Fishing reports
19070 reports across all 50 states — current conditions and what's biting.
North Shore Lake Trout Turn On While Twin Cities Weedlines Fire Up
Lake Trout in the 19-25 inch range have been coming aboard steadily along the North Shore, per the MN DNR Lake Superior Summer Fishing report (July 2) — anglers trolling bright stick baits and spoons 20-80 feet down over 70-120 feet of water are finding good numbers, alongside 16-18 inch Coho Salmon and the occasional 20-28 inch Chinook. Surface temps out of Duluth ran 48-56°F, though rainy, windy stretches limited time on the water for much of the week. Inland, Twin Cities-area river gauges are running a healthy summer flow — 14,800 cfs at USGS gauge 05331000 and 6,100 cfs at gauge 05288500 as of this evening — solid conditions for working weedlines for walleye, a pattern Fishing the Midwest flagged as the go-to summer move right now. River smallmouth are also entering their mid-to-late-summer peak, per Field & Stream, with current seams and shaded cover the top bets during the day.
Missouri's high summer flows put catfish in the driver's seat
Water at USGS gauge 06934500 read 85°F on the afternoon of July 7, with flow running an elevated 88,000 cfs — a combination that lands squarely in peak summer catfish territory for the Missouri and Ozark river systems. High, warm, off-color flow like this pushes baitfish and scent trails along current breaks, and channel cats are typically the most dependable bite when rivers are running big. Smallmouth fishing gets tougher in this kind of push; Field & Stream's river-smallmouth guide for mid- and late-summer notes the better play is working shaded cover and current seams during the day, then swinging into open pools as things cool at dusk. Backwater largemouth should stay catchable through the heat — Tactical Bassin's July bait roundup points to moving baits and topwater worked during the low-light windows as water temps climb. Expect reduced visibility and stronger current to keep boat control, bait choice, and safety front of mind this week.
Olympic Peninsula rivers hold steady as summer salmon push builds
The two river gauges we track on the Olympic Peninsula are reading a wide spread this week — one site at 686 cfs, the other down at 320 cfs as of Tuesday afternoon — a gap that's within the range you'd typically expect for early July as smaller systems drop faster than larger ones this time of year. Neither station reported a water temperature, so we can't confirm exact staging conditions for salmon holding in deeper pools. WA WDFW's creel-and-catch program is the state's primary window into what's actually happening on these rivers, but this week's feeds didn't surface a specific bite report from any tracked charter, shop, or agency source for this region — worth flagging honestly rather than guessing. Chinook and sockeye tend to be the most reliable draws through early July on Peninsula systems, with steelhead and coho still building toward their later-summer arrival.
Long Island Sound Stripers Shift Deep as Summer Fluke Bite Dials In
Striped bass across southern New England are pushing out to deeper, cooler water as summer heat sets in, per this week's Saltwater Edge forecast out of Rhode Island — a shift Long Island Sound regulars should expect on their own stretch of the Sound as surface temps climb through July. No live buoy or gauge readings came through for CT/LIS this cycle, so we're leaning on regional pattern and technique reports rather than a hard number. On The Water is pointing surfcasters toward pre-dawn topwater and fly sessions in the quiet backwaters before the sun gets high, plus live eels on inline circle hooks for stripers holding deeper. Fluke anglers should have Berkley Gulp colors dialed in per On The Water's rundown, since summer flounder are prime targets on the Sound's sandy bottoms this time of year. Bluefish are mixing in wherever bait shows, and black sea bass remain a solid bottom option as water warms into peak season.
Allegheny smallmouth turn on as summer current bite heats up
Pittsburgh-area anglers working the Allegheny and its tailwaters are finding smallmouth bass keying on current seams and shaded cover as peak-summer water temperatures settle in, a pattern that lines up with this week's river-smallmouth guidance from Field & Stream. No fresh NOAA buoy or USGS gauge readings came through for this cycle, so treat flow and water temperature as unconfirmed until you check a live gauge before heading out. Early July typically pushes river smallmouth into current breaks and shaded pool edges during the day, with fish sliding into open pools at dusk to feed, per that same Field & Stream breakdown. Stocked trout in the tailwaters usually get tougher as water warms, so anglers chasing them should look to deeper, cooler stretches near dam discharges. Walleye and channel catfish remain a reasonable low-light option through the system this time of year. Check PA Fish & Boat's Biologist Reports for the latest stocking and water-management updates before you go.
