Fishing reports
18436 reports across all 50 states — current conditions and what's biting.
Croaker and flounder lead the Chesapeake bite as stripers hold in the creeks
Croaker and spot are dominating inshore action this week, with Eric Burnley's regional report for The Fisherman — DE/MD/Chesapeake noting that summertime fishing is in full swing from the bass ponds to the canyons. At Smith's Bait Shop, anglers are pulling striped bass in the 20- to 24-inch range from tidal creeks and rivers on sandworms and shrimp, with croaker mixing in on bloodworms and Fishbites around spots like the Bowers Beach jetty. Flounder are cooperating too, especially on jigs tipped with Gulp or on live minnows worked through the deeper channels. Farther offshore, Hook 'em and Cook 'em reports sea bass and flounder over ocean structure, Spanish mackerel and bluefish mixing at Fenwick Shoal, and bluefin tuna showing at the Hambone for boats running the canyons. With the moon waxing toward full and the water still holding summer warmth, we expect the inshore bite to stay steady into the weekend before any real fall transition begins.
Hot Fluke and Bluefin Keep Long Island Busy While Stripers Lag
The jig bite for bluefin tuna continues to be red-hot and fluke fishing is excellent off the South Shore, per On The Water's August 20 Long Island and NYC Fishing Report. Bob's Bait and Tackle in Amity Harbor says keeper fluke are stacked on the Fire Island and Jones Beach reefs, and the Fishfinder II is seeing pool fish in the 6-to-8-pound range mixed with steady limits of shorts on the outside reef. Offshore, Tight Lines Tackle in Southampton reports the jig bite has generally outfished trolling for bluefin running 35 to 60 inches, while Trophy Hunter Montauk Charters weighed two bluefin in a recent tourney and calls porgy and bluefish action lights out. Striped bass are the soft spot right now: Tyalure Professional Tackle in Rye says the bite has slowed, and Tight Lines Tackle on the South Fork calls reports fairly limited for August, though WeGo Bait and Tackle on the North Fork says stripers are still providing after-dark opportunities on live eels and darters.
Western Basin walleye anglers lean into forward-facing sonar as summer patterns shift
No fresh buoy or gauge readings came through for the Western Basin this cycle, so this update leans on technique trends rather than a temperature snapshot. Fishing the Midwest's Mike Frisch notes that forward-facing sonar (FFS) has upended some long-held walleye "truths" this season — anglers used to assume walleye stay bottom-oriented near points, turns, and weedlines, but FFS is showing fish suspended in open water far more than the old playbook accounted for. That shift matters for the Western Basin in late August, when suspended baitfish schools typically pull walleye off traditional structure. Traditional presentations — jigging live bait, pulling crawler harnesses, and crankbait trolling — are still producing per that same Fishing the Midwest breakdown, but anglers willing to scan open water rather than fish memory spots are reportedly finding more fish. Yellow perch and smallmouth bass remain typical late-summer companions in the Basin as water temperatures hold in their seasonal range.
NJ Freshwater Bite Shifts to Dawn and Dusk as August Heat Lingers
Tactical Bassin's late-summer coverage this week — "3 Tricks To Catch Bass In Late Summer!" and "Tricks To Catch Bass In Hot August Heat" — is a reasonable proxy for what Delaware River and Pine Barrens anglers are facing right now: stubborn midsummer heat pushing bass into tight low-light feeding windows. No NOAA buoy or USGS gauge readings came back for this region on this cycle, so this report leans on seasonal pattern rather than a fresh temp or flow number, and this week's NJ shore intel (shop and charter reports) was saltwater-focused and didn't touch freshwater conditions directly. Expect the Pine Barrens' tannic, cedar-stained water to keep pickerel and panfish relatively steady through the heat, while Delaware River smallmouth activity tightens up around first and last light. Check current state stocking updates and regulations before targeting trout water this time of year, since late-summer thermal stress can prompt voluntary or mandatory closures on some cold-water fisheries.
