Fishing reports
18907 reports across all 50 states — current conditions and what's biting.
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.
Summer heat pushes bass and stripers deep at Smith Mountain, Buggs Island
USGS gauge 02075045 logged 986 cfs this morning, a steady flow keeping water moving through the Smith Mountain Lake and Buggs Island (Kerr Lake) system without the wild swings that follow a hard rain. Water temp wasn't reported at this gauge, but August afternoons on both reservoirs typically push surface temps well into the 80s. Per Wired 2 Fish's guide to summertime bass on busy recreational waterways, the smart play right now is working early and late to beat both the heat and the pleasure-boat traffic that picks up on Smith Mountain by midday. Tactical Bassin's August breakdown notes bass separate onto predictable main-lake structure once a thermocline sets up, holding tighter to points, ledges, and deeper brush as the sun climbs. Buggs Island's striper fishery, which the lake is well known for, should be following the same pattern this time of year, suspending over river-channel structure to stay in cooler, oxygenated water through the midday stretch.
Toledo Bend bass push deep as summer heat settles in
The Sabine system's USGS gauge near Toledo Bend read a low, stable flow just above 2 cfs early this morning, in line with the typical late-summer stage for this stretch, though today's pull came back without a fresh water-temperature reading. With surface temps almost certainly deep into summer range, largemouth bass are likely following the pattern Tactical Bassin lays out for August: fish splitting into distinct groups by depth and cover and sliding onto deeper structure through the heat of the day. Wired 2 Fish's go-early-go-late advice for busy recreational lakes applies directly here as pleasure-boat traffic builds through midday. Catfish typically stay a dependable target regardless of pressure. Direct, on-the-water reports specific to Toledo Bend and the Sabine border were thin in today's feeds, so treat this as seasonal-pattern guidance rather than a fresh bite report from the lake itself.
Olympic Peninsula salmon rivers hold steady on low summer flows
USGS gauge 12041200 logged 566 cfs early Sunday morning, with a second Olympic Peninsula station, gauge 12035000, running lower at 293 cfs — both readings sit in the typical base-flow range for deep summer, and neither station reported a water temperature this cycle. WA WDFW's Fishing and Stocking Reports page remains the state's central source for creel checks and stocking updates on Peninsula rivers, though this week's feed didn't surface specific catch counts or hot spots for the region, so we're leaning on seasonal patterns rather than fresh creel data. With flows steady and no rain event showing up in the numbers, fish are more likely holding in lower-river and tidewater stretches than pushing hard upstream. Early August typically has Chinook still working through the system while coho numbers stay light ahead of their bigger September push. Check current WDFW regulations before targeting either species on these waters.
Summer heat pushes Georgia bass to dawn-and-dusk bite windows
Georgia Outdoor News' Joshua Barber flagged the Savannah River watershed running steady this week, with the Clyo gauge holding at 4.6 feet, and our own reading on the region's monitored reach shows flow steady around 4,430 cfs with no water-temperature data currently available. That kind of steady, elevated summer flow tends to push largemouth bass onto deeper structure through the heat of the day, a pattern Tactical Bassin's midsummer breakdown ties to how bass separate by depth once the water warms. Wired 2 Fish adds that early-morning and late-evening windows are the play on busy recreational water this time of year, when both boat traffic and heat spike. Bream and catfish should stay dependable producers through August regardless of pressure or timing. The Georgia Wildlife Blog continues steering anglers toward the state's Public Fishing Areas for family-friendly options as the region eases into late summer. No striper activity has been reported on this reach recently, so treat that bite as slow until things cool.
Early risers win as hoot owl limits spread across MT rivers
Rising water temperatures have pushed Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks to expand hoot owl restrictions to 23 waterbodies covering roughly 1,223 stream miles across southwest and western Montana, per MT FWP Fishing News, with new afternoon closures added to the lower Beaverhead River starting Aug. 5 and additional river reaches restricted in the surrounding region. The rules prohibit fishing from 2 p.m. to midnight daily, so the productive window on Yellowstone and Missouri River drainages is compressing hard into early mornings, an approach MT FWP's own "Early Risers" advisory recommends outright. USGS gauge 06043500 logged flow near 436 cfs early Sunday morning, a steady read with no sign of a spike or drop. MT FWP also flagged the start of additional native Yellowstone cutthroat trout conservation work in the upper Shields River watershed this week, and the new Siskin Island Fishing Access Site near Livingston, an 82-acre donated island complex that opens fresh water on the upper Yellowstone. Plan trips around the coolest hours; restricted stretches stay off-limits every afternoon regardless of how good the morning bite is.
Steady Piscataquis flows keep Kennebec-Penobscot smallmouth locked in
The Piscataquis River gauge (USGS 01046500) logged 1,560 cfs as of 8:15 AM this morning, a solid push of water for the Penobscot drainage heading into mid-August. No water-temperature reading came through with this cycle's gauge data, so anglers should check a thermometer or local report before deciding how deep to fish. Direct "what's biting" intel for the Kennebec and Penobscot river systems was thin in this cycle's sweep; our angler-intel feeds skewed toward national bass content rather than Maine-specific reports. That said, general August patterns should hold: smallmouth bass typically stay the most reliable target in Maine's moving water this time of year, working current seams and rocky structure. Elsewhere in New England, shops and captains covered by The Fisherman's freshwater desk are seeing largemouth respond to Ned rigs, wacky worms, and shallow topwater frogs in warm, weedy water, a pattern likely to carry over to Kennebec and Penobscot backwaters and coves as well.
