Fishing reports
19272 reports across all 50 states — current conditions and what's biting.
Canyon Ferry walleye active as drought pressure builds on Montana trout rivers
MT FWP Fishing News is calling on walleye anglers at Canyon Ferry Reservoir to retain more of the smaller fish they catch, a management advisory that signals an active bite on this major Missouri River impoundment. The reasoning: fewer small walleye competing for food means larger fish get more room to grow. On a broader note, MT FWP Fishing News convened a virtual townhall on top summer fishery concerns, flagging below-normal snowpack from the past winter and an outlook calling for hotter, drier conditions than normal. Summer heat is arriving fast. To help anglers plan, a new interactive tool called TroutCast (launched June 1, 2026, per MT FWP Fishing News) provides drought-impact forecasting for Montana's blue-ribbon trout rivers, including the Yellowstone and Missouri corridors. No live USGS gauge readings were available for this report; check current flows before heading out.
Post-spawn bass and summer catfish hit their stride on Missouri's Ozark rivers
B.A.S.S. News coverage of the Bassmaster Open at the Upper Mississippi River described fish in a 'seasonal transition, moving from their postspawn behavior,' a pattern that mirrors what Missouri's Ozark river systems typically see by the third week of June. No real-time gauge readings are available for this cycle, so water temps and flows should be verified locally before launching. On the tournament circuit, MLF News reports Banks Shaw put together 82 pounds, 15 ounces on 28 scorable largemouth at Grand Lake in Ozark-adjacent northeastern Oklahoma, suggesting largemouth remain catchable where forage and structure intersect. Fishing the Midwest's Bob Jensen specifically recommends rivers for summer action, pointing to walleye, bass, and catfish as multi-species targets for versatile anglers. Catfish are a summer mainstay on Missouri's warmwater rivers, with flatheads and channel cats typically peaking through July. Smallmouth bass remain the signature Ozark draw, though post-spawn fish can be finicky before settling into summer structure and current seams.
Gulf Tuna Action Peaks as Offshore Season Heats Up off the Panhandle
Offshore tuna action is picking up across the northern Gulf of Mexico this week, with Captain Rick Murphy (FL Insider) reporting that 'Tuna Time' has arrived for Gulf anglers, and noting that marlin encounters are a real possibility while targeting tuna. Murphy also highlights vertical jigging as a reliable technique for grouper at this time of year. Red snapper, the Panhandle's most iconic summer quarry, is in full season: Sport Fishing Mag describes red snapper fishing as a 'rite of summer,' with larger fish holding tight to structure and demanding precision in boat positioning. Inshore, late June is historically productive for redfish and speckled trout in the protected bayous and grass flats of Pensacola Bay and Choctawhatchee Bay, consistent with typical Gulf Coast summer patterns. No NOAA buoy readings were available for this report period. Check local forecasts for current water temperature, wind, and sea state before launching.
CT Inland Bass Push to Weedlines and Structure as Post-Spawn Summer Pattern Locks In
Field & Stream's current 'Pond-Hopper's Guide to Summer Bass Fishing' captures where Connecticut's inland waters stand this week: post-spawn largemouth have largely wrapped bedding activity and are dispersing toward submerged weedlines, dock pilings, and offshore structure as June closes. No USGS gauge or buoy readings were available for this report, so conditions assessments rely on seasonal patterns typical for late June in this region. Fishing the Midwest's 'Work the Weedline' column reinforces the regional consensus — bass are keyed on vegetation edges and tend to suspend in deeper water through midday heat. Tactical Bassin (blog) highlights Senko-style soft plastics and swimbaits as dependable early-summer options across a range of water types and clarities. Trout fishing typically moderates as inland pond and lake temperatures climb toward summer peaks. Check current state regulations before targeting stocked waters. The First Quarter moon this week should concentrate stronger feeding windows around dawn and dusk.
Atchafalaya bass patterns track favorably into the late-June stretch
Louisiana Sportsman's June 19 coverage notes that late-June bass conditions at Louisiana's major impoundments are shaping up comparably to strong prior seasons, with the stretch into July flagged as a promising window for bass anglers. Direct gauge and buoy data for the Mississippi and Atchafalaya were unavailable for this cycle, so this report draws on regional angler intel and established mid-summer patterns for these river systems. Largemouth bass are expected to be hugging shaded timber and grass edges, with topwater presentations producing in early morning and evening low-light windows and deeper structure becoming the play by midday as surface temperatures climb. LA Sea Grant's recent feature on Louisiana's Seafood Processing Demonstration Lab underscores how abundant buffalo fish and catfish remain throughout Louisiana's river corridors. With a First Quarter moon on June 22, solunar tables favor feeding windows in the morning and again near dusk. Check local flow gauges before running the Atchafalaya backwaters — summer drawdowns can concentrate fish but also lower navigable depths in sloughs.
Central MA bass and panfish hit their early-summer stride
Field & Stream's summer pond-hopper guide captures the core late-June dynamic for Central MA: post-spawn bass have finished guarding beds and are staging along weed edges, points, and deeper structure as early-summer holding patterns lock in. Bluegill and sunfish are still near or on beds; look for the telltale bowl-shaped depressions in 1-3 feet over sand or gravel. Fishing the Midwest reinforces the weedline theme this week, noting that weed edges concentrate multiple species as the open-water season settles in. No buoy or gauge readings came back for Central MA this week, so local conditