Fishing reports
19070 reports across all 50 states — current conditions and what's biting.
Eastern Washington trout and bass shift into summer patterns
No buoy, gauge, captain, or shop intel came through this cycle for the Yakima and Spokane river systems, so this update leans on WDFW's standing stocking and creel program and typical late-July patterns for the region. WA WDFW Fishing Reports notes the department continues to interview anglers at access sites and restock lakes and streams statewide, which remains the best real-time signal for Eastern Washington freshwater trips until a regional shop or captain report comes in. Absent fresh readings, expect the usual late-summer push: trout sliding into deeper, cooler water during the heat of the day, smallmouth bass holding tight to structure in the rivers, and kokanee program lakes fishing best early and late. Anglers should check WDFW's current creel and stocking pages for the specific water they're targeting before heading out, since no lake- or river-specific numbers were available for this report.
Louisiana bass and catfish settle into a typical summer pattern
No live NOAA buoy or USGS gauge readings came back for the Mississippi River/Atchafalaya Basin system this cycle, and this week's angler-intel feeds carried no direct reports from Louisiana freshwater guides or shops, so this update leans on typical late-July patterns for the region. Per Tactical Bassin's latest summer breakdown, largemouth bass nationally are keying on dropshot presentations and shaded, deeper structure once the sun gets up, a pattern that tracks with what Mississippi and Atchafalaya waters typically see once summer heat sets in. Fishing the Midwest's recent notes on working weedlines and staying versatile with technique also apply broadly to warm-water bass right now. Expect largemouth to feed hardest in the low-light window, catfish to stay steady through the heat, and panfish to hold tighter to cover as surface temps climb. Check state regs before harvesting, and verify current water levels locally before heading out.
Deep-structure dropshot bite takes over as summer heat settles in
Southeastern reservoir bass are settling into classic mid-summer form this week. Tactical Bassin (blog) walks through both power-shotting and finesse dropshot presentations built for heat-stressed largemouth pushing into deeper structure, while Fishing the Midwest notes that forward-facing sonar is reshaping how anglers find suspended fish away from bottom contact and shallow weedlines. For Santee and Lake Murray anglers, that generally means working ledges, brush, and deep vegetation edges rather than shallow banks once the sun gets high. MLF News and B.A.S.S. News both point to strong largemouth activity on tour-level lakes across the broader region right now, a reasonable sign that summer bass fishing nationally is holding up despite the heat. No buoy or gauge readings came back for this area this cycle, so treat water temperature and flow as unconfirmed and check local conditions before heading out.
Surf Stripers Keep Biting Live Eels in Long Island Sound
A Connecticut-based captain's catch made headlines this week: Captain Joe Diorio hooked a strange 'spotted' striped bass off the Connecticut coast, according to On The Water, a reminder that summer stripers are moving through Long Island Sound in numbers worth talking about. Surfcasters working the Sound's beaches are leaning on classic summer tactics, per OTW Surfcasting: mole crabs (sand fleas) fished along the beach lip for cruising stripers, live eels fished on inline circle hooks after dark, and rigged Slug-Gos worked over skinny water with little visible structure. No fresh water-temp or tide readings came through our buoy feeds today, so plan around typical mid-summer LIS patterns of dawn and dusk moving water. Bluefish and fluke remain part of the summer mix in the Sound, though neither is showing up in this week's regional reports. Tautog stay largely off-limits under the state's summer closure, so check current CT regs before targeting them.
Summer tarpon push reaches Outer Banks as red drum bite holds
Red drum are carrying the North Carolina coast this week. Fisherman's Post (NC) reports steady red drum action on the Pamlico and Neuse River flats, with some big drum mixed in along the main-river shorelines, while Topsail/Sneads Ferry anglers are finding an early-morning topwater bite on drum before the bottom bite takes over later in the day. Surf anglers are still working a mixed bag: Carolina Beach is producing sharks, croakers, pompano, whiting, and pinfish on live bait, and Southport/Oak Island anglers are picking through whiting, croakers, and bluefish despite dirty water and heavy seaweed. Further up the coast, Sport Fishing Mag notes North Carolina's summer tarpon fishery, which now stretches from Southport to Kitty Hawk in the Outer Banks, continues to build after decades as a target of opportunity. No live buoy or gauge readings came through this cycle, so check current local conditions before running offshore.
