Fishing reports
19028 reports across all 50 states — current conditions and what's biting.
Catfish Take Over as Smallmouth Bite Slows on WV's Rivers
Wired2Fish's rundown of "What Lures We're Throwing in August 2026" sums up where most freshwater fisheries sit right now: water temps at their yearly peak, fish pushed fully into the post-spawn funk, and anglers grinding for bites in deeper water. No buoy or gauge readings came through for the New River and Ohio stretches this cycle, and none of today's angler-intel feeds filed a New River or Ohio River specific report, so we're leaning on typical early-August patterns for this fishery rather than fresh local intel. Smallmouth bass, the New River's signature species, typically get tougher and more current-oriented as summer peaks, with better action around dawn and dusk. Channel and flathead catfish, on the other hand, are usually hitting their stride in the Ohio River's warm, slow pools this time of year. Walleye and muskellunge tend to slide deep and go quiet under the hot-water pattern. Check current flows and local shop reports before heading out.
Texas catfish still working deep water as summer holds firm
Blue and channel catfish have carried the recent buzz on North Texas water, with the North Texas Catfish Guide reporting that fresh inflow and rising lake levels on Eagle Mountain Lake triggered an active, fast-moving bite this spring, including multiple blue cats pushing past 30 pounds during the hottest stretches. That inflow-driven pattern is the kind of signal Texas catfish anglers watch for, but by early August conditions typically tighten: water temperatures sit at or near their yearly peak and most gamefish shift into a deeper, more post-spawn holding pattern, a seasonal trend Wired 2 Fish's national August roundup flags as typical for this point in the calendar. Catfish remain the most dependable target on Texas lakes and rivers right now, with channel cats holding steady while white bass schooling slows from its spring high and largemouth bass settle deep. No fresh buoy or gauge readings came through this cycle, so check local water clarity and flow before you head out.
August heat pushes Guntersville and Wheeler bass to the depths
No buoy or gauge readings came through this cycle, and this week's angler-intel feeds carried no captain or shop reports specific to Guntersville or Wheeler, so this update leans on typical late-summer patterns for these Tennessee River reservoirs. Wired 2 Fish's August lure roundup notes that as water temps peak for the year, bass nationwide are full-blown post-spawn and pushed out to their deepest summer haunts — a pattern that lines up with how these ledge-rich lakes typically fish in August, with largemouth holding on river-channel structure and deep offshore points rather than the bank. Catfish tend to stay aggressive in hot water and should remain a dependable target. Crappie usually scatter and suspend deep this time of year, making them tougher to pattern than in spring. Below Wheeler Dam, striped bass typically respond well to current pulls and shad activity through the August heat. Check state regs before harvesting, and treat species notes below as seasonal expectation rather than a confirmed local bite until fresher reports come in.
Kansas River catfish slide deep as peak-summer pattern sets in
No fresh buoy or gauge readings came through for the Kansas and Arkansas Rivers today, so treat this as a seasonal outlook rather than a live readout — check your own thermometer and current USGS stage before heading out. Nationally, fish are full-blown post-spawn and holding as deep as they'll get all year with water temps at their yearly peak, per Wired 2 Fish's August lure roundup, and that pattern typically shows up on Kansas's catfish-heavy rivers too. Expect channel cats, blue cats, and flatheads pushed into deep holes, current breaks, and softer water off the main current during the heat of the day. White bass and walleye tend to slide deeper and get more active in low light. Midday sun usually means a slower bite; dawn, dusk, and after-dark windows should produce better, especially for flatheads and blues working structure once the current cools.
Deschutes and Klamath trout slide deep as August heat peaks
Direct gauge readings and regional captain or shop reports weren't available for the Deschutes and Upper Klamath watershed this cycle, so this update leans on seasonal patterns rather than fresh local testimony. Wired2Fish's August lure roundup notes that nationally, water temps have topped out and most fish are full-blown post-spawn, holding as deep as they'll get all year — a pattern that tracks with what Deschutes redband trout, Klamath-basin browns, kokanee, and smallmouth bass typically do once summer heat locks in. Expect a tighter bite window concentrated around dawn and dusk, with fish sliding into deeper runs, spring-fed pockets, and thermal refuges through the heat of the day. We're treating species status below as seasonal defaults, not confirmed live reports, until fresh gauge data or local shop/charter intel comes in for this basin. Check current Oregon regulations before harvesting, especially around sensitive native trout protections in this watershed.
