Fishing reports
19070 reports across all 50 states — current conditions and what's biting.
Chesapeake stripers slide deep as summer heat settles over the Bay
Buoy 44009 logged a warm 78°F reading with light 5 m/s breezes this afternoon, tracking with a full summer pattern settling over the Mid-Atlantic. Saltwater Edge Blog's seasonal forecast notes that as water temperatures climb, striped bass typically slide toward deeper, cooler water rather than holding shallow, a shift Chesapeake Bay anglers should expect too as the heat holds. A recent OTW Surfcasting piece points to live eels fished on inline circle hooks as a go-to summer striper presentation, and rigged Slug-Gos remain a top producer per Saltwater Edge's how-to breakdown, though anglers should check local regs before working structure. Bottom species like spot and croaker typically hold steadier through the heat, and cobia should still be working the mid-Bay on cut bait and eels. No wave-height or tide-gauge data came through this cycle, so plan around typical Bay tide swings and work the moving water around the change.
Surf stripers hold steady as bluefin push toward Gulf of Maine
NOAA buoy 44007 logged 57°F water and a light 7 m/s breeze this morning, on the cool side for late July and a sign that deeper, cooler water is sitting close to the coast. Striped bass remain the mainstay for NH surfcasters: per OTW Surfcasting, anglers along the Northeast are finding schools staged tight to shallow beaches with little visible bait, and rigged Slug-Gos plus sand fleas fished along the lip continue to produce, with live eels on circle hooks a proven backup after dark. OTW's Northeast Offshore Report (July 15) notes bluefin tuna spreading from New Jersey into the Gulf of Maine as the canyon and offshore bite develops, worth watching for boats running out of NH ports. Saltwater Edge Blog's July forecast calls this stretch the seasonal "summer doldrums," fishable but slower, with fish holding deeper against the heat. We're seeing steady, unspectacular surf action while the offshore tuna picture builds.
Gator Bluefish Push Into Montauk as the Fluke Bite Builds
Fluke fishing continues to strengthen from the South Shore reefs and bays into Long Island Sound, with more keeper-sized fish showing up according to this week's Long Island and NYC Fishing Report from On The Water. Gator bluefish have pushed in off Montauk, giving surfcasters and boat anglers a hot target after last week's report, while midshore bluefin tuna remain available but on the move, echoed by the Northeast Offshore Report's note that bluefin are spreading from New Jersey toward the Gulf of Maine. Striped bass, meanwhile, are cooling off Montauk after an earlier report flagged the big bass bite beginning to slow there, though surf anglers are still finding fish on sand fleas and rigged Slug-Gos. Buoy readings show water in the low-to-mid 70s (73-75°F) with light seas, a comfortable setup for a full run of summer species along the South Shore and into the Sound.
Sea Bass Stays Red Hot Off the Jersey Shore as Fluke Bite Builds
Water temps are holding at 75-76°F on the NOAA buoys off the Jersey Shore, with light 1.3-2 foot seas and a gentle breeze — comfortable conditions for a full day on the water. Black sea bass are the story right now: Blue Chip Sportfishing says the bite is "red hot" and boats are "limiting out on almost every trip." Fluke are cooperating too — Capt Ron's out of Atlantic Highlands logged quality keeper fluke through the week, including fish over 5 pounds, while Fishermans HQ LBI and OTW Northern New Jersey both note keeper fluke becoming more common from the surf out to the reefs. Striped bass have thinned out along the beaches as summer sets in, per OTW Northern New Jersey and Saltwater Edge Blog, with most fish pushed to deeper, cooler water offshore. Further out, Blue Chip reports the shark bite has "busted wide open," with three Mako sharks landed and released on one recent trip.
Platte and Missouri anglers lean on shade and sonar as summer holds steady
The Missouri River is running a steady 830 cubic feet per second at USGS gauge 06796000 as of this afternoon, a stable mid-summer flow that's kept conditions consistent across the Platte and Missouri systems this week. No fresh water-temperature reading came through with today's gauge data, but late-July heat typically has fish shifting toward shade and structure during the midday hours. Walleye anglers are leaning on forward-facing sonar to find suspended fish away from bottom, a location shift Fishing the Midwest says has upended some of the old "truths" about where walleye hold. Bass are following a similar heat-driven pattern: shallow fish tuck into shadows while deeper groups stack on cover, and a jig-and-minnow strolling presentation, as detailed by Tactical Bassin, is producing through the hottest stretch of the day. Channel catfish remain a steady bet on this kind of stable flow. We're calling conditions workable but not red-hot until temps or flow shift.
