Fishing reports
6887 reports across all 50 states — current conditions and what's biting.
Stonefly and terrestrial season locks in on Idaho's Snake and Salmon systems
No fresh buoy or gauge readings came through for the Snake and Salmon River systems on this update, so we're leaning on seasonal pattern and regional hatch behavior rather than a hard number. Mid-July on Western freshwater trout water typically means big attractor dry-dropper rigs are doing the work: Caddis Fly (OR) flagged Golden Stoneflies this week as "arguably the most important summer stonefly in the Western United States," a hatch that runs consistently across the region through much of summer, alongside smaller Yellow Sally stoneflies and Western Green Drake mayflies. Trout Unlimited's latest TROUT Tip notes terrestrials are now in full swing, with grasshoppers and ants blown or crawled into the current giving trout easy meals along undercut banks. Expect cutthroat and rainbow trout keyed on that bug traffic, with steelhead and salmon runs still building toward their typical late-summer/fall timing. Check current state flow advisories before planning a trip.
Tennessee River stripers push offshore as summer heat climbs
On the upper Tennessee River, B.A.S.S. News reports summer bass fishing holding up even as afternoon heat intensifies, with most fish pushed deep because reduced current isn't moving baitfish up onto the bank. That's stacking big schools of largemouth mixed with striped bass on points, ledges, and brushpiles — a classic offshore summer pattern that carries across Tennessee and Cumberland system reservoirs. Presentations are trending finesse: Tactical Bassin's recent BFS session found smallmouth keying on small paddletails around cover, and their summer jig-fishing breakdown covers styles, trailers, and colors suited to working the same brushpiles and ledges. Fishing the Midwest's reminder to work the weedline as vegetation fills in applies as shallower fish relate to cover edges early and late. No live buoy or gauge readings came through today, so treat flow and water temp as typical for mid-July on this system — warm, low, and stable — and plan around low-light windows and deep structure rather than the bank.
Colorado River trout dial in as runoff fades and drakes near
Flows on the Colorado River near Glenwood Springs are running around 2,640 cfs and dropping fast, and Crystal Fly Shop calls current conditions "great water conditions and happy fish" as the river clears out from spring runoff. On the Roaring Fork, the shop reports large attractor patterns working well in higher water below Carbondale, with green drakes expected to hatch in the next two weeks. The Crystal River is still shaking off runoff too, though the shop says "spectacular fishing" is only about a week away once flows keep dropping. Downstream on the low, clear Frying Pan, BWOs are hatching daily with PMDs starting to show, best worked with light 6X tippet during morning nymphing before afternoon dry-fly windows. Pat Dorsey Fly Fishing notes 2026 ranks among Colorado's driest years on record, a backdrop worth keeping in mind for flows and fish behavior across the Colorado and Arkansas systems this season.
Tennessee River bass and stripers slide onto summer ledges
Fishing on the upper Tennessee River is holding up well as the heat climbs, per this week's B.A.S.S. News column on the region. With current running low through the system, bass and stripers have pulled off the bank and stacked onto classic summer structure — points, ledges and brushpiles — pushing the bite into a deeper, more offshore pattern than earlier in the season. That tracks with what Fishing the Midwest has flagged nationally: more anglers leaning on forward-facing sonar to locate deep schools rather than blind-casting the bank. On technique, Tactical Bassin's summer series backs a slow-down approach — methodical jig work through cover and finesse presentations when fish get finicky in the heat. No live buoy or gauge readings are logged for this stretch today, so treat water temp and flow as seasonal norms until a fresh check confirms current conditions on the Coosa or Tennessee.
Truckee trout settle into a classic summer rhythm
Field & Stream's newly published trout spin-fishing guide landed right as the Truckee River corridor eases into its mid-July groove, and it's a useful playbook for this water: a 5.5- to 6.5-foot ultralight rod with 2- to 4-pound fluorocarbon and small inline spinners or jigs for the tight, technical stretches upstream, stepping up to a 7- to 7.5-foot medium-action rig for bigger river sections and open lake casting around Tahoe. No NOAA buoy or USGS gauge data came through for this basin this cycle, and none of this week's shop, charter, or state-agency feeds filed a direct Truckee or Tahoe report, so the outlook below leans on typical seasonal expectations for trout, kokanee, mackinaw, and smallmouth rather than confirmed bites. Early and late light windows remain the highest-percentage bet through the current warm stretch, with fish sliding deeper as the sun climbs. Check current flows and any special regs before heading out.
