Fishing reports
19070 reports across all 50 states — current conditions and what's biting.
Yellowtail bite holds at San Clemente despite blustery seas
Wind hammered the tuna grounds at 35 knots this week, forcing the WON-Toronado to backburner bluefin plans and load sardines at Pierpoint Landing before running out to San Clemente Island, where Captain Ray Lagmay's crew still found good-sized yellowtail on the troll and on bait, per Western Outdoor News — Saltwater. Down at Dana Wharf, the overnighter aboard the Fury reported a hot pre-greylight bite that carried into what WON called one of the season's standout trips. In the surf zone, Surf Fishing in So Cal's July report notes conditions have calmed from June's rough stretch, with spotfin croaker and corbina finally showing signs of life after a slow start to the season. Shore anglers targeting sharks or white seabass should also note California's emergency wire leader and hook-size ban is now in effect south of Pigeon Point, per Surf Fishing in So Cal — it changes what gear is legal to fish with from the beach.
Albacore push hits NorCal waters as salmon closures reshape the season
Northern California's offshore action picked up this week: Western Outdoor News — Saltwater reports an "albacore explosion" off the Mendocino coast, where Captain Trent Slate of Bite Me Charters, Captains Ryan Ash and Christian Cavanaugh of the Outer Limits, and Captain Kevin Browning aboard the Viking out of Noyo Fishing Charters in Fort Bragg all connected on an epic first tuna trip of the year. That warm-water push is worth watching for boats running offshore out of Bodega Bay as well. On the salmon front, Western Outdoor News — Saltwater also notes the Klamath Management Zone closed July 28 while the Fort Bragg Management Area reopens August 1-9 — check current regs before planning a North Coast salmon trip. Inside San Francisco Bay, striped bass and halibut remain the steady summer staples, with nothing unusual reported from local sources this week. No live buoy or gauge readings came through for this update, so lean on current forecasts and tide charts before you head out.
Fluke bite builds as Delaware Bay settles into summer striper lull
Summer flounder are the play in the Delaware Bay region right now, with On The Water flagging prime doormat-fluke water across the Northeast running June through September, squarely the window we're in. Striped bass fishing is quieter by comparison — Saltwater Edge's late-July forecast calls this stretch the "summer doldrums," a seasonal lull that typically holds until the fall run builds steam. Locally, Delaware Surf Fishing notes DNREC's revised 20-24 inch slot limit remains in effect for the recreational summer striper season, so any keeper needs careful measuring before harvest — check current regs before keeping a fish. Surf anglers working the bay beaches can lean on mole crabs (sand fleas) fished along the wash, a producer for summer stripers per OTW Surfcasting. Offshore, it's a different story entirely: OTW Saltwater's July 29 report has bluefin tuna schools spread across roughly 280 miles of Northeast water, some of the best action of the season for boats able to make the run. Tonight's full moon should help stack bait on the tide.
Fluke Bite Roars On Long Island As Bluefin Tuna Blitz Offshore
Fluke are "firing on all cylinders" from the South Shore bays and ocean reefs to Long Island Sound this week, per On The Water's July 23 Long Island and NYC Fishing Report, while bluefin tuna action off the east end has been excellent. OTW Saltwater's July 29 Northeast Offshore Report puts feeding bluefin spread across nearly 280 miles of open water, among the best stretches of the season for anglers willing to run. Closer to the beach, gator bluefish moved in off Montauk in mid-July per On The Water, giving surf and boat anglers a reliable target under NY DEC's no-size-limit, five-fish bag. The big striped bass bite that had Montauk buzzing has cooled some since early July, though enforcement news out of On The Water is a reminder to measure carefully — DEC ticketed anglers this month for over-slot fish. We're fishing under a full moon, which should push bait and predators alike.
Colorado trout push through historic drought on skinny, clear water
Colorado's trout streams are running about as low as anyone can remember, per Cutthroat Anglers (CO), whose late-July dispatch puts the state among more than 60% of the Lower 48 in drought following historic-low snowpack. On the Western Slope, Crystal Fly Shop (CO) has the Roaring Fork at 113 cfs at Aspen and the Crystal River at just 107 cfs at Redstone, both low, clear, and staying cool above Carbondale thanks to elevation and Frying Pan influence. CPW voluntary afternoon closures are in effect on the lower Fork, full-day closures on the lower Crystal, and a full-day voluntary closure holds on the Colorado River through the Glenwood Springs-Rifle stretch. Fish have pushed off the banks and flies are sizing down as flows keep dropping, but Crystal Fly Shop calls the open water some of the best fishing of the summer. Cutthroat Anglers adds that trout stay active and grouped up for anglers willing to hike farther and fish lighter tippets.