Charleston Harbor settles into a classic summer redfish-and-trout groove
No fresh buoy or gauge readings came through for Charleston Harbor this cycle, so this update leans on regional Carolinas patterns and seasonal knowledge rather than a live local snapshot. Farther up the coast, Fisherman's Post - Carolinas saltwater is reporting a mixed surf bag of whiting, croaker, pompano, and sharks around Carolina Beach and Southport/Oak Island, with inshore anglers doing well on live bait, a pattern typical for the Carolinas in late July and one that generally tracks into South Carolina's harbor and marsh systems too. Sport Fishing Mag also flagged a growing summertime tarpon push along the North Carolina coast this year, a migration corridor that extends down into South Carolina waters as well. Expect Charleston Harbor to be running its usual midsummer script this week: redfish working the grass edges and oyster rakes, trout favoring low-light hours, and sheepshead holding tight to structure. Check state regs before harvesting any species.
Puget Sound salmon season holds steady through midsummer lull
Washington Sea Grant confirmed the first detection of invasive European green crab on Orcas Island this spring, a reminder that Puget Sound's nearshore ecology is shifting even as the summer salmon run settles into its usual mid-July rhythm. This week's intel cycle leaned heavily on science and conservation stories rather than fresh creel or charter reports, so we're grounding this update in typical seasonal patterns rather than a specific bite call. WDFW's creel program, which tracks catch by interviewing anglers at access sites statewide, remains the best real-time gauge once weekly numbers post. Expect Chinook and coho to hold the spotlight through late July, lingcod interest tied to open marine-area windows, and Dungeness crab pots still working through the summer recreational season. Check current WDFW regulations before targeting any species, since area-by-area rules shift often in Puget Sound.
Seatrout blitz holds on Sarasota flats as summer tarpon bite lingers
Spotted Seatrout are aggressively biting across Sarasota Bay this week, per Capt. Brandon Naeve of CB's Saltwater Outfitters, with inshore grass flats, mangrove shorelines, and local passes producing the best action during what he calls the peak summer bite. Redfish are cooperating too: Capt. Chuck Cress found good numbers working an oyster bar in upper Sarasota Bay, picking through schools of mullet and bait to land reds along with an incidental bluefish. Tarpon remain a worthwhile target through July per Capt. Rick Grassett's monthly forecast, with spin anglers doing best setting up in travel lanes and drifting live baits under floats while staying ready to sight cast, and fly anglers favoring bar edges. Grassett notes tarpon tactics stay consistent through the month but the fish get more aggressive and eventually start thinning out as summer wears on. Shark activity, including bull, blacktip, and occasional migratory species, has also been a regular feature of the bay this season.
Potomac smallmouth dig in for summer heat as VA trout plan draws comment
Virginia DWR Wildlife Blog opened public comment this week on its draft Stocked Trout Management Plan, a development worth watching for anglers who fish the Shenandoah's put-and-take trout waters heading into late summer. No fresh buoy or gauge readings came through this cycle for the Potomac or Shenandoah systems, and no charter, shop, or blog source filed a current Potomac/Shenandoah bite report, so we're leaning on typical late-July patterns for this write-up. Smallmouth bass on the Potomac's main-stem and tributary ledges typically slide into a summer routine this time of year: active in low light, harder to move once the sun gets high. Shenandoah trout, where stocked, tend to feel the heat too, pushing fish into deeper pools and spring-fed stretches. Largemouth in the region's slower backwaters and ponds settle into classic summer cover patterns. Check current state advisories before harvesting, especially on any trout water where the draft management plan could eventually reshape stocking.
Red drum fire up Pamlico Sound flats as summer tarpon push north
Red drum are the story across Pamlico Sound tributaries right now. Donald of Custom Marine Fabrication tells Fisherman's Post that anglers working the flats and structure along Pamlico/Neuse River shorelines are connecting with red drum of all sizes, including some genuine big fish. Just south toward Cape Lookout, Nathan at East Coast Sports (Topsail/Sneads Ferry) reports red drum eating well on early-morning topwaters before the bite shifts to bottom baits later in the day, and Rich at The Reel Outdoors in Swansboro/Emerald Isle notes a steady red drum bite alongside bluefish, spots, sea mullet, and pompano working the surf. Sport Fishing Mag also flags a summer tarpon push into the waters feeding the Cape Fear River and Pamlico Sound, with reports coming in from Southport to Kitty Hawk. No fresh buoy or gauge readings came through today, so lean on tide stage and early light for planning.