Smallmouth bite holds steady as Winnipesaukee settles into summer pattern
No fresh NOAA buoy or USGS gauge readings came in for Lake Winnipesaukee this cycle, so today's read leans on seasonal knowledge and national technique trends. Fishing the Midwest's Bob Jensen is telling anglers this week that the 2026 open-water season is in full swing and versatility on the weedline is what separates good days from slow ones — advice that lines up well with mid-July conditions here, where smallmouth and largemouth bass typically hold tight to weed edges, docks, and deeper drop-offs once surface temps climb. Tactical Bassin's latest summer coverage backs the same theme: finesse paddletails and jigs worked slow around cover are producing when fish get sluggish in the heat. Lake trout and landlocked salmon, both cold-water species native to Winnipesaukee, are likely pushing toward the thermocline and deeper basins as the lake warms, making them a tougher target from shore right now. Check local forecast before heading out and expect typical mid-summer conditions.
Summer weedline tactics take hold for Ohio's freshwater anglers
Fishing the Midwest's Bob Jensen flags a season staple this week: work the weedline as open-water season hits full swing, a solid starting cue for both Lake Erie and Ohio River anglers right now. No fresh NOAA buoy or USGS gauge readings came through for this region on this cycle, so treat water temp and flow as unconfirmed until you check a local source before launching. Regional angler intel was also thin this cycle, so this report leans on general seasonal patterns rather than fresh on-the-water reports. Ohio's Lake Erie fishery typically holds solid walleye and smallmouth action into mid-summer, with fish sliding to deeper structure and matured weed edges as surface temps climb. On the Ohio River side, summer catfish patterns are running strong nationally right now per Wired 2 Fish's recent big-cat coverage out of the Missouri River, a reasonable analog for local channel and flathead activity. Tactical Bassin's latest summer bass tips, finesse paddletails around cover and shallow power-fishing in the heat, apply well to smallmouth working Erie's rock and weed structure.
Wisconsin River bass hold weedlines as Lake Superior whitefish buzz builds
Wisconsin's open-water season is in full swing, and it's Lake Superior's lake whitefish drawing the most attention right now. The WI DNR Lake Superior Fishing feed notes a 'popular fishery has emerged' for whitefish in the Chequamegon Bay region, both through the ice and from a boat, enough angler interest that DNR biologists ran a public questionnaire and meeting on it this spring. On the Wisconsin River, no fresh on-the-water reports came through this cycle, but Fishing the Midwest's Bob Jensen is reminding anglers that with the season in full swing, working emerging weedlines is paying off for versatile anglers chasing multiple species rather than parking on one pattern. Expect smallmouth bass to be holding current seams and rock structure typical of mid-July river conditions, with walleye and muskie following normal summer edge-and-weed patterns. No fresh buoy or gauge readings came through for this report, so plan around typical mid-summer water levels and check current flow before launching.
Summer heat pattern sets up Potomac and Patapsco bass and cats
No fresh buoy or gauge readings came in for the Potomac and Patapsco this cycle, so this update leans on seasonal pattern and the broader tackle-and-technique intel available this week. Mid-July has us in classic summer mode: largemouth bass pushing tight to shade, grass edges and current breaks during the heat of the day, with blue catfish and northern snakehead typically staying aggressive right through it. Tactical Bassin's midsummer series stresses shallow power-fishing and dialed-in jig work once bass turn reactive in the heat, and Fishing the Midwest's reminder to work the weedline tracks with how Potomac and Patapsco grass flats and current seams tend to fish this time of year. Wired2Fish also flagged new sinking ElaZtech baits from Z-Man worth trying for probing deeper cover as the sun climbs. Treat this as seasonal guidance rather than a confirmed local bite until a fresh on-the-water report comes in.
