Fishing reports
19203 reports across all 50 states — current conditions and what's biting.
Taneycomo trout bite rebounds as heavy generation finally eases
Trout fishing on Lake Taneycomo has picked up over the past couple of weeks, according to Lilleys Landing's July 4 report, as the heavy watershed-driven generation that dominated June finally starts to ease. Lilleys Landing described June as tough fishing for most anglers, especially from the bank or dock, with operators running unpredictable release schedules that swung the bite from good one day to poor the next. With those rains subsided, Lilleys Landing expects more periods of no generation heading into July, particularly in the mornings, which should open up better wading and bank access below the dam, even as afternoons and evenings may still see heavier flows on some days. This builds on an already dry backdrop: Lilleys Landing's May 1 report noted minimal spring rain and predicted a lighter generation summer overall. Anglers who can fish the early, low-flow windows should find the most consistent trout action right now.
Weedlines and July bass patterns take over on Iowa's rivers
No fresh buoy or gauge reading came back for the Des Moines and Iowa Rivers this cycle, so we're leaning on regional technique reports rather than a hard temp number. Fishing the Midwest's Bob Jensen flagged this week that "the 2026 open water fishing season is in full swing" and pushed anglers to work emerging weedlines as cover thickens with summer growth — a pattern that applies directly to Iowa's river backwaters and slack-water pockets. Tactical Bassin's July bait rundown points to bass metabolism running hot this month, meaning more aggressive, reaction-style bites on moving baits. Wired 2 Fish also notes the ongoing surge in soft-plastic "urchin-style" baits winning bass tournaments nationally, worth having in the box for pressured river holes. Catfish (channel and flathead) should be settling into typical summer feeding rhythm on these systems as water warms, though we don't have a direct Iowa report to confirm activity level this week. Check current conditions before heading out.
Record brown trout puts Snake River tailwater in the spotlight
A 30-inch-plus brown trout landed by Georgia angler Caroline Langdale on Idaho's South Fork of the Snake River just topped the state's longstanding catch-and-release record, according to Field & Stream, taken while fly fishing the tailwater below Palisades Dam near the equally famous Henry's Fork. It's the clearest signal we have right now that Snake River system trout are feeding aggressively as summer settles in. No fresh buoy or gauge readings came through for the Snake & Salmon system this cycle, so we're leaning on this angler intel rather than hard flow and temperature numbers. Cutthroat and rainbow trout should be riding the same seasonal window on nearby stretches, and the Salmon River's summer Chinook run is typically building into July, though we have no direct reports on either fishery today. Check current state regs before harvesting, and expect classic early-July tailwater patterns: steady hatches, midday warmth pushing fish to structure and deeper runs.
Summer heat pushes Cumberland bass toward moving baits and shade
Old Hickory Lake is drawing extra national attention this year — MLF News reports the reservoir was picked to host The Champions, a marquee bass tournament, this October, a nod to the Cumberland system's reputation as one of the region's stronger fisheries. On the water right now, there's no fresh buoy or gauge reading for Tennessee & Cumberland this cycle, so treat conditions as typical for early July: warm, stable, and past the spring transition. General seasonal guidance from Tactical Bassin's July bait roundup points anglers toward moving baits and topwater worked early and late as water warms, while Fishing the Midwest's recent notes on working weedlines and keeping hooks sharp remain solid summer fundamentals for largemouth relating to emerging vegetation. Smallmouth and catfish should follow normal summer behavior — mid-depth structure and low-light feeding windows — until we get a confirmed local report.
Western Slope rivers turn on fast as Colorado runoff drops
Crystal Fly Shop is telling Roaring Fork anglers not to wait until July this year — the river is running high but already fishing well, with large attractor patterns producing well ahead of a green drake emergence expected below Carbondale in about two weeks. On the Crystal River, runoff is fading fast and the shop expects some of the best fishing of the year once flows keep dropping over the next week or so. Downstream, the Colorado River from Glenwood Springs to Rifle is on the back end of runoff with sensational fishing expected through the next few weeks as golden stones, PMDs, and caddis stack on top of the coming green drakes. The Frying Pan, by contrast, is already low, clear, and cold, with daily Blue-Winged Olive hatches and building PMD activity best worked with nymphs before afternoon hatches kick off. Statewide, both Cutthroat Anglers and Pat Dorsey Fly Fishing are flagging this as a historically low-snowpack year, which is compressing the usual runoff-to-prime-water timeline.
