Fishing reports
18942 reports across all 50 states — current conditions and what's biting.
Sonar-era tactics reshape walleye and bass patterns on the pools
Fishing the Midwest's Mike Frisch is publicly rethinking decades of walleye wisdom this week, noting that clearer water and the spread of Forward-Facing Sonar have pulled fish away from the bottom-hugging, structure-tight patterns anglers were long taught to trust — a shift relevant to the clear, current-influenced pools between Prescott and La Crosse. Fellow Fishing the Midwest writer Bob Jensen is seeing a parallel shift on the bass side, reporting strong results on odd-looking multi-tentacled 'urchin' style baits worked near cover. Frisch also flagged a simple in-boat habit worth copying: touching up treble hooks with a sharpener mid-trip turned a near-miss into a five-pound-plus largemouth. No fresh buoy or gauge readings were available for these pools today, so treat flow and water temperature as typical for early August until you check a current local reading. With a Last Quarter moon overhead, expect a milder overall bite than around the full or new phase — lean on dawn and dusk windows rather than midday.
Summer heat pushes Roosevelt Lake bass to deep, offshore cover
Tactical Bassin's late-summer breakdown of bass behavior — bass separating into distinct heat-driven groups and pushing to offshore cover once surface temps climb — lines up with what typically happens on Roosevelt Lake and the Salt River chain by early August. No fresh buoy or gauge readings came through for this update, so we're leaning on seasonal patterns rather than same-week numbers: largemouth and smallmouth bass in Arizona reservoirs this time of year typically slide off the bank into deeper, cooler water and structure, feeding hardest in the low-light hours around dawn and dusk. Catfish stay a dependable summer bite in the heat, often most active after dark. Crappie tend to suspend deep near brush and standing timber once surface temps peak. Anglers planning a trip this week should expect classic August patterns: fish tight to cover, moving shallow briefly in the cooler morning window before pulling back offshore as the sun climbs.
Heat pushes Catskills anglers toward bass as trout streams warm
Trout Unlimited's "Cat days of summer" post is the clearest signal for Adirondack and Catskill trout water right now: as summer heat pushes favorite streams past temperatures where it's ethical to target trout, many anglers are pivoting to smallmouth bass on streamers as a warm-weather backup, per Trout Unlimited's own reporting. No fresh NOAA buoy or USGS gauge readings came through for this region today, so treat stream temperatures as unconfirmed until you check a thermometer streamside. On the habitat side, Trout Unlimited and the NY DEC are mid-project on the South Branch Moose River, replacing 63 culverts over three to five years to reconnect 44 miles of native brook trout water, a reminder that state and conservation investment in these fisheries continues even in a slow-bite stretch. Field & Stream's rundown of mayflies, stoneflies, caddisflies, and midges is worth a refresher before you tie on, since matching whatever's actually hatching still matters more than fighting warm, sluggish water.
August heat sends KY river bass deep as anglers adjust patterns
No fresh buoy or gauge readings came in for the Ohio and Cumberland River systems this cycle, so this report leans on seasonal knowledge and technique intel rather than a specific on-the-water KY source. Tactical Bassin's latest breakdown of "Where Do Bass Go When It's Hot" is the most directly useful signal available: as summer temperatures peak, bass split into two predictable groups and position around three main variables, with submerged vegetation and offshore cover holding fish once the shallows get too warm. Fishing the Midwest also notes that forward-facing sonar has changed where anglers look for suspended fish rather than assuming they're glued to bottom structure, a shift worth trying on Cumberland and Ohio River backwaters. Expect largemouth to still be catchable on the right cover, while catfish activity typically holds steady through August heat. Sauger and crappie are the ones most likely to be sluggish until water starts cooling toward September.
Limestone spring creeks stay cool as PA trout streams face summer heat
Early August is prime 'dog days' season for Pennsylvania trout water, and Trout Unlimited's seasonal update notes many anglers are already moving off freestone streams that have pushed past ethical fishing temperatures for salmonids. Spring Creek and Penns Creek are the exception PA anglers lean on this time of year: both are limestone, spring-fed systems, so steady groundwater input keeps flows and temperatures far more stable than runoff-dependent rivers, extending the window when trout stay active and safe to target. No live buoy or gauge reading came through for this reach today, and no shop or captain report specific to Spring Creek or Penns Creek surfaced in this pull, so treat conditions as typical-for-season rather than confirmed. Field & Stream's guide to trout-stream insects is a good reminder that mayflies, caddisflies, stoneflies, and midges still anchor the diet even in summer, alongside terrestrials.
