Fishing reports
19036 reports across all 50 states — current conditions and what's biting.
Fluke Bite Holds Steady as Sea Bass Turn Red Hot Off Sandy Hook
Capt. Ron out of Atlantic Highlands has put anglers on quality fluke all week, with Justin's 5-pound, 1-ounce flatfish claiming the new monthly pool lead to open August and "beauty" sea bass mixed in on nearly every trip. Blue Chip Sportfishing echoes the pattern, calling the sea bass bite "red hot" right now with boats limiting out on almost every trip, while a Friday charter also released three nice Mako sharks as shark season ramps up. Farther up the coast, OTW's Northern New Jersey report (July 30) has the fluke bite solid from the rivers to the reefs, with bluefin tuna working jigs and poppers inshore and party boats stacking 6- to 10-pound bluefish on diamond jigs. Striped bass are around but scattered — Grumpys Tackle notes only the occasional striper mixed into the surf lineup behind fluke and blues. Current and wind have been swinging drift speed trip to trip, so plan to fish heavy.
Lake Mead stripers settle into typical summer deep-water pattern
Early August has Lake Mead and the lower Colorado sitting in their usual summer holding pattern, with striped bass pushed off the banks and onto deep main-lake humps and points as surface water climbs toward its seasonal peak and shad schools scatter over structure. No fresh reading came through the USGS gauge (09421500) this cycle, flow and temperature both came back blank, and this week's angler-intel feeds carried nothing specific to Lake Mead or the lower Colorado striper fishery, so this update leans on general seasonal knowledge rather than a fresh on-the-water account. Anglers heading out should expect stripers keying on shad balls well off bottom over deep water, with the most consistent bite in the low-light hours around sunrise and sunset. Largemouth and smallmouth typically tighten up to rocky points and channel edges once daytime heat sets in. Check current NDOW guidance and local reports before planning a trip, since Mead's pattern can shift fast with lake level and heat.
Smallmouth bass push deeper as Winnipesaukee settles into summer pattern
The USGS gauge covering our watershed (01081000) is reading a moderate 318 cfs, consistent with typical stable late-summer flow and no signs of a recent rain pulse or drawdown. No water-temperature reading came through this cycle, but early August on Winnipesaukee typically means warm surface layers and an established thermocline. There's no direct on-the-water report for this lake in today's feeds, so we're leaning on regional seasonal patterns: per Tactical Bassin's recent August bass coverage, smallmouth and largemouth are pushing off the bank toward deeper structure and submerged vegetation as the heat sets in, with moving baits working the shallows mainly in the early/late windows and dropshot picking up fish once the sun climbs. Lake trout and landlocked salmon typically settle deep and cool through the thermocline this time of year, making for a slower, more technical bite. Check state regs before harvesting, and confirm current water clarity locally before running a plan built on general August patterns.
Yellowstone-area trout shift to early and late bite windows
USGS gauge 06192500 on the Snake/Yellowstone system logged 2,690 cfs and 67°F water temperature as of this morning — warm for early August but still workable for cutthroat, rainbow, and brown trout, provided anglers target the cooler low-light hours rather than midday. Regional signals back that timing: Trout Unlimited's coverage of this summer's Rockies drought describes low snowpack, low flows, and hoot-owl-style closures showing up across coldwater fisheries, a good reminder to fish early and handle trout gently wherever water is running warm. On technique, Hatch Magazine's notes from a guide who worked the Henry's Fork, Yellowstone, and Madison stress leading a rising trout further than most anglers assume — solid advice for the technical, clear-water dry-fly game typical of this stretch. Flylords Mag also flags northern pike and bass pushing into Yellowstone River basin trout water, a longer-term watch item rather than a today concern. Expect steady, not explosive, action concentrated at the margins of the day.
Winnipesaukee and Merrimack bass push deep as August heat settles in
The USGS gauge covering the Merrimack watershed measured flow easing to 58.5 cfs early this morning (2026-08-03), a mark consistent with the low, stable base flows typical of early August as snowmelt and spring rains give way to summer base conditions. No fresh NH-specific angler reports came through our feeds this cycle, so this update leans on seasonal patterns for Merrimack River and Lake Winnipesaukee freshwater fisheries. Smallmouth and largemouth bass typically push off the banks into deeper offshore structure and suspend near thermoclines as surface water warms into August, a shift national bass outlets like Tactical Bassin have been highlighting this month with dropshot and moving-bait presentations for summer largemouth. Lake trout and landlocked salmon, which favor colder water, likely hold deep near the thermocline on Winnipesaukee. We're recommending anglers fish early mornings and evenings to beat the midsummer heat and target structure rather than shallow banks.