Presque Isle smallmouth hold strong through Erie's summer stretch
No buoy or gauge feeds came back for Lake Erie this cycle, and none of today's angler-intel sources filed a Presque Isle-specific report, so this update leans on typical late-July patterns for the bay and nearshore reef structure. That's normal for this stretch of summer: smallmouth bass usually stack up on Presque Isle's rock piles and drop-offs, walleye slide out to deeper basin water and respond best to trolled crawler harnesses, and yellow perch scatter into suspended schools that take some searching with spreader rigs and emerald shiners. Steelhead are largely a non-factor right now; Erie's tributary-run fish hold in deep, cool offshore water through summer and won't concentrate again until the fall push toward the creeks. Water clarity and stable high-pressure days should keep the bite steady. Check the PA Fish and Boat Commission's current regulations and any bay advisories before you head out, especially around Presque Isle State Park access points.
UP Trout Streams Ease Into Summer Rhythm as Lake Superior Whitefish Buzz Grows
Environmental feeds returned no fresh buoy or gauge readings for the UP and Lake Superior this cycle, so today's read leans on seasonal expectations and regional angler intel rather than live numbers. Lake Superior's whitefish fishery keeps drawing attention: WI DNR Lake Superior Fishing has been tracking a growing Chequamegon Bay whitefish bite, both through the ice and from a boat, a sign the broader lake's whitefish run remains a talking point among Superior anglers even on the Wisconsin shoreline. Northern Michigan also dealt with drifting wildfire haze earlier this month per Great Lakes Now, worth a check before committing to a long day on open water. On UP trout streams, late July typically means low, clear flows and a shift toward early-morning and evening windows as surface temperatures climb. Brookies and browns should still respond to smaller offerings worked through shaded runs, while lake trout stay the more consistent bet out on Superior itself.
Bay Croaker and Crabbing Stay Hot as NJ Salt Water Rolls On
Bay croaker are stealing the show along the New Jersey coast right now. Grumpys Tackle reports the panfish are "still making their presence known" in the back bay alongside spot, both readily taking FishBites, with crabbing "remains good too" and no snapper blues showing yet. Fishermans HQ LBI found the same pattern fishing the west side of the bay: targeting weakfish and kingfish with live shedder crabs, croakers cooperated "plenty of them, and decent size" while weakfish stayed mostly quiet. In the surf, Grumpys notes striped bass are still coming on clams with occasional bluefish mixed in. No report in this feed was filed directly from Delaware Bay proper, so treat these as comparable NJ back-bay and surf conditions to plan around. Offshore, Blue Chip Sportfishing is limiting out on sea bass with Mako sharks showing on recent trips, a sign salt water action is broadly strong across the state heading into late July.
Georgia's marsh reds and trout hold steady through peak summer heat
No fresh charter or shop reporting came through this cycle specifically on Georgia Atlantic Coast bite conditions, and Georgia Wildlife's own fishing-report blog has stayed focused on freshwater Public Fishing Areas and Free Fishing Day promotions rather than coastal specifics, so this report leans on typical late-July patterns for the marsh and nearshore fishery. Water temperatures along the Georgia coast are typically in the upper 70s to low 80s this time of year, which usually pushes redfish and spotted seatrout into deeper creek bends and shaded structure during peak midday heat while dawn and dusk stay the most productive windows on moving tide. Inshore anglers working live shrimp under popping corks and cut bait on the bottom near oyster structure remain the standard summer approach. Nearshore action for cobia and Spanish mackerel is typically tapering by late July as that spring-into-early-summer run winds down ahead of the fall transition.