Oregon anglers eye deep summer patterns as fall Chinook build
Wired 2 Fish's August lure rundown sums up the month bluntly: water temps have peaked nationwide and fish are sliding into deeper, post-spawn holding patterns rather than the aggressive shallow feeds of spring. No buoy or gauge telemetry came back for the Columbia or Rogue today, and this week's shop, charter, and agency feeds didn't carry a direct Oregon freshwater bite report, so we're leaning on typical seasonal timing rather than a confirmed call. Early August is historically when Rogue summer steelhead and Columbia-system fall Chinook begin stacking up, though run strength varies year to year and anglers should always check current state regs before targeting either species. IFish.net chatter shows boats working the Oregon coast down through the lower Willamette this week (a rod lost off Newport, gear left at a Wilson River cleaning station), a sign anglers are actively on the water even without a confirmed Columbia or Rogue report today. Treat this as seasonal-pattern guidance, not a confirmed hot bite.
Lake Superior North Shore eases into a deep-water August pattern
A predawn read from NOAA buoy 45004 off Lake Superior's North Shore this morning showed a calm lake — 0.7-foot waves, a light 6 m/s wind, and a cool air temperature typical for early August before the day warms. Water temperature wasn't reported by the buoy this cycle, so plan for a lake that stays cold well into summer. Regional angler intel skewed light on North Shore-specific bite reports today; the closest Lake Superior signal is WI DNR Lake Superior Fishing's note on the growing popularity of the Chequamegon Bay lake whitefish fishery, on the Wisconsin side of the lake. On the Minnesota shore, August typically means deep-trolling season for lake trout and salmon as fish hold in cooler layers of the water column — Wired 2 Fish's national August lure rundown backs that pattern, noting most fisheries are fully post-spawn with fish pushed to their deepest summer haunts. Expect a steady, workmanlike bite rather than a hot one.
Kentucky Lake bass hold strong through peak summer heat
Kentucky Lake put up a winning three-day stringer of 38 pounds, 4 ounces at the 2026 Strike King Bassmaster High School Championship, per B.A.S.S. News — evidence largemouth are still stacking on structure heading into peak summer heat. No fresh buoy or gauge readings came through for this update, so pin down current water temp and flow before you launch. Seasonally, August marks full post-spawn: per Wired 2 Fish's August lure roundup, bass across the country have pushed to their deepest water of the year as surface temps peak, and Kentucky Lake/Barkley's ledges and river-channel structure typically hold that pattern through the month. Smallmouth should be riding the same deep transition. Crappie tend to go quiet in the heat, suspending over deep brush and standing timber rather than chasing moving baits. Catfish — a Kentucky Lake staple — stay a reliable summer option regardless of bass mood. Check current state regs before harvesting.
Delaware largemouth, snakehead bite heats up on topwater
Smith's Bait Shop in Leipsic reports good largemouth bass and snakehead fishing across central Delaware this week, per The Fisherman — NJ/DE Freshwater, with the best action coming first thing in the morning on topwater frogs, poppers, constant-motion topwater baits and weedless rigged plastics. Garrisons Lake, Silver Lake, Massey Mills and Mcculleys Pond were named as the standout producers. No dedicated buoy or gauge readings came back for the Christina and Nanticoke watersheds specifically this cycle, so we're leaning on this statewide Delaware freshwater report as the closest available read on conditions. Early August typically means warm, stable surface temps with fish holding tight to cover, weedlines and shade, which tracks with the dawn topwater pattern being described. Snakehead showing up alongside bass fits the warm-water stretch these fish tend to favor. Expect that early window to keep producing through the week before the bite slows as midday sun pushes surface temps higher.
Truckee & Tahoe anglers settle into a typical August deep-water pattern
No fresh buoy or gauge readings came through for the Truckee/Tahoe corridor this cycle, and this week's national fishing-news roundup didn't carry any Nevada-specific dispatches, so we're leaning on typical seasonal patterns rather than fresh sightings for this report. By early August, Lake Tahoe's surface layer has generally warmed well past the comfort range for mackinaw (lake trout) and kokanee salmon, which pushes both species down toward deeper structure and the thermocline. On the Truckee River, trout typically bite best in the cooler low-light hours around dawn and dusk once summer temperatures peak, with activity slowing through the heat of midday. We'll flag species status as general seasonal expectation below rather than confirmed local reports, and readers should check the latest state and local shop updates before heading out, since specific Tahoe-basin intel simply wasn't in this cycle's data.
White River trout lean on dam releases as August heat builds
No fresh buoy or gauge readings came through for the Bull Shoals/Norfork system this cycle, so this report leans on general late-summer tailwater patterns rather than a fresh regional signal. Caddis Fly (OR)'s recent piece on trout being cold-blooded is a useful frame right now: as August air temps peak, fish comfort tracks water temperature more than anything else, and on these dam-controlled tailraces that means comfort tracks the generation schedule far more than the weather. Typically for this time of year, Bull Shoals and Norfork stay fishable through the hottest stretch of summer because cold bottom-release water keeps trout active when regional lakes and warmwater rivers go quiet. Hatch Magazine's notes on properly leading a rising trout are a solid technique reminder for anglers working the slower, clearer stretches between generation cycles. Expect standard summer tailwater tactics: small nymphs, scuds, and sowbugs fished deep on the swings, with brief dry-fly windows opening during low-flow periods. Check current generation schedules before planning a trip.
Finger Lakes lake trout and smallmouth push deep as August heat peaks
No fresh buoy or gauge readings came through for the Finger Lakes this cycle, and this week's angler-intel sweep didn't turn up region-specific reports from Cayuga, Seneca, or Skaneateles, so treat this as a quiet week for hard local intel rather than a lull in the bite. The broader seasonal signal still applies: per Wired 2 Fish's August lure roundup, fish nationwide are firmly post-spawn by early August and pushing to the deepest water they'll hold all year as surface temps peak. That pattern typically plays out on the Finger Lakes too, with lake trout sliding down toward the thermocline and smallmouth bass and walleye following baitfish into deeper basin structure during the heat of the day. Early-morning and late-evening windows typically produce the best action as fish move shallower to feed before retreating to depth. Check current New York regulations before harvesting, and expect a clearer regional read once local shop and charter reports come back online.
Green River tailwater trout hold steady through peak-summer heat
No fresh dispatches came in this week specifically from the Green River or the Uinta high lakes, so this report leans on what we know about the fishery this time of year rather than a fresh bite report. Wired 2 Fish's August lure roundup flagged that nationally, water temps have hit their yearly peak and most fish have pushed into deep, post-spawn holding patterns — a shift that dam-controlled tailwaters like the Green largely sidestep, since bottom-release flows out of Flaming Gorge keep the water cold enough for trout to stay active through August heat that shuts down warmwater fisheries elsewhere. The Uinta high lakes follow a different clock entirely, running weeks behind valley-floor water as snowmelt lingers at elevation. Expect typical August behavior for this fishery: steady tailwater nymphing and morning/evening dry-fly windows on the Green, with cutthroat and brookies still keying on terrestrials up in the high lakes. Check current flow releases before you go.
Platte and Missouri catfish keep the bite alive as walleye go deep
No fresh NOAA buoy or USGS gauge readings came through for the Platte or Missouri corridors this week, so this report leans on regional reporting and seasonal norms rather than raw numbers. Wired2Fish's August rundown notes that fish nationwide are now full-blown post-spawn, pushed into the deepest water they'll hold all year as surface temps peak for the season — a pattern that typically tracks for Nebraska's warmwater rivers as well. Fishing the Midwest's Mike Frisch and Bob Jensen have both been writing this stretch about leaning on forward-facing sonar to locate suspended walleye instead of assuming they're glued to bottom structure, while Jensen's piece on odd-looking "urchin" style baits suggests bass are still eating moving presentations worked over emerging weed growth. Channel catfish typically stay the most dependable bite through August heat on the Platte and Missouri, feeding heaviest after dark on cut bait and stinkbait. Sauger should hold steady in deeper channel bends. Check current flow levels before you launch.
