Fishing reports
19070 reports across all 50 states — current conditions and what's biting.
Kenai sockeye push nears its traditional July peak as kings taper
Mid-July sits squarely in the traditional peak window for the Kenai River sockeye run, with king salmon typically moving into their later, tapering stretch by this point in the season. No fresh buoy or streamflow readings came through for this region in today's pull, so treat current water levels and clarity as unconfirmed until checked against a live gauge. None of today's angler-intel feeds carried Alaska-specific, on-the-water reporting either, so this update leans on general seasonal patterns rather than fresh testimony from a shop, captain, or agency report. Resident rainbow trout and Arctic grayling in the clearwater tributaries tend to stay consistently catchable through summer as they key on drifting salmon eggs behind spawning fish. Expect heavier bank pressure on popular sockeye water during peak daylight hours, and be ready for glacially-fed stretches to run off-color after any warm melt days or rain.
Kennebec and Penobscot smallmouth settle into a classic summer pattern
With no fresh buoy or gauge readings in this cycle for the Kennebec and Penobscot watersheds, this report leans on typical mid-July patterns for central Maine rivers. Smallmouth bass are the headline fish this time of year, pushed onto deeper ledges and current seams as surface water warms, while largemouth in the slower backwaters and coves stay catchable on early-morning topwater before the sun climbs. Landlocked salmon and brook trout, both cold-water species native to these systems, typically slide into deeper pools, spring seeps, and cooler tributary mouths once mainstem temperatures climb through July, and are usually best targeted at first light or after dark. None of the state or regional feeds available this cycle carried a direct Kennebec/Penobscot fishing report, so treat species status below as seasonal expectation rather than confirmed, on-the-water intel until a local report comes through.
Chinook and coho action builds as Lake Michigan salmon season peaks
The WI DNR Lake Michigan Fishing Report's year-end recap is the closest hard data point for this stretch this week: 2024 produced a record coho salmon harvest of 210,000-plus fish and the strongest Chinook return since 2012 at over 160,000, which the agency attributes to stronger alewife survival for stocked salmonids. No NOAA buoy or USGS gauge reading came through for the Lake Michigan and Grand River mouth corridor today, and no shop, charter, or blog intel specific to this stretch surfaced in today's sweep, so treat the species read below as seasonal expectation rather than confirmed bite reports. Mid-July on this stretch typically means Chinook and coho holding on the thermocline in deeper water, steelhead scattered along temperature breaks, and Grand River-mouth smallmouth bass and walleye working dawn-and-dusk shallow windows before sliding to structure as the sun climbs higher. Confirm current temps and flow with the MI DNR Weekly Fishing Report before heading out.
Smith Mountain and Buggs Island lean on classic summer bass patterns
No fresh buoy or gauge readings came through for Smith Mountain Lake or Buggs Island this cycle, and this week's Virginia DWR Wildlife Blog output focused on stocked-trout planning and hunting regs rather than lake conditions, so this update leans on typical mid-July patterns for these reservoirs. Largemouth bass generally bite best on low-light jig and topwater presentations before the sun climbs, then slide to deeper cover and weedlines once the heat sets in, a pattern Tactical Bassin (blog) and Fishing the Midwest have both been covering hard this week with jig-fishing, Neko rig, and weedline tactics built for summer conditions. Buggs Island's blue catfish fishery and Smith Mountain's striper population typically hit their summer stride around now, with stripers holding deep over cooler water and cats working channel structure and humps. Crappie tend to slow down and go deep in the heat. As always, check current Virginia freshwater regs before harvesting anything.
Summer heat has Eastern Washington anglers chasing dawn bites and deep water
No fresh buoy or gauge readings came through for Eastern Washington this cycle, so this week's read leans on WDFW's statewide creel-and-catch network and general seasonal patterns rather than a water-by-water breakdown. WDFW's Fishing and stocking reports page remains the go-to source for how the Yakima River's wild redband trout and the region's stocked lakes are producing right now, and it's worth checking before heading out. Mid-July in this part of the state typically means summer thermal patterns: trout push toward tailwater and spring-fed stretches with cooler, better-oxygenated flows, while warmwater species like smallmouth bass and walleye settle into low-light feeding windows. Field & Stream's summer-pace coverage and Tactical Bassin's hot-weather bass series both reinforce the same seasonal logic that applies here, slow down, fish early or late, and target shade and structure when the sun's high. We'd treat this as a general seasonal outlook until more direct regional reports come in.
Delaware Bay flounder bite accelerates with keepers pushing 20 inches
Keeper flounder are pushing into the 20- to 22-inch range across Delaware Bay this week. Big Dave's Tackle (Southern New Jersey) calls the bay bite 'really accelerated... over the last few weeks,' and Higbee's Bait and Tackle reports boaters landing flounder to 22 inches on live minnows along with plenty of spot and croaker. Croaker numbers remain strong up and down the bay side — Higbee's notes croakers, spot and snapper blues hitting bloodworm and Fishbites hi-lo rigs off Fortescue Beach, while the back creeks are giving up a solid perch bite on bloodworms and grass shrimp. On the ocean side toward Cape May, Hands Too Bait and Tackle reports croakers and kingfish snapping on the oceanfront, fluke holding tight to the Cape May Point jetties, and scattered bluefish and stripers still mixed in. Sheepshead and triggerfish are sticking to the rocks on sand fleas. No live buoy or gauge readings were available for the bay this cycle.
Sea Bass and Stripers Run Red Hot in Raritan Bay's Summer Peak
Sea bass are running red hot in the Raritan Bay and Sandy Hook corridor, with Blue Chip Sportfishing reporting anglers limiting out on almost every trip this stretch, and striped bass right behind them, with Blue Chip calling it the best striper fishing possible on recent trips. Shark fishing has also busted wide open for Blue Chip, including three released mako sharks landed in a single day. Closer to Sandy Hook, Capt Ron's out of Atlantic Highlands is seeing a mixed keeper fluke bite, some days rewarding patient anglers with three-fish limits, other days tougher with mostly shorts. Just north, OTW Northern New Jersey reports keeper fluke becoming more common from the surf to the reefs, with cocktail bluefish working the rivers and inlets and bluefin tuna holding on the midshore grounds. Water temps and buoy readings aren't available for this update, but the overall pattern points to a strong mid-summer bite across the bay.
Louisiana anglers lean on finesse tactics as summer heat holds
Louisiana Sportsman's July 14 update flags the lower Highway 1 corridor toward Grand Isle as a strong summer kayak-fishing draw, a sign Louisiana's fishing scene remains active heading into late July. No fresh buoy or gauge readings came through for the Mississippi and Atchafalaya systems this cycle, so treat water levels and clarity as an on-site call. Seasonal patterns still apply: mid-July heat typically pushes largemouth bass into early-morning and low-light feeding windows, with Tactical Bassin's current summer-technique lineup, jig-and-minnow strolling, finesse paddletails, and Neko-rigged worms, offering solid starting points once the sun climbs. Catfish tend to stay active through Louisiana's summer heat in river and backwater systems, and bream/sunfish activity typically holds up well this time of year. Crappie, by contrast, usually slide deeper and slower once surface temps rise. Check local forecasts and current river stage before heading out.
Summer Heat Pattern Settles Over Eufaula and Red River Bass
No fresh buoy or gauge readings came in for Lake Eufaula or the Red River this cycle, so this update leans on general seasonal knowledge and transferable technique reports rather than site-specific numbers. Tactical Bassin (blog)'s latest summer coverage highlights bass sliding into classic hot-weather positioning — shallow fish tucking into shade, deeper fish grouping tight to structure — and pushing jig-and-minnow strolling presentations as a top producer through the heat. Fishing the Midwest also notes anglers leaning harder on forward-facing sonar to locate summer groups away from traditional structure, a pattern that applies broadly this time of year. For Lake Eufaula and the Red River specifically, no direct regional reports came through this cycle, so species status below reflects typical mid-July behavior for eastern Oklahoma reservoirs and rivers rather than confirmed local bites — treat it as a starting point, not gospel, until on-the-water reports firm up.
Champlain smallmouth adjust to summer heat, salmon settle deep
No fresh buoy or gauge readings came in for Lake Champlain this cycle, so this update leans on regional intel to frame conditions. Vermont's angling calendar got a nod elsewhere this week: MidCurrent's coverage of the Battenkill Fly Fishing & Arts Festival in Arlington keeps the state in the news, though that's river country, not the big lake itself. Closer to the pattern Champlain smallmouth are likely riding right now, The Fisherman — New England Freshwater reports Congamond Lakes bass sliding onto deeper structure as surface temps hit 86 to 88 degrees during the recent heat wave, and Red Top Sporting Goods in Buzzards Bay saw largemouth pushed into deep water the same stretch. Champlain's smallmouth typically follow the same mid-July script, moving to main-lake rock piles and humps once the shallows warm. Landlocked salmon, per typical seasonal behavior, are holding deep below the thermocline in cooler water. No direct Champlain reports appeared in this week's feed, so treat the above as regional context, not lake-specific confirmation.
