Fishing reports
18871 reports across all 50 states — current conditions and what's biting.
Upper Mississippi walleyes push deeper as summer flow holds steady
The Upper Mississippi gauge near La Crosse (USGS 05344500) is running about 14,000 cfs today, a steady summer stage keeping good current through the pools from Prescott to La Crosse. No water temperature reading came through at this gauge, but early-August conditions on this stretch typically sit in the mid-70s, which usually pushes walleye off shallow flats toward wing dams and current seams. Fishing the Midwest's Mike Frisch notes that Forward-Facing Sonar has changed where a lot of anglers now find walleye, with more fish showing up suspended off bottom than the old structure-first playbook assumed. Bob Jensen, writing for the same outlet, points toward smallmouth holding on emerging weed edges and responding to moving baits right now. Wired 2 Fish's summer advice for busy recreational water, fishing early and late to dodge boat traffic and heat stress, applies directly to these pools on summer weekends. Channel cats should stay a dependable producer through the warm stretch.
Roosevelt Lake bass slide deep as summer heat holds
Flow on the Salt River gauge (USGS 09498500) is holding steady at 221 cfs this week, a stable read that points to calm, low-turbidity water feeding the Roosevelt Lake chain. No direct AZ catch reports or water-temperature readings came through this cycle, but the pattern lines up with what regional bass writers are describing everywhere in early August: fish sliding deep and going quiet through the midday heat. Wired2Fish's rundown on summertime bass fishing recommends anglers work the "go early and go late" windows to dodge both heat stress and recreational boat traffic, a playbook that travels well to a busy reservoir like Roosevelt. Tactical Bassin's August breakdown of bass positioning under peak heat backs the same idea, describing fish separating into predictable deep and shallow groups once a thermocline sets up. Expect largemouth and smallmouth to fire best at first and last light, with catfish typically the steadier after-dark option through this stretch. Check state regs before harvesting.
Catskills trout streams beat the heat as anglers shift to dawn and dusk
USGS gauge 01413500 is running 368 cfs this morning while the lower gauge at 01415000 sits at a lean 30.9 cfs, both without a temperature reading today, so we can't confirm exact water temps stream-side. That's the kind of gap Trout Unlimited flagged in its 'cat days of summer' piece this week: once trout water pushes past a comfortable range, anglers who care about the resource shift targets rather than fight stressed fish. A recent Flylab (Substack) dispatch described a full day of smallmouth on a remote Adirondack lake after 'ridiculous' bass action, one sign anglers are already leaning warmwater. On the trout side, dawn and dusk nymphing stays the play typical of August's dog days, echoing the low-light approach Caddis Fly (OR) has been running through its own summer stretch. Longer term, Trout Unlimited and NY DEC are mid-project on the South Branch Moose River reconnection, pulling 63 culverts to reopen 44 miles of brook trout water regionally.
Ohio River bass hold pattern as low flows settle in
Ohio River bass are holding up under the late-summer heat load: Phoenix Bass Fishing League boaters at Rocky Point near Cannelton, Indiana weighed five-bass limits in the 8-9-pound range on back-to-back tournament days this week, per MLF News, a sign that current-seam and ledge patterns are still producing on the stretch shared with northern Kentucky. Our reading from USGS gauge 03301500 shows flow holding at 260 cfs, a low, stable stage typical for August that concentrates fish around structure and current breaks rather than spreading them across open water. Water temperature wasn't available at this gauge, but Cumberland and Ohio River water is typically running warm this time of year, pushing bass and catfish into low-light and overnight feeding windows. Tactical Bassin's recent summer-bass coverage underscores the same theme nationally: adapting bait choice to post-frontal, high-sun conditions is the difference-maker right now.
Limestone spring creeks stay wadeable as summer heat tightens the trout window
The regional USGS gauge (01546500) logged a steady 72.9 cfs this morning, a modest summer base flow that keeps Spring Creek and Penns Creek's spring-fed sections wading-friendly even as regional air temps climb. No fresh water-temperature reading came through with this cycle's data, so anglers should check a thermometer streamside before playing fish hard. Trout Unlimited's current seasonal notes flag the broader "dog days" pattern: many trout waters in the region are pushing past temperatures where it's ethical to target salmonids hard, sending anglers over to smallmouth bass instead — a pattern limestone spring creeks like these are built to resist, since groundwater input holds flows cooler and steadier than nearby runoff-fed streams. Hatch Magazine's recent piece on leading a rising trout is a useful refresher for the technical dry-fly game these clear, spring-fed flows demand. Expect selective feeding concentrated in the cooler morning and evening windows, with fish tucking into shade and spring seeps once the sun gets high.