Bitterroot and Flathead trout key on early mornings as August heat builds
Western trout water is running a familiar August script this week. Reno Fly Shop's Truckee River report (Nevada) describes afternoon heat pushing the best feeding window earlier in the day, with better luck upstream where flows stay cooler, while Caddis Fly's McKenzie River update (Oregon) notes low snowpack has trimmed summer flows without pushing water temperatures out of range for good fishing. No direct field reports came in this week for Flathead Lake or the Bitterroot specifically, so we're leaning on that broader western pattern plus typical seasonal behavior: post-spawn trout sliding into deeper, shaded holding water during midday heat, as Wired 2 Fish's August lure roundup describes happening across the country. Expect the Bitterroot's cutthroat and rainbow trout to favor low-light hours, with Flathead Lake's lake trout holding deep. Check current state regulations before targeting or harvesting bull trout, which remain catch-and-release only in most Montana waters.
Snake and Salmon settle into a low, clear August pattern
Wired2Fish's national August lure roundup this week confirms the pattern that typically defines this point in the calendar: fish across the country have pushed into full post-spawn mode, holding at their deepest water of the year as temperatures peaked over the past month. No Idaho-specific buoy, gauge, or angler reports came through for the Snake and Salmon Rivers this cycle, so this report leans on that broader seasonal signal and general knowledge of the fishery rather than guessing at local specifics. For these systems, that typically means rainbow and cutthroat trout sliding into deeper runs and shaded pockets through the heat of the day, with the best windows clustering around dawn and dusk. Smallmouth bass in the lower Snake tend to stay active through warm August water, while Chinook salmon activity on the Salmon River hinges entirely on run timing best checked against current state counts. Verify conditions locally before you head out.
Upper Mississippi walleye slide deep as August heat settles in
No buoy or gauge readings came back for the Clinton-Dubuque pools this cycle, so we're leaning on seasonal pattern and regional technique intel rather than a hard temp reading. Per Wired 2 Fish's August lure roundup, most fish across the Midwest are now full-blown post-spawn and sitting as deep as they'll get all year, a pattern that applies directly to Mississippi River pool walleye and sauger this time of year. Fishing the Midwest's Bob Jensen and Mike Frisch both note that forward-facing sonar has changed where anglers find suspended walleye, pulling fish off the classic points-and-wingdams milk run and into open water and unconventional depths. Expect channel cats to stay active through the heat, smallmouth to hold tight to deep rock and current breaks, and white bass to keep working schooling patterns. Check current flow and clarity locally before heading out, since we have no fresh gauge data for this stretch today.
Des Moines River anglers shift deep as post-spawn August settles in
Wired 2 Fish's August lure roundup this week frames where the region sits right now: water temps have peaked for the year and fish nationwide have gone full post-spawn, sitting as deep as they'll get all season — a pattern that lines up with typical late-summer positioning on the Iowa and Des Moines Rivers. No fresh buoy or gauge readings came through for this stretch this cycle, and no shop or state-agency report specific to this corridor landed either, so today's species calls lean on seasonal defaults rather than fresh bite confirmations. Fishing the Midwest's regional coverage still offers useful technique carryover: Mike Frisch notes forward-facing sonar is turning up walleye suspended well off the bottom-structure spots anglers traditionally leaned on, and Bob Jensen's crew has been keeping treble hooks freshly sharpened working moving baits over emerging weed growth for bass. Catfish typically stay reliable on cut bait through peak summer heat; crappie tend to slide deep and go quiet. Check current flow and clarity locally before heading out.
August post-spawn sends Missouri River walleye deep
South Dakota anglers are watching the calendar more than a data feed this week - no fresh Missouri River gauge or Black Hills stream reading came through this cycle, so plan around typical early-August warmth and check a local forecast before you launch. Wired 2 Fish's national August lure roundup notes most fish are now full-blown post-spawn and pushed to their deepest summer haunts, a pattern that lines up with what Missouri River walleye typically do by this point in the season. The state already produced one headline moment: Wired 2 Fish reported a Harrisburg angler fishing 220-acre Wall Lake near the town of Wall boated a sunfish that broke a 56-year-old record while his forward-facing sonar marked a walleye suspended well off bottom - a trend Fishing the Midwest has been tracking on walleye water all season. Black Hills trout streams should still fish best early and late.