Quabbin and Wachusett settle into summer patterns as direct reports run thin
No buoy or gauge readings came through for Quabbin or Wachusett this cycle, and this week's angler-intel feed carried no Massachusetts-specific reports from either reservoir. That leaves general seasonal knowledge as the guide: late July typically pushes lake trout and landlocked salmon down into cooler, deeper water column zones while smallmouth and largemouth bass stay more accessible along weed edges, rocky points, and drop-offs. Elsewhere in freshwater bass fishing this week, Fishing the Midwest's Bob Jensen flagged working weedlines as a go-to move once the open-water season is in full swing, and Tactical Bassin covered dropshot rigging and jig-and-minnow strolling built specifically for hot-weather bass -- both general technique notes worth trying on Quabbin/Wachusett structure, even though neither source reported directly from these waters. Check current MassWildlife regulations before targeting lake trout or salmon, since seasonal rules can shift.
Gulf of Alaska salmon and halibut hold steady in peak summer window
No NOAA buoy or USGS gauge readings came through for the Gulf of Alaska this cycle, and this week's angler-intel feeds carried no charter, shop, or forum reports on what's actually biting in the region — so this update leans on typical late-July patterns rather than fresh field reports. Late July sits in the heart of Southcentral and Southeast Alaska's summer season, when king salmon runs are typically tapering while coho begin building, and halibut, lingcod, and rockfish stay productive over deeper structure and nearshore banks. AK Sea Grant did note that invasive European green crabs continue advancing in Southeast Alaska waters — not a target species, but worth knowing if you're working intertidal or nearshore ground. With the moon at First Quarter, expect moderate tidal swings rather than the biggest pushes of the month. Check current Alaska Department of Fish and Game regulations and area announcements before heading out, since salmon and halibut seasons can adjust quickly during peak summer.
Champlain smallmouth push deep as summer patterns set in
No fresh buoy or gauge readings came through for Lake Champlain today, and this week's angler-intel sweep turned up nothing filed directly from the lake, so we're leaning on typical late-July patterns for the fishery. Smallmouth bass on Champlain's rock piles, humps, and drop-offs are the headline draw this time of year as fish slide off summer's warmest shallows into cooler structure. Landlocked salmon typically follow baitfish deeper into the water column once surface temps climb, often holding near thermoclines out over deep basin water. For technique, Tactical Bassin's recent breakdown of summer smallmouth tactics is worth a look even though it wasn't filed from Vermont water — their case for dropshotting and spy-bait presentations in clear, current-swept conditions lines up well with how Champlain smallmouth typically respond to summer pressure. Absent a direct regional report this cycle, treat species status below as a seasonal baseline rather than a confirmed bite, and check with a local shop before locking in a game plan.
Deep-structure patterns take over as Cumberland bass beat the July heat
With no fresh buoy or gauge readings in for Lake Cumberland or the Cumberland River tailwater this cycle, the clearest signal comes from technique trends making the rounds nationally. Tactical Bassin's newest breakdown on beating summer heat notes shallow largemouth sliding into shade while other fish stack up on deeper structure once surface temps climb into the summer range, a pattern typical for a deep highland reservoir like Cumberland this time of year. The same outlet's dropshot and jig-strolling features point to finesse presentations working ledges and offshore humps as a go-to approach right now, while Fishing the Midwest's weedline piece is a reminder that healthy vegetation edges still hold fish even as forward-facing sonar pulls more anglers out deep. No region-specific angler reports came through this cycle, so treat the species status below as seasonal expectation rather than confirmed local bite reports, and check current dam generation schedules before planning a tailwater trip.
Summer reds and trout patterns hold as STAR Tournament rolls on
The CCA-Texas STAR Tournament leaderboard, updated July 19 per Texas Fish & Game Magazine, shows anglers still posting entries coastwide as the event runs through September 7, and that includes Lower Laguna Madre and South Padre water. No buoy or gauge readings came back for this stretch of coast this cycle, and none of today's angler-intel feeds filed a specific LLM/SPI "what's biting" report, so we're leaning on typical mid-summer patterns for the bay system rather than fresh eyewitness accounts. That means redfish working skinny grass flats early and late, trout holding on deeper guts and drop-offs through the heat of the day, snook staged around channels and structure, and tarpon rolling in the surf and passes as the summer push continues. Treat species status below as seasonal expectation, not a confirmed bite, until a direct regional report comes in. Check state regs before harvesting any of these species, particularly snook and tarpon.
