Fishing reports
19203 reports across all 50 states — current conditions and what's biting.
Big bluefin push near San Francisco has Central Coast anglers on alert
Western Outdoor News — Saltwater reports captain Charlie Barberini and the six-pack Scallyway put anglers on limits of bluefin tuna on back-to-back trips out of Fish Emeryville near San Francisco this week, alongside rockfish and lingcod limits at the Farallon Islands, big striped bass working the surf outside the Golden Gate, and what the outlet called an incredible halibut bite at Bodega Bay. No NOAA buoy or USGS gauge readings came back for the Central Coast itself this cycle, so we can't confirm local water temps or swell right now. The same source flagged a state rule worth knowing: California's Fish and Game Commission voted to ban wire leaders and hooks over 1.5 inches for ocean shore fishing from Pigeon Point south, covering most of the Central Coast shoreline. We're watching whether the hot bite building just to the north extends down the coast in the coming days.
Montauk stripers stay hot as South Shore bait piles up
Off Moriches Inlet on Long Island's South Shore, a father and his two sons hooked and landed a hammerhead shark on June 28 while live-lining bunker for striped bass, a clear sign of how much bait and predator activity has stacked up along the beach this week, per On The Water — New York / Long Island. That outlet's July 2 report has the Montauk striper bite keeping inshore boats busy, fluke action steadily improving, and midshore bluefin tuna fishing red hot. Black sea bass are hitting rigs and jigs on the South Shore reefs, and the June 25 report described big stripers still working a bait buffet off the east end. NY DEC's saltwater newsletter confirms summer flounder and striped bass seasons are open, with bluefish carrying no minimum size this year, five fish per angler. We're seeing a classic early-July South Shore lineup taking shape.
Catalina yellowtail bite turns on as SoCal surf action improves
Southern California's summer bite is finding its footing. Off Catalina, Dana Wharf Sportfishing's boat the Clemente kept anglers within casting range of quality calico bass on a recent trip, per Western Outdoor News, just as the island's yellowtail bite began to materialize for Dana Wharf boats the following day. On the beach, Surf Fishing in So Cal's July report describes a slow start with real signs of life: spotfin croaker and corbina are showing now that the surf has calmed from June's rough, wind-driven stretch. Regulatory news is also shaping how anglers gear up this month: an emergency rule from the California Fish and Game Commission bans wire leader and hooks over 1.5 inches within 1,000 yards of shore from Pigeon Point south, effectively covering the entire SoCal coastline, so check current shark-fishing rules before rigging up. No fresh buoy or gauge readings came through this cycle, so lean on-site observation for water clarity and surf height before you go.
Jersey Shore stripers, sea bass and sharks turn on as fluke improves
Water temps pushing into the mid-60s off Atlantic Highlands are locking in a strong early-summer pattern up and down the Jersey Shore. Blue Chip Sportfishing reports striped bass getting crushed on nearly every trip along with sea bass limits, and shark fishing has "busted wide open," with a recent trip releasing three mako sharks. Fluke are finally coming together too: Capt Ron's out of Atlantic Highlands logged its best-quality flounder of the season, with fish pushing 4 to 4.5 pounds on gulp sand eels, while Grumpys Tackle notes the bite rebounding on bucktails and flavored soft baits after a slower stretch, with bass back on clams in the surf. Offshore, Fishermans HQ LBI and OTW's Northern New Jersey report both put bluefin tuna 15 to 40 miles off the beach, arriving behind a heavy squid push. It's a full-spread summer setup, with inshore, surf, and offshore options all producing at once.
Red snapper bite fuels early summer Panhandle Gulf run
Offshore reports out of Pensacola over the Fourth of July holiday describe a fast start to a bottom-fishing trip roughly 30 miles into the Gulf, with a red snapper coming up on the first drop before the bite scattered into mixed bottom species for the rest of the run. No fresh NOAA buoy or USGS gauge readings came through for the Panhandle this cycle, so this report leans on angler intel and seasonal patterns rather than hard numbers. Early July in the Gulf off Destin and Pensacola typically keeps red snapper, king mackerel, and Spanish mackerel active on nearshore and offshore structure, while speckled trout tend to slow down and push deeper as surface water warms through midsummer. Salt Strong's weekly regional game plans continue tracking the Florida Panhandle & Big Bend zone for anglers wanting more localized weekly detail. Check current Gulf red snapper season dates and bag limits before planning a bottom-fishing trip.