Sea Bass Stays Red Hot as Fluke, Bonito Round Out Jersey Shore Bite
Black sea bass are red hot on Jersey Shore charters this week — Blue Chip Sportfishing reports limiting out on almost every trip, with a recent boat also landing three nice mako sharks that were released. Fluke fishing is holding but inconsistent: Capt Ron's out of Atlantic Highlands has been working several areas per trip to find keeper-quality flounder, while OTW's Northern New Jersey report (Aug 20) calls ocean fluking a steady pick of keepers. Warm water has pushed Spanish mackerel and bonito into the surf and inlets per Grumpys Tackle, with OTW confirming the same species mix along the northern beaches. Offshore, the midshore bluefin tuna jig bite is hit or miss per OTW, though Fishermans HQ LBI has been connecting on 25-40 lb bluefin within 30 miles of Barnegat Inlet on the troll. Conditions remain summer-typical for late August.
Moosehead Lake settles into typical late-summer holding patterns
No buoy or gauge readings came back for Moosehead Lake or the upper Penobscot this cycle, and this week's angler-intel sweep didn't surface any reports specific to the region either, so this update leans on general seasonal knowledge rather than invented specifics. Late August is typically the stretch when landlocked salmon and lake trout (togue) in Moosehead's deep basin pull down toward cooler water and the thermocline, favoring deep jigging or downrigger trolling over surface presentations. Brook trout tend to follow the same pattern, sliding toward spring holes and cool feeder-stream mouths as shallow water warms through the day. Smallmouth bass are the exception, typically staying active around rocky structure and points and still willing to hit topwater baits in low light. With no fresh temperature or flow data available this cycle, treat depth as the variable to dial in, and check current regional reports before planning a trip out.
Trophy blue catfish headlines a slow late-summer Georgia bite
A certified-scale blue catfish set a new Georgia state record on Lake Lanier on Aug. 19, weighed by Georgia DNR staff, per GA Sportsman / Georgia Outdoor News — the clearest signal this week that big catfish are still feeding hard on the Chattahoochee system even as late-summer heat slows other bites. Georgia's own Wildlife Resources Division report shifted to a rotating regional format in mid-August, per Georgia Wildlife Blog — Fishing, so water-by-water notes for the Chattahoochee and Savannah drainages are thinner than usual this cycle. No fresh buoy or gauge readings came through for this region today, so treat flow and temperature as unconfirmed and check current USGS and DNR data before heading out. Typical for this stretch of August: bass sliding shallow only in the low-light hours and working deeper cover midday, panfish staying steady around shoreline structure, and reservoir stripers or hybrids pushed toward cooler, deeper water as surface temps hold high.
Arizona anglers shift tactics as Salt and Colorado Rivers heat up
August heat has fish and wildlife agencies across the West asking anglers to ease off cold-water species during the warmest hours, per Wired 2 Fish this week — a trend directly relevant to Arizona's Colorado and Salt River trout water as afternoon temperatures climb. No fresh NOAA buoy or USGS gauge readings came through this cycle, so treat the numbers below as general seasonal patterns rather than live conditions. Smallmouth bass are typically most active along current breaks and shaded rock structure during the cooler morning hours this time of year, while largemouth tend to slide into deeper, sluggish holding patterns once the sun climbs. Channel catfish usually turn on hardest after dark in August heat, working current seams for scent-based baits. Anyone chasing trout in the Colorado's tailwater stretches should plan around early mornings and consider giving fish a rest once afternoon water temperatures push into stressful territory for cold-water species.
Narragansett Bay stripers key on soft plastics as fall run nears
Saltwater Edge Blog, based right in Rhode Island, called July a lackluster stretch of tough fishing and heat, but this week's August new moon forecast turns the corner: crisp mornings are finally starting to feel like fall, southerly winds are back in the mix, and the shop says fall run fishing is on the doorstep for Narragansett Bay. Striped bass remain the marquee target, and the same shop's step-by-step guide to rigging your own Slug-Go underscores how central soft plastics have become to that bite, a shift On The Water also flags this season, noting soft plastics have overtaken plugs as the go-to surf presentation for stripers. Fluke fishing continues through August, and On The Water's hookset tips are a useful refresher for keeping more keepers on ice. No live buoy or gauge readings were available for the Bay this cycle, so pair this report with a local forecast check before you launch.