Hawaii's trade-wind pelagic season rolls on into August
No buoy or gauge telemetry came through for the islands this cycle, and today's angler-intel sweep turned up Hawaiʻi Sea Grant items on coastal research and fellowships rather than on-the-water bite reports, so this update leans on general seasonal knowledge instead of fresh dispatches. Early August typically sits in the heart of Hawaii's peak pelagic stretch, with steady trade winds pushing warm blue water across the channels that ahi (yellowfin tuna), mahimahi, and ono (wahoo) crews chase on high-speed trolling runs along temperature breaks and current edges. Shoreline and rock anglers are typically working ulua (giant trevally) around ledges, points, and channel mouths this time of year. We'd normally weigh that against fresh charter or shop reports, but none surfaced for this region today. Treat this as a seasonal baseline, not a confirmed bite report, and check current local conditions before heading out.
CT bass slide deep as summer heat pushes trout to cool water
August heat has largemouth and smallmouth bass sliding off the bank into deeper cover, per Tactical Bassin's latest breakdown of summer bass positioning, which points anglers toward submerged vegetation and offshore structure once the shallows get picked over. Fishing the Midwest's Mike Frisch echoes that shift, noting how Forward-Facing Sonar has changed where anglers find suspended fish that used to get written off as bottom-only holdouts. Trout are the species pulling back this week — warm, low summer flows typical for CT streams in early August push fish into cool tributary mouths and shaded runs, and Field & Stream's rundown of mayflies, caddis, stoneflies, and midges is worth a look before tying on anything for a midday session. Panfish stay a reliable backup bite for kids and casual outings. No CT-specific buoy or gauge readings came through this cycle, so treat flow and water temp as seasonal-typical until fresh local data lands.
Sarasota seatrout bite stays red-hot as tarpon linger inshore
Capt. Brandon Naeve of CB's Saltwater Outfitters in Sarasota reports the peak summer spotted seatrout bite is fully on, landing a 27-inch trout this past week with aggressive action holding across inshore grass flats, mangrove shorelines, and local passes — he calls Sarasota Bay one of the best spots in the state for the species right now and recommends targeting sunrise and sunset feeding windows. In the same shop's August forecast, Capt. Rick Grassett notes tarpon are still working the coastal gulf early in the month on flies, DOA Baitbusters, and DOA Shrimp, with juvenile tarpon and tripletail also in the mix around deep grass flats. As beaches empty out through August, Grassett expects those tarpon to slide into bridges and inside waters. No fresh buoy or gauge readings came through this cycle, so lean on these on-the-water reports over raw numbers when planning trips this week.
Fluke and Bluefin Keep Firing Across Long Island Sound
Fluke fishing is "firing on all cylinders" from South Shore bays to ocean reefs and Long Island Sound, per On The Water's Long Island and NYC report from late July, with bluefin tuna feeding heavily on sand eels and squid on the midshore grounds and excellent off the east end. Striped bass continue to produce for anglers working live baits over reef structure inside the Sound. We're heading into a Last Quarter moon with the fall run still weeks out, and Saltwater Edge Blog's Rhode Island forecast notes a lackluster July giving way to crisper mornings and the first southerly winds anglers watch for ahead of the migration. No fresh buoy or gauge readings came in for this update, so pack a thermometer and confirm sea state before running offshore. Doormat-class fluke remain tricky; On The Water's own advice piece points to tackle and technique as the usual culprits for anglers coming up short.
Big browns steal the spotlight in Lake Michigan's summer salmon run
A 26.58-pound brown trout topped this year's Salmon-a-rama standings on Lake Michigan, outweighing the event's largest Chinook salmon, a result anglers flagged on Michigan Sportsman Forum this week and a sign brown trout are feeding aggressively as Wisconsin's Lake Michigan waters push through peak summer. Direct bite reports specific to Door County and Sheboygan harbors were thin this cycle, and no NOAA buoy or USGS gauge readings came through for this update, so verify water temp and wave conditions locally before you launch. Early August here typically means Chinook and brown trout holding well offshore over deeper structure, smallmouth bass working the rocky shoreline around Door County, and walleye biting low-light on the Green Bay side. Anglers working similar summer patterns elsewhere in the Midwest are leaning on forward-facing sonar to find suspended fish rather than assuming bottom orientation, per Fishing the Midwest, worth trying if your usual spots go quiet.