Red drum lead the summer bite along the North Carolina coast
Red drum are the standout this week, with East Coast Sports in the Topsail/Sneads Ferry surf zone noting an early-morning topwater bite before anglers shift to bottom rigs later in the day, and Custom Marine Fabrication reporting drum of all sizes, including some big fish, working flats and structure along the main river shorelines on the Pamlico/Neuse, per Fisherman's Post (NC). Along the ocean beaches, surf anglers are pulling a mixed bag rather than one dominant species: Island Tackle and Hardware at Carolina Beach lists sharks, croakers, pompano, whiting, and pinfish, while Dutchman Creek Bait and Tackle at Southport/Oak Island reports whiting, croakers, and bluefish despite dirty water and heavy seaweed. No live buoy or gauge readings came through this cycle, so treat water temp and swell as unconfirmed until you check a local source before heading out.
Chicago's Lake Michigan salmon and perch settle into summer rhythm
No buoy or gauge readings came back for the Chicago nearshore this cycle, and this week's angler-intel sweep turned up no fresh, water-specific "what's biting" reports from Chicago-area shops or captains. The clearest signal available comes from the WI DNR's Lake Michigan Fishing Report, which highlighted a strong 2024 harvest lakewide: over 210,000 coho salmon and more than 160,000 Chinook salmon boated, the best Chinook numbers since 2012, credited to healthier alewife forage classes. That's basin-wide data, not a Chicago-specific bite report, but it's the best read we have on how the fishery is trending into summer. Expect the typical July pattern to hold: Chinook and coho working deeper, cooler water off the thermocline, smallmouth bass working nearshore rock and structure, and yellow perch schooling over sand and gravel. Under a Last Quarter moon, plan around early morning and evening feeding windows rather than any single hot tip this week.
Salmon and perch settle into summer rhythm off Indiana's Lake Michigan shore
The WI DNR Lake Michigan Fishing Report's season recap is the sharpest data point available for the basin right now: anglers landed a record 210,000-plus coho salmon in 2024 and more than 160,000 Chinook, the best Chinook return since 2012, with strong alewife survival credited as the driver. No fresh NOAA buoy or USGS gauge readings came in for the Indiana shoreline this cycle, so local water-temp and flow specifics aren't available today. That lakewide salmon strength typically carries forward, and Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant is actively funding new 2026 research targeting southern Lake Michigan, a sign of continued attention on this stretch. For anglers, early July on the Indiana shoreline typically means Chinook, coho, and trout holding in cooler water offshore while yellow perch and smallmouth bass stay active around nearshore structure and drop-offs. Check state regulations before harvesting, and watch local reports for firmer bite specifics as they develop.
Cape Cod Bay stripers slide into their summer pattern
Saltwater Edge's early-July forecast (Rhode Island) reports striped bass sliding out to deeper, cooler oceanfront water as summer settles in — a shift that typically plays out on a similar timeline up here in Cape Cod Bay, though no fresh buoy or gauge readings came through this cycle to confirm local temps directly. On The Water's roundup of eel and pre-dawn fly tactics for summer stripers points anglers toward early-morning presentations as the bite window tightens with rising water temps. Fluke fishing is also worth targeting, with On The Water flagging specific Berkley Gulp colors working for summer flatties, while black sea bass and scup should be holding on their usual bottom structure for the season. Bluefish are likely mixed into surface feeds alongside stripers, with topwater gurgler patterns (per On The Water) worth having rigged. Regulatory watchers should note Rhode Island left bonito and false albacore rules unchanged for 2026, a preview of what's coming to Cape waters as those species arrive later this summer.
Striper migration pushes north into Gulf of Maine waters
Rhode Island's Saltwater Edge Blog reported striped bass fishing as 'fantastic' through the second half of June, with water temperatures staying cooler than usual — a pattern worth tracking since these are the same migratory bass working their way into Gulf of Maine waters as summer progresses. On The Water's recent look at the Gurgler fly notes it's productive on stripers, bluefish, and false albacore alike, underscoring topwater season is in full swing across the Northeast corridor. No buoy or gauge readings came through for this cycle, so we're leaning on regional angler intel rather than hard numbers. Bluefish should be riding shotgun with bass on many structure and rip lines. Bonito and albies, per Saltwater Edge's ongoing coverage of Rhode Island's contentious no-limit decision on those species, remain more of a late-summer-into-fall story than a July one for Gulf of Maine anglers.