Low water reshapes the bite on Cumberland's trout tailwater
The USGS gauge on the Cumberland River (site 03413200) logged just 10.3 cfs early this morning, a minimum-flow reading consistent with the dam sitting in a non-generating window rather than actively releasing through the turbines. That kind of skinny water reshuffles the tailwater bite: trout tend to hold tighter to deeper runs and current seams, and wading access opens up on gravel bars normally covered when generation is running. We don't have region-specific angler reports in hand for Lake Cumberland or the tailwater this cycle, so treat the species notes below as seasonal norms for early August rather than confirmed local bites. On the lake side, general August patterns point toward bass and panfish sliding deeper and toward low-light windows as surface temperatures peak through midday. Water temperature wasn't reported at the gauge this morning.
East Texas bass dig deep as summer heat holds firm
Flow at USGS gauge 08030500 is running elevated at 3,240 cfs as of early Wednesday, keeping the river system that feeds the Toledo Bend and Sam Rayburn corridor moving briskly through the peak of summer. No water-temperature reading came through on this check, but reservoirs across the region are typically deep into the 80s by early August. Big-bass action nearby is holding up well despite the heat: Lake Fork Trophy Bass reports clients still landing quality fish through the hottest stretch of the year, with that lake's water clarity good and levels running just under two feet low, a pattern broadly consistent with what East Texas reservoirs see this time of season. Tactical Bassin's August breakdown points anglers toward submerged vegetation and offshore cover, with jig and swimbait presentations drawing bites as fish slide deeper to escape surface heat. Expect the bite to stay strongest in the low-light hours, with fish pushing to depth as the sun climbs.
Delta flows stay strong, keeping summer bass and cat patterns on track
USGS gauge 11447650 logged 21,300 cfs and a 72°F water temperature late Friday night (Aug 2), signaling flows are holding well above typical late-summer lows for the Delta system. That kind of sustained flow keeps oxygen and structure options open even as surface temps climb into the mid-70s during the day. We didn't see fresh Delta-specific angler intel surface in this cycle's report sweep, so species reads below lean on seasonal patterns for the region rather than fresh testimony. Expect striped bass to stay active around deeper channel edges and points where current breaks, largemouth to slide tight to shaded tules and deep weed lines as afternoon heat builds, and channel catfish to stay the most reliably active bite on cut bait after dark. Sturgeon activity typically eases in warmer water, and confirmed bites through the fall cooldown are still a ways off. Check current California fishing regulations before harvesting slot species.
High Releases and Warm Water Test Colorado & Salt River Anglers
USGS gauge 09380000 on the Colorado River logged a strong release of roughly 8,950 cfs and a 70°F reading as of Saturday night, well above the cold tailwater temperatures this stretch typically holds in early August. High, warm water like this usually pushes trout into deeper, better-oxygenated pockets and slows the bite along the margins, while it tends to favor warm-water species such as smallmouth bass and channel catfish. Today's regional intel sweep didn't surface any Arizona-specific captain or shop reports for the Colorado or Salt River systems, so we're leaning on typical seasonal patterns rather than fresh on-the-water accounts for the species behavior below. Anglers working the Salt River chain of lakes should expect largemouth and smallmouth to stay most active in early morning and evening windows, with the heaviest afternoon heat pushing fish deeper. Check current release schedules before planning a trip, since flow can shift quickly.
Warm, high Columbia water keeps salmon bite tied to first light
The Columbia River basin gauge (USGS 14105700) logged 71°F water and roughly 110,000 cfs of flow late Saturday night — warm and running high for early August. That combination typically pushes summer Chinook and sturgeon into deeper, cooler holding water and narrows the productive bite window to the first couple hours after sunrise before surface temps climb further. This cycle's angler-intel feeds carried no region-specific Columbia River catch reports, so the species notes below reflect typical seasonal expectation rather than confirmed reports from the water — worth keeping in mind before planning a trip around them. Early August on the Columbia is usually late-run summer Chinook mixed with holdover sturgeon in the deeper channel, with early steelhead just starting to trickle through ahead of the fall push. Anglers fishing through midday should expect the bite to taper as the water warms; working structure and deeper current breaks is the safer bet once the sun is high.