Wabash smallmouth and Lake Michigan perch settle into summer holding patterns
No fresh NOAA buoy or USGS gauge readings came through for the Wabash River or Lake Michigan corridor this cycle, so this update leans on regional technique intel rather than a hard number. Fishing the Midwest's Bob Jensen and Mike Frisch are both writing about early-August patterns that carry over well to Indiana water: forward-facing sonar is putting anglers on suspended walleye and smallmouth that would have gone unnoticed on bottom-only presentations a decade ago, and Jensen notes bass are still keying tight to emerging weed edges on moving baits. None of this week's tracked sources filed a Wabash- or Lake Michigan-specific catch report, so treat the species snapshot below as seasonal expectation rather than a confirmed bite. Typical early August around here means catfish activity climbing after dark, smallmouth holding on deeper rock and current breaks, and Lake Michigan perch scattering with baitfish schools - check it against your own electronics before committing to a spot.
Southern Lake Michigan Salmon Fishery Keeps Rolling Into August
Indiana's Lake Michigan shoreline moves into August carrying momentum from a standout salmon season lakewide: the WI DNR's Lake Michigan Fishing Report noted anglers landed a record 210,000-plus coho salmon in 2024 and the most Chinook salmon since 2012, plus a strong steelhead harvest, with improved alewife survival helping stocked fish rebound across the basin. No fresh buoy or stream-gauge readings came through for this stretch today, so treat water temp and clarity as unconfirmed until you're on the water. Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant continues funding research specifically targeting southern Lake Michigan fisheries, a sign the science community is watching this exact water closely. Expect the typical early-August pattern to hold: salmon and trout stacking along the thermocline well offshore, smallmouth bass working nearshore rock and rubble, and yellow perch schooling over deeper structure as surface temps stay warm through midday. Confirm specifics locally before you launch.
Rangeley anglers shift to smallmouth as trout waters heat up
Trout Unlimited's latest 'Cat days of summer' dispatch sums up the mood across ME's cold-water fisheries this week: once water temperatures push toward the range that stresses trout, the group recommends anglers ease off classic salmonid targets and shift toward warmwater species like smallmouth bass, working streamers and topwater poppers instead. No fresh buoy or gauge readings came through for the Rangeley Lakes/Androscoggin system this cycle, and Mainely Fly Fishing's most recent regional post (mid-June) was light on specifics, so we're leaning on seasonal patterns rather than a fresh on-the-water report. Early August is typically the toughest stretch for brook trout and landlocked salmon here, with fish holding deep or moving into cooler tributary mouths during peak daylight heat. Field & Stream's rundown of core aquatic insect groups, mayflies, stoneflies, caddisflies and midges, remains a useful hatch-matching primer if you're working dawn or dusk windows when trout still feed on top.
Oregon Coast anglers watch regional salmon shifts through August
Western Outdoor News — Saltwater reports that NMFS closed the Klamath Management Zone this week, the stretch of ocean running from the California/Oregon border south, while the adjacent Fort Bragg Management Area reopened August 1 — a sign that salmon season boundaries just south of the Oregon Coast are moving fast this month. No buoy or gauge telemetry came through for this cycle, so we're leaning on angler activity rather than live readings. Forum posts on IFish.net Fishing Reports show anglers actively working Newport, the Wilson River, and Lake Hebo, though those are mostly lost-gear posts rather than catch reports, so treat them as chatter rather than confirmed bite intel. With nothing specific reported for the Oregon Coast itself this cycle, expect the region's typical early-August lineup: ocean Chinook and coho salmon, bottomfish and rockfish over structure, and Dungeness crab working bays and jetties. Check current state fishing regulations before heading out, especially near the Oregon/California line.