South Texas anglers lean on summer patterns as CCA STAR rolls through South Padre
Texas Fish & Game Magazine's July 19 CCA-Texas STAR Leaderboard update confirms the statewide tournament, which runs the full Texas coast through September 7, is keeping anglers active around Lower Laguna Madre and South Padre through the heart of summer. No fresh buoy or gauge readings came through for this stretch this cycle, so today's outlook leans on typical late-July patterns for the region rather than a specific on-the-water report. Redfish and spotted seatrout are the bread-and-butter targets this time of year, typically working grass flats and sandy potholes on early tides before the heat pushes fish deeper. Snook and tarpon activity is usually building along the jetties and passes as summer progresses, though we don't have a direct sighting to confirm that yet this week. With a full moon overhead, expect stronger tidal swings and better low-light bites. Check state regs before harvesting, and watch local forecasts closely given the lack of fresh buoy data.
Low water sharpens the midge and trico game on CO tailwaters
Historic low water is the story shaping South Platte and Arkansas tailwater fishing right now. Cutthroat Anglers (CO) is flagging 2026 as one of the driest years on record for Colorado, and Pat Dorsey Fly Fishing (CO) notes the current drought may be the worst on record statewide, with thin snowpack pushing water temperatures up earlier in the day than usual. On the South Platte itself, Gink and Gasoline describes the classic dense trico spinner falls firing, with countless spinners blanketing the surface film during morning windows, an ideal setup for small dry-fly and emerger presentations. AvidMax Blog (CO) and Pat Dorsey Fly Fishing (CO) both point anglers toward midge patterns and light tippet as flows thin and fish get selective. Expect trout grouped tighter in deeper, cooler runs as low water persists; per Cutthroat Anglers, anglers willing to hike a little farther to less-pressured water are finding the better action right now.
Mille Lacs walleye anglers dial in with forward-facing sonar
No live water-temperature or flow readings came through for Mille Lacs this cycle, but the technique conversation around Midwest walleye is shifting in ways worth noting. Mike Frisch, writing for Fishing the Midwest, points out that forward-facing sonar has overturned two long-held walleye 'truths' — that fish stay bottom-oriented and stick tight to points, turns, and weedlines — with FFS now regularly marking suspended walleye away from classic structure. Traditional presentations (jigging live bait, live-bait rigs tipped with leeches or crawlers, crankbait trolling) still produce, per the same source, especially where water stays cooler and clearer. Under this week's full moon, expect walleye activity to bunch around low-light windows, with fish scattering to suspend over deeper basin water during bright midday stretches. Smallmouth, pike, and panfish should hold typical late-July patterns on rock, weedline, and deep-basin structure respectively. Check current MN DNR regulations before harvesting.
Recaptured golden walleye keeps North Dakota buzzing this summer
A rare golden-hued walleye made North Dakota fishing headlines twice this month: per Wired 2 Fish, Jamestown angler Ethan Bear caught and released the fish on July 10, and Jacob Wendel landed the same one again on July 18, a one-in-a-billion coincidence that has local walleye anglers talking. Direct buoy and gauge readings for the Red and Missouri rivers weren't available for this report, so treat today's conditions numbers as unavailable until fresh data comes in. Late-July heat typically pushes ND walleye toward deeper structure and suspended positions, a pattern Fishing the Midwest notes is increasingly targeted with forward-facing sonar rather than traditional bottom-hugging tactics. Channel catfish, smallmouth bass, and northern pike round out the summer lineup on these rivers, with warm water generally keeping catfish and bass active while pike slow down. With a full moon overhead, expect stronger overnight and early-morning feeding windows. Check current flow and temperature locally before heading out.