Yellowtail and mutton snappers keep Key West bite red hot
Yellowtail snapper are "practically jumping in the boat" this stretch, according to Key West charter operation ALL IN Key West, which also reports mutton snapper chewing hard during recent spawning aggregations tied to the full moon. The same captain has logged steady grouper, cobia, and barracuda action on Gulf-side trips, plus an early start to sailfish season driven by strong Gulfstream current pushing in close to Key West. Live bait has been the top producer for king mackerel, tuna, and sailfish on recent runs, with bottom rigs holding up despite the current. Separately, anglers chasing red snapper on Florida's Atlantic side should watch the regulatory picture: CCA Florida reports a federal court preliminary injunction has blocked the 2026 South Atlantic red snapper pilot programs right as the season was set to open, so check current state guidance before targeting that species. Overall, the Keys reef and flats bite remains strong heading into mid-July, with snapper the standout.
Stripers shift to open water as Buzzards Bay settles into summer patterns
Saltwater Edge's early-summer forecast for southern New England describes striped bass pushing off the beaches and out to the oceanfront in search of deeper, cooler water as inshore temperatures climb — the same seasonal shift anglers in Buzzards Bay and Vineyard Sound should expect to see through July. The same report notes scup, black sea bass, and fluke settling into their usual summer haunts in the bays and estuaries, a pattern that tracks closely with what these waters typically produce this time of year. No live buoy or gauge readings came through for this update, so treat water temps as seasonal-typical (low-to-mid 60s trending toward 70) rather than measured. On the technique side, On The Water's guide to eel-rigged circle hooks remains a go-to for stripers working structure and rips, while summer fluke anglers dialing in Berkley Gulp colors is a perennial seasonal staple worth revisiting as the bite settles into its rhythm.
Highland Lakes bass go deep as summer heat tightens the bite window
Texas Fish & Game Magazine's recent piece on targeting submerged brush piles with forward-facing sonar lands as timely advice for Hill Country anglers working Lake Travis, Lake LBJ, and Lake Buchanan this week, since no fresh buoy or gauge readings came in for the Highland Lakes chain this cycle. The same outlet's notes on reading water clarity are worth applying before committing to a starting spot, since clarity can shift fast after Hill Country runoff. Elsewhere in the region, My Canyon Lake Fishing reported that lake sitting well above last year's pool level and still fully open for boating and fishing, a sign regional lake levels have trended healthy into summer. On Travis, LBJ, and Buchanan we're seeing the pattern typical for early July: largemouth bass pushing shallow at first and last light before sliding to deeper brush and ledges once the sun climbs, while striped and white bass group up around river-channel structure. Catfish remain a dependable after-dark option through the heat.
River smallmouth take center stage as ND summer patterns lock in
Field & Stream's new guide on slamming river smallmouth all summer landed right on schedule for anglers working the Red and Missouri, where current breaks and rocky structure are entering peak bronzeback season. No fresh buoy or gauge readings came through for this stretch this week, so this report leans on general seasonal knowledge rather than a fresh temp or flow number: early July is typically strong for walleye working current seams and drop-offs, and channel catfish tend to turn aggressive as water warms, though neither had a region-specific report in this week's feed. Fishing the Midwest's Bob Jensen, writing as the 2026 open-water season hits full swing, reminds anglers that versatility - mixing techniques and working weedlines rather than camping on one pattern - is what separates steady catches from slow days. Treat the species status below as seasonal expectation, not confirmed local bite reports, and check current gauge data before you launch.