San Juan tailwater trout hold steady as Rio Grande heat builds
Field & Stream's new spin-fishing-for-trout breakdown lands right as New Mexico's two signature freshwater fisheries head in opposite seasonal directions. No fresh NOAA or USGS readings came through this cycle for the Rio Grande or San Juan, so this update leans on typical mid-July patterns rather than live gauge data. The San Juan's tailwater below Navajo Dam typically holds steady, cold flows through summer, keeping rainbow and brown trout feeding on technical nymph and dry-dropper rigs even as air temps climb. Trout Unlimited's latest TROUT Tip flags pink terrestrials as a go-to pattern once summer hoppers and beetles start hitting the banks, a technique that travels well to New Mexico's trout water. Meanwhile Rio Grande stretches away from the tailwater influence warm faster, typically nudging smallmouth bass and catfish into more active summer feeding, per the kind of finesse and jig tactics Tactical Bassin has been highlighting this week. Waning crescent moon favors low-light dawn and dusk windows.
Grand River mouth trollers prep as Lake Michigan salmon season holds strong
No fresh NOAA buoy or USGS gauge readings came in for the Grand River mouth this cycle, so this update leans on angler intel and lake-wide context. The WI DNR Lake Michigan Fishing Report notes 2024 was a banner year across the basin, with anglers landing a record 210,000-plus coho salmon and the biggest Chinook salmon haul since 2012 (over 160,000 fish), as stronger alewife survival has boosted stocked salmon numbers lakewide. That basin health typically carries forward into following seasons on the Michigan side near the Grand River mouth as well. On the ground, Michigan Sportsman Forum chatter shows anglers already customizing J-plugs, a classic Great Lakes trolling lure for salmon and trout, ahead of summer trolling season, though that's forum talk rather than a confirmed bite report. Expect typical early-July patterns: salmon and steelhead pushing toward deeper, cooler water and smallmouth staying active nearshore.
Seatrout Bite Heats Up in Sarasota Bay as Summer Tarpon Holds
Spotted Seatrout are aggressively biting across Sarasota Bay's grass flats, mangrove shorelines, and passes this week, according to Capt. Brandon Naeve of CB's Saltwater Outfitters, who calls it the peak summer bite. Warm bay water and calm conditions have trout holding tight to structure, while Capt. Chuck Cress reported redfish and bluefish activity around an oyster bar in upper Sarasota Bay. Tarpon remain a strong target through July per Capt. Rick Grassett's monthly forecast: spin anglers are doing best drifting live baits under floats in travel lanes, and fly anglers are finding success staking out bar edges, with July fish generally more aggressive than earlier in the season. Shark activity, including Bull, Blacktip, and occasional Lemon sharks, continues in the bay and nearshore Gulf waters. With no fresh buoy or gauge readings this cycle, anglers should lean on these on-the-water reports and check local conditions before running out.
Smith Mountain and Buggs Island bass lean into summer jig patterns
Tactical Bassin's latest summer coverage has anglers leaning on jig fishing and neko-rigged worms for largemouth right now, and that lines up with what Smith Mountain Lake and Buggs Island (John H. Kerr Reservoir) regulars should expect heading through mid-July. Fishing the Midwest flagged working the weedline as a smart move as the open-water season settles into its summer groove, and that same logic applies to these Virginia reservoirs as bass push off primary points and into deeper cover during peak daylight heat. Neither lake has a direct local report in this week's feed, so treat species status below as seasonal expectation rather than confirmed local bite. Stripers should be holding deep on structure with the thermocline set, blues and channels should be working current breaks and river-arm holes, and crappie will be tucked into shade and brush. Early and late light remain the higher-percentage windows as surface temperatures peak.
Eastern Washington trout and bass settle into a mid-July rhythm
Eastern Washington's trout streams and Spokane-area lakes are settling into classic mid-summer rhythm as the calendar turns to mid-July, though this week's angler-intel sweep turned up no fresh, region-specific catch reports from charters or shops covering the Yakima or Spokane systems. WDFW's statewide creel and stocking program, described in this week's WA WDFW Fishing Reports feed, remains the most direct way to check which waters were recently planted and how they're fishing — a resource worth checking before heading out, since stocking schedules directly drive bite windows on put-and-take trout water this time of year. With no NOAA buoy or USGS gauge readings available for this inland region, flows and temperatures aren't confirmed for this report; anglers should lean on WDFW's regional pages for current numbers. Expect the usual early-morning and late-evening bite pattern on trout water, with smallmouth bass and walleye holding on deeper structure through the heat of the day.
Lake Ontario salmon fire up ahead of the tributary run
Salmon fishing has been very good on Lake Ontario this week, with browns and lake trout mixed into the catch, according to Strike Zone Charters (Lake Ontario). Boats are working the 100 to 160 foot range, and preferred depths have been shifting day to day as wind pushes surface temperature around the lake. Mag Dipsey Divers are producing when fish hold deep, and green, white, and chartreuse e-chip flies paired with Atomic-style attractors are getting bit, per the same report. No fresh NOAA buoy or USGS gauge readings came through this cycle for the Salmon River or Oswego systems, so treat depth as general open-lake staging rather than tributary-specific data. This is fairly typical early-July Lake Ontario behavior: kings, cohos, and holdover browns and lakers stack up offshore chasing baitfish well before the fall push toward the Salmon River and Oswego mouths. Anglers targeting the rivers themselves should expect a quieter bite until fish begin staging closer to the tributaries later this season.
Central Coast anglers cash in on rockfish limits and a bluefin surprise
Fishing has hit an apex out of Northern California ports just ahead of the ocean salmon opener, per Western Outdoor News — Saltwater, and the mix stacking up along this stretch of coast is unusual for early July. Rockfish and lingcod are running to limits out at the Farallon Islands, California halibut are producing what the outlet calls an "incredible" bite at Bodega Bay, and striped bass are showing big on the beach outside the Golden Gate. The headline is bluefin tuna — Captain Charlie Barberini of the six-pack Scallyway, working out of Fish Emeryville, put anglers on limits of bluefin on back-to-back trips, a mix Western Outdoor News flagged as previously unheard of this far north. No live buoy or gauge readings came back for this stretch today, so treat water temps as unconfirmed and check a local forecast before running offshore.
Okeechobee bass dig into thick cover as summer heat locks in
No fresh buoy or gauge readings came through for the Okeechobee/St. Johns system this cycle, so this update leans on seasonal patterns and regional technique intel rather than hard numbers. Central Florida's largemouth fishery is running its standard mid-July program: fish sliding into thicker cover as the sun climbs and afternoon heat builds. Wired 2 Fish's summer bass coverage this week highlights soft-plastic creature baits flipped into matted vegetation as a go-to search technique right now, a pattern that translates well to Okeechobee's grass edges and St. Johns lily-pad lines. Tactical Bassin's current summer series is pushing similar advice — working jigs and finesse presentations tight to cover once the sun gets high. Panfish and catfish typically stay steady through Florida summers, while speckled perch (black crappie) settle into their slower warm-season lull. Early morning and late evening remain the highest-percentage windows before midday heat pushes fish deeper or tighter to shade.
Western Basin walleye settle into deep-water summer pattern
No NOAA buoy or USGS gauge readings and no direct Western Basin catch reports came through the feeds today, so this update leans on typical mid-July patterns rather than fresh numbers. The one regional data point worth noting: Great Lakes Now's tour of the Detroit River, the primary forage and water-quality conduit feeding Erie's Western Basin, highlighted continued gains from the watershed's long-running cleanup, a positive sign for a fishery that depends on clean nearshore water. Typical for this point in July, Western Basin walleye should be sliding out toward deeper, cooler water as the thermocline sets up, with trollers working crawler harnesses and deep divers over reef complexes. Yellow perch and white bass usually stay more consistent inshore this time of year, and smallmouth bass activity tends to hold around the reef edges and shoals. Check the latest state creel reports and buoy data before heading out, since specific, on-the-water confirmation for this stretch of lake wasn't available this cycle.
Northwoods lakes warm up as summer musky bite turns technical
Water temps across the Minocqua, Oneida, and Vilas County lake chains are pushing into the mid-70s, with darker, shallower lakes running close to 80 degrees and clearer water holding near 78, per Rollie & Helen's Musky Shop this week. That warmth marks the season's harder stretch for muskies: the shop notes fish get tougher to locate, track, and pattern as summer deepens, with forward-facing sonar now doing more of the legwork than blind search. Walleye anglers can lean on standby summer moves, working weedlines as vegetation fills in, per Fishing the Midwest's seasonal advice for the region. Smallmouth bass and panfish should hold to typical July patterns around rock and cover. Stable weather has held over the past week, giving anglers a consistent read on temps rather than a moving target. Expect the warming trend to continue, with musky fishing staying technical and reward going to anglers willing to grind through the midday lull.