Shallow bass bite holds at dawn as Buggs Island cats turn on
The regional USGS gauge (02075045) is holding a steady 438 cfs this morning, a stable summer read for the Smith Mountain Lake and Buggs Island (John H. Kerr) system as both reservoirs settle into classic July patterns. Largemouth are following the shallow-to-deep transition anglers lean on all summer: early and late bites on moving baits, per Tactical Bassin's latest roundup of top July bass baits, before fish slide toward weed edges and main-lake structure once the sun climbs, a shift Fishing the Midwest's recent advice on working weedlines echoes for this stretch of the season. Striped bass on both lakes are typically settling into their summer pattern now, holding deeper and schooling over creek channels and main-lake points through peak heat. Blue catfish action tends to strengthen through July on Buggs Island as water warms, while crappie slip into a slower, deep-structure summer bite. Check current Virginia regulations before harvesting anything you plan to keep.
Elevated river flows put Eastern Washington anglers into adapt-mode
The regional gauge (USGS 12484500) is reading a hefty 3,490 cfs as of early this morning, a flow level that pushes wading anglers toward softer seams and back-eddies rather than the main current. No water-temperature reading came through with this update, so dial in conditions on arrival rather than trusting a stale number. We don't have a specific creel or catch report in hand for the Yakima or Spokane corridors this cycle, so anglers should lean on WDFW's Fishing and Stocking Reports for site-level detail on recent plants and interview-based catch data before choosing a stretch. High water this time of year typically favors early starts, since heat and glare push fish deeper and tighter to cover as the day goes on. Treat the flow reading as your main planning input this week and adjust presentation and location accordingly rather than assuming a hot bite anywhere specific.
Georgia bass keep feeding hard as summer heat locks in around Lanier and Allatoona
Georgia gauges logged 636 cfs and a cool 49°F this morning, a reading more typical of a cold-water discharge than mid-summer surface conditions, but that hasn't slowed the action. Joshua Barber's Southern Water Fishing Report (GA Sportsman / Georgia Outdoor News, July 4) notes bass have been biting well across Georgia waters this week, with solid reports rolling in from lakes and ponds statewide heading into the holiday weekend. Tactical Bassin's July bass coverage backs that up, pointing to peak summer metabolism pushing largemouth and spotted bass into aggressive feeding windows, particularly around shallow cover early and late in the day before the sun gets high. For Lanier and Allatoona anglers, expect that pattern to hold: work shallow low-light periods, then slide toward deeper, cooler structure as temperatures climb through the afternoon. Lanier's striper fishery remains a going seasonal draw as well. Check Georgia state regs before harvesting anything you plan to keep.
Warm rivers push CT bass into dawn-and-dusk pattern
USGS gauge 01184000 is reading 80°F with flow pushing 7,730 cfs, while the smaller gauge 01193500 sits low and slow at 75 cfs — a classic mid-summer split between big water and small feeder flow. With water this warm, largemouth and smallmouth are locked into their July pattern: aggressive, high-metabolism feeding windows at dawn and dusk, with moving baits and topwater working best before the sun climbs high, per Tactical Bassin's July bait roundup. Fishing the Midwest's reminder to work the weedline and stay versatile applies just as well here as the open-water season runs full tilt statewide. Stocked and wild trout are feeling the heat in these low, warm flows and are best left alone or fished early with light tackle and quick releases. Panfish stay a reliable, low-stress backup when bass go quiet midday.
Hill Country bass slide to structure as July heat settles in
Colorado River flow near Austin held steady at 477 cfs this morning (USGS gauge 08158000), a stable release stage as the Highland Lakes chain — Travis, LBJ and Buchanan — settle into peak summer heat. Texas Parks & Wildlife's weekly statewide reports remain paused (per My Canyon Lake Fishing), so this week's read leans on shop and video intel from around the state rather than a lake-specific report. Tactical Bassin's July rundown stresses fishing current conditions rather than memory as water warms, and its shallow-water power-fishing series shows bass still willing to eat hard early and late despite the heat. Texas Fish & Game Magazine points anglers toward brush piles worked with forward-facing sonar, a pattern that maps well onto the Highland Lakes' submerged timber and rockpiles. No direct catch reports came in for Travis, LBJ or Buchanan specifically this cycle, so treat the species calls below as seasonal expectations — dawn and dusk on structure are the safer bet right now.