Hawaii anglers lean on classic offshore summer pattern
No buoy or gauge readings came through for the Hawaiian Islands this cycle, and this week's angler-intel sweep didn't surface any Hawaii-specific charter, shop, or blog reports on what's actually biting nearshore or offshore. Rather than guess at numbers nobody reported, this update leans on general seasonal knowledge for the islands in late August: yellowfin tuna (ahi), wahoo (ono), and mahimahi typically remain the offshore mainstay through summer as warm blue water holds close to the islands, while giant trevally (ulua) and other reef species stay a dependable year-round target along rocky points and channels. First Quarter moon this week means building tidal push toward the coming full moon, which is traditionally when many local anglers expect stronger current and more consistent bite windows. Check state and NOAA channels directly for current buoy conditions and any updated advisories before planning a trip.
CT bass anglers shift to dawn topwater as summer heat holds
Connecticut's inland lakes and rivers are deep into typical late-August summer patterns, with no fresh buoy or gauge readings available this cycle to pin down exact water temperatures. Bass anglers are adjusting to the heat: Tactical Bassin's recent tips for hot August conditions point to working shallow points and topwater early before the sun climbs, then sliding to finesse presentations and deeper cover as the day warms, advice that tracks with how Connecticut largemouth and smallmouth typically behave once surface temps push into the mid-70s and above. Panfish stay a reliable, low-effort bite around weedlines and docks through the dog days. Trout fishing is the one to watch closely: warm-water stress on stocked and wild trout is typical for CT inland streams this time of year, so early-morning outings and careful handling matter more than lure choice. With no environmental sensor data reported, treat conditions as seasonal-typical until fresh readings come in.
Summer catfish pattern holds on the Platte and Missouri
No live buoy or gauge readings came in for the Platte or Missouri this cycle, so this report leans on regional intel and typical late-August patterns rather than a confirmed on-the-water account. Channel catfish remain the most reliable target this time of year on both rivers, with summer heat pushing them into deeper holes and current breaks where they keep feeding aggressively after dark. Walleye fishing is shifting too — per Fishing the Midwest, more anglers relying on Forward-Facing Sonar are finding fish suspended off traditional bottom structure like points and weedlines, a trend reshaping how Midwest walleye anglers approach open water this summer. White bass schools typically stay active chasing shad in current seams below dams through late August. With no direct NE reports in this cycle's intel feed, treat the species notes below as seasonal expectation rather than confirmed bite reports, and check with a local shop before making the drive.
Kennebec and Penobscot bass hold the bite as late-summer heat lingers
Warm late-August water has Kennebec and Penobscot anglers doing what these river systems typically call for this time of year: fishing early, working shallow structure for bass, and easing off warmwater-stressed trout and landlocked salmon until temperatures ease. No fresh buoy or gauge readings came back for this stretch today, so this update leans on typical late-summer Maine river behavior rather than a live instrument reading. Smallmouth bass are the dependable bite in this window, holding on current seams, rocky points, and any available shade through midday before sliding shallower again at dusk. Brook trout and landlocked salmon both feel the heat hardest — trout retreat toward spring-fed feeder water and cold pockets, while salmon slip down toward the thermocline in deeper holes and lake-connected stretches. None of today's angler-intel feeds carried a direct report from the Kennebec or Penobscot systems, so treat the species status below as seasonal expectation rather than a confirmed bite.
Low-water tactics carry Smokies tailwater trout through late summer
No fresh buoy or gauge readings came through for the Hiwassee or Caney Fork this cycle, so treat everything below as general seasonal context rather than today's numbers — check the TVA generation schedule directly before wading in. Regionally, late-August tailwater trout fishing is defined by low, clear flows between generation pulses and warm afternoon air pushing fish into deeper runs and shaded seams. San Juan worms and small nymphs remain a consistent producer for both stocked and wild trout, especially after rain, per Gink and Gasoline. As hatches thin out this time of year, terrestrial patterns like beetles are stepping in to fill the gap, a trend Caddis Fly (OR) flags heading into late summer. Brown trout stay a worthwhile target for patient anglers working structure and shadow lines, per Trout Unlimited's recent notes on the species. Nationally, Wired 2 Fish reports agencies are increasingly asking anglers to ease off cold-water species during extreme heat — a good habit to carry onto TN's dam-fed fisheries too.