Truckee River trout bite shifts to early mornings as summer heat holds
On the Truckee River in the Eastern Sierra, flows are holding near 350 cfs at the Reno gauge and running close to their natural channel, which Reno Fly Shop calls great shape for wet wading heading into August. Hot July air temperatures have been warming the water and pushing trout's peak feeding window earlier in the day, with fish noticeably less active by midday — the shop recommends getting out early and working the water west of town where flows stay cooler. A companion Reno Fly Shop report notes anglers have also been having fun chasing carp on the fly, with sight-fishing opportunities showing up on area waters, and suggests pushing upstream onto the California side of the river where cooler water keeps trout more active longer into the day. USGS gauge 10265200 has no fresh reading this cycle, so treat flow as a directional read from shop reports rather than a hard number.
High flows reshape Allegheny tailwater game as PA's trout regs shift
Flow at USGS gauge 03036500 registered 8,610 cfs as of early Tuesday morning, well above typical August base flow for Allegheny-system tailwaters and a signal that recent rain has pushed extra water through the system. High water like this scatters smallmouth bass out of typical current seams and into eddies and slack-water pockets, while walleye and channel catfish often feed more aggressively as forage gets swept downstream. On the regulatory side, Wired 2 Fish reports the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission has approved raising the statewide minimum trout size limit from 7 to 9 inches, effective Jan. 1, 2027 — the first change to that rule in more than four decades, aimed at protecting wild brook trout. For August bass patterns generally, Fishing the Midwest and Tactical Bassin both point anglers toward suspended presentations via forward-facing sonar and dropshot or swimbait rigs worked away from the bank as water warms.
Low water pushes Rangeley trout and salmon into dawn patterns
The Androscoggin headwaters gauge at site 01054200 logged just 28.2 cfs early this morning, a thin reading for early August that points to classic late-summer base-flow conditions across the Rangeley Lakes system. No water-temperature reading came through with this cycle's data, but low, slow-moving water this time of year typically warms fastest through midday, worth watching for anyone chasing brook trout or landlocked salmon. Mainely Fly Fishing's early-summer solstice update flagged good hatch activity heading into July, though that post predates the current low-water stretch and offers no August-specific read. With no fresh charter or shop intel in this cycle, we're leaning on general late-summer behavior for the region: trout and salmon should be holding tight to spring seeps and cooler tributary mouths, while smallmouth bass tend to stay aggressive through the heat regardless. Fish the margins early and late, and expect a slower midday bite until flows or temperatures shift.
Moosehead salmon and togue slide deep as summer settles in
The USGS gauge on the upper Penobscot (site 01030500) logged flow near 110 cfs in the early hours of August 3, a steady, typical summer stage with no water-temperature reading available from that station this cycle. No Moosehead Lake or upper Penobscot-specific bite reports came through our angler-intel feeds this week, so we're leaning on general seasonal patterns rather than fresh testimony: by early August, landlocked salmon and lake trout (togue) in this region typically hold deep off the thermocline as surface water warms, while brook trout push into spring holes, inlets, and cooler tributary mouths. Smallmouth bass, by contrast, stay active in warm shallow bays and around structure through this stretch. Anglers should expect a slower top-water bite for salmonids during daylight, with the best windows clustering around dawn and dusk. Check current Maine IFW guidance and local reports before planning a trip, since this week's data is thin on direct regional confirmation.
High water tests Driftless trout anglers as flows spike
USGS gauge 05407000 logged flow at 6,230 cfs in the early hours of August 3, a sharp jump above the gentle, spring-fed baseflows Driftless Area streams typically carry in early August. No water-temperature reading came through with this data pull, so we can't confirm whether the bump tracks a cooling trend or just recent runoff. None of this cycle's angler-intel feeds carried direct, on-the-water reports from Wisconsin's coulee country, so we're leaning on general seasonal knowledge rather than fresh sightings: browns and rainbows in these limestone spring creeks typically tuck tighter against structure and undercut banks when flows push up, while brookies in the smaller feeder branches tend to go quiet until things settle. Wade carefully if you head out — elevated, likely off-color water raises drowning risk and makes fish harder to locate. Check the current reading before you leave the truck; this flow could still be climbing or already easing back toward normal.