Western Basin walleye slide deeper as summer heat settles in
USGS gauge 04193500 logged water at 82°F this morning with flow holding steady near 493 cfs, conditions that fit a typical early-July stretch on Lake Erie's Western Basin. No captain or shop report specific to the Western Basin walleye fishery came through in this week's angler-intel sweep, so this write-up leans on seasonal knowledge rather than fresh on-the-water testimony. At this water temperature, walleye typically pull off the shallow reefs and structure that held them through spring and either scatter into deeper, cooler water or feed hardest in the low-light hours around dawn and dusk. Yellow perch and white bass tend to stay more consistently catchable through the heat, often schooling over deeper structure and open-water humps. Smallmouth bass activity around rock piles and breakwalls typically holds up well into summer. Anglers should expect a classic summer pattern: early starts, deeper presentations, and a slower bite through the hottest midday hours.
Potomac smallmouth shift deeper as summer flows hold steady
The Potomac gauge at USGS site 01646500 is running near 1,980 cfs this morning, a level that keeps the river on the higher, slightly off-color side for early July and pushes smallmouth bass off skinny gravel into deeper seams and current breaks. Water temperature wasn't available at the gauge today, but with no cold snaps working through the system, we're treating temps as solidly in the summer range across the Potomac and Shenandoah. Specific Virginia angler reports were thin in today's feed, so this update leans on general regional knowledge: smallmouth and largemouth typically respond to the shallow-cover, low-light approach Tactical Bassin flags for peak summer, while catfish tend to push into deeper runs as flow rises, which fits the pattern building here. Panfish remain a reliable backup around shoreline structure. Check state regs before harvesting, and expect a slightly stained, moving-water bite rather than the clearer conditions late summer usually brings.
Northwoods walleye lakes shift into summer weedline patterns
Northwoods anglers are moving through the early-to-mid-summer transition, per Rollie & Helen's Musky Shop (WI), with water temps holding in the low 70s across the Minocqua, Oneida, and Vilas County lake systems despite recent wind and weather swings. Muskies are fully post-spawn and scattered, but jerkbaits worked over weed edges are producing fish, a pattern the shop credits guide Jake Smith with dialing in. For the walleye crowd, Bob Jensen at Fishing the Midwest points to the weedline as the technique worth adding to the rotation as open-water season hits full stride, noting versatile anglers who chase multiple species tend to catch more right now. Buoy and gauge telemetry for this system came back empty this cycle, so treat the low-70s reading as regional context rather than a site-specific number. Expect the weed-edge bite to hold as the transition plays out through the week.
Early starts pay off for Rangeley trout as summer heat builds
USGS gauge 01054200 near the Androscoggin headwaters logged a steady 43.9 cfs at 8 a.m. on July 5, with no water temperature reading available this morning. That low, stable flow is typical for a Maine summer stretch, but it's also the exact window Trout Unlimited highlights in its ongoing warm-water coverage: cold-blooded trout depend entirely on the water around them, and low dissolved oxygen in warm shallows can push fish into deeper cover during peak daylight. No dedicated Rangeley or Androscoggin bite report came through our feeds this week, so this update leans on general seasonal patterns rather than a specific catch report. Expect brook trout and landlocked salmon to feed hardest in the cool hours around dawn and dusk, while smallmouth bass, which Tactical Bassin lists topwater and moving baits as top July picks, should stay more active into midday across the lake basins.
Illinois River's high flow turns on catfish and carp bite
USGS gauge 05586100 was reading a swollen 58,900 cfs early this morning, a signal that recent rains have pushed the Illinois River well above typical summer flow. High, off-color water like this tends to concentrate catfish along current breaks and below wing dams, and regional reports back that up: Wired 2 Fish highlighted a 48.1-pound catfish out of Michigan's St. Joseph River below a dam, a reminder that big cats key in on heavy flow around Great Lakes-basin tributaries this time of year. On the bass side, Fishing the Midwest's Bob Jensen is pushing anglers toward weedlines as the 2026 open-water season hits full stride, and Tactical Bassin's July roundup leans on moving baits for aggressive, heat-driven bass. Carp remain a steady, underrated target on the river's skinnier flats per Hatch Magazine. Expect stained water and stronger current through the weekend.
Catawba and Roanoke bass tuck into cover as summer flows bottom out
The USGS gauge at station 02142900 logged flow at just 0.17 cfs this morning, a reading that points to drought-level low water across the Catawba and Roanoke systems as the region moves deeper into summer. Water temperature wasn't available at this station, but Piedmont and Coastal Plain rivers typically run into the upper 70s to mid-80s by early July, pushing fish toward deeper holes, shade, and current breaks. No NC Piedmont-specific angler reports came through this cycle's intel feed, so we're leaning on general seasonal patterns and national technique guidance: Fishing the Midwest's midsummer advice to work weedlines fits low, warm water where bass stack on vegetation edges, and Tactical Bassin's July bait roundup points to moving baits and soft plastics as sensible starting points. Catfish tend to hold in the deepest available water during stretches like this, while crappie typically slow down until temperatures ease. Check current conditions before heading out.
Susquehanna smallmouth shift to dawn-dusk bite as summer heat sets in
The USGS gauge on the Susquehanna (01540500) logged water at 84°F this morning with flow running 3,580 cfs, a clear signal that full summer patterns have locked in across the Susquehanna and Allegheny systems. No dedicated PA fishing-report chatter surfaced in this week's intel sweep, so we're leaning on typical July behavior for these rivers: smallmouth bass sliding onto tight dawn and dusk feeding windows as the heat pushes fish off sun-baked shallows, walleye dropping into deeper holes and current breaks through midday, and channel catfish turning most active after dark. The Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission maintains ongoing biologist reports and stocking notices for the region, worth checking before planning a trip since recent stocking can shift bite windows on managed stretches. Muskellunge anglers should be especially cautious targeting fish in water this warm, since elevated release-mortality risk is a real concern during summer heat spikes.
NJ's Delaware feeders and Pine Barrens creeks settle into July rhythm
The USGS gauge at site 01408000 in the Delaware River watershed measured flow at 45.3 cfs as of Saturday morning, a modest, stable read typical of a Pine Barrens-fed tributary settling into its usual summer base flow. No water-temperature reading came through with this cycle's data, but for early July in this region that generally means water has warmed well into the range where smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, and chain pickerel feed most actively, while stocked trout fishing slows as streams lose their spring chill. This week's tackle-shop and charter dispatches were concentrated on the Jersey Shore surf and inshore boats (fluke, sea bass, striped bass) rather than the Delaware River or Pine Barrens freshwater systems, so there's no fresh on-the-water testimony to attribute for this specific region today. Anglers here should lean on typical July patterns: early and late light for bass, deep cedar-stained holes for pickerel, and channel catfish after dark.
Blue Crabs and Weakfish Stir as Delaware Bay Eases Into Summer
Grumpys Tackle's shore report notes crab hauls have been strong off local NJ docks and that a couple of weakfish are starting to show in the mix, both classic signs of a Delaware Bay backwater season waking up as water warms into summer. Direct reports from the bay itself were thin in this cycle's angler intel, but corroborating signals from up the coast point the same direction: Blue Chip Sportfishing says striped bass are being crushed on nearly every trip right now, and Grumpys adds that surf bass are back on clams. Fluke remain a mixed bag elsewhere in the state, per Capt Ron's out of Atlantic Highlands and Fishermans HQ on LBI, with Gulp-style baits and bucktails producing best. For Delaware Bay anglers, that regional pattern usually means blue crabs, weakfish, and striper action building through the bay's channels and marsh edges as the holiday week settles in. Check current NJ size and possession limits before keeping anything.