Iron Range walleye lean on sonar as smallmouth work weed tops
Walleye anglers across the Upper Midwest are leaning hard on forward-facing sonar this month, and that shift shows up on Iron Range and Boundary Waters lakes too. Per Fishing the Midwest, the old assumption that walleye sit bottom-oriented near points and turns doesn't always hold anymore — FFS is revealing fish suspended and scattered away from classic structure, and anglers who adapt are still connecting. Smallmouth bass are active as well; Fishing the Midwest notes bass keying on emerging weedline tops and responding to moving baits worked over them, a pattern that fits the warm, stable water typical of late August in northern Minnesota. Pike should still be workable around weed edges in usual late-summer fashion, while panfish likely slide toward deeper water as the month wears on. No live buoy or gauge readings came back for this region today, so treat water temps as seasonally warm and check a local forecast before you launch.
Utah trout hold steady as Western heat pushes anglers to rethink timing
Across the West, fisheries agencies are increasingly asking anglers to observe voluntary afternoon closures on cold-water species when rivers run hot, per Wired 2 Fish — a trend directly relevant to Green River and Uinta Lakes trout as late-August heat settles over the region. No live buoy or gauge reading came through for this update, so we're working from seasonal patterns rather than a fresh flow or temperature snapshot. The Green River below Flaming Gorge Dam is a tailwater fishery, typically running cooler and more stable through summer heat than the freestone streams driving those closure conversations elsewhere in the West, which should keep rainbow and brown trout feeding through the morning and evening windows. The high-elevation Uinta Lakes generally stay cool enough for cutthroat and kokanee this time of year, though afternoon warmth can push fish deeper. No angler intel specific to this region came through this cycle, so treat the species status below as seasonal defaults until a fresh report lands.
Summer bass patterns hold as Winnipesaukee's coldwater fish slide deep
No buoy or gauge readings came through for the Merrimack River or Lake Winnipesaukee today, and this week's regional feeds carried nothing datelined specifically to New Hampshire, so this update leans on typical late-August patterns for the region rather than a fresh local report. Smallmouth and largemouth bass remain the most dependable target: Tactical Bassin's recent hot-weather reservoir coverage describes bass working shallow points on topwater and finesse jigs at first light, then sliding deeper and scattering onto baitfish schools as the day heats up, a pattern that tracks well for Winnipesaukee's rocky points and the Merrimack's slower pools and eddies. Coldwater species are the bigger question mark this time of year. Field & Stream's recent piece on summer trout fishing notes fish and wildlife agencies increasingly asking anglers to ease off cold-water species once rivers and lakes run warm, and lake trout and landlocked salmon anglers here should expect a similar retreat to deep, cool water through late August.
Sacramento-Delta anglers lean on late-summer playbook
No fresh buoy or gauge readings came in for the Sacramento-Delta this cycle, and today's aggregated intel skewed heavily toward tournament bass results on East Coast rivers and Baja billfish action rather than local Delta reports. NorCal Fish Reports maintains a dedicated Delta section, but nothing new posted there alongside today's pull. That leaves us leaning on typical late-August patterns for the region: striped bass and largemouth bass are the Delta's headline species this time of year, with sturgeon and catfish providing steadier bottom action as water stays warm. Expect largemouth to hold tight to submerged grass and dock structure through the heat, with better activity in early-morning and evening low-light windows. Striped bass typically stage near deeper channels and current breaks as summer temperatures push fish off the shallow flats. Confirm current CDFW regulations before targeting sturgeon, and check for updated local reports given the data gap this cycle.
Fall Chinook Push Begins to Build on the Columbia
Fall Chinook counts on the Columbia River typically begin their seasonal climb through late August, marking the transition window for lower-river trollers moving off summer fish and onto the building fall run. No fresh buoy or gauge readings came through this cycle, and direct catch reports specific to Columbia River salmon and sturgeon were thin in this week's feeds — most of the available angler chatter centered on coastal Oregon spots rather than the mainstem river. That's worth stating plainly rather than papering over: treat today's outlook as seasonal-pattern guidance, not a confirmed bite report. Sturgeon fishing on the Columbia stays largely catch-and-release outside select posted retention days, so check current state regulations before planning to keep a fish. Chinook trollers working herring and flashers near lower-river channel structure remain the standard approach this time of year. We're watching for firmer, sourced reports as the week develops.
