Fishing reports
14688 reports across all 50 states — current conditions and what's biting.
Merrimack smallmouths stay active in the Concord stretch
USGS gauges across the watershed (01072870, 01073319, 01091000, 01073500) are reading 53 to 54°F this week at the three sites reporting temperature, with flows running low — from 3.76 to 20.6 cfs — keeping water clear and stable. On the Merrimack itself, per The Fisherman — New England Freshwater, smallmouth bass are active in the Concord stretch, taking spinnerbaits and topwater lures cast from shore as fish settle into the fall feeding pattern.
Columbia-side creeks run low and cool as the mainstem stays high
USGS gauges on the Columbia side are telling two different stories this week. The small tributary gauges at sites 14211542 and 14211550 are running low and cool, 14 and 17 cfs with water sitting at 56°F as of Friday evening, while the larger mainstem gauge at site 14211720 is pushing a much bigger 11,200 cfs at 65°F. That split, a nearly-dry feeder creek beside a still-warm, high-volume river, is the defining condition on this stretch right now.
Striped bass blitz holds strong as Narragansett Bay clears post-storm
Narragansett Bay is settling into its fall rhythm, with water running 63.7°F at the Bay's mouth (NOAA station 8452660) and a cooler 62.4°F upriver at Conimicut Light (8452944) as the seasonal cool-down pushes in from the back of the Bay. Per Saltwater Edge in Middletown, striped bass fishing is "blowing up" now that last week's nor'easter has cleared through, with surf and boat anglers doing well around the islands. The Fisherman's Rhode Island contributors back that up: Snug Harbor Marina has stripers producing along the south county beaches and breachways, and Quonnie Bait and Tackle adds Watch Hill Reefs as a reliable boat bite. Offshore, black sea bass fishing is strong as well — Frances Fleet logged a full boat limit of keepers this week, and Booked Off Charters is seeing better numbers of keeper-size fish now that smaller sea bass have thinned out.
Western NY tributaries ease into a fall walleye window
Three USGS gauges across the Lake Erie and Niagara tributary network show the classic early-October split: gauge 04218700 is running a healthy 110 cfs at 61°F, gauge 04231600 is up to 618 cfs at 60°F, and the smallest tracked creek, gauge 04232050, has dropped to a trickle at 5.27 cfs and 57°F. That's steady, fishable water on the bigger systems with the small tributary thinning out, arriving under tonight's new moon. Fishing the Midwest points to this stretch of fall as prime time for its "plain rig," a bottom-bouncer and nightcrawler presentation the publication leans on once water cools in spring and fall, a good starting template for walleye right now.
High, warm Mississippi flow keeps Atchafalaya backwaters the play
The Mississippi River gauge at Baton Rouge (USGS 07374000) logged a flow of 346,000 cfs with water holding at 77°F as of Thursday evening, a reading that keeps the river in a high-water, warm-water pattern rather than the cooler draw anglers typically look for by mid-October. That volume pushes current through the connected Atchafalaya Basin waters as well, which means backwater and slough access is the more fishable call over the high main channel this week.
Cooling flows set up fall feeding shift on the Finger Lakes
A watershed gauge feeding the Finger Lakes basin (USGS 04232050) logged water at 57°F with flow down to just 5.27 cfs late Thursday night, a classic low-and-cooling fall signature for Cayuga, Seneca, and Skaneateles. As Fishing the Midwest notes for this stretch of the calendar, cooling water pushes baitfish and gamefish out of dying summer weed growth and into whatever live, green vegetation remains, which tends to concentrate activity into tighter bands than the spread-out summer bite. With a new moon overhead this week, the low-light windows at dawn and dusk are the sharper bet for shallow presentations.