East Texas bass dig into deep summer patterns as heat holds
No direct buoy, gauge, or on-the-water reports came in this week specifically from Toledo Bend or Sam Rayburn, so this update leans on the closest available regional read: Lake Fork Trophy Bass's July 2026 report, covering a fellow East Texas trophy-bass fishery under the same heat and seasonal pattern. That report describes lake levels running just under 2 feet low, water clarity holding good, and big bass still very catchable through the hottest stretch of summer, with guide clients landing some of their biggest fish of the year this month as bass settle into both shallow and deep summer feeding patterns. Toledo Bend and Sam Rayburn anglers should expect a similar script this week: largemouth pushing to deeper structure and shade during peak heat, with morning and evening windows producing the most consistent shallow bites. Catfish typically stay active through summer nights in this region, while crappie and white bass usually slide deeper and slow down as surface temps climb. Check current lake-specific levels and clarity before you launch.
South Platte and Arkansas trout dial in on midges as drought bites
Pat Dorsey Fly Fishing's latest Drought Update calls 2026 one of the worst water years on record in Colorado, putting it alongside the lean stretches of 1975-78, 2002, 2012, 2018 and 2020 that longtime Front Range anglers remember. For South Platte and Arkansas tailwater regulars, that points to low, clear flows and increasingly selective trout rather than a blown-out or off-color river. No fresh buoy or gauge reading came through today, so we're leaning on technique intel: AvidMax Blog's Fly Tying Tuesday features midge emergers like the Chocolate Foam Back and Titan Tube Midge as go-to patterns for tailwaters and stillwaters right now, riding just under the film to match hatching pupae. Gink and Gasoline's classic South Platte trico writeup is a good reminder that trico spinner falls are a signature feature of this stretch each summer, worth building a morning around even outside of direct current-week reporting.
Delta bass and catfish bite hold steady through summer heat
No fresh buoy or gauge readings came in for the Sacramento-Delta this cycle, and this week's angler-intel feeds lean heavily toward Midwest, Northeast, and offshore saltwater fisheries rather than Central Valley waters, so there's no shop, guide, or agency report specific to the Delta to draw from today. That said, late July is a well-established stretch for this fishery: largemouth bass typically bite best in the low-light hours before the heat sets in, then slide to deeper structure and shaded tule lines once the sun climbs. Channel catfish are generally at or near their seasonal peak in warm, slow-moving Delta water this time of year. Striped bass and white sturgeon tend to slow under summer heat and heavier boat traffic, with better windows historically coming at dawn, dusk, or on stronger tidal exchange. Treat this as typical seasonal pattern rather than confirmed current activity, and check for local, dated reports before planning a trip.
Summer heat pushes Roosevelt Lake bass into dawn-and-shade patterns
No buoy or gauge readings came back for the Salt River chain this cycle, so this update leans on regional technique intel rather than a fresh local report. Tactical Bassin's current breakdown on beating summer heat maps closely onto a desert reservoir like Roosevelt Lake right now: shallow bass sliding into shade early and late, deeper fish grouping on structure through the hottest hours. The same outlet's dropshot and strolling jig-and-minnow features cover finesse options for pressured largemouth, and its spy-bait piece on clear-water smallmouth is a solid template for the Salt River's rockier stretches. Catfish typically shrug off high water temps and stay catchable well after dark, a pattern common to desert lakes this time of year. Crappie tend to slide deep and go quiet in peak summer heat. Treat this as a technique-forward outlook, matching presentation to the clock matters more than chasing a specific spot until direct reports come in.
Summer heat pushes Salt and Colorado River bass deep and shady
No fresh buoy or gauge readings came in for the Colorado and Salt River systems this cycle, so this report leans on typical late-July patterns for Arizona freshwater fisheries plus general summer bass strategy circulating right now. Tactical Bassin's current hot-weather rundown points anglers toward dropshot finesse rigs worked deep and jig-and-minnow "strolling" over structure once surface temps climb into the mid-70s and beyond, both patterns that translate well to Salt River impoundments and Colorado River backwaters holding largemouth and smallmouth bass this time of year. Catfish typically turn more active after dark as water warms through summer, while trout in cooler tailwater stretches below dam releases tend to be the most temperature-stable bite of the group. The First Quarter moon this week favors a modest afternoon-into-evening push over a hard low-light bite. Treat this as a seasonal baseline rather than a live, on-the-water report until fresh gauge data and regional angler intel refresh.