Low, clear flows push Pine Barrens bass into shade and structure
USGS gauge 01408000 is reading a lean 29.7 cfs today, a clear signal of the low, warm-season flow conditions typical for this freshwater system by mid-July. Direct fishing intel for the Delaware River and Pine Barrens itself is thin in today's feeds, but the broader bass-fishing picture is consistent: Tactical Bassin's summer-heat playbook stresses shade and depth as temperatures climb, while Fishing the Midwest's weedline approach keeps getting pushed as the go-to for pressured, hot-weather largemouth. Field & Stream's current jig breakdown backs that up, noting football jigs earn their keep once bass slide deep for summer. With low, clear water expected to hold, smallmouth and largemouth should be tucked tight to shade, wood, and deeper breaks, while chain pickerel and channel catfish stay a reliable Pine Barrens fallback. The First Quarter moon won't move much on its own this week, but fishing the coolest parts of the day should be the bigger factor.
Chesapeake mouth settles into a warm, sticky summer pattern
Buoy 44009 off the Chesapeake mouth is reading a steady 78°F with light winds near 5 m/s (about 11 mph) and warm air in the mid-70s, the kind of settled, sticky pattern typical of a late-July lower bay. No captain or tackle-shop reports came through the regional feed for the VA Chesapeake mouth specifically this cycle, so today's rundown leans on the season: cobia and red drum are typically the headline players over bay-mouth structure and shoals when water runs this warm, Spanish mackerel should be schooling and chasing bait along current edges, and striped bass usually slide into a summer lull, pushed toward deeper, cooler pockets away from the heat. On The Water's recent notes on using sand fleas for summer surf stripers and OTW Surfcasting's piece on live-eel circle hooks are worth keeping in the tackle box if you're working the ocean-side beaches near the bay mouth, even though the deep-bay bite on linesiders is typically at its slowest stretch of the year right now.
Naples tarpon-permit combo keeps Gulf Coast anglers dialed in
Gulf waters off Southwest Florida are running warm, with NOAA buoy 42036 logging 85°F and building offshore swell near 7 feet under a steady breeze, while the calmer nearshore buoy 42039 shows more fishable 3.6-foot seas. Naples Offshore Fishing Charters reports tarpon migration in full swing this season, with mornings spent jumping and hooking quality fish before switching over to sight-fishing large permit in the afternoons — a pairing the operation describes as going about as well as it can this time of year. Kingfish are also active on plugs and flies, with cobia and amberjack mixing in on structure for bonus action. Typical for Gulf Coast summer, warm surface temps tend to push bait and predators toward deeper cover as the day heats up, so early starts matter most. Anglers should check current Florida state regs before harvesting or handling tarpon and permit, both closely managed species.
Summer stripers hug the beach as offshore tuna bite fills in
Cape Cod Bay is settling into a classic mid-summer pattern. NOAA buoy 44013 in Massachusetts Bay reads 67°F with calm 1.3-foot seas, while buoy 44020 to the south in Nantucket Sound is running warmer at 75°F. Striped bass are holding tight to the beach lip, and On The Water notes sand fleas (mole crabs) are producing well for summer stripers cruising the surf right now. Surfcasters are also leaning on rigged Slug-Gos and inline circle hooks fished with live eels, per OTW Surfcasting's recent surf-technique roundups. Offshore, OTW Saltwater's July 15 Northeast Offshore Report has bluefin tuna spreading from New Jersey into the Gulf of Maine as the canyon bite evolves, a promising sign for boats running out of the Cape. Winds are light under 6 m/s with settled seas, a comfortable window to get out, though anglers should check current state regs before harvesting.