Fall walleye pattern holds steady on North Dakota's Red River
Red River gauges near Fargo held at 57 to 58°F overnight with flow steady in the 345-400 cfs range, a typical early-October signature for this stretch. That stability matters more than the numbers themselves: walleye are shifting toward classic fall feeding structure, and Fishing the Midwest reports a bottom-bouncer "plain rig" tipped with a nightcrawler producing fish as water temperatures ease into the high 50s. The same source notes a bladed swim jig working shoreline flats and weed edges for walleye and northern pike as baitfish and gamefish relocate off dying summer weed growth.
Rain-swollen flows stir fall transition on Texoma, Eufaula
Flow at USGS gauge 07331600, which feeds the Lake Texoma watershed, is running well above typical early-October levels this week, a sign of recent rain moving through the region. B.A.S.S. News reports Oklahoma anglers have already seen water temperatures drop 6 to 10 degrees following late-September rain tied to Hurricane Polo's remnants, kicking off the fall transition as fish shift out of deep summer holding areas. Lake Eufaula is drawing its own crowd: MLF News covered the Phoenix Bass Fishing League regional tournament there, with weigh-ins run October 8 and 9 concentrating boat traffic on the lake through the weekend.
Toledo Bend, Sam Rayburn ease into the fall transition
Water temperatures across the Toledo Bend-Sam Rayburn system are holding in the low 80s as of Thursday evening, with USGS gauges 08017044 and 08017118 both reading 82°F and gauge 08017095 at 80°F. Flow on the Angelina-side gauge 08030500 sits near 978 cfs, steady and unremarkable for early October. Lake Fork Trophy Bass, reporting from a fellow East Texas reservoir, describes the broader regional pattern this week: cooling nights are pushing the fall transition along, feeding activity is picking up as water eases down from summer highs, and boat traffic is thinning as more anglers head to deer stands and blinds with hunting season opening.
Oregon Coast settles into a new-moon fall tide cycle
Water off the Oregon Coast measured 53.6°F at the NOAA CO-OPS coastal station as of this morning, a reading consistent with the seasonal cool-down already underway along this stretch. Today's new moon is pulling larger-than-average tidal exchanges, which is the factor most worth building a trip around this week.
Sea Bass and Fluke Keep NJ Boats Busy at Season's Turn
NOAA's Delaware Bay-area station logged water temps at 66.9°F this morning, still comfortable enough to keep the fall bite rolling along the Jersey coast. Black sea bass are the standout right now — Capt Ron's out of Atlantic Highlands reports steady drops producing enough fish for everyone aboard on back-to-back trips, and Blue Chip Sportfishing says its sea bass charters are doing very good, with most trips getting enough for the whole boat. Fluke are hanging on later than usual: Blue Chip has them mixing with sea bass on half- and full-day trips, Capt Ron put fluke up to four pounds in the box over the weekend, and Fishermans HQ in Long Beach Island notes it's surprising how many fluke are still showing in the bay, inlet and surf even with the recreational season closed. Bluefish and a handful of striped bass are turning up in that same LBI mixed bag, while tautog is listed as one of the better targets right now.
Keys fishing turns toward fall as summer heat finally breaks
Water temperatures are still running summer-warm across the Florida Keys, with NOAA CO-OPS station 8724580 reading 86.7°F in Key West and station 8723970 at 88.2°F on the bay side, both logged this morning. ALL IN Key West reports the heat of summer is finally starting to let up after a slow September spent on boat upgrades, a signal the fishery is turning toward its stronger fall and winter run.
Yellowtail bite keeps rolling through the SoCal Bight
Surface water across the LA Bight and Channel Islands is running warm for early October, with our two coastal stations reading 73°F and 77°F this week. The yellowtail bite remains the story: Western Outdoor News — Saltwater reports a Point Loma crew trip this week came together after a run of "crushing the yellowtail," with the boat shifting attention once that bite eased off the morning tide. The same source notes offshore activity has been building throughout the Bight and up around the Channel Islands over the past several weeks, consistent with warm water holding later into the season than usual. With the new moon tonight, expect stronger tidal exchange to sharpen bite windows around sunrise and sunset.
