth fisheries rather than fresh field intel. By this point in summer, landlocked salmon and lake trout (togue) typically push toward deeper, cooler water and respond best to trolling near the thermocline during early-morning and evening low-light windows, while smallmouth bass stay active in warmer shallows and around structure. Brook trout fishing usually slows as water warms, with fish holding near spring seeps and cooler feeder-stream mouths. Notably, anglers on The Fly Fishing Forum are already planning landlocked-salmon trips to Maine and debating rod weight for the species, a sign of building fall interest, though that thread is trip-planning chatter and not a current bite report. Check local shop reports and state regulations before heading out.
Smokies tailwaters settle into a late-summer trout rhythm
No angler reports came in this week specifically from the Hiwassee or Caney Fork, so this update leans on typical late-August tailwater patterns rather than fresh field intel. Both are TVA-controlled rivers, meaning flow and temperature swing hard with generation schedules rather than the calendar — that's the biggest variable right now. Rainbow and brown trout in these tailwaters typically hold in deeper runs during active generation and push toward softer water and current seams once releases taper off. Standard late-summer tactics apply: nymphing deeper structure during high flow, then switching to terrestrial patterns like hoppers, ants, and beetles once water drops and slows in the no-generation windows. Smallmouth bass in the warmer, slower stretches remain a reasonable backup target as trout activity eases through midday heat. Because we don't have this week's actual gauge or bite reports for either river, treat species status below as seasonal expectation, not confirmed activity, and check the generation schedule before planning a trip.
Boundary Waters walleye bite shifts deep as late-summer patterns set in
Direct reports out of the Boundary Waters and Iron Range were thin this cycle, but Fishing the Midwest's Mike Frisch and Bob Jensen offer a useful read on the broader Minnesota walleye pattern heading into late August: forward-facing sonar has anglers rethinking the old 'walleyes live on bottom near points and weedlines' rule, with more fish now found suspended over open water. That shift typically shows up across the Iron Range's deep, clear lakes as summer winds down and baitfish push into open basins. Smallmouth bass should stay active around rock and gravel structure, a typical late-summer pattern for the region, while northern pike often turn more aggressive as water starts to cool toward fall. Panfish can go quiet in the afternoon heat and are usually a better bet early and late in the day. No fresh buoy or gauge data was available for this update, so treat water temps as seasonal estimates until confirmed.
Terrestrial season keeps Green River and Uinta trout looking up
No fresh buoy or gauge readings came in for the Green River or Uinta Lakes this cycle, and this week's angler-intel sweep turned up no shop, charter, or agency reports specific to Utah's freshwater fisheries — the available feeds this week skewed toward bass, saltwater, and Midwest walleye content, none of it tied to this region. Rather than guess at numbers, we're leaning on typical late-August patterns for this fishery. The Green River tailwater below Flaming Gorge is normally deep into terrestrial season by now, with hoppers, ants, and beetles drawing browns and rainbows to the banks, while morning PMDs and evening caddis can still bring risers. Up in the Uintas, high-elevation lakes are usually fishing well before fall cooldown, with cutthroat and brook trout active in the shallows and mackinaw holding deeper. Check current flows and local shop reports before heading out.
Merrimack Smallmouth Bite Stays Hot Through Hooksett
Smallmouth bass action remains excellent along the Merrimack River's Hooksett, New Hampshire stretch this week, according to a report filed by Roger Aziz, Jr. and carried by The Fisherman — New England Freshwater, with bronzebacks holding well on the river's current seams and rocky structure. No live buoy or gauge readings came back for the Merrimack/Winnipesaukee corridor this cycle, so there's no hard water-temp number to report — late-August freshwater in central NH typically runs low-to-mid 70s and starts easing as nights lengthen. We're not seeing direct Lake Winnipesaukee intel in this week's feeds, but the lake's typical late-summer pattern holds largemouth shallow around remaining weed edges while lake trout and landlocked salmon slide deeper toward the thermocline as surface water stays warm. The waxing gibbous moon should favor low-light feeding windows at dawn and dusk. Worth checking with a Winnipesaukee-area shop directly before planning a trip, since this week's sourced reports lean toward the river system.