Bass keep biting as Connecticut's rivers run low and warm
The Salmon River gauge near East Hampton read just 37 cfs this morning, a clear sign of the thin, low flows typical of a dry August stretch across Connecticut's smaller inland streams. Downstream on the mainstem, the Connecticut River gauge at Thompsonville held a much bulkier 6,270 cfs at 81 degrees around midday, warm enough to push coldwater species toward deeper, shaded holds. Regional freshwater intel skews toward bass right now: The Fisherman's New England Freshwater desk reports largemouth to 5 pounds coming on shiners from shore, plus a strong smallmouth bite on spinnerbaits in swift, rocky river stretches. General late-summer guidance from Tactical Bassin points to bass keying tight to cover and baitfish as heat peaks, a pattern that should carry over to Connecticut's warmwater lakes and ponds. Panfish remain a steady, low-effort option, while trout fishing is the softest spot on the board until temperatures ease.
Wabash River Rise Turns On Catfish, Slows the Bass Bite
USGS gauge 03335500 has the Wabash River running 1,620 cfs as of midday Monday, above typical late-summer base flow and a sign of recent rain moving through the watershed. No water temperature reading came through with this update, so plan around air temps and time on the water rather than a hard number. Elevated, slightly stained flow after rain typically favors channel catfish, which key on drifting scent in current, while smallmouth bass tend to slide into slower eddies and shade until flow drops. On Lake Michigan's Indiana shoreline, August is prime for yellow perch working harbor structure and drop-offs. For walleye, Fishing the Midwest notes anglers increasingly leaning on Forward-Facing Sonar to find suspended fish off traditional bottom structure rather than assuming they're glued to points and weedlines. No direct bite reports came through for these waters this cycle, so treat species notes as seasonal expectations rather than confirmed action.
Low, stable water pushes Rangeley toward dawn trout, midday smallmouth
USGS gauge 01054200 on the Androscoggin headwaters read a modest 31.9 cfs at midday Monday, a flow low enough to fit the typical late-summer drawdown pattern for the Rangeley system. Water temperature wasn't available from local instruments, but Trout Unlimited's standing seasonal guidance for this stretch of summer applies here: once water pushes past comfortable trout temperatures, ease off salmonids and pick up smallmouth bass with streamers instead. That shift fits Rangeley Lakes well, where brook trout and landlocked salmon are the marquee species but smallmouth fill the gap through the hottest weeks. Expect brookies and salmon to bite best at first light and dusk, with smallmouth carrying the midday hours. No ME-specific shop or charter reports came through this cycle, so treat the species activity below as seasonal expectation grounded in typical August patterns rather than confirmed local intel.
Grand River holds steady as Lake Michigan salmon push builds
The Grand River is running at a steady 3,150 cfs per USGS gauge 04119000 as of midday August 10, a typical late-summer base flow with no spike or drop to report. The MI DNR Weekly Fishing Report points anglers toward Lake Michigan's salmon fishery this week, highlighting hatchery-reared kings from the Platte River State Fish Hatchery entering the system as the late-summer run develops. On the river and inland structure, Fishing the Midwest notes walleye anglers leaning more on forward-facing sonar to locate fish away from the traditional bottom-and-weedline spots, a shift that's changed how the technique gets fished region-wide. Bass anglers are adjusting to summer heat and boat traffic, with Tactical Bassin and Wired 2 Fish both pointing toward early and late-day windows with jigs and swimbaits as water warms and pressure builds through midday.
Gulf of Alaska anglers eye the coho push as summer salmon season peaks
Early August sits squarely inside the Gulf of Alaska's peak summer salmon window, with coho salmon typically building through the month as king salmon runs taper off. No buoy or gauge readings came back for this region this cycle, and this week's angler-intel sweep didn't turn up any Alaska-specific captain, shop, or charter reports on what's actually biting; the Alaska Sea Grant items in this cycle's feed covered fellowship announcements, an oyster initiative, and a Kodiak kelp event rather than fishing conditions. Absent direct testimony, the guidance below leans on typical seasonal patterns for the Gulf of Alaska rather than confirmed on-the-water reports. Halibut and lingcod remain staple summer targets alongside the salmon runs this time of year. Anglers should check current state regulations and the local forecast before heading out, and watch for fresh reports as the week develops.