Steady summer heat holds Mobile Bay's Gulf bite in a typical August groove
Buoy 42012 off the Alabama coast logged an 85°F sea-surface reading this morning with air temps near the same mark and wind holding light at roughly 4-5 mph, a textbook calm-water August setup for Mobile Bay and the nearby Gulf. This week's angler-intel sweep didn't turn up region-specific catch reports for Mobile Bay/Gulf from our tracked shops, captains, or blogs; the Pensacola Fishing Forum threads active right now cover a land sale, a boat purchase, a tractor, and pickled beets rather than fishing conditions, so there's nothing there to corroborate a bite pattern. Absent fresh regional testimony, we're leaning on typical late-summer Gulf coast patterns: warm water usually keeps speckled trout and redfish working structure and grass edges in the low-light hours, while red snapper and king mackerel activity typically holds steady around nearshore and offshore structure this time of year. Check current state and federal regs before harvesting reef species, and expect bite windows to tighten around midday heat.
Albacore run builds off Northern California as Central Coast waits
Buoy readings this morning show a spread across Central Coast waters, from 57°F at the Cape San Martin buoy (46028) up to 62°F off Monterey (46042), with San Francisco Bar (46026) reading 58°F and winds barely stirring at 2-4 mph. That kind of calm, glassy morning is prime time for small-boat runs before afternoon winds typically build. To the north, Western Outdoor News — Saltwater reports an albacore explosion off the Mendocino coast, with several charter captains scoring on the season's first big tuna trip, a signal worth watching as a warm-water push often works its way toward Central Coast grounds later in August. The same outlet notes California's ocean salmon season is being managed in pieces this week, with the Fort Bragg zone reopening August 1 through 9 while the Klamath zone stays closed, so anglers ranging north from the Central Coast should check current closures before planning a salmon trip.
Yellowtail heats up at San Clemente as SoCal surf finally settles
Buoys 46025 and 46221 read 71-72°F this morning with a light breeze and a 2.6-foot wind swell sitting off the Channel Islands. Yellowtail are the story: the WON-Toronado charter out of Pierpoint Landing in Long Beach loaded sardines and put anglers on "good sized yellowtail" at San Clemente Island even as it blew 35 knots at the tuna grounds, backburnering bluefin for the moment, per Western Outdoor News — Saltwater. A second overnighter aboard the Fury out of Dana Wharf also pushed toward San Clemente chasing a hot pre-greylight bite. On the beach, Surf Fishing in So Cal calls August "the best opportunity we've had all year" after the roughest, most persistent surf run in over a decade through May-July. Shore anglers south of Pigeon Point should also note new wire-leader and hook-size restrictions now in effect before rigging for sharks or seabass.
Albacore explosion off Mendocino as salmon zones shift on the North Coast
Water off San Francisco is running 58°F at NOAA buoy 46026, with light winds under 5 mph reported at both 46026 and buoy 46013 off Bodega Bay this morning. The standout report this week comes from Western Outdoor News — Saltwater: Captain Trent Slate of Bite Me Charters, along with Captains Ryan Ash and Christian Cavanaugh of Outer Limits and Captain Kevin Browning aboard Noyo Fishing Charters' Viking, found an "albacore explosion" off the Mendocino coast, landing tuna on their first trip of the season out of Fort Bragg. Closer to home, salmon regs are shifting — Western Outdoor News — Saltwater reports the Klamath Management Zone has closed while the Fort Bragg Management Area opened August 1 and runs through August 9, so check zone status before running north. Stripers and bay groundfish should stay steady in the calm, clear conditions typical for early August.
Striper Bite Stays Mobile as Bluefin Push Into Northern Waters
Striped bass fishing along the corridor running up toward Maine has been anything but predictable this week, with the hot bite shifting day to day and week to week per Belsan's Bait and Tackle, currently centered around Fourth Cliff and leaning more toward boat anglers than surfcasters after dark. Further up the same stretch, Surfland Bait and Tackle reports the squid-fueled push that drove big bites last week has cooled, with striper action sliding south into Plum Island Sound, while a flounder flare-up has opened up near the mouth of the river. Beauport Fishing Adventures notes dogfish have crowded into several groundfish zones, though giant bluefin tuna catches are trending up in northern waters. No live buoy or gauge readings are available for this update, so anglers should lean on local, same-day reports before planning a trip and stay mobile rather than anchoring on one spot.