Rangeley summer bite settles into dawn-and-dusk rhythm
Mainely Fly Fishing's most recent Rangeley-area dispatches remain our best on-the-ground read for this system, and they describe a season that ran behind schedule: ice didn't clear Dundee Pond until April 4, later than typical, after a dry fall left river flows and groundwater running low. No fresh buoy or gauge readings and no new shop or charter reports came through for this stretch of the Androscoggin headwaters this cycle, so today's picture leans on standard July behavior for these waters rather than a fresh bite report. Expect brook trout and landlocked salmon to hold tight to spring seeps, inlets, and deeper, cooler pockets as afternoon water temperatures climb, with the best action concentrated early and late in the day. Smallmouth bass, more heat-tolerant, should be the more reliable warm-afternoon target in the shallows and around structure. We'll flag any confirmed reports the moment they come in.
Weedline bass and walleye action heats up as Illinois River carp die off
The biggest story out of the Illinois River this week isn't a bite report but an ecological one: Outdoor Hub reports the Illinois Department of Natural Resources is monitoring an extensive die-off of invasive silver carp between Henry and Peoria, with biologists calling it a naturally occurring event tied to spawning stress and rapidly shifting water conditions rather than contamination. For anglers, that generally means a quieter, less carp-choked stretch to work. On technique, Fishing the Midwest's Bob Jensen is pushing anglers toward weedlines now that the 2026 open-water season is in full swing, noting versatility pays whether you're chasing walleye or bass; the outlet also flagged a simple fix, sharpening treble hooks, that turned a missed strike into a five-plus-pound largemouth. No fresh buoy or gauge readings came through for the Illinois River or southern Lake Michigan this cycle, so treat conditions as seasonal-typical for early July until the next update.
Catawba and Roanoke bass push deep as summer heat locks in
No fresh NOAA buoy or USGS gauge readings came through for the Catawba or Roanoke systems today, so this report leans on the seasonal pattern for mid-July freshwater fishing across the Carolinas. B.A.S.S. News describes largemouth stacking on ledges, points, and brushpiles on comparable Southeastern river systems as the heat pushes fish off the bank and current slows, a pattern that typically holds true on both the Catawba chain and the Roanoke this time of year. Wired 2 Fish's recent summer-bass coverage points to jigs and flipping baits as the go-to approach for working that deeper cover. Catfish tend to stay reliably active through the hottest stretches regardless of surface temp. The Roanoke's well-known spring striper run wrapped months ago, so any stripers still around will be holding deep and sluggish. Crappie typically go quiet in July heat, tucking tight to shaded deep structure until conditions ease.
Bay crabs and surf stripers hold steady as summer settles into Delaware Bay
Direct Delaware Bay buoy and gauge data are offline this cycle, but the season's core NJ bay pattern is intact. Grumpys Tackle (NJ) reports "the crab hauls have been good off of the local docks" in its recent "Surf Bite Rebound and Pre-Ray Panic" update, alongside striped bass "taking clams again" in the surf and fluke working bucktails and soft baits, with "a couple of weakfish reported" mixed in. Those are the same species anglers should expect working the Delaware Bay side this time of year: blue crab, weakfish, striper, and summer flounder sharing the same bay-and-surf water column. NJ Saltwater Fisherman's statewide bluefin tuna and size/possession-limit updates remain the reference for anyone running offshore or keeping a mixed bag, so check current retention limits before harvesting. With no bay-specific buoy readings this cycle, treat water temp and current strength as unknowns until the next data pull; plan around clean, moving water and dock/structure edges in the meantime.
Sea Bass Limiting Out Off Sandy Hook as Stripers Stay Strong
Capt Ron's out of Atlantic Highlands is putting anglers on quality black sea bass in the Bay and near-shore grounds, with a 5-pound, 8-ounce fish topping this week's monthly pool and small Gulp sand eels working best on simple bottom rigs. Blue Chip Sportfishing calls sea bass fishing 'red hot' right now, with boats limiting out on almost every trip, and reports striped bass getting crushed on the same trips along with a shark bite that has 'busted wide open,' including released mako sharks on a recent run. Per OTW Northern New Jersey's July 9 report, fluke fishing is on the upswing from the surf out to the reefs after a stretch of heat and rough weather, small bluefish and stripers are working the beaches, and bluefin tuna remain within 15 to 40 miles of shore. Fishermans HQ LBI adds that a fresh bluefin push arrived on the heels of a heavy squid showing off the Jersey coast. Sea bass and stripers are the standout bite for Raritan Bay and Sandy Hook right now.