Late-summer bass patterns take hold on the Savannah chain
Direct fishing intel for Lake Hartwell and Russell is thin this cycle, but the broader late-summer playbook still fits the Savannah chain. The regional USGS gauge (02192000) held a steady flow near 464 cfs as of midday August 10 — no rain-pulse spike, just typical base flow for this point in summer. With current and clarity stable, spotted bass and largemouth should be settling into the classic hot-weather split Tactical Bassin (blog) lays out this time of year: fish separating between shallow shad-chasers and deeper ledge or dock fish, with the early and late light windows outproducing the midday grind. Wired 2 Fish's advice for busy recreational lakes — go early, go late, avoid the boat-traffic crush — applies directly to a heavily used chain like Hartwell/Russell in August. No lake-specific bite reports came through the state or regional feeds this week, so treat the species table below as seasonal expectation, not a confirmed report, until you've had a line in the water.
Low flows push Finger Lakes smallmouth, walleye toward deeper structure
USGS gauge 04232050 logged 68°F and a lean 10.8 cfs this morning, a sign area tributaries feeding Cayuga, Seneca, and Skaneateles are running low as August heat settles in. Warm surface water like this typically pushes smallmouth bass and walleye toward deeper structure and thermocline breaks, a pattern Fishing the Midwest notes has become more common as forward-facing sonar changes where anglers look for suspended fish instead of assuming bottom-only holds. Tactical Bassin's summer playbook points the same direction: work early and late windows, then adapt as boat traffic and heat build through the day. In shallower bays, largemouth should still answer moving baits worked over emerging weed growth, a tactic Fishing the Midwest credits for a recent big largemouth catch. Lake trout, the region's signature deepwater draw, should be holding tight to cold layers below the thermocline this time of year. Expect a familiar August rhythm: an early bite, a midday lull, then an evening rebound as things cool.
Rainy River walleyes shift off bottom as summer heat holds
The USGS gauge on the Rainy River (site 05133500) logged 71°F water and 4,210 cfs flow as of midday August 10 -- solidly warm-water summer conditions for the Lake of the Woods system. No fresh on-the-water reports came in from Lake of the Woods or Rainy River shops this cycle, so we're leaning on regional walleye technique trends rather than a specific local bite report. Jason Mitchell Outdoors points to half-crawler rigs as a summer staple for walleyes working rock structure, a presentation that suits LOW's rock reefs and the Rainy's current seams well. Fishing the Midwest notes that Forward-Facing Sonar has shown a lot of anglers that summer walleyes increasingly suspend off structure instead of hugging bottom, so it's worth working the water column, not just the rocks, if the bite goes quiet midday. Sauger and smallmouth should track similarly in this warmth; muskie fishing is typically a grind through August heat.
High Mississippi River flow keeps catfish active, bass sliding deep
The Mississippi River gauge near Vicksburg (USGS 07289000) is running around 346,000 cubic feet per second this week, a big, high-water reading that's pushing plenty of current through the Mississippi and Pearl River systems. No water temperature reading came through at the gauge, but early-August heat has the typical late-summer pattern in place: bass pulling off the bank into deeper, cooler water while catfish key on the extra current to feed. Tactical Bassin's recent summer-bass coverage notes that once the spawn wraps up, bass split into two distinct groups and reward anglers willing to adapt bait selection through the day rather than lock into one pattern. No Mississippi-specific shop or charter reports came through in this cycle's intel feed, so treat the species notes below as seasonal expectation rather than confirmed local bite reports until fresher on-the-water intel arrives from the region.