New 'urchin' baits give Delta bass anglers a late-summer edge
Specific on-the-water reports out of the Sacramento-Delta were thin this cycle, but the national bass-fishing story of the moment carries a direct angle for Delta anglers. Wired 2 Fish and Fishing the Midwest's Bob Jensen are both flagging 'urchin' style soft plastics as the breakout largemouth bait of the year, and Delta guides working sloughs, tules, and river-adjacent flats are the kind of skinny-water, cover-heavy structure this bait genre was built for. Water temperatures typically hold in the mid-to-upper 70s through late August in the Delta, keeping largemouth active around shaded tules and dock pilings, while striped bass fishing usually stays quieter ahead of the fall run that historically ramps up in September. Sturgeon and catfish remain steady bottom options through the warm-water stretch. NorCal Fish Reports tracks the Delta as one of its core coverage regions, though this week's specific catch counts weren't available in our feed. Check current flow releases before planning a trip.
Buoy 10 Chinook Chatter Builds as Fall Season Gets Underway
Anglers trolling near Buoy 10 are reporting hot chinook action this week, per a post on the IFish.net Fishing Reports board describing solid solo trolling success just north of the legal boundary off Skippanon. Two other recent threads on that same board back up the pattern: one angler lost a rod overboard while trolling at the mouth of the Lewis River, and another reported gear lost below Chinook Landing farther upriver, both signs of steady Chinook effort along the lower Columbia. No live buoy or gauge readings came through this cycle, so we're treating these as anecdotal angler reports rather than confirmed conditions until a shop, charter, or agency source corroborates them. Late August is the traditional front edge of the Columbia's fall Chinook run, with Buoy 10 the region's marquee fishery this time of year, and sturgeon anglers continuing to work the same stretches for bonus action.
Truckee River Carp Explode While Trout Bite Tightens to Mornings
Per Reno Fly Shop, water temperatures on the Truckee River are expected to drop over the next few days, which should help fishing improve after a stretch with little visible bug activity. Right now trout on both the California and Nevada sides are still coming to crayfish patterns and mayfly imitations fished early in the day. The bigger story of late summer, per the shop, is carp: the bite has been very good in urban water around the Truckee Meadows and at Battle Born Pond in Spanish Springs, giving fly anglers a productive target while trout windows stay compressed by daytime heat. An earlier report from the same shop noted flows near 350 cfs on the Reno gauge with the river running close to its natural channel, hot air pushing the trout's peak feeding period earlier in the day, and better action typically found upstream toward the California side of town.
Driftless spring creeks settle into quiet late-summer rhythm
Direct on-the-water reports from Wisconsin's Driftless Area spring creeks are sparse this cycle, with no fresh buoy or gauge data logged for the region. What's available points to a typical late-August pattern: low, clear, spring-fed flows holding steady temperatures even as the surrounding air heats up, pushing wild browns and rainbows toward dawn and dusk feeding windows. A recent Hatch Magazine account of a Wisconsin trout outing, set farther north in Langlade County rather than the Driftless proper, still reflects the statewide mood of anglers seeking out lightly-pressured water this time of year. Terrestrial season - hoppers, ants, beetles - is the go-to approach across trout country right now, a seasonal trend Hatch Magazine's terrestrial-timing coverage elsewhere reinforces. Brook trout, most sensitive to warmth, are likely tucked into the coldest spring seeps and feeder tributaries. Anglers should plan on technical, low-and-clear conditions and early starts.
Northwoods muskies key on the September cool-down
Water temperatures across Northwoods musky and walleye water are holding steady in the low 70s even as nights dip into the 40s and 50s, according to this week's report from Rollie & Helen's Musky Shop. The shop is framing this stretch as the start of the "September Transition" — muskies react to shortening days and cooling water faster than most gamefish, and the shop is already seeing improved topwater activity as fish push off summer structure. The same report flags a severe regional drought pulling lake and river levels down, worth watching for launch access and boat traffic on smaller waters. Walleye anglers should expect a similar seasonal cue even without a dedicated report this cycle — fish sliding off deep summer structure toward transitional breaklines as the water column cools. Smallmouth bass and panfish are holding in fairly typical late-summer patterns for now, with more movement expected as the cool-down continues through early September.
Finger Lakes settle into deep-water summer patterns as bass hold shallow
New York anglers got a win this week as Wired2Fish reported a permanent public easement now protects fishing access below Burt Dam on Eighteen Mile Creek, a case worth watching for anyone who cares about stream access rights statewide. On the Finger Lakes proper, direct shop and charter chatter is thin this cycle, so we're leaning on typical late-August patterns for Cayuga, Seneca, and Skaneateles. Smallmouth bass are usually active around rocky points and drop-offs this time of year, while lake trout and landlocked Atlantic salmon slide into deeper, cooler water and call for downrigger work. Walleye tend to bite best in low light or after dark. Elsewhere, walleye anglers are leaning harder on forward-facing sonar to find suspended fish rather than working bottom structure alone, per Fishing the Midwest, a trend worth trying if you're marking fish high in the water column. Check current state regs before harvesting.
Rainy River walleyes settle into late-summer holding patterns
No fresh buoy or gauge readings came in for Lake of the Woods and the Rainy River this cycle, and this week's angler intel leaned toward general Midwest walleye technique rather than dispatches from this specific water. Fishing the Midwest's Mike Frisch and Bob Jensen note that forward-facing sonar has reshaped how Minnesota walleye anglers locate fish this season, pulling more anglers off traditional bottom-hugging, structure-bound spots and into open water where suspended fish get missed by anyone still fishing the old way. That shift is broadly applicable heading into late August on Lake of the Woods and the Rainy River, where walleye and sauger typically hold near current breaks, rock piles, and the edges of the main river channel as the season eases toward fall. Smallmouth bass and muskie should still be sitting on typical late-summer structure. Treat today's species read as seasonal expectation, not a confirmed local bite, until fresh on-water reports come in.
Ozark smallmouth and tailwater trout hold steady into late August
No buoy or gauge telemetry came back for the Missouri and Ozark Rivers region this cycle, and none of today's angler-intel feeds carry a Missouri-specific report, so this update leans on typical late-August patterns rather than a fresh local bite report. One trend worth flagging regardless of region: Wired2Fish's team says urchin-style soft plastics are dominating bass fishing nationally right now, and Fishing the Midwest separately noted a Midwest angler having outstanding success working a similar odd-shaped bait near bass this summer, a pattern worth trying on Ozark largemouth and smallmouth water even without a direct local confirmation yet. Typical for this time of year, smallmouth should be holding on deeper gravel and rock structure through the heat of the day and pushing shallower during low light, while spring-fed tailwater stretches keep trout active regardless of the summer warm-up. Check current local conditions before heading out since no fresh temp or flow reading was available today.
South Platte and Arkansas tailwaters lean on midges as drought lingers
Colorado's 2026 drought is shaping every South Platte and Arkansas tailwater trip right now, and Pat Dorsey Fly Fishing puts this year among the driest on record for the state. Cutthroat Anglers is telling anglers statewide to check a thermometer and stop fishing once water hits 68°F, a rule worth carrying onto these tailwater stretches even though dam releases keep them cooler than the freestone rivers taking the worst of it. On the vise side, AvidMax's recent Fly Tying Tuesday lineup has leaned hard on midge patterns — a foam-back emerger and a tungsten tube midge among them — which tracks with what tailwater trout are keying on through low, clear water. Colorado Trout Hunters is still talking up the Dream Stream's lake-run browns and rainbows as the region's marquee fishery, though that migratory push is a spring and fall event, not an August one. Expect technical, midge-heavy fishing and fish that need careful handling in the heat.
Coho and Lake Trout Action Builds on Superior's North Shore
No buoy or gauge readings came through for Lake Superior's North Shore this cycle, and none of this week's angler-intel feeds filed a direct on-the-water report from the region, so this update draws on typical late-August patterns rather than fresh local intel. Minnesota-based Fishing the Midwest has been highlighting how forward-facing sonar is changing where anglers find suspended fish across the state's walleye water, a shift increasingly showing up in trolling programs for coho and Chinook salmon as well. Late August is traditionally solid for North Shore salmon trollers as baitfish schools push toward structure, with lake trout holding deep and smallmouth bass working nearshore rock in the warmer surface layer. Treat species status here as seasonal expectation rather than a confirmed bite: no shop, charter, or state report specific to the North Shore came through this week.
Big Snook Bite Holds Strong on Florida's Atlantic Coast
Snook fishing remains excellent on Florida's Treasure Coast, per Snook Nook's August 2026 report: anglers working the St. Lucie Inlet and adjacent beaches are landing quality fish, including many in the 40-inch-plus range, on live croakers and threadfins, with dead threadfin on bottom picking up the slack when the bite slows. Offshore, Team Snook Nook's first-place finish in the One More Bite Sailfish Challenge (7 of 9 bites) points to solid sailfish action for small-boat crews willing to run out. The bigger story for Atlantic Coast anglers this week is red snapper: CCA Florida reports a federal court injunction has blocked the 2026 South Atlantic red snapper pilot programs just as the season was set to open, and Saltwater Sportsman notes states are pushing a fallback October season, with the public-comment window closing today. Inshore, expect the snook bite to hold as water stays warm into early September.
Dog-days heat keeps Basin bass deep, catfish the reliable bite
Water temperatures across the Mississippi River backwaters and Atchafalaya Basin typically sit in the mid-80s by late August, and that dog-days pattern is holding the way it usually does this time of year: largemouth bass and bream sliding into shaded wood and deeper cut-bank structure during the heat of the day, with catfish staying the most reliably active species on stinkbait and cut bait fished on bottom. No direct on-the-water reports came in from our tracked network specifically for the Mississippi & Atchafalaya corridor this cycle, so we're leaning on typical seasonal behavior rather than fresh intel, worth verifying locally before you plan around it. Statewide, Louisiana Sportsman reports LDWF is reopening the private recreational red snapper season for two four-day periods this week, a reminder that regs shift fast this time of year even though that fishery sits offshore, not in the river system. Fish early, fish deep by midday, and check current advisories before heading out.
Okeechobee and St. Johns bass lean into the late-summer low-light bite
No fresh NOAA buoy or USGS gauge readings came in for Lake Okeechobee or the St. Johns River this cycle, and this week's angler-intel sweep turned up nothing specific to either Florida fishery — the feeds leaned heavily toward Northeast striper news, Midwest bass blogs, and Sea Grant program updates rather than Central Florida reports. Absent direct local testimony, this update leans on typical late-August patterns for these waters: largemouth bass generally push shallow at first light and pull back to deeper grass edges and shade once the sun climbs, bluegill and shellcracker stay active around shoreline cover through the warm months, and channel and bullhead catfish bite best after dark as water temps hold in the upper 80s. Afternoon thunderstorms are the norm for this time of year across the Florida peninsula, so plan around morning and evening windows. Check with a local bait-and-tackle shop or current state freshwater regulations before heading out, since specific bite reports were not available this week.
Drop-shot tactics and summer sunfish bite headline SML and Buggs Island
No live buoy or gauge telemetry came back for the Smith Mountain Lake and Buggs Island area this cycle, so this report leans on technique intel from state sources. The Virginia DWR Wildlife Blog published a fresh breakdown of the drop shot rig this week, calling out its value for suspending bait naturally above the bottom to trigger largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass in this exact window of late summer. DWR also ran a companion piece on bluegill and redear sunfish, noting late summer as a strong stretch for both species on Virginia's public lakes and recommending ultralight spinning gear for a simple, beginner-friendly bite. Between the two write-ups, the pattern for SML and Buggs Island right now is straightforward: work vertical structure and deeper breaks for bass with a finesse presentation, and pick off panfish shallower on light tackle. Check current state regulations before harvesting sunfish or bass.