Calm seas set up steady trout, redfish bite in Mississippi Sound
NOAA buoy 42067, sitting off the Mississippi coast, logged calm seas overnight into July 19 - wave heights around 1 foot and light wind near 3 meters per second (roughly 7 mph), typical flat-calm conditions for the Sound in mid-summer. Water temperature wasn't reported by the buoy this cycle, but late-July surface temps in Mississippi Sound typically sit in the mid-to-upper 80s. We don't have a direct captain, shop, or charter report on the bite for this stretch of coast this cycle, so species status below leans on seasonal patterns rather than logged catches. Speckled trout and redfish are the mainstay summer targets around grass flats and marsh edges in this region, with flounder and sheepshead typically slower through the heat of summer. The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources' Advisory Commission meets Tuesday, July 21, in D'Iberville for anyone tracking regulatory changes.
High flows test Hill Country bass anglers as summer heat holds
Flows below the Highland Lakes chain are running unusually high at 11,000 cfs per the USGS gauge (08158000) as of Sunday afternoon, a signal of recent heavy rain and elevated releases moving through the Hill Country lakes system that includes Travis, LBJ, and Buchanan. Texas Fish & Game Magazine has been tracking the broader flash-flood pattern hitting the Hill Country this summer, a reminder that moving water remains one of the biggest hazards for boaters and waders working these reservoirs right now. With no fresh temperature reading available, anglers should expect typical late-July heat-stress behavior: bass pushing to deeper structure and shade during the day. Per Tactical Bassin, summer bass group up around cover and respond well to jig-and-minnow presentations worked slow, and Wired 2 Fish notes standoff rigs like the Tokyo and Jika rig are underused options for picking apart heavy cover this time of year. High water should keep boat traffic and access in flux through the weekend.
Bitterroot Trout Seek Shade as Flathead Lake Trout Stay Deep
The USGS gauge near Flathead Lake's outlet (12372000) logged 73°F water and a strong 9,740 cfs flow as of Sunday afternoon, a combination that puts surface-water trout under real heat stress heading into the work week. Trout Unlimited flagged this exact pattern this week, noting historically low water and high air temperatures pressuring trout fisheries region-wide and pointing anglers toward warmwater alternatives like smallmouth on streamers when trout slow down. On Flathead Lake itself, lake trout and kokanee salmon should stay steadier, holding below the thermocline where deep trolling and jigging keep working regardless of surface heat. The Bitterroot's westslope cutthroat and rainbow trout are the ones likely to go quiet through the heat of the day, with dawn and dusk windows doing the heavy lifting. Hopper season is building elsewhere in Montana per Flylab's Substack, a pattern worth watching for as it filters into local terrestrial fishing.
Smallmouth bass step up as Snake and Salmon Rivers warm
USGS gauge 13340000 covering this Snake & Salmon Rivers stretch read 74°F and 3,340 cfs as of Sunday afternoon (July 20), a solid midsummer flow and temperature reading. Trout anglers should note the same pattern Trout Unlimited has been flagging across the region this summer: low water and high air temps stress trout fisheries, making early-morning and late-evening drifts the better bet right now rather than mid-day pushes. That warmth is good news for smallmouth bass, though — On The Water's recent notes on summer smallmouth point anglers toward skinny-water creek margins and wade-accessible pockets as a productive pattern once main-stem temps climb, a tactic that should translate well here. We didn't get Idaho-specific reports in this cycle's intel feed, so treat the species activity below as seasonally-informed rather than confirmed on-the-water intel — check locally before planning a trip.
Truckee River settles into low, clear summer flows
The Truckee River gauge (USGS 10311000) logged flow at 25.3 cfs as of this afternoon, a thin, clear-water summer stage typical for late July after spring runoff has long since tapered off. We don't have direct angler or shop reporting for the Truckee/Tahoe basin in this cycle's intel feed, so this update leans on general seasonal knowledge rather than fresh word from the water. At this flow and time of year, river trout typically slide into low-light feeding windows, dawn and dusk, while daytime action softens under bright sun and warming shallows. Out on Lake Tahoe itself, deep, cold water keeps mackinaw and kokanee more consistently catchable through midday than the river's rainbows and browns. Anglers should check current regs and flow data before heading out, and expect a technical, low-and-clear presentation game on the river until conditions shift.