Summer heat pushes Mississippi bass and catfish toward the low-light bite
Tactical Bassin's rundown of "Top 5 Baits For July Bass Fishing" frames where the action is headed on Mississippi and Pearl River waters this week: as water temperatures climb through midsummer, bass metabolism runs hot and fish feed aggressively on moving baits, especially around dawn and dusk. No fresh NOAA buoy or USGS gauge readings came through this cycle for this stretch, so we're leaning on seasonal patterns rather than a live temp or flow number today. Wired 2 Fish also notes a bass-fishing-wide shift toward compact soft-plastic "urchin-style" baits working through cover, a technique worth trying on Pearl River backwaters and Mississippi River oxbows holding largemouth. Catfish typically turn on through the hottest stretch of July on these systems, especially after dark, though no shop or charter report specific to this region came in this week. Bream fishing stays a reliable summer standby around shallow cover. Check local regs before harvesting.
Coosa River bass locked into a hot summer pattern
Neely Henry Lake, the Coosa River impoundment at Gadsden, is "fishing phenomenally" right now, with eye-popping weights turning up in regional team events, per MLF News ahead of the July 18 Phoenix Bass Fishing League Bama Division stop there. Shallow cover like water willow is doing the work as bass settle into a firm summertime pattern. We don't have live buoy or gauge telemetry for the Tennessee or Coosa systems in this update, so treat water temp and flow as unconfirmed and check a local reading before you launch. Spotted bass typically ride alongside largemouth in these Coosa impoundments this time of year, though no source specifically flagged them today. Catfish should still be feeding actively through the summer heat, while crappie typically slow down once water warms deep into July. Fish shallow, wood-and-grass edges early and late to beat the midday sun.
Tahoe's summer trout pattern settles into an early-July rhythm
Early July typically pushes Lake Tahoe's Mackinaw (lake trout) deep as surface water warms, with fish holding tight to structure well below the thermocline while kokanee salmon school up in open water and become a steady trolling target through summer. On the Truckee River, rainbow and brown trout settle into a classic warm-season pattern, with the best window concentrated around dawn and dusk as afternoon heat and daytime boat traffic push fish toward shade and cover. No buoy or gauge readings came through for this region in today's data pull, and none of today's angler-intel feeds covered Nevada or Sierra Nevada trout water specifically, so this report leans on general seasonal knowledge rather than fresh on-the-water testimony from a local shop or guide. We're also coming off a Last Quarter moon, which tends to spread feeding activity across the day rather than stack it into one dramatic period, so treat any single window as a good bet, not a guarantee.
Winnipesaukee bass anglers eye weedlines as summer patterns lock in
No fresh buoy or gauge readings came in for Winnipesaukee this cycle, so this update leans on seasonal know-how and general July bass patterns rather than a specific local report. Early July on a big natural lake like Winnipesaukee typically means smallmouth and largemouth bass pushing into and around emerging weed growth as the water settles into full summer stratification. Fishing the Midwest's Bob Jensen this week reminded anglers to 'work the weedline' as the open-water season matures and versatility pays off across species. Tactical Bassin's July roundup likewise points anglers toward top warm-water baits as bass metabolisms peak with rising temperatures. Lake trout and landlocked salmon typically slide deeper and follow the thermocline this time of year, favoring early-morning and late-evening windows. With the moon in its Last Quarter phase, expect a modest bump in low-light bite activity around dawn and dusk. Check state regs before harvesting, as seasonal rules can shift.
Ohio anglers settle into summer walleye and catfish patterns
No fresh buoy or gauge readings came in for the Lake Erie and Ohio River corridor this cycle, but Fishing the Midwest's Bob Jensen notes the 2026 open water season is "in full swing," and he's pushing anglers toward versatility rather than locking onto one species. Working weedlines is producing for those chasing walleye and bass near summer vegetation, per the same report, while Fishing the Midwest also flags a broader trend toward forward-facing sonar use among boat anglers looking to locate fish faster. Tactical Bassin's rundown of top July bass baits reinforces that warmer water has largemouth and smallmouth feeding aggressively as metabolisms climb with the heat. Expect typical mid-summer Ohio patterns: walleye and yellow perch holding deeper structure through bright midday hours, smallmouth bass active around rock and weed edges, and channel catfish feeding through the evening and overnight in the Ohio River's slower pools.