Sea bass and fluke keep NJ boats busy as striper run builds
NOAA's Sandy Hook and Cape May stations are reading 65.8°F and 66.4°F this morning, matching the mid-60s surf temps Fishermans HQ LBI logged along Long Beach Island today. Black sea bass and fluke are carrying the bite: Blue Chip Sportfishing is filling half- and full-day trips with both, and Capt Ron's out of Atlantic Highlands landed several fluke up to four pounds this week along with a strong, all-day sea bass bite that's produced pool-winning fish most trips. Fishermans HQ LBI also flagged tautog as one of the better species to target right now, and logged bluefish and a couple of striped bass in the mixed surf bag as the early fall push continues. Fluke are catch-and-release out of season per Fishermans HQ, so check current regulations before keeping one.
Sea bass bite holds strong off Sandy Hook as fall transition builds
Water temperatures at Sandy Hook sat at 63.9°F as of this evening, per NOAA CO-OPS station 8531680, with the next high tide rolling in around 7:41 PM ET. Bottom fishing is carrying the week in the Raritan Bay area. Capt Ron's out of Atlantic Highlands logged several solid days of black sea bass action, with steady drops producing keepers for the boat; Friday's trip produced a pool-winning 2.5-pound sea bass for George Layaly. Blue Chip Sportfishing is seeing the same pattern further down the Jersey Shore, with fluke and sea bass both coming aboard on half- and full-day trips. Up at Long Beach Island, Fishermans HQ reports a genuine mixed bag off the beach, including kingfish, bluefish, a couple striped bass, and fluke that are technically out of season but still turning up in the bay and inlet. Fishermans HQ calls kingfish and tautog the two best bets right now.
Pine Barrens and Delaware River ease into the fall transition
New Jersey Fish & Wildlife's fall black bear advisory is active now, a timely marker for anyone working the wooded stream corridors of the Pine Barrens or the upper Delaware River: black bears are feeding heavily ahead of denning season, and the agency is urging everyone outdoors, anglers included, to secure food and garbage at launch sites and streamside camps. The same week, NJ Fish & Wildlife flagged the Delaware Bay trawl survey's continued finfish monitoring during National Estuaries Week, underscoring how closely the broader Delaware watershed is being tracked as the region moves into the cooler months.
Water holds steady off Long Island as fall run approaches Montauk
Water temperatures across Long Island Sound and the Harbor approaches held in the mid-60s Friday evening, with NOAA CO-OPS stations 8510560, 8516945, and 8518750 reading 64.9°F, 64.9°F, and 65.5°F respectively as of 7:24 PM. The readings follow a weekend nor'easter that NY DEC's Saltwater Fishing and Boating advisory flagged for boaters still out before winterizing, and conditions appear to be settling back to typical early-October norms for the region.
Bluefish show up along Cape Lookout surf as fall bite revs up
Water temperatures along the northern Outer Banks are easing into the low 70s, with NOAA CO-OPS stations at Oregon Inlet and Duck both reading right around 73°F this morning, in line with the seasonal cool-down typical for Pamlico Sound and Cape Lookout in early October. Fisherman's Post reports bluefish are showing up along the Swansboro and Emerald Isle beachfront, per Morgan of The Reel Outdoors, as part of a broader scattered surf bite. Further down the coast, Fisherman's Post notes solid surf and pier activity around Topsail and Sneads Ferry, per Nathan of East Coast Sports, and continued action up the Pamlico and Neuse rivers, per Donald of Custom Marine Fabrication, with plenty of bait stacking up near New Bern. Carolina Beach and the Ocean Isle/Holden Beach stretch are both coming off strong short seasonal runs, per Fisherman's Post, as effort shifts with the fall transition.