Offshore Summer Patterns Take Hold on Chickamauga and Watts Bar
No fresh buoy or gauge readings came in for the Tennessee River chain this cycle, so this report leans on the broader summer-bass playbook currently making the rounds among national bass anglers rather than a specific Chickamauga or Watts Bar catch report. Late July on TVA reservoirs like these typically means largemouth and smallmouth bass sliding off bank cover and onto river-channel ledges, humps, and standing timber as surface temperatures climb, exactly the offshore approach Tactical Bassin is pushing in its current summer-pattern videos, including dropshot rigs worked over deeper cover. Fishing the Midwest's Mike Frisch and Bob Jensen note this week that forward-facing sonar has reshaped where anglers even look for suspended fish, a trend that applies just as well to TVA lakes as it does up north. Striped bass on Chickamauga and Watts Bar typically retreat toward cooler, oxygenated water and tailrace current in late July heat. A full moon overnight may spread feeding activity into low-light hours.
White River trout hold steady as summer bass patterns shift deeper
Tactical Bassin's newest breakdown of August bass patterns leads this week's intel, urging anglers to abandon the bank for deeper offshore cover, submerged vegetation, and dropshot presentations as summer heat pushes fish out of the shallows — a pattern that translates directly to Arkansas' lake and river bass fisheries, even though no dispatch specific to the White River or Arkansas River system came through this cycle. Fishing the Midwest's Mike Frisch adds that forward-facing sonar has reshaped where anglers find suspended bass and walleye, a technique increasingly relevant on Arkansas reservoirs. On the trout side, the White River's tailwaters typically hold steady through summer as long as generation keeps water cool, a general seasonal expectation rather than a confirmed local read this week. With no local temp or flow reading available, treat conditions as general guidance and check a fresh regional dispatch before locking in a game plan.
Summer heat pushes NY trout deep as bass and walleye keep biting
NY DEC's July 17 Fishing Line issue flagged the need to help trout and salmon "beat the summer heat," a clear signal that Hudson Valley and Finger Lakes trout are pushing into deeper, cooler refuges as surface temperatures climb into late July. Bass fishing, by contrast, remains strong statewide under typical summer conditions, echoing DEC's June 12 note that the bite was "picking up with warmer summer weather" as black bass season opened. Walleye action across New York is trending hot too: Brookdog Fishing Co., fishing the Lake Erie corridor out of Buffalo, reported "nonstop action and some of the best bites of the season" for walleye during the week of July 20-26, a warm-water pattern that typically extends east into Finger Lakes deep-water trolling as summer progresses. No fresh buoy or gauge readings came through for this cycle, so lean on early-morning and low-light windows for trout, and stay patient working deeper structure for bass and walleye through the heat of the day.
Cumberland Bass Anglers Shift Deep as Summer Heat Peaks
No fresh buoy or gauge readings came in for the Cumberland system this cycle, so this report leans on regional technique intel and seasonal norms. Late-July heat has bass sliding off the bank and into deeper offshore cover, per Tactical Bassin's current summer coverage — submerged points, grass edges, and dropshot presentations in cooler water are producing for anglers working highland-reservoir conditions similar to Tennessee's. The Cumberland system remains a marquee bass fishery nationally; MLF News confirms Dale Hollow Lake in Byrdstown will host the 2027 Toyota Series Championship, underscoring the lake's standing among tournament pros. Locally, expect largemouth and smallmouth to hold tight to structure and vegetation through midday heat, catfish to feed actively after dark under this week's full moon, and striped bass to stack near thermocline depth to escape surface warmth. Check state regs before harvesting, and plan trips around early mornings and post-sunset windows while surface temps stay elevated.
Summer bass patterns take hold as Ozarks anglers push offshore
Tactical Bassin's newest "Top 5 Baits For August Bass Fishing" rundown frames the pattern anglers should expect on highland reservoirs like Lake of the Ozarks right now: bass pushed off the bank and stacked on deep grass, submerged timber, and offshore humps as surface temperatures climb into peak summer heat. No fresh buoy or USGS gauge readings came through for the lake or the Osage River today, so this report leans on seasonal patterns and national coverage rather than a water-specific dispatch. Fishing the Midwest's Mike Frisch notes that forward-facing sonar has shifted where anglers find walleye, pulling fish off traditional bottom structure into open-water positions that older location "truths" would have missed. Expect largemouth to stay catchable on moving baits and dropshot rigs worked deep through midday, while walleye and crappie likely slide into a tougher, more sonar-dependent bite until temperatures ease. Catfish should stay a dependable target, especially after dark under this week's full moon.