Wisconsin's summer bite settles in as Superior whitefish fishery keeps growing
Wisconsin anglers are settling into a full summer rhythm, with Fishing the Midwest's Bob Jensen noting the 2026 open-water season is in full swing and urging anglers to stay versatile rather than fish memories of past outings. On the Wisconsin River and the state's warmwater fisheries generally, that typically means active summer patterns for walleye, smallmouth bass, and muskie as water temperatures hold steady through July. Up on Lake Superior, WI DNR's Lake Superior Fishing program continues to track a lake whitefish fishery in the Chequamegon Bay region that has emerged and grown in popularity in recent years, drawing both boat and ice anglers depending on season. No fresh buoy or gauge telemetry came through for this cycle, so today's read leans on DNR season context and regional blog intel rather than a specific fresh bite report — worth checking conditions yourself before running long on either water.
Summer heat pushes Potomac and Patapsco bass to the weedlines
No buoy or gauge readings came in for the Potomac or Patapsco this cycle, and none of this week's regional reports named these waters directly, so this update leans on general summer bass patterns until fresh local intel arrives. Fishing the Midwest notes that small adjustments are paying off right now — one angler recently boated a nearly 5-pound largemouth after simply touching up his crankbait's trebles mid-trip, a reminder that fish are feeding aggressively in the summer heat. Tactical Bassin's July roundup backs that up, pointing anglers toward faster, reaction-style baits as bass metabolisms peak this month. Fishing the Midwest also recommends working weedlines as vegetation fills in, a solid bet for Potomac and Patapsco largemouth holding tight to cover. Blue catfish and northern snakehead should stay active in their typical summer lies. Check current state regulations before harvesting either species.
San Juan trout eye early windows as summer heat builds
No NOAA buoy or USGS gauge readings came back for the Rio Grande or San Juan corridors this cycle, so this update leans on seasonal patterns rather than a fresh local temp or flow number. Early July on New Mexico's trout water typically brings warm afternoons and thinning flows, the kind of stretch where fish feed hardest in the first and last light of the day. Trout Unlimited's recent notes on summer heat are a useful reminder here: trout are cold-blooded, so as water temps climb they get stressed fast, and the group is encouraging anglers to fish early, keep fights short, and handle any released fish gently. The same feed points to pink terrestrials fitting the calendar, with hoppers, ants, and beetles blowing into the current on breezy afternoons and trout keying on bank structure. Downstream warmwater reaches of the Rio Grande, where smallmouth and catfish hold, should still respond to typical July bass presentations per Tactical Bassin if anglers venture that direction.
Michigan catfish, summer bass headline the Lake Michigan bite
A 48.1-pound catfish pulled from the St. Joseph River tailrace below Berrien Springs Dam this spring, reported by Wired 2 Fish, is still the headline freshwater catch making the rounds among Michigan anglers heading into July. Around the Lake Michigan and Grand River mouth corridor, no fresh NOAA buoy or USGS gauge readings came through this cycle, and this week's Michigan DNR Weekly Fishing Report didn't return usable region-specific detail, so we're leaning on typical mid-summer patterns rather than fresh numbers. That means smallmouth bass working rock piles and river-mouth structure, walleye sliding shallow on low light, and Chinook salmon holding on the thermocline for trollers running spoons and dodger-fly combos well offshore. Catfish, per the Wired 2 Fish report, are clearly still active in Michigan's river systems below dams. Check current state regulations before harvesting, and expect the bite to stay water-temperature-driven as the Grand River mouth continues its seasonal summer warm-up.
Cobia and red drum take the spotlight as summer heat settles over the Bay mouth
No fresh buoy or gauge readings came through for the Chesapeake mouth this cycle, and this week's angler-intel sweep didn't surface a Virginia-specific saltwater report we can cite directly, so this update leans on typical early-July patterns for the lower Bay rather than fresh testimony. This is generally peak cobia season at the Bay mouth, with fish typically holding over structure, buoys, and channel edges as water warms into summer ranges. Red drum and speckled trout usually work grass flats and inlet edges around the tide change this time of year, while striped bass (rockfish) tend to slide into deeper, cooler water and go quiet through mid-summer heat, a seasonal slowdown rather than a bite failure. Spanish mackerel often show up in open water behind bait pods by early July. Treat all of this as general seasonal expectation, not confirmed on-the-water conditions this week. Check a local shop or the state's own angler reporting before planning a trip, and confirm current regs before harvesting anything.