High flows push Mississippi River bass into eddies and backwaters
The USGS gauge at Vicksburg (07289000) is reading roughly 453,000 cfs early this morning, a big-water push that's unusually high for the Mississippi River corridor even accounting for typical August variability. No water-temp reading came through on this cycle, but high, moving water like this usually pushes bass, crappie and catfish out of the main channel and into eddies, laydowns and oxbow backwaters where current eases. We don't have a Mississippi or Pearl River-specific angler report on this cycle, so treat species status below as seasonal expectation rather than a confirmed local bite. Tactical Bassin's recent August coverage notes bass shifting position with summer heat, working jigs and swimbaits tight to cover and probing deeper submerged vegetation when the shallows go quiet, a pattern that tracks with what elevated, stained river flow typically does to largemouth positioning. Catfish, by contrast, tend to feed harder when current picks up, making them the more reliable target on this rise.
Western NY anglers eye deep water as Lake Erie tributaries run warm and full
USGS gauge 04231600, on a Western New York tributary to Lake Erie, read 73°F with flow at 1,540 cfs as of early Wednesday morning — warm, high water pushing a fairly typical early-August pattern. We didn't turn up any charter, shop, or state-agency reports specific to the Lake Erie/Niagara corridor this cycle, so this update leans on the hard gauge data and general seasonal knowledge rather than fresh on-the-water testimony. At 73°F, expect walleye and smallmouth bass to hold in deeper, cooler water through peak daylight, with yellow perch scattered over structure and bait. Steelhead stay largely out of the tributaries until water cools into fall. The elevated flow narrows the clear wading windows, so anglers working creek mouths or nearshore Erie structure should plan around low-light hours when fish push shallower to feed. Check current flow and clarity before heading to any tributary.
August heat pushes Eufaula stripers and bass deep
USGS gauge 07247500 is reading a low, steady 6.75 cfs as of early Monday morning, consistent with the typical August drawdown across the Red River drainage that feeds Lake Eufaula. No water-temperature reading came through in this cycle, but the bigger story right now is heat: Oklahoma reservoirs this deep into summer routinely push surface temps into the mid-80s, and that's what's driving fish behavior more than any single gauge number. We don't have direct shop, charter, or agency reports out of Eufaula or the Red River this week, so treat the species notes below as seasonal expectation rather than confirmed local bites. Nationally, Tactical Bassin's August coverage this week emphasizes offshore structure, submerged vegetation, and dropshot presentations as bass slide off the bank to escape shallow heat, a pattern that typically holds on southern reservoirs like Eufaula too. Eufaula's signature striper bite usually tightens into low-light hours once surface temps climb this high, while catfish and crappie tend to hold steadier through the heat.
New River smallmouths hold to structure as summer flows stay tame
USGS gauge 03051000 on the New River is reading a modest 117 cfs as of early Saturday morning, a typical low late-summer base flow with no rain pulse behind it. We don't have a New River or Ohio River-specific angler report in this cycle's feed, so this update leans on general seasonal knowledge for the region's warmwater fishery: smallmouth bass typically push off the bank and hold to deeper rock and submerged vegetation once August heat sets in, a pattern Tactical Bassin has been hammering in its recent coverage of offshore summer structure. Walleye and sauger in Ohio River-system waters are increasingly found suspended off bottom rather than glued to it, per Fishing the Midwest's notes on how forward-facing sonar has changed where anglers find fish. Muskie tend to go quiet through the hottest midday stretch. Channel catfish typically stay reliable after dark in warm, stable flows like this. Check current state regs before harvesting anything.