Summer finesse tactics carry New River & Ohio bass action
No fresh buoy or gauge telemetry came through for the New River and Ohio system this cycle, so this update leans on technique intel rather than live readings — check a current flow gauge before you launch. Tactical Bassin's latest summer video work is squarely built for this stretch of the calendar: jig-and-minnow "strolling," neko-rigged worms, and downsized paddletail swimbaits for bass holding tight to cover or structure as water temps climb. Fishing the Midwest notes anglers increasingly leaning on forward-facing sonar to find walleye suspending off classic structure rather than sitting glued to bottom, a pattern worth testing on Ohio River flats. Field & Stream's reminder to slow the retrieve down and stay patient through peak heat tracks with both reports. Expect smallmouth to stay catchable on finesse presentations, walleye active but sonar-dependent, catfish reliably aggressive in the warmth, and muskellunge quieter until temperatures ease heading into fall.
Blue catfish bite surges on Eagle Mountain Lake as summer flows arrive
Eagle Mountain Lake near Fort Worth is running nearly full with a strong pulse of fresh water moving through the system, and per North Texas Catfish Guide, that combination of a full lake plus fresh inflow is exactly what triggers an active, feeding bite. The charter reports fish are moving and feeding right now, and once anglers get on a school, "it happens fast." No NOAA buoy or USGS gauge telemetry came back for this cycle, so this update leans on on-the-water reporting rather than hard temperature or flow numbers. The same operation's past early-summer reports describe channel catfish and white bass turning on around this same window on Eagle Mountain, alongside the blue cat bite that's the current headline. Largemouth bass aren't mentioned in today's intel but typically slide onto deeper structure and shaded cover as mid-July heat sets in across Texas reservoirs. Expect the sharpest bite early and late in the day while surface temps climb through the afternoon.
Santee Cooper and Lake Murray settle into deep summer patterns
Mid-July has Santee Cooper and Lake Murray sliding into a classic summer holding pattern, and no live buoy or gauge telemetry came through for this system today, so this outlook leans on national technique reporting and typical seasonal behavior rather than a local sensor reading. Largemouth are pulling into shade, current breaks, and deeper cover through peak daylight hours, a pattern Tactical Bassin's recent summer jig-fishing rundown pegs as the go-to right now, with anglers working jigs and trailers through cover instead of chasing top-water action once the heat sets in. Field & Stream's summertime piece echoes the same idea: slow down and be patient once water temperatures climb. Santee Cooper's namesake striper fishery and blue catfish population are typically still productive on deeper structure and near thermocline breaks this time of year, though no fresh regional reports came through this cycle to confirm current bite intensity locally. Crappie tend to go quiet and hold deep in mid-summer heat.
Summer bass bite holds steady on Guntersville and Wheeler ledges
No fresh buoy or gauge telemetry came through for Guntersville or Wheeler today, so this update leans on technique intel. Tactical Bassin's current summer coverage keeps circling back to two moves paying off on reservoir largemouth right now: strolling a jig-and-minnow rig over deeper cover, and slow-rolling jigs through shade lines and emerging weed edges once the sun gets high. Their underwater Neko rig testing this week also underscores finesse presentations working when fish get sticky in the heat. On Tennessee River-system reservoirs like Guntersville and Wheeler, that pattern tracks with typical mid-July behavior: largemouth and spotted bass sliding toward ledges, brush, and shade during peak sun, catfish staying active and aggressive in the warm water, and crappie easing into a tougher, deeper bite. Bank and boat anglers alike should expect the best windows early and late, with jig and finesse-worm presentations doing the heavy lifting through the midday heat.