Narragansett Bay stripers shift to deeper water as summer bite settles in
Saltwater Edge Blog's recent Narragansett Bay dispatches describe striped bass sliding out toward deeper, cooler oceanfront water as the calendar tips into summer, while black sea bass and fluke settle into their usual bay structure. The same shop called this year's squid run 'fantastic,' noting it was showing no signs of slowing as of late June, alongside a strong striper bite. Water temperatures have reportedly stayed cooler than average for the stretch, which the shop suggested was stretching out spring-style patterns a bit longer than usual. On gear, Saltwater Edge's plug-bag breakdown with Phase Gear's Pete Utschig offered a simple rule worth carrying into summer trips: carry something for the bottom, something for the middle, and something for the top of the water column. No fresh buoy or gauge readings came through for this cycle, so anglers should lean on their own thermometer and local tide charts until the next data pull.
Cobia and Flounder Take Center Stage on Chincoteague's Summer Inlets
No fresh buoy or gauge readings came through for the Chincoteague area this cycle, so this report leans on typical early-July patterns for Virginia's Eastern Shore rather than a specific on-the-water update. This time of year, cobia typically stack up along the barrier-island inlets and lower Chesapeake reaches, drawing anchor-and-chum crews and sight-casters alike, while summer flounder settle onto channel edges and grass lines around the Chincoteague inlet. Red drum and speckled trout should be working the marsh flats and back-bay guts on the tide changes, with Spanish mackerel showing up nearshore of the barrier islands as water holds in its summer range. Croaker and spot remain a dependable bottom-rig option in the bay-side channels. None of this is confirmed by today's angler-intel feeds, which carried no Chincoteague-specific report, so treat it as seasonal expectation and check locally before planning a trip.
Red drum stack up on Pamlico Sound flats as surf action stays mixed
Red drum of all sizes are working the flats and structure along the main river shorelines of the Pamlico and Neuse, with some big drum in the mix, per Custom Marine Fabrication in Fisherman's Post (NC) this week. Up the coast toward Topsail/Sneads Ferry, East Coast Sports reports the early-morning topwater bite for red drum has been the standout, tapering into a bottom bite later in the day. Closer to Cape Lookout, The Reel Outdoors in Swansboro/Emerald Isle notes the sound-side red drum bite has stayed steady even as surf anglers there sort through bluefish, spots, sea mullet, and pompano. Further south, Island Tackle and Hardware in Carolina Beach and Dutchman Creek Bait and Tackle in Southport/Oak Island both describe a mixed surf bag of whiting, croakers, and pompano, with Southport battling some dirty water and seaweed this week. No fresh buoy or gauge readings are available for this update.
Gulf of Alaska anglers dial in peak summer salmon and halibut season
Alaska Sea Grant's latest dispatch this week isn't about a bite report but a boots-on-the-beach advisory: invasive European green crab continues its advance into Southeast Alaska waters, with the agency asking anglers and beachcombers to watch for the crab's distinctive '5-3-5' carapace pattern. No NOAA buoy or USGS gauge readings came through our feeds for the Gulf of Alaska this cycle, so we can't hang specifics on water temp or swell today, but early July sits squarely in the region's marquee stretch, with salmon runs (king, sockeye, and silver depending on drainage) typically in full swing and halibut season open across most management areas. Lingcod and rockfish remain a dependable bottom-fishing fallback when salmon counts are inconsistent. Check current Alaska Department of Fish and Game area announcements before you head out, since run timing varies significantly by bay and river system this time of year.