Texas catfish stay hot as bass shift to deep summer patterns
The USGS gauge at 08211200 read 88°F with flow holding low and steady near 85 cfs early this morning, textbook late-summer conditions for Texas lakes and rivers. Catfish remain the most consistent producer this time of year: North Texas Catfish Guide has repeatedly logged strong blue and channel catfish action on Eagle Mountain Lake once water warms and lake levels hold steady, with a solid numbers bite mixed with trophy-class blues over 30 pounds. That same guide has also reported white bass schooling on the main lake during summer warm-ups, often mixing in with catfish on the same stretches. For bass, Tactical Bassin (blog) is steering anglers away from the bank this August toward submerged vegetation and offshore structure, working jigs, swimbaits, and dropshot rigs as the shallow bite fades in the heat. Bait Barn Fisheries near Bryan, profiled by Texas Monthly Hunting & Fishing, remains a solid stop for anyone provisioning a run at Texas water this week.
Summer bass patterns shift offshore at Guntersville and Wheeler
Flow on the Tennessee River system near Lake Guntersville and Wheeler is holding steady at 215 cfs per the local USGS gauge, typical for early August with no big swings expected. Water temp isn't reporting from this gauge, but late-summer heat has bass pushing off the bank and into deeper cover, per Tactical Bassin this week: anglers are finding largemouth stacked on submerged vegetation and offshore structure, working jigs before switching to swimbaits and dropshot rigs as the bite fades through the day. The Guntersville-Wheeler stretch of the Tennessee River system carries real bass pedigree; B.A.S.S. News noted this week that pro angler Hayden Marbut built his reputation winning college and semi-pro events on Pickwick, Wheeler and Guntersville before his Lake Champlain win. Expect classic August patterns: offshore grass, deep jigs, and warm, stable water through the weekend.
Smokies tailwater trout keep biting through the August heat
Live gauge readings for the Hiwassee and Caney Fork weren't reporting at this update, and no charter or shop feed covering these tailwaters came through in today's angler-intel sweep, so this report leans on general seasonal knowledge rather than fresh on-the-water numbers. The good news for East Tennessee anglers: as Trout Unlimited notes, trout are cold-blooded, meaning water temperature drives their activity more than almost anything else, and TVA dam-controlled tailwaters like the Hiwassee and Caney Fork typically stay cooler through August than nearby freestone streams because of steady bottom-release discharge. That generally keeps rainbow and brown trout feeding through summer even when regional freestone fisheries slow down or face heat-related closures elsewhere in the country. Expect typical August tailwater behavior: fish holding in current seams and near generation-driven flow changes, with smallmouth bass activity picking up in slower pools. Check TVA generation schedules before you go, since release timing controls both wading safety and bite windows on these rivers this time of year.
Kansas River catfish still running strong through the summer surge
The Kansas River gauge near site 06892350 clocked water at 82°F with flow running roughly 7,160 cfs as of early morning August 3 — a strong, off-color push that's typical mid-summer water management on this system. That kind of current and warmth is exactly when channel and flathead catfish key up, working current seams and eddy lines where baitfish get pushed around. White bass and drum tend to slide off the hardest current into softer water once flows run this high. No shop, captain, or state-agency report specific to the Kansas or Arkansas Rivers came through this cycle, so what's biting below is built from seasonal norms for this fishery rather than a fresh on-the-water account — treat it as a starting point, not gospel, and check conditions before you commit to a spot. General freshwater trend pieces this week (Tactical Bassin) reinforce that summer heat is pushing gamefish toward deeper cover and low-light windows across the board, a pattern that lines up with what we'd expect here too.
Deschutes and Upper Klamath settle into typical August trout pattern
The USGS gauge at site 14070500 on the Deschutes isn't reporting flow or temperature readings today, and this week's angler-intel sweep turned up no Oregon-specific catch reports, shop updates, or captain logs for the Deschutes or Upper Klamath systems. That's a real data gap, not a quiet bite, so treat today's outlook as seasonal generalization rather than fresh testimony. Early August on the Deschutes typically means redband trout and smallmouth bass holding in slower runs and shaded pockets as surface temps climb, with summer steelhead starting to stack in cooler tailouts. Upper Klamath Lake's rainbow trout fishery, one of the region's marquee spring draws, usually slows through August as the lake warms and fish push toward deeper, cooler water or tributary mouths. We're treating both fisheries as typical-for-season until real gauge and angler data return; check current flows and water temps locally before planning a trip.