Western Basin walleye settle into typical summer patterns
No fresh NOAA buoy or USGS gauge readings came back for Ohio's Western Basin today, and none of this week's angler-intel feeds filed a specific Lake Erie report, so this update leans on the well-documented late-July playbook for the basin. Western Basin walleye typically hold over deeper structure once summer stratification sets in, with crankbait trollers and worm-harness drifters working drop-offs and reef edges during low light. Fishing the Midwest's Mike Frisch notes a broader shift worth carrying into any Erie trip this week: walleye are increasingly found away from the traditional bottom-hugging, structure-tight spots anglers were taught to target, as forward-facing sonar reveals fish suspended in open water instead. Yellow perch, smallmouth bass, and white bass round out the Western Basin's summer mixed bag. Tonight's full moon may concentrate feeding activity around dawn and dusk. Check state regs before harvesting, and verify local conditions before heading out.
Ohio reservoir bass and walleye shift to summer deep patterns
Fishing the Midwest columnist Mike Frisch opened this week's walleye piece by asking whether decades-old bottom-hugging tactics still hold now that forward-facing sonar has changed how anglers find fish - his take is that a lot of walleye simply aren't sitting tight to structure the way older methods assume, with fish showing up suspended in places anglers used to skip. That's a useful frame heading into a full moon stretch on Mosquito and Pymatuning, though no fresh buoy or gauge readings came through for either reservoir this week. On the bass side, Tactical Bassin's midsummer coverage steers anglers off the bank and out toward offshore vegetation and deeper cover as heat pushes fish away from shoreline haunts, with dropshot rigs flagged as more than just a finesse-water tool. Expect largemouth and smallmouth on these reservoirs to fall into similar offshore, heat-driven patterns typical for northeast Ohio impoundments this time of year. Pymatuning's resident muskellunge should see the usual late-July activity. Confirm current water clarity and depth before locking into a plan.
Summer bass patterns hold steady on Texoma and Eufaula
No direct buoy or gauge readings came in for Lake Texoma or Lake Eufaula this cycle, and none of today's angler-intel feeds filed a report specific to either lake, so this update leans on general late-July bass behavior rather than lake-specific chatter. Both fisheries are known for strong largemouth and striped bass populations, plus catfish and crappie, and the techniques anglers elsewhere are leaning on this week track well for Oklahoma's summer conditions. Tactical Bassin's rundown of August bass baits points anglers toward offshore grass and current breaks once the shallows heat up, while their piece on overlooked summer patterns pushes away from the bank toward submerged vegetation and deeper cover. Fishing the Midwest notes that small maintenance details, like keeping treble hooks sharp, are costing anglers convertible bites right now. Expect largemouth and stripers to hold on structure through midday heat, with better windows around dawn, dusk, and the current full moon.
Coosa and Tennessee River bass shift deep as summer heat holds
Late July's full moon arrives with the Tennessee and Coosa Rivers deep in their hottest stretch of summer, and no live buoy or gauge readings came through for this update, so treat today's numbers as unavailable rather than mild. Alabama's reservoir bass fisheries typically slide into a classic summer pattern this time of year: largemouth and the Coosa's signature spotted bass push off the bank toward submerged vegetation, ledges, and deeper cover once the sun gets high, a shift Tactical Bassin's recent summer-pattern breakdowns describe well for hot-water reservoirs generally. Catfish tend to stay comfortable in warm water and keep feeding through the heat, while crappie typically slip deep and get tougher to trigger. No angler intel specific to the Tennessee or Coosa systems came through this cycle, so treat the species notes below as seasonal expectations rather than confirmed bites, and check current state regs and a local shop report before you head out.
Lake Erie walleye push deeper as summer heat settles over open water
No buoy or gauge readings landed for Lake Erie or the Ohio River this cycle, and none of this week's angler-intel feeds filed a direct report from Ohio waters, so this update leans on typical late-July patterns rather than fresh call-ins. Fishing the Midwest's newest walleye columns are still useful background: Mike Frisch notes forward-facing sonar has moved anglers off the old walleye-hug-bottom assumption toward suspended fish over structure, while Bob Jensen's piece on odd urchin-style baits shows guides experimenting as summer heat slows the bite. That shift toward electronics and unconventional presentations tracks with what's typical for Erie's open-water walleye scene this time of year. Wired 2 Fish's recap of a Wisconsin DNR study on bass catchability is a fair reminder for smallmouth anglers working Erie's reef complexes: some fish just won't bite no matter the presentation. Yellow perch and channel catfish round out the region's usual late-summer lineup. Check current Ohio regs before harvesting.