Billfish action heats up off Virginia Beach as summer winds down
The clearest signal from the Chesapeake mouth this week comes from ashore rather than a buoy: Coastal Angler Magazine reports the Sarah Jean team took the 23rd Annual Virginia Beach Billfish Tournament, releasing 10 billfish for 830 points and a $500,599 payday inside a record $943,500 total purse — a strong marker that the offshore billfish bite off Virginia Beach is running hot right now. No fresh NOAA buoy or USGS gauge readings came through for this cycle, so exact water temps and tide swings aren't available; check a live local marine forecast before heading out. Inshore, expect the usual late-August lineup for the Bay mouth — cobia, red drum, and spot/croaker — to stay active as water holds its summer warmth, though none of this week's regional feeds filed a direct Chesapeake bite report, so treat that as seasonal expectation rather than confirmed intel.
Puget Sound salmon season holds steady as crab potting peaks
Washington Sea Grant's note on its South Bend "Skills and Drills" course flags Dungeness crab as one of the state's largest commercial fisheries, a reminder that late-August potting season is in full swing across Puget Sound and coastal bays as recreational crabbers work the tide lines. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife continues its statewide creel and catch interview program, tracking angler activity at access sites around the state, though no fresh site-specific numbers came through this cycle. No NOAA buoy or USGS gauge readings were available for this report, so hold off on assuming a specific water temp or swell and check a live marine forecast before launching. Late August typically keeps Puget Sound's summer Chinook and Coho runs active as fish stage toward river mouths, while bottomfish action stays seasonal and regulation-dependent. Confirm current WDFW rules before keeping any bottomfish or crab this week.
Bridge tarpon and reef yellowtail keep the Keys bite alive
Bud n' Mary's marina in Islamorada called June and early July "one of the most productive periods" the Florida Keys fishery offers, with tarpon stacking up on the bridges, mahi showing in the Gulf Stream offshore, and yellowtail snapper cooperating over the reef in warm water, calm seas, and heavy bait. That's the most recent on-the-water testimony in this feed, so treat it as a baseline pattern rather than a live snapshot for late August. Florida Sea Grant research adds seasonal context, noting permit (Trachinotus falcatus) form spawning aggregations of over a thousand fish in the Keys during summer, underscoring how much biomass is moving through the flats and channels right now. Separately, CCA Florida and Saltwater Sportsman are tracking a contentious South Atlantic red snapper season, with a court injunction blocking 2026 pilot programs and anglers pushing for an October makeup window. No fresh buoy or gauge readings came through this cycle, so confirm water temp and sea state locally before running offshore.
Chicago's Lake Michigan settles into late-summer salmon and perch rhythm
No fresh buoy or gauge readings came in for the Chicago lakefront this cycle, so today's outlook leans on seasonal pattern rather than a same-day reading. Lake Michigan is deep into its late-August program: Chinook and coho salmon typically hold in deeper, cooler water and respond best to spoons and flies trolled well off bottom, while yellow perch fishing tends to pick up along nearshore structure as young-of-year baitfish schools thicken. Smallmouth bass continue working rocky breaklines and harbor structure into early fall. This week's angler-intel feed didn't carry a direct Chicago-lakefront report - most inbound chatter skewed toward Great Lakes salmon talk out of Michigan's east-side ports and general walleye-technique pieces from Fishing the Midwest, including notes on how Forward-Facing Sonar has changed where anglers look for suspended fish. Treat today's species read as seasonal-typical rather than confirmed-today until a firsthand south-basin report lands. Check state regs before harvesting.
Record Blue Catfish Signals Strong Lanier Bite
A 22-pound blue catfish pulled from Lake Lanier on Aug. 19 became the reservoir's new record blue cat, weighed on certified Georgia DNR scales, per GA Sportsman / Georgia Outdoor News. That's a strong signal catfish are feeding heavy through the late-summer heat, and anglers working deep humps, river-channel bends, and creek drops with cut bait or live bream have a real shot at a trophy right now. Bass-specific intel for Lanier and Allatoona wasn't detailed in this week's regional reports, so treat spotted and largemouth prospects as typical for late August: early and late-day topwater over deep structure, with fish sliding toward thermocline depths once the sun climbs. Striper anglers should expect standard summer deep-water patterns to hold, working oxygenated depths and downlines near bait schools, and handling fish quickly given late-season heat stress. Check current Georgia DNR regulations before harvesting anything, and note record-class fish like this one are typically released or handled per DNR record-fish protocol.