Walleye and Lake Trout Bite Hold Strong as NY Waters Begin Fall Cool-Down
NY DEC's October 9th Fishing Line flags the season's turn: boat launch docks come out statewide on October 16, and trout season regulations are shifting into their fall framework. Out west on Lake Erie and the Niagara River, Brookdog Fishing Co. reports the walleye bite has stayed strong for weeks running, with especially good lake trout action on deep-water jigging out of Barcelona, and smallmouth bass sessions picking up as the big lake's temperature drops. That cooling trend is the same signal Finger Lakes and Hudson Valley anglers watch for walleye and lake trout to push toward structure and settle into more predictable depths.
Fall Mullet Run Reaches the Texas Gulf Coast
Water along the upper Texas coast held in the mid-80s this week — NOAA CO-OPS readings came in at 85.1°F at Galveston Pier 21, 83.8°F at the Galveston Bay Entrance North Jetty, and 83.3°F at Port Isabel. That's warm for the first full week of October, and it coincides with what Saltwater Sportsman describes as the fall mullet run now underway along the Gulf of Mexico, with millions of baitfish streaming out of rivers, bays, and estuaries. That bait push is the signal worth watching this time of year, since predator fish key in on the moving schools. Texas Fish & Game Magazine also reports TPWD is weighing new rule proposals that touch redfish tagging, worth checking before your next trip.
Redfish hold near structure as Gulf Coast water starts its fall cool-down
Water on Florida's Gulf Coast is still running warm for early October: NOAA CO-OPS buoy 8725520 off Fort Myers read 84.7°F and the Cedar Key station (8727520) read 77.5°F this morning, a spread that reflects how much cooler water already sits up in the Big Bend versus the southwest coast. That lag matters for how the fall transition plays out here. CCA Florida's ongoing coverage of red snapper management and allocation data continues to dominate the policy conversation for Gulf anglers, a reminder that the biggest story in Florida saltwater fishing right now is regulatory as much as biological. On the water, redfish remain part of the mix for Florida anglers, with a catch highlighted by Fin & Fly Charters underscoring that reds stay active around inshore structure as water starts to cool. Naples Offshore Fishing Charters reports steady charter demand blending nearshore and offshore trips as the seasonal shift gets underway.
NorCal coast settles into fall cool-down as new moon tides build
Water temperatures along this stretch of coast are holding in the mid-50s as the fall cooldown settles in. Our station near Bodega is reading 56.5°F, while the station near Humboldt Bay sits cooler at 53.4°F, both from early morning October 9 readings. That north-south split is typical for this time of year as the ocean sheds summer warmth from the south up. With tonight's New Moon, tidal exchanges are building toward their strongest pull of the cycle, moving more water and bait through the bay systems on each swing.
Chesapeake Bay cooldown accelerates ahead of fall feed shift
The Chesapeake Bay is reading 67.5°F at NOAA's Bay Bridge-Tunnel station as of October 9, squarely in the window where the bay's seasonal cooldown starts pushing baitfish and gamefish into tighter, more active contact. This week's new moon also brings stronger tidal exchanges than average, which tends to concentrate bait and predators on the stronger moves.
Slot Red Drum Run Lights Up the NC Coast
Red drum are the story on the North Carolina coast this week. At Topsail/Sneads Ferry, Nathan of East Coast Sports reports a strong run of slot-sized redfish off the surf and piers, with some over-slot fish mixed in, per Fisherman's Post (NC). On the Pamlico/Neuse River, Donald of Custom Marine Fabrication says red drum are the main focus right now, with fish spread throughout the river and bait stacking up near New Bern, per Fisherman's Post — Carolinas saltwater. Morgan of The Reel Outdoors adds that Swansboro/Emerald Isle anglers working the beachfront are picking up scattered redfish and bluefish. Water at NOAA CO-OPS station 8656483 reads 75.4°F, still warm enough to keep redfish feeding actively in the shallows. With three independent shop reports describing the same fish in the same week, this reads as a genuine coastal-wide bite.