Striped bass, sea bass fire up Raritan Bay and Sandy Hook
Water temperatures crept into the mid-60s off Atlantic Highlands this week, and Capt Ron's reports fluke finally showing quality after a slow start to the season, with several keepers pushing 4-5 pounds landed on bucktails tipped with Gulp sand eels. Just south, Blue Chip Sportfishing says striped bass fishing is 'the best possible' right now, with clients limiting out on nearly every trip, while black sea bass are running red hot with boats getting enough for everyone aboard. Shark fishing has also busted wide open for Blue Chip, including three released Mako sharks on a recent trip. Grumpys Tackle notes the surf bite rebounded with stripers back on clams and fluke working bucktails and soft baits, plus a few weakfish reported and good blue crab hauls in the back bays. Offshore, OTW Northern New Jersey has bluefin tuna running 15-40 miles out, with bluefish and stripers keeping the surf active in the meantime.
UP trout streams settle into steady summer flow near Superior
USGS gauge 04059500 is holding a steady 196 cfs this week, the kind of stable, well-defined base flow that typically keeps Upper Peninsula trout streams wadable and fishable through early July. Direct "what's biting" testimony specific to UP rivers and Lake Superior was thin across this week's feeds, so the species notes below lean on typical seasonal patterns rather than confirmed hot bites — worth flagging rather than papering over. Lake Superior itself is drawing attention for reasons beyond the rod: WI DNR Lake Superior Fishing continues tracking the fast-growing Chequamegon Bay lake whitefish fishery, and Great Lakes Now reports researchers confirming invasive bloody red shrimp have established in a Lake Superior harbor, a reminder of how the big lake's forage base keeps shifting under the surface. Brook trout and lake trout remain the dependable UP summer targets, with lake whitefish pulling more angler interest on Superior than in past seasons. Check the MI DNR Weekly Fishing Report directly for stream-by-stream detail before heading out.
Bass Bite Holds Strong Across Georgia's River Systems This Week
Georgia Outdoor News' Joshua Barber reported this week that "the bass have been biting," with solid catches coming out of lakes and ponds across the state — a pattern anglers on the Chattahoochee and Savannah systems should expect to hold into the weekend. Our USGS gauge on the Chattahoochee (station 02197000) logged 4,280 cfs early this morning, a healthy summer flow that lines up with active Buford Dam generation, so check release schedules before wading the tailwater. Barber's report also tracked the Savannah system at Clyo running 3.5 feet and falling as of July 2, typical for a river settling into its low-summer stage. No water-temperature reading came through on this cycle, so plan trips around early-morning and evening windows as Georgia moves deeper into peak summer heat. Largemouth and spotted bass are the headline bite on moving baits, with Buford tailwater trout and summer stripers rounding out the mix.
Lake Ontario turns on for kings, browns, and lakers alike
Lake Ontario's open-water bite is rolling right now: Strike Zone Charters (Lake Ontario) reports salmon fishing has been very good over the past week, with browns and lake trout mixing in alongside kings. Captains are working 100 to 160 feet down, with preferred depth shifting day to day as wind pushes the thermocline around — Mag Dipsey Divers are producing when fish sit deep, and green, white, and chartreuse e-chip spoons have been the go-to colors. On the river side, the Salmon River gauge is reading a moderate 112 cfs as of early this morning, with no water temperature reading available this cycle. That's typical staging water ahead of the fall king run rather than a river bite yet. Lake trout and browns round out a solid mixed bag for anyone working the open lake this week.
Presque Isle anglers eye steady summer walleye and perch action
Our only hard read this week comes from USGS gauge 04213000, which logged a modest 15.4 cfs early Saturday morning, a low, stable flow typical of high-summer baseflow in the tributaries feeding the Lake Erie/Presque Isle system. Direct "what's biting" reports for the Erie shoreline were thin in this week's roundup, so treat the picks below as seasonal defaults rather than dock-side dispatches. July on Lake Erie typically means walleye holding over deeper structure, smallmouth bass working rock and gravel edges, and yellow perch schooling over mud flats, consistent with typical patterns for this fishery. Steelhead, by contrast, are largely a fall-through-spring tributary fishery here and sit mostly dormant in the open lake through summer. Pennsylvania Sea Grant flagged a June 25 harmful algal bloom webinar held with the state DEP, a timely reminder to eyeball water conditions before wading Presque Isle Bay's warmer, calmer coves this month.