Puget Sound salmon push builds as Dungeness crab season heats up
No fresh buoy or gauge readings came in for Puget Sound and the Washington coast this cycle, so today's picture leans on ecosystem signals from Washington Sea Grant. The agency's Third Annual Salish Sea-wide Molt Blitz, held June 26, tracked crabs shedding their exoskeletons across the region, a seasonal cue that Dungeness crab activity is ramping up as summer settles in. That follows a May report from WA Sea Grant flagging the first confirmed European green crab detections on Orcas Island's Crescent Beach, a reminder to check your catch carefully in North Sound waters. WDFW continues to run its statewide creel and catch interviews and stocking program, per WA WDFW Fishing Reports, though no specific counts came through this week. With no direct angler intel on salmon or bottomfish bites in hand, expect typical early-July patterns: kings and coho pushing through Sound approaches, lingcod and rockfish holding on structure. Check state regulations before harvesting.
Door County trollers target Lake Michigan kings as summer pattern sets in
No fresh buoy or gauge readings came in for the Door County/Sheboygan stretch this cycle, and no charter or shop reports crossed the wire either, so this update leans on season norms and the latest word from the Wisconsin DNR. Early July on Lake Michigan typically means king (Chinook) and coho salmon trolling well offshore in cooler water, with steelhead mixed in behind riggers and divers, consistent with the pattern that produced a record 2024 harvest highlighted by the WI DNR Lake Michigan Fishing Report. Smallmouth bass fishing around Door County reefs and Green Bay flats should also be active through summer, an area the DNR has been gathering public input on for future management. One access note: the Rowley's Bay launch near Liberty Grove, closed for concrete work since ice-off, was slated to reopen by May 31 per the DNR, so it should be back in service now. Confirm before you trailer over.
Charleston Harbor settles into a classic July redfish and trout pattern
No buoy or gauge readings came back for Charleston Harbor this cycle, and none of this week's angler intel is Charleston-specific, so this update leans on the seasonal pattern typical for SC saltwater marshes in early July plus the closest regional signal available. Up the coast, Fisherman's Post — Carolinas saltwater reports surf anglers at Carolina Beach and Southport/Oak Island, NC finding a mixed bag of whiting, croaker, pompano, and bluefish, with live bait producing best results inshore where water clarity allows. That kind of mixed-bag surf pattern typically tracks south into SC waters this time of year. Inside Charleston Harbor's tidal creeks, redfish and spotted seatrout are the reliable summer targets, usually holding tight to oyster rakes and grass edges on moving water, while Spanish mackerel and tarpon typically start showing in the lower harbor and nearshore as water warms through July. Check local forecasts and current agency reports before your trip.
Western NY anglers shift to deep summer patterns on Lake Erie
No live buoy or gauge readings came back for the Lake Erie and Niagara corridor this cycle, and none of today's angler-intel feeds carried a direct report from a Western NY captain, shop, or the NY DEC, so this update leans on typical seasonal patterns rather than fresh sightings. Early July on Lake Erie is classically a deep-structure period: smallmouth bass and walleye push off shallow spawning areas onto main-lake humps and drop-offs, while yellow perch schools tighten into deeper water. One regional note worth flagging for anyone launching this week: Wired 2 Fish reports the Great Lakes Aquatic Invasive Species Landing Blitz is running a two-week cleaning-station push across the basin through mid-July, a good reminder to clean, drain, and dry gear between Erie, Niagara, and any inland stops. We'll update species status as soon as a Western NY-specific report comes through.
Susquehanna and Allegheny smallmouth settle into summer deep-structure bite
Field & Stream's midsummer river-smallmouth rundown is the clearest signal in this cycle, pointing anglers toward deeper runs, current seams, and offshore structure as PA's warmwater rivers slide into full summer mode. No live buoy or gauge telemetry came through for the Susquehanna or Allegheny system this update, so treat flow and temperature as an information gap rather than a data point, and lean on a recent local reading or your own thermometer before planning a trip. General seasonal knowledge still holds for early July: smallmouth bass push into faster, cooler current breaks and rock structure during the heat of the day, catfish stay active after dark, and stocked trout fisheries typically slow as water warms. Pennsylvania Sea Grant's harmful algal bloom advisory is worth noting too, a seasonal reminder to watch for scummy, discolored water on slower stretches and impoundments before wading or letting pets in.