Slip-cork trout bite holds as red drum stack up on SC coast
A slip-cork rig baited with live shrimp is the top-producing setup for spotted seatrout right now, per Fisherman's Post's North Myrtle/Little River report — the most current on-the-water testimony available for the South Carolina coast this week. Red drum are turning up in the same water, though no specific pattern was detailed in that report. We don't have a live buoy or gauge feed for Charleston Harbor in this update, so treat water temp and flow as typical for early August: warm and stable through the dog days. The moon sits at Last Quarter, meaning moderate tidal swings rather than the bigger push of a new or full moon, which favors working docks, oyster rakes, and marsh creeks on a normal cycle. Flounder and tarpon are both in-season targets for the harbor, though neither showed up in this week's regional reports.
Naples locks into tarpon-to-permit doubleheader through summer
Naples Offshore Fishing Charters has been running the tarpon-to-permit doubleheader that's defined this Gulf Coast season, working the tarpon migration each morning before switching over to sight-fishing large permit in the afternoons, per their most recent report. Kingfish have stayed consistent on plugs and flies, with cobia and amberjack mixing in as bonus species. No fresh buoy or gauge readings came through for this stretch of coast today, so anglers should lean on local forecasts and tide tables before running offshore. With the last quarter moon overhead, expect more moderate tidal swings than around a full or new moon. Statewide, red snapper management stays contentious after a court injunction blocked the 2026 South Atlantic pilot program, per CCA Florida, a fight centered on the Atlantic side but a reminder that Florida's snapper seasons have shifted repeatedly this year. Gulf Coast snook fishing typically holds strong through August as water stays warm.
Tautog and Sea Bass Turn On as Narragansett Bay Stripers Get Tricky
Tautog anglers are already cashing in limits along Rhode Island's rock piles and reefs since the season reopened on the 1st, according to Quonnie Bait and Tackle, with Saltwater Edge reporting the same success around the islands. Black sea bass has been the most consistent story of the past week too, Frances Fleet says the bite is picking up on both full and half day trips, and Snug Harbor Marina is seeing good numbers of keepers alongside big scup along the south county beaches. Fluke remains a mixed bag: Booked Off Charters is putting anglers on a dozen keepers a trip around Block Island, several over five pounds, while Quonnie calls the bite still a bit of a grind. Striped bass are the tougher story right now, Saltwater Edge and Quonnie both point to warmer bay water and brown sharks harassing hooked fish as the culprits. Green bonito are starting to show along the beaches per Snug Harbor and Quonnie, an early sign the fall pattern is stirring.
Surf bite holds for bluefish and sea mullet on the Outer Banks
Surf anglers on the Outer Banks are into a solid mixed bag this week: per Fisherman's Post (NC), Hugh of TW's Bait and Tackle reports the surf zone producing sea mullet and bluefish along with "plenty of croakers" on bottom rigs, and notes the inshore action has finally started picking back up. That's the clearest read we have for the Northern Beaches right now, and it lines up with the typical early-August pattern along the Carolina coast, bottom species stacking in the wash while bluefish push bait through the surf line. We don't have a fresh buoy or gauge reading for this stretch today, so lean on tide stage and light rather than a specific number when planning a trip. Red drum should still be working the same surf and nearshore structure that's typical for this time of year on the Outer Banks, though no OBX-specific report on them has come in through this week's feeds yet.
Treasure Coast snook fire off as red snapper season hits legal limbo
Snook fishing has been running hot along Florida's Treasure Coast, with Snook Nook's August report calling the bite excellent over the past few weeks and noting quality fish, including many in the 40-inch-plus range, around the St. Lucie Inlet and along the beach. Live croakers and threadfins are producing the best action; when the inlet bite slows, anglers are switching to dead threadfin on bottom, though Snook Nook notes that can draw bycatch. Remember Atlantic snook season stays closed to harvest through August per Snook Nook's own reporting, so it's catch-and-release only until the September 1 reopener - always check state regs before keeping fish. Offshore, Snook Nook's charter crew placed first in the small-boat division of the One More Bite Sailfish Challenge, going 7-for-9 on sailfish bites, a good sign the pelagic bite is active too. Meanwhile, CCA Florida reports a federal court injunction has thrown the state's South Atlantic red snapper season pilot program into limbo.