Fluke and sea bass turn on around Raritan Bay and Sandy Hook
Fluke are stacking up around Sandy Hook and Raritan Bay heading into this full moon, with Capt Ron's out of Atlantic Highlands landing a new monthly pool leader at 6 pounds 12 ounces and reporting several fish over 4 pounds on a recent drift day. Grumpys Tackle (NJ) says surf fluke fishing is showing steady improvement on bucktails and scented soft artificial baits, while OTW Northern New Jersey pegs the bite as solid from the back rivers out to the reefs. Black sea bass are red hot too — Blue Chip Sportfishing reports limiting out on almost every trip, and Capt Ron's crew is finally connecting with jumbo sea bass around the boat on bait, jigs, and gulp. Striped bass remain a mixed bag: Blue Chip calls it some of the best striper fishing possible, while Grumpys is only seeing occasional fish mixed in with bluefish and croaker in the back bay.
Lake Mead stripers settle into a deep-water summer pattern
No NOAA buoy or USGS gauge readings came back for the Lake Mead / lower Colorado stretch this cycle, and none of this week's angler-intel feeds filed a Nevada or striper-specific report, so this update leans on typical late-July seasonal behavior rather than fresh, on-the-water testimony. At this point in summer, Lake Mead's striped bass are typically pushed into deeper, cooler water during daylight hours, schooling over thermoclines and structure while chasing shad, with the more active surface bite concentrated in the low-light windows around dawn and dusk. A full moon tonight can extend that low-light feeding activity and may shift some of it into overnight hours. Largemouth and smallmouth bass on the lake typically slide toward similar deep-structure patterns as surface temperatures peak. Anglers should treat today's picture as a seasonal baseline, not a confirmed bite report, and check in with local sources before planning a trip around any single pattern described here.
Snook rebound in Stuart inlets as summer closure rolls on
Snook fishing on the Treasure Coast has turned a corner now that the St. Lucie Inlet dredging project has paused, according to Snook Nook's July report out of Stuart, FL — anglers are again marking large schools of snook around the detached jetty and Hole in the Wall, with live croakers and pilchards drawing the most bites. Remember Atlantic-side snook season stays closed through August, so today's action is catch-and-release only; check state regs before harvesting when the fall reopener arrives. Down in Biscayne Bay, Sport Fishing Mag notes mutton snapper showing up on live-chum drifts anchored in current, a classic summer south Florida pattern. Meanwhile CCA Florida reports a federal injunction has paused the 2026 South Atlantic red snapper exempted-fishing-permit pilot just as the state-managed season was set to open, adding fresh uncertainty for reef anglers this month. Full moon tides should sharpen the bite around dawn and dusk.
Deep summer patterns settle in on Winnipesaukee under a full moon
No fresh buoy or gauge readings came through for Winnipesaukee this cycle, so we're leaning on seasonal patterns and national angler intel rather than lake-specific numbers. Late July under a full moon typically means bass sliding off the bank and onto offshore cover, and Tactical Bassin's latest summer rundown backs that up, pointing anglers toward submerged vegetation and deeper offshore structure rather than the shoreline once the heat sets in. Fishing the Midwest also notes forward-facing sonar has changed how anglers locate suspended fish through summer, which matters for anything holding off the thermocline this time of year. Lake trout and landlocked salmon should be pushing deep and suspending as surface temps climb, a typical late-July move rather than anything unusual. Treat species behavior below as seasonal expectation, not confirmed local reports, until direct Winnipesaukee intel comes in.
Presentation, not power, is what's putting Yellowstone cutthroat in the net
No fresh buoy or gauge readings came in for the Yellowstone/Snake corridor this cycle, so this update leans on technique and regional context rather than hard numbers. Hatch Magazine's latest piece, drawing directly on guide experience from the Henry's Fork, the Yellowstone and the Madison, zeroes in on the single most common mistake anglers make on rising trout: misjudging how far ahead of a feeding fish to lead the cast. That's the actionable edge for cutthroat and rainbows working summer hatches right now. Zoom out regionally and Trout Unlimited's coverage of Rockies-wide drought stress this summer is a fair warning that low flows and heat are squeezing coldwater fisheries across the West, and Caddis Fly's reminder that trout are cold-blooded holds here too — as the full moon and July heat build, expect feeding windows to compress toward early morning and last light rather than staying open all day.