Smallmouth Bass Turn On Along the Delaware Despite Low Water
Smallmouth bass fishing is good and trending up along the Delaware River corridor, according to Old School Outdoors in Ewing, which also reports solid catfishing this week even with the river still running below normal after a dry stretch. The Fisherman's regional freshwater notes describe a rough June — swinging between 90-degree days and cool 50-degree nights, an undependable forecast, and drought-thinned flows — that kept fish patterns inconsistent, though a more stable summer setup should settle things into an easier read soon. Crappie action has slowed for now, a normal seasonal fade as those fish slide off their spring haunts. In the Pine Barrens' tannic ponds and slow cedar streams, largemouth bass and chain pickerel typically hold tight to whatever vegetation survives the heat, feeding hardest in low light. With low water still the dominant storyline, anglers working deeper holes, eddies, and shaded banks should find the most consistent action into the weekend.
Chattahoochee bass settle into a summer dock-and-grass pattern
Bass are locking onto grass, docks, and rocky banks on the Chattahoochee-fed Bartletts Ferry impoundment (Lake Harding), per GA Sportsman / Georgia Outdoor News' summer playbook for the lake, which points anglers to both largemouth and spotted bass holding tight to that kind of cover this month. No fresh buoy or gauge readings came through for the Chattahoochee or Savannah systems today, so this update leans on angler intel rather than hard numbers — check current USGS flow before you launch. The Georgia Wildlife Blog is still steering anglers toward its Angler Resources hub and the Georgia Bass Slam challenge, a nudge toward the black-bass diversity the state is known for this time of year. Expect classic mid-summer behavior systemwide: bass relating tight to shade, grass lines, and current breaks, panfish active shallow in the low-light hours, and river stripers and hybrids sliding deeper as surface temps climb through July.
Piedmont summer pattern locks in on Hartwell and Russell bass
No fresh buoy or gauge readings came in for the Savannah River chain this cycle, so this report leans on statewide angler intel and typical seasonal patterns for Lake Hartwell and Lake Russell heading into mid-July. The Georgia Wildlife Blog's Fishing Report keeps pointing anglers toward its Angler Resources page for species forecasts and stocking updates, and flags the ongoing Georgia Bass Slam challenge as a sign of how active the state's black bass scene has been this season. On a nearby Chattahoochee-system reservoir, GA Sportsman describes largemouth and spotted bass keying on grass edges, dock shade, and rocky banks as water warms into summer, a pattern that typically carries over to Piedmont reservoirs like Hartwell and Russell as well. Expect Hartwell and Russell largemouth and spots shading up under docks and around isolated grass, with striped and hybrid bass schooling over deep humps and river-channel structure as surface temps settle into a typical early-July range for the region.
Summer smallmouth bite locks in on the Connecticut River as Champlain bass slide deep
Field & Stream's midsummer smallmouth breakdown lands right on cue for Vermont's Connecticut River stretches this week, with river-run smallmouth typically keying on current seams and rocky structure once water warms into summer norms. No fresh NOAA or USGS readings came through for this region on this cycle, so we're leaning on seasonal patterns and national technique reports rather than a local gauge. On The Water's deep-water summer bass piece lines up with what's typical for Lake Champlain largemouth this time of year, as fish slide off shallow cover toward deeper offshore structure through the heat of the day. Pike anglers should note Fishing the Midwest's weedline advice, a solid template for working Champlain's grass edges. Walleye tend to go quiet under bright midsummer sun, with dawn and dusk remaining the higher-percentage windows. Check state regs before harvesting anything this trip.
Ohio reservoir bass and walleye settle into summer deep-water patterns
No fresh buoy or gauge readings came through for Mosquito or Pymatuning this cycle, so this update leans on typical early-July patterns for Ohio's big inland reservoirs rather than a live snapshot. On The Water's rundown on summer bass in deep water lines up with what reservoir anglers should expect right now: offshore humps, channel bends, and standing structure outfishing shallow shoreline casts once the sun gets up. Fishing the Midwest's Bob Jensen also flagged working weedlines with moving baits as a smart summer add for anglers willing to diversify presentations, a tip that fits Mosquito's and Pymatuning's weed flats well. Walleye should still be catchable off deep structure and during low-light windows, Pymatuning's muskie fishery is sliding into its peak summer trolling stretch, and crappie typically go quiet for a few weeks after scattering off spawning cover into deeper brush. Check current lake levels and water clarity locally before heading out, since no live flow data was available this week.