White River trout face heat stress as Bull Shoals flows stay minimal
USGS gauge 07060710 logged 87°F and just 7.25 cfs on the White River tailwater system this afternoon, a combination that flags idle dam generation rather than a fresh cold-water release reaching the river. Bull Shoals and Norfork tailwaters typically run in the 50s directly below their dams when generators are pulling water; a spike into the mid-80s with minimal flow points to stagnant, sun-warmed water sitting in the channel instead. No region-specific angler, shop, or charter reports came through this week's feed for Bull Shoals or Norfork specifically, so we can't confirm exactly what's biting or where fish have pushed to, and we won't guess. What we can say from the gauge alone: low-flow, high-temp tailwater stretches are typically stressful for trout, who respond by holding in deep pools, spring-fed seams, and any residual cold pockets near the dam face until generation resumes and flow volume climbs.
Hot Gulf water keeps Mobile Bay locked into typical summer pattern
NOAA buoy 42012 logged Gulf water at 85°F this afternoon with a light 8 m/s breeze and air near 81°F, a classic deep-summer read for Mobile Bay and the surrounding Gulf. This week's angler-intel sweep didn't turn up fresh charter or tackle-shop reports specific to Alabama waters, so we're leaning on typical July patterns: redfish and speckled trout pushing into grass flats and marsh edges early and late in the day to dodge the heat, while red snapper hold tighter to structure and reefs offshore. A month-old buoy 42040 reading near 4.9 ft swell isn't current enough to trust for today's seas, check a fresh forecast before running out. Activity on the Pensacola Fishing Forum this week stayed focused on boat gear and a Wharf-area accident report rather than bite conditions, so hard, region-specific "what's biting" intel is thin right now. Expect the standard sunrise/sunset bite window to dominate until water temps ease.
Cool upwelling keeps Central Coast bottom bite in play
NOAA buoy 46028 logged 60°F water off the Central Coast this week, with sister buoys 46042 and 46026 reading 59°F and 58°F under light winds of 2-5 m/s — classic mid-summer upwelling conditions for this stretch of coast. We're seeing water on the cooler side, which typically keeps rockfish and lingcod biting steady on structure and keeps salmon and halibut in play through late summer. Dedicated Central Coast fishing reports were thin in today's feed sweep — most of the angler-facing content we pulled covered other regions or gear, not local bite conditions — so treat species notes below as seasonal expectation rather than fresh eyewitness reports. One transferable tip worth carrying into a Central Coast trip: Salt Strong flags a secondary PM feeding window during calm summer stretches, worth testing here given today's light-wind pattern. Check state regs before harvesting.
SoCal surf comes alive as croaker and corbina turn on
Water temps off Southern California are holding in the low-to-mid 70s this week, with NOAA buoy 46221 reading 74°F and running about 3.6 feet of combined seas, while buoy 46025 further offshore sits at 71°F under light 4 m/s winds. On the beach, Surf Fishing in So Cal's July report notes the surf has calmed considerably from the rough stretch that dominated most of June, and real signs of life are building for two LA Bight staples: spotfin croaker and corbina are both starting to show up more consistently for shore anglers working the wash. The same source flags a gear change anglers need to know about: California's emergency wire leader and hook size ban is now in effect for anyone fishing from shore or within 1,000 yards of the coast south of Pigeon Point, which matters directly for anyone targeting leopard shark, soupfin shark, or white seabass this week.
Calm seas favor salmon and halibut runs off SF Bay and Bodega
Buoy 46026 off San Francisco is reading 58 degrees this week, with light winds near 1 to 2 m/s holding seas calm from the Bay out toward Bodega, per readings from both 46026 and 46013. That kind of steady, moderate coastal temperature is typical of Northern California's summer upwelling pattern, which tends to keep bait pushed toward the surface and holds salmon and rockfish within range of local boats. The angler-intel feeds pulled for this report didn't surface Bay Area or Bodega-specific catch details this cycle, so we're leaning on seasonal norms rather than fresh confirmed bites - NorCal Fish Reports is the region's dedicated outlet for detailed local counts and is worth checking directly before you head out. With water in the high 50s and winds staying light, conditions favor troll and drift presentations for salmon, halibut, and striped bass, plus bottom rigs over structure for rockfish and lingcod. Check current state regs before harvesting.