Fluke Turns On Around Sandy Hook as Bluefish and Bonito Mix In
Capt. Ron's out of Atlantic Highlands logged back-to-back banner days this past week, boxing double limits of quality fluke in the 3-to-5-pound range, with Mustache Richie topping the pool at 4 pounds, 3 ounces — per the captain, the best flatfish action the boat has seen all season. Black sea bass are filling in steadily behind the fluke on most drifts. Farther up the coast, OTW's Northern New Jersey report has bluefin tuna working within roughly 30 miles, bonito mixed into schools of bluefish out front, and keeper fluke stacking up on wreck and reef sites, with party boats picking off 6-to-10-pound bluefish on diamond jigs. It's shaping up as a solid mid-August stretch for Raritan Bay and Sandy Hook: fluke are the clear headline, sea bass are filling coolers behind them, and bluefish and bonito are giving light-tackle anglers something to chase out front.
High water challenges Allegheny smallmouth as summer heat holds
The Allegheny system gauge (USGS 03036500) logged 11,600 cfs this morning, a notably high push for early August that's staining the water and strengthening current seams through the Pittsburgh-area tailwaters. No direct PA catch reports came through the regional feeds this cycle, so the species notes below lean on seasonal pattern and the flow data rather than a fresh bite report; we're flagging that honestly rather than guessing. High, stained flow typically pushes smallmouth bass and channel catfish onto current breaks and eddies to feed, the kind of positioning Tactical Bassin describes for summer bass generally, while Fishing the Midwest notes more anglers using forward-facing sonar to find walleye holding on structure instead of bottom alone. Muskellunge tend to go quiet in peak summer heat regardless of flow. Expect the bite to improve as water clears and settles over the next few days.
Moosehead Lake fish settle into steady summer pattern
Flow at USGS gauge 01030500 on the upper Penobscot held near 89.6 cfs as of Monday morning, a stable, moderate stage for early August with no spike or drop that would suggest fish are getting pushed off their usual holds. Water temperature wasn't reported at this gauge, but a steady flow this deep into summer typically means Moosehead Lake's togue and landlocked salmon have settled into cool, deep lies near the thermocline, while smallmouth bass keep working rocky coves and drop-offs on topwater during low-light hours. Brook trout fishing in the smaller feeder streams and spring holes around the upper Penobscot watershed tends to slow this time of year as water warms, pushing fish toward the coldest pockets available. No shop, charter, or state-agency reports specific to Moosehead Lake or the upper Penobscot came through this cycle, so treat the species outlook below as seasonal expectation rather than confirmed bite reports, and check current regs before harvesting.
Pine Barrens pickerel turn on as Delaware River stays off-color
USGS gauge 01408000 is reading a modest 23.1 cfs as of early Wednesday morning, a sign of low, stable flow moving through the Delaware River and Pine Barrens system. That water is behaving differently depending on where you fish it. Dave's Sport Shop in Doylestown reports the Delaware River ran dirty from recent storms and put the smallmouth bite on hold, while nearby Nockamixon is still giving up bass and hybrids when conditions cooperate, per the same shop's report carried in The Fisherman — NJ/DE Freshwater roundup. South Jersey's cedar waters are faring much better: Allen's Dock and Hands Too Bait and Tackle both note the pickerel bite has come on strong with improved water clarity, with live killies and topwater baits doing the damage. Allen's Dock also flags solid largemouth action in local campground lakes and ponds. Net read for the region: river fisheries are still shaking off runoff while the Pine Barrens' still-water spots are fishing well right now.
Ned Rigs and pad frogs keep Central MA bass biting through summer heat
Roger Aziz Jr. is finding smallmouth bass to 3 pounds on the Merrimack River this week on Aziz-rigged Senkos and Yamamoto Cut Tail Worms, per The Fisherman — New England Freshwater. Largemouth action is mixed across the region: Jerry's Bait and Tackle reports a good bite at North Pond (Lake Maspenock), Lake Whitehall and Lake Winthrop on shiners, wacky worms and Ned Rigs, while Red Top Sporting Goods says Plymouth-area ponds, especially Queen Sewell Pond in Bourne, are giving up the biggest bass to a Booyah Pad Crasher Frog worked over lily pads. Not every water is cooperating: Sauder's Boat Livery says Congamond Lakes has turned tough again as water temperatures swing, though deep drop-edges, lily pads and deep-water docks are still holding fish, and a few rainbow and brown trout came off Ned Rigs on a deep hump. Both regional USGS gauges are running near typical summer base flow.
Eastern Washington rivers run high as late-summer bass patterns set in
USGS gauge 12484500 logged flow at 3,570 cfs in this morning's pre-dawn reading, a sign that area rivers still carry real volume heading into the back half of August. Water temperature wasn't captured on this pass, so plan around timing and flow rather than a specific number. No fresh regional catch reports came through today's feeds, so we're leaning on seasonal pattern-matching: smallmouth bass and walleye should be relating to structure and current breaks as summer wears on, while trout water stays coolest early and late. Wired 2 Fish's general advice on fishing summer bass around busy recreational water, get out early, get out late, before boat traffic pushes fish off obvious cover, applies well right now, and Tactical Bassin's notes on how bass group up once water temperatures peak are worth applying to area lakes. Check WDFW's current creel and stocking reports before heading out for the latest local specifics.