Vermont bass and walleye slide deep as August heat sets in
Post-spawn bass across the country are holding as deep as they'll get all year, with water temps at their yearly peak — that's the read from Wired 2 Fish's August lure roundup, and it lines up with what we'd expect on the Connecticut River and Lake Champlain this week. No fresh buoy or gauge readings came through for this stretch, so anglers should lean on their own thermometer and structure knowledge rather than a specific number. Smallmouth and largemouth bass are pushing to rocky drop-offs and deep weed edges, walleye are sliding off typical bottom haunts into suspended, open-water positions — a shift walleye anglers elsewhere are chasing with forward-facing sonar per Fishing the Midwest — and pike activity typically eases in the warmest stretch of summer. Early mornings, late evenings, and the low light around this week's Last Quarter moon should be the highest-percentage windows.
Pickerel and largemouth keep biting as Delaware River runs off-color
Storm runoff has the Delaware River corridor murky this week — Dave's Sport Shop in Doylestown reports the river went dirty after recent rain, putting smallmouth bass fishing on hold, though nearby Nockamixon is still giving up bass and hybrids when conditions cooperate. Down in Pine Barrens cedar-water country near Cape May, Hands Too Bait and Tackle says largemouth are coming from Dennisville and Ponderlodge lakes (Ponderlodge sits inside the Cox Hall Creek WMA, per NJ Fish & Wildlife News) thanks to better water conditions, with pickerel also active on live killies and topwater baits in the tannin-stained creeks off Route 47. Allen's Dock echoes a good pickerel bite in those same cedar waters and adds solid largemouth action in local campground lakes and ponds. Up toward the Poconos end of the watershed, Hyper Striper Sportfishing reports smallmouth and hybrid stripers still producing well in Lake Wallenpaupack, best early and late in the day. It's a classic Pine Barrens split: stained, structure-heavy water fishing well while the main-stem river shakes off runoff.
Central Mass largemouth turn to Ned Rigs as summer heat settles in
Jerry's Bait and Tackle in Milford reports largemouth bass fishing holding steady across Central Mass ponds, with shiners, wacky worms, and Ned Rigs producing at North Pond (Lake Maspenock) in Hopkinton, Lake Whitehall in Hopkinton, and Lake Winthrop in Holliston — the three most productive local waters right now, per The Fisherman — New England Freshwater. Further west at Congamond Lakes in Southwick, Sauder's Boat Livery describes bass as unsettled with swinging water temperatures, though deep drop-edges, lily pads, and dock shade are still holding fish on Ned Rigs, jigs, and Senkos; the shop also picked up rainbow and brown trout, including a 3-pound-plus rainbow, working Ned Rigs on a deep hump. With the moon in last quarter and water past peak summer warmth, expect the classic post-spawn pattern Wired 2 Fish flags for August: fish pushed to their deepest, most stable water of the year. Slow presentations and structure-tight fishing are outproducing reaction bites region-wide this week.
Saginaw Bay walleye settle into deep summer patterns as August heat holds
No fresh buoy or gauge readings came through for Lake Huron and Saginaw Bay this cycle, and this week's angler-intel sweep turned up nothing specific to the region beyond a shakedown-trip question on the Michigan Sportsman Forum asking whether AuGres was running skinny water yet — one unanswered forum post, not enough on its own to call as fact. With no hard numbers or fresh reports to lean on, this update falls back on what's typical for early August on Saginaw Bay and the Lake Huron shoreline: walleye pushed off the shallow reefs into deeper, cooler water as surface temps peaked through July, yellow perch schooling over mud and sand flats, and smallmouth bass working rock piles and drop-offs during the afternoon heat. Lake trout stay a deep, technical game this time of year. Check the MI DNR Weekly Fishing Report directly for county-by-county specifics before heading out, since our feed didn't carry usable detail this round.
Yakima and Spokane anglers shift to early/late bite as August heat sets in
By early August, fish across the country are full-blown post-spawn and pushing as deep as they'll get all year, per Wired 2 Fish's national lure roundup — a pattern that typically holds for Eastern Washington's trout and bass water too as the Yakima and Spokane region settles into peak-summer heat. We didn't get any fresh buoy or gauge readings for this stretch, and none of this week's angler-intel feeds carried a site-specific report from a Yakima River guide, Spokane-area shop, or WDFW creel crew — so treat this as a seasonal outlook rather than a fresh bite report. WDFW's statewide creel and stocking program (WA WDFW Fishing Reports) remains the best source for lake-by-lake and river-by-river specifics before you head out. Expect redband trout on the Yakima and smallmouth bass around Spokane to feed best in the low-light hours, with midday fish sliding into deeper, cooler water as surface temps peak for the year.