Truckee River Trout Turn Cagey as Late-Summer Flows Run Skinny
USGS gauge 10311000 on the Truckee River is reading a lean 10.9 cubic feet per second this morning, the kind of skinny late-summer flow that typically has trout holding tight to shade and deeper runs rather than actively feeding through the heat of the day. We didn't pull any Truckee- or Tahoe-specific shop or charter reports this cycle, so treat the bite itself as unconfirmed rather than reported. What we can lean on is general dry-fly wisdom from Hatch Magazine on judging how far to lead a rising trout, useful any time fish are sipping selectively in low, clear water like this. Expect the Truckee's rainbows and browns to feed mainly at first light and dusk while low flows persist, with Lake Tahoe's deep-water Mackinaw and kokanee largely indifferent to the river's drought stress. Check current state fishing regulations before keeping fish, and fish early to beat both the heat and the crowds.
Low flow, warm water put White River trout on alert
The USGS gauge on the White River (07060710) logged 80°F water on just 4.84 cfs of flow this morning, a combination that tailwater trout anglers shouldn't ignore. That flow reading points to minimal dam generation, and with little cold bottom-release water moving through, surface temps on Bull Shoals and Norfork's trout water can climb fast in August heat. Trout Unlimited's recent "cat days of summer" post is a timely reminder that once favorite trout water pushes into the warmer range, many anglers ethically stand down on trout and pivot to warmwater species like smallmouth bass on streamers instead. We didn't see direct on-the-water reports for Bull Shoals or Norfork in today's intel sweep, so treat today's read as a caution flag rather than a green light. Fish early, fish the coldest water you can find below generation, and have a smallmouth or panfish backup plan ready if the trout bite goes quiet.
Illinois River runs high as summer bass and catfish key on current breaks
The USGS gauge on the Illinois River (05586100) logged 13,200 cfs early Friday morning, a solid, moving flow with no water-temperature reading available this cycle. No Illinois-specific bite reports came through the wire this week, so we're leaning on regional technique intel and seasonal pattern knowledge rather than a local ground report. Tactical Bassin and Wired 2 Fish both describe bass keying on shaded cover and moving baits during the dog days, fishing early and late to dodge boat traffic and heat stress. Fishing the Midwest notes anglers increasingly finding suspended fish off bottom with forward-facing sonar rather than the old bottom-and-structure playbook. On the elevated Illinois River, expect faster, off-color water pushing baitfish and catfish toward current breaks and eddies, while panfish typically slow through peak August heat. Check local Illinois DNR regulations before harvesting anything this trip.
Low water pushes Catawba, Roanoke bass into shade and structure
USGS gauge 02142900 is reading just 1.47 cfs this week, a trickle that puts Catawba and Roanoke tributaries deep into low-water territory for early August. That kind of flow concentrates fish into deeper pools, current breaks, and shaded cover, and it lines up with what Wired 2 Fish is advising for busy summer bass waters right now: fish early and fish late, since low, clear water and midday boat traffic push largemouth tight to structure during the heat of the day. Tactical Bassin's latest breakdown of summer bass positioning backs that up, noting bass separate into predictable shallow-shade and deep-structure groups once temperatures peak. Water temp wasn't available from our gauge this cycle, but expect typical August warmth for Piedmont and coastal-plain NC water. Stripers and crappie should be tough in the heat and pushed to deeper, cooler refuge; catfish stay a dependable option after dark or into low light.
Lake Michigan salmon action builds on record recent harvests
No live buoy or gauge readings came back for the southern Lake Michigan basin this cycle, so anglers should check local conditions before heading out. What we do have is season context: per the WI DNR Lake Michigan Fishing Report, 2024 was a standout year for the salmonid fishery, with a record 210,000-plus coho salmon harvested and Chinook salmon catches topping 160,000, the strongest since 2012, both attributed to improved alewife forage survival supporting stocked year classes. The same agency has also been holding public meetings on smallmouth bass management for Green Bay and northern Lake Michigan, a sign the basin's smallmouth population is getting active management attention. For Chicago-area anglers, that translates to a healthy forage base carrying into another season, though early-August timing means dialing in depth and location matters more than chasing a hot bite report right now.