Yellowstone-area cutthroat dial into peak summer dry fly rhythm
Trout Unlimited's look this week at the South Fork Snake River's wild brown trout underscores how strong the broader Snake River drainage is fishing heading into late July, a good sign for the upper stretches running through Grand Teton country. No dedicated report crossed the feeds for Yellowstone or the Tetons this cycle, and no buoy or gauge telemetry came back for the region, so treat conditions as typical for the season until fresher local data lands. Cutthroat should be keying on top water as terrestrial and stonefly activity ramps up; Caddis Fly's rundown of golden stoneflies notes the hatch runs steady across much of the West through most of summer, a pattern that plays out on Yellowstone tributaries too. A short hop north, Flylab flagged Hebgen Lake, just over the Montana line and "right next door" to the park, as still throwing consistent surface feeders, a solid proxy for how regional lake and river trout are behaving right now.
Platte & Missouri summer bite leans on catfish and patience
No fresh buoy or gauge readings came in for the Platte and Missouri systems this cycle, and no NE-specific angler reports landed either, so this update leans on typical mid-July freshwater patterns plus national technique intel. Water levels typically settle into a stable summer flow by mid-July, with channel catfish turning on hardest in warm water, feeding aggressively after dark on cut bait fished in deep holes and current seams. Walleye fishing usually slows during peak daytime heat but still produces at dawn and dusk; Fishing the Midwest's Mike Frisch notes anglers are increasingly finding suspended walleye off traditional structure using forward facing sonar rather than sticking to classic bottom spots. Smallmouth and largemouth bass stay catchable through the heat with a downsized, patient approach, and Tactical Bassin's summer jig and finesse paddletail breakdowns this week emphasize working shade and cover slowly rather than chasing reaction bites. White bass schooling activity typically continues through summer mornings. Check current state regs before harvesting.
Black bass season settles in as summer patterns take hold across NY
Black bass season is underway and, per the NY DEC's The Fishing Line, "the fish bite is picking up with warmer summer weather," a signal that tracks with what's happening statewide as water temperatures climb into peak summer stratification. DEC's June 26th issue also flags ongoing brook trout habitat restoration work in the Moose River Plains Complex, a reminder that upstate coldwater fisheries are still a management priority even as attention shifts to warmwater species. Elsewhere in New York, Brookdog Fishing Co. describes walleye fishing as "outstanding" on Lake Erie with quick limits the norm through late June and early July, a good sign for walleye activity statewide heading into Finger Lakes waters. On technique, Field & Stream's dispatch from upstate New York counsels a slower summer pace on small streams, while general bass-fishing sources point to shade, cover, and finesse presentations as the summer go-to. No direct Hudson Valley or Finger Lakes buoy/gauge readings were available this cycle.
Smokies Tailwater Anglers Lean Into Smallmouth as Trout Bite Slows
No fresh buoy or gauge data came through for the Hiwassee or Caney Fork this cycle, so this update leans on seasonal patterns plus this week's broader trout-water intel. Trout Unlimited's midsummer piece on chasing smallmouth bass with streamers describes a pattern that fits right now: historically low water and high air temps are stressing trout fisheries generally, pushing anglers toward smallmouth as a warm-weather alternative when the trout bite goes quiet. On these TVA-controlled tailwaters, scheduled generation typically keeps water cooler than nearby freestone streams, so rainbow and brown trout should still play during release windows, with things tightening up on the low, warm stretches between generation. The Waxing Crescent moon favors modest low-light activity morning and evening. Until direct gauge data comes back online, treat generation schedule as the single biggest variable for planning a trip here, more than anything else this week.
Summer patterns take over Lake Cumberland as tailwater trout stay steady
Mid-July heat has locked Lake Cumberland and its Cumberland River tailwater into classic summer patterns. On the lake, striped and hybrid bass are pushing into deeper, cooler water during the day and coming up to feed in low-light windows, a shift bass anglers nationwide are seeing right now — Tactical Bassin's latest coverage highlights jig-and-minnow "strolling" and finesse paddletails as top producers once the sun gets high, while Fishing the Midwest notes more anglers leaning on forward-facing sonar to find bass suspended off points and weedlines rather than assuming they're glued to bottom. Below Wolf Creek Dam, the tailwater's cold, stable release should keep the trout fishery — a signature draw for this stretch of the Cumberland — active on a fairly predictable bite. We don't have a direct Kentucky-specific report in this week's feed, so treat the above as seasonal pattern guidance rather than an on-the-water account until local intel comes in.