Newport anglers stay busy as Oregon Coast salmon season rolls on
NOAA buoy 46002, sitting off the central Oregon Coast, logged a water temperature of 62°F this week, with buoy 46029 near the Columbia River mouth reading a slightly cooler 60°F and an air temp near 59°F — both typical for late July. Winds were mild to moderate across the monitored buoys, running roughly 8-18 mph, with the calmest readings closer to shore at 46029. Direct catch reports were thin this cycle, but chatter on the IFish.net Fishing Reports board points to active effort at Newport: a salmon rod reportedly blew off a boat near Highway 20, and the public fish-cleaning station there was busy enough that a forgotten box of filet knives had to be handed off to staff for safekeeping — circumstantial signs of steady ocean salmon trips this week. We're treating that as anecdotal color rather than confirmed hot bite, but it lines up with the season. Bottomfish and halibut effort typically track alongside salmon trips out of the same ports this time of year.</br>
Smokies trout push anglers toward first light as summer heat sets in
No fresh buoy or gauge readings came in for the Smokies trout waters this cycle, so this update leans on seasonal pattern and the broader trout-stream intel available. Mid-July on Western North Carolina's freestone streams typically means the classic warm-water squeeze: low, clear flows and rising afternoon water temperatures that push wild rainbows, browns, and native brook trout into skinnier windows of activity, mostly the first hour or two of daylight and the last light of evening. Trout Unlimited flagged the broader pattern this summer, noting many regional trout fisheries are dealing with historically low water and high air temperatures, and suggested anglers give stressed trout a break by working smallmouth bass with streamers when conditions get tough, a reasonable backup plan on the Smokies' lower, warmer stretches. Expect the best dry-fly and nymph action high in the park's shaded headwaters where canopy cover holds water temps down longer into the day.
Central MA bass settle into classic summer weedline patterns
No local buoy or stream-gauge readings came through this cycle for Central Massachusetts, so this report leans on general late-July freshwater patterns and technique intel from national outlets. With water temperatures typically running into the mid-to-upper 70s across Central MA ponds and lakes by late July, largemouth bass are pushing into classic summer positioning-shallow fish tucking into shade and emerging weed cover during low light, deeper fish grouping on structure through the heat of the day, a pattern Tactical Bassin and Fishing the Midwest both describe as the seasonal norm right now. Field & Stream notes jig style should match the depth and cover: football jigs for deep bottom-dragging, swim jigs through shallow vegetation. Smallmouth in nearby creeks and rivers respond well to wet-wading finesse presentations in skinny water per On The Water. Panfish stay steady producers all summer. Stocked trout typically slow under summer thermal stress; check state fishery advisories before targeting cold-water stretches.
Weedlines and deep structure define summer bite on Wabash and Lake Michigan
Direct on-the-water reports for the Wabash River and southern Lake Michigan were thin this cycle, with no fresh buoy or gauge data logged, so this update leans on regional Midwest guidance. Bob Jensen at Fishing the Midwest notes that as the 2026 open-water season hits full swing, versatile anglers who work weedlines and add new techniques are seeing the most consistent action, a pattern that fits Wabash River largemouth haunts this time of year. Mike Frisch, also writing for Fishing the Midwest, points out that forward-facing sonar has changed where anglers find suspended fish rather than sticking to classic bottom structure, relevant for Lake Michigan smallmouth and walleye. Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant is actively funding new seed-grant research focused specifically on southern Lake Michigan this year, a sign the fishery keeps drawing scientific attention even without a hot bite report to cite. Check current water levels before heading out.
Limestone spring creeks stay cool as PA trout settle into summer patterns
Spring Creek and Penns Creek keep running cooler than Pennsylvania's freestone rivers thanks to their limestone, spring-fed origins, a trait that lets wild brown and rainbow trout keep feeding even as the region settles into peak summer heat. Trout Unlimited flagged this exact seasonal tension recently, noting that low water and high air temperatures are putting stress on trout fisheries statewide, a reminder that even resilient limestone systems deserve careful handling once afternoon temperatures climb. On these classic Centre County waters, expect the best action early and late in the day, with fish keying on terrestrials such as ants, beetles, and inchworms dropping off overhanging brush along the meadow stretches. Brook trout, the most heat-sensitive of the three species present, are likely holding tight to spring seeps and tributary mouths. Check PA Fish & Boat Commission resources for current regulations and stocking status before heading out.