Summer heat pushes Okeechobee, St. Johns bass into early, late bite windows
The St. Johns River gauge near DeLand (USGS 02232000) logged 372 cfs early this morning, a steady late-summer stage that keeps current seams and grass edges productive for anglers working the Okeechobee and St. Johns corridor. Water temperature wasn't reported from today's read, but August on these Central Florida fisheries typically pushes largemouth bass to deeper cover or tight low-light windows. Wired2Fish's recent rundown on fishing busy recreational lakes through summer recommends going early and late and avoiding peak boat traffic, a pattern that fits this stretch of the state well. Tactical Bassin's August coverage backs a similar read: bass tighten to shade and structure as heat peaks, with jigs and swimbaits still drawing bites when the faster reaction bite fades. Bluegill and catfish tend to stay more consistently active through Florida's hottest stretch, giving anglers a reliable backup bite. Expect a grind-it-out day rather than a blowup, with the best windows bookending daylight.
Grand River runs high as Lake Michigan's summer salmon push builds
The Grand River gauge near Grand Rapids (USGS 04119000) is reading 3,320 cfs this morning, a noticeably strong push of current-driven water working toward the Grand Haven river mouth and into Lake Michigan. That kind of flow typically stacks baitfish and predators along current seams and pierhead structure through August. Basin-wide, Chinook, coho, and steelhead have been the headline story on Lake Michigan this season, per WI DNR's Lake Michigan Fishing Report, which flagged a stellar 2024 harvest (over 210,000 coho and 160,000-plus Chinook) riding strong alewife survival, a trend anglers should expect to carry into this summer's trolling bite. On the bass side, Wired 2 Fish's summertime advice to fish early and late to dodge recreational boat traffic applies directly to Grand River mouth smallmouth right now. No water temp reading came through with this update, so dial in exact depth and timing before you launch, and check the state's weekly fishing report for water-specific details before you go.
Croakers and sheepshead lead a strong Delaware Bay summer bite
Croakers are thick along Delaware Bay this week, with Higbee's Bait and Tackle reporting the bay "giving up lots of different types of fish including blues, croakers, weakfish, flounder, sheepshead and on some trips, several black drum," with pool-winning fish ranging from a 5-pound flounder to a 15-pound drum. Fortescue Beach is producing croakers on blood or lung worms per Higbee's, while white perch action has picked up in the creeks. Big Dave's Tackle confirms strong Delaware Bay croaker numbers alongside kingfish, spot, and smaller weakfish, and calls back-bay sheepshead fishing "exceptionally strong." Down toward Cape May, Hands Too Bait and Tackle has flounder stacked right out front and inside the inlet on bucktails, with sheepshead and triggerfish mixing in on the rocks while togging, and night shark fishing described as "insane." Across the bay in Delaware, Smith's Bait Shop notes flounder on minnows and Gulp, black drum on clams, and bluefish on metal lures and cut bait.
Lanier and Allatoona bass dig in for peak summer heat
USGS's gauge on the Chattahoochee below Lake Lanier (site 02334430) logged flow near 606 cfs and a chilly 49°F this morning, a reminder that hydropower releases keep that tailwater running cold even as both Lanier and Allatoona bake on the surface in peak August heat. Georgia's Wildlife Resources blog is nudging families to get one more trip in before school starts, and that late-summer window is exactly when highland-reservoir bass turn predictable. Wired2Fish's advice for busy recreational lakes like these two applies directly: fish the early and late windows to dodge boat traffic and the worst heat. Tactical Bassin reports bass keying on jigs before switching to swimbait as that bite fades through the day, and Fishing the Midwest notes anglers increasingly leaning on forward-facing sonar to find suspended fish instead of the old bottom-and-structure rule of thumb. Expect spotted bass and largemouth to hold deep, with stripers pushing toward cooler water.
Smallmouth beat the August heat on Susquehanna and Allegheny waters
USGS gauge 01540500 read 80°F water and roughly 6,000 cfs of flow this morning, a warm, running-high signal for Susquehanna and Allegheny freshwater anglers heading into mid-August. That kind of heat typically pushes smallmouth bass into low-light feeding windows and deeper cover, the pattern Tactical Bassin described in a recent post-frontal summer outing where fish scattered into two distinct groups depending on cover and depth. Wired 2 Fish's advice for busy recreational water this time of year lines up: fish early, fish late, and expect the midday bite to shut down under boat traffic and sun. Walleye anglers are increasingly finding suspended fish with forward-facing sonar rather than working bottom structure the traditional way, per Fishing the Midwest. Channel catfish tend to stay dependable through warm, elevated flows and are worth targeting when the bass and walleye bite slows. We're expecting a classic dawn-and-dusk August pattern until this heat breaks.