Summer catfish and white bass action carries the KS river bite
No fresh NOAA buoy or USGS gauge readings came through for the Kansas and Arkansas River corridor this cycle, so today's outlook leans on general July patterns and regional technique trends rather than a specific reading or local catch report. Tactical Bassin's midsummer breakdown, "How To Catch Bass When Its HOT," lays out logic that carries over to river fishing broadly this time of year: shallow fish tuck into shade and cover during peak sun while the more consistent activity happens around deeper structure and current breaks. Fishing the Midwest's recent notes on working weedlines and leaning on forward-facing sonar to locate suspended fish are useful technique carryover for anglers probing channel bends and current seams on the Kansas and Arkansas systems. For KS river fisheries specifically, mid-July typically means channel catfish and white bass are the most dependable producers through the heat, while walleye and crappie tend to slide deeper and slower. Treat today's read as general-knowledge guidance until a direct regional source or gauge reading comes through.
Deschutes redsides and steelhead settle into summer rhythm
Tactical Bassin's latest summer rundown is pushing jig-and-minnow presentations and shade-hugging patterns for bass fighting peak heat, a technique that translates well to the Deschutes' lower smallmouth water right now. Beyond that, no captain, shop, or agency report specific to the Deschutes or Upper Klamath crossed our desk this cycle, and no fresh buoy or gauge reading came through either, so we're grounding this update in typical mid-July patterns rather than inventing a hot bite. Redsides and summer steelhead on the Deschutes generally settle into tighter dawn-and-dusk windows as afternoon water temperatures climb, while Upper Klamath's redband trout tend to slide toward spring-fed pockets and deeper water once the sun gets high. Flows are typically stable and low this time of year on both systems. Check current hoot-owl restrictions and thermal-closure advisories before heading out, since summer heat can trigger voluntary or mandatory afternoon closures on Oregon trout water.
Bull Shoals and Norfork tailwaters stay cool as summer heat builds
Bull Shoals and Norfork stay fishable through the White River's summer heat because both fisheries run as dam-controlled tailwaters, with cold hypolimnetic releases holding water well below what unregulated Ozark streams see in mid-July. No fresh buoy or gauge readings came through for this stretch today, and this week's angler-intel sweep did not surface region-specific reports from White River guides or shops, so treat today's outlook as seasonal grounding rather than a live bite report. That is the normal profile for AR trout water this time of year: the generation schedule dictates wade access and fly selection far more than air temperature does. Rainbow trout stay the bread-and-butter target on both tailwaters, and Norfork's brown trout fishery keeps drawing anglers chasing bigger fish during lower, clearer generation windows. Check current Corps of Engineers generation schedules before planning a trip, since release timing controls where and when fish are catchable more than anything else this week.
Striped Bass Flood the Race as CT Porgy Bite Stays Hot
Fresh striped bass arrived in the Race midweek, and J&B Tackle in Connecticut called Wednesday's and Thursday's topwater action the best of the season, with anglers three-waying Storm Wild Eye Swim Shads, Tsunami Pro Holographic Paddle Tails, and Tsunami sand eels through different tide phases. Tartan II is backing that up, reporting boat limits of slot-sized bass with plenty of larger fish mixed in, especially on afternoon trips. Bottom fishing is carrying its own weight along the Connecticut shore this week — AW Marina says the local porgy bite has driven bait sales through the roof, with Fort Trumbull Pier and Avery Point the epicenter of a strong shore-based scup run, and Black Hawk logged an easy boat limit of jumbo porgies with black sea bass mixing in. Fluke has been the soft spot, with at least one boat reporting a slower-than-hoped trip. Expect steady action if the tide-driven pattern holds through the weekend.
Catskills trout dial in early and late as summer heat builds
With no live NOAA buoy or USGS gauge readings in this cycle, today's picture leans on angler intel rather than hard numbers. Trout Unlimited flagged a real signal for the region this summer: historically low water and high air temperatures are stressing trout fisheries across the Northeast, and their guidance is to lean on smallmouth bass with streamers when trout water gets too warm to fish responsibly. Closer to home, Field & Stream's dispatch from North Bangor, New York described anglers working Baker's Creek at a slow pace waiting on a sulfur hatch to pop, a reminder that Catskills and Adirondacks trout are still keying on evening emergences even as afternoons heat up. Expect a classic summer split: cooler dawn and dusk windows favor dry-fly and nymph presentations for trout, while the heat of the day is better spent on smallmouth water or off the stream entirely to protect fish.