Eastern Sierra trout settle into a dawn-and-dusk summer rhythm
Reno Fly Shop's late-summer read on the Truckee River corridor is the clearest signal we have for Eastern Sierra trout water right now: flows sitting close to their natural channel, water in good shape for wet wading, but warm air pushing the trout's peak feeding window earlier in the day and activity dropping off noticeably by midday, per the shop. Their advice is to be on the water early and work upstream toward the California side, where cooler water keeps fish more active longer. An earlier on-the-water update from the same shop described the same bookend pattern — beat the afternoon heat (and the tuber traffic) in the morning, then come back for an evening shift when late caddis, stonefly, and other hatches bring trout up to dry flies. The shop also flagged crayfish becoming more mobile as sun angle and temps climb, a useful cue for streamer fishing. Expect a quiet, warm midday sandwiched between two genuinely productive windows through late August.
Driftless browns lean on streamers as late-summer heat holds trout deep
MidCurrent's latest Tying Tuesday roundup highlights a go-to Driftless streamer from Root River Rod Co: a pine squirrel jig built specifically to bounce the rocky bottom of tight, technical spring-creek water without hanging up — exactly the kind of presentation this region's brown trout respond to once late-August flows run low and clear. No fresh buoy or gauge readings came through for this stretch today, so treat flow and temp as unconfirmed until you check a local source streamside. Trout Unlimited's current brown trout feature reinforces the pattern: browns get harder to fool as water clears and pressure builds, rewarding stealthy presentations over blind casting. Nationally, Field & Stream flagged a broader trend worth carrying into any Driftless outing right now — coldwater fisheries out West are seeing voluntary and mandated afternoon closures as rivers run dangerously warm, a reminder to fish early, check local temps, and handle fish gently if you're targeting trout in the heat.
Late-summer musky pivot arrives as Northwoods walleyes go vertical
Water temperatures were sitting in the mid-70s and the bite was consistent across species as of early August, per Rollie & Helen's Musky Shop, but the Northwoods shop's newer late-August post calls this window one of the most "dynamic, frustrating, and ultimately rewarding" stretches on the musky calendar, as cooling mornings and fluctuating temps push fish out of summer structure and toward early fall movement patterns. The shop is advising anglers to downsize rubber lures to match the shift. On the walleye side, Fishing the Midwest notes that Forward-Facing Sonar has upended the old assumption that walleyes stay bottom-oriented near points and weedlines this time of year, with more fish now showing suspended off structure. Smallmouth bass remain a solid secondary target typical for the season. Expect a transitional bite this week rather than a locked-in pattern.
Finger Lakes smallmouth and walleye settle into deep summer patterns
No NOAA buoy or USGS gauge feed and no direct Cayuga, Seneca, or Skaneateles angler reports came through this cycle, so this update leans on typical late-August patterns for these lakes plus general technique notes from the wider fishing press. Smallmouth bass are the most reliable bite this time of year, typically working shallow points and rock at first light before sliding to deeper structure as the sun climbs. Walleye tend to suspend off bottom in the heat, a pattern Fishing the Midwest has been describing this season as more anglers lean on Forward-Facing Sonar rather than bottom-bouncing to find them. Lake trout and landlocked salmon usually pull deep and hold near the thermocline through late summer, making them a tougher, more specialized target. Check current NY DEC regulations before harvesting, and expect a clearer regional read once fresh local reports come in.
Walleye anglers lean on sonar tech as late-summer patterns shift on Lake of the Woods
No fresh buoy or gauge readings came back for Lake of the Woods and the Rainy River this cycle, and none of this week's angler-intel feeds filed a direct on-the-water report from the region either — worth saying plainly rather than guessing. What we can ground is a broader Midwest walleye trend: Fishing the Midwest notes anglers are increasingly leaning on Forward-Facing Sonar to relocate suspended, off-bottom walleyes rather than sticking to the old assumption that they hug points, turns, and weedlines. That shift is relevant here since Lake of the Woods and the Rainy River are classic structure-and-current fisheries where livebait rigs, jigging, and crankbait trolling have long been the standard playbook. Late August typically keeps walleye and sauger active as water cools slightly, with muskie interest building toward peak fall activity. Check current MN DNR regs and local reports before heading out, since none of that is independently confirmed this week.