Charleston Harbor holds summer pattern as red snapper rules shift
Offshore anglers bottom-fishing near Charleston should track a shifting red snapper picture region-wide: North Carolina's Division of Marine Fisheries has asked to withdraw its Exempted Fishing Permit application for a 62-day recreational red snapper season, per Fisherman's Post, while Florida is separately pushing a 39-day South Atlantic season proposal, per Anglers Journal — regulatory back-and-forth every South Carolina red snapper angler should watch this summer. Direct Charleston Harbor buoy readings and local shop reports weren't available for this update, so we're leaning on typical July patterns: redfish and spotted seatrout working grass edges and dock pilings on tide changes, flounder holding along channel drop-offs, and Spanish mackerel and tarpon typically pushing nearshore. Up the coast, Fisherman's Post has Carolina surf anglers picking through croaker, whiting, pompano, and bluefish on live bait, a mix that often extends down into South Carolina's surf zone this time of year. Check local regs before harvesting red snapper.
Tarpon, Permit Keep Gulf Coast Anglers Busy Into Summer
A Gulf of America run out of Pensacola over the July 4th weekend produced a red snapper on the very first drop about 30 miles offshore in deep water, per a report shared on the Pensacola Fishing Forum, though the captain noted most of the marked fish stayed uncooperative aside from a scattering of vermilion snapper ("ruby redlips"). Farther south, Naples Offshore Fishing Charters has been running a tarpon-permit combo through the migration, jumping quality tarpon each morning before switching to sight-casting permit in the afternoon, with kingfish, cobia, and amberjack rounding out the mixed bag on nearshore structure. With water temperatures now solidly in summer range across the Gulf Coast, expect that same morning-tarpon, afternoon-permit rhythm to hold through the coming week, with reef and wreck species providing consistent backup action when the marquee species go quiet. Check state regs before harvesting any snapper species, since Gulf red snapper season windows are tightly limited.
Offshore summer bite holds pattern across Hawaii's islands
No NOAA buoy or USGS gauge readings came through for the Hawaiian Islands this cycle, and this week's multi-source sweep of state agencies, charters, shops, and blogs turned up no Hawaii-specific catch reports, so this update leans on general seasonal knowledge rather than fresh testimony. Early July sits in the heart of Hawaii's summer offshore season, when trolling boats out of Kona, Oahu, and Maui typically target blue marlin, ahi (yellowfin tuna), ono (wahoo), and mahi-mahi along temperature breaks and current edges well offshore. Inshore and reef anglers continue working ulua (giant trevally) around rocky points and channels, a year-round target in the islands. Hawaii Fishing News' monthly tide and moon calendar remains the standard reference islands-wide for planning outings around the current Last Quarter moon. Check back as fresh buoy data and regional reports come in; treat species activity below as typical-for-season expectations, not confirmed bites.
Stuart snook flood back into St. Lucie Inlet as dredging pauses
Snook are stacking back into Stuart's St. Lucie Inlet now that the inlet dredging project has paused, per Snook Nook, with anglers running side-scan marking large schools around the detached jetty and Hole in the Wall. Live bait — croakers and pilchards — is producing the bites, though snook season typically stays closed on Florida's Atlantic coast through the summer months, so treat this as a catch-and-release fishery and check current state regs before harvesting. Regionally, red snapper anglers got a jarring update: after CCA Florida celebrated a state-led Exempted Fishing Permit approval for a 2026 South Atlantic season, a federal court issued a preliminary injunction just hours before Florida's Atlantic red snapper season was set to open, per CCA Florida, leaving that fishery's status unsettled for now. Redfish, tarpon, and spotted seatrout round out the summer inshore lineup along the Treasure Coast, with typical warm-water patterns setting in as we move deeper into July.
Sarasota Bay trout bite stays red-hot into peak summer
Spotted seatrout are firing on Sarasota Bay's grass flats and mangrove shorelines right now, with Capt. Brandon Naeve of CB's Saltwater Outfitters calling it the peak summer bite of the year and pointing anglers to local passes for the best action. Tarpon remain a strong July target too — Capt. Rick Grassett's monthly forecast has spin anglers setting up in travel lanes and drifting live baits under floats, with July fish generally more aggressive than earlier in the season, though he notes numbers will start thinning as the month wears on. Redfish are also showing on inshore structure, with Capt. Chuck Cress reporting a red caught off an oyster bar in upper Sarasota Bay alongside bluefish activity. Shark activity (bull, blacktip, and lemon sharks) typically stays elevated in the bay and nearshore Gulf through the warm months. No fresh buoy or gauge readings came through today, so treat water temps and tide timing as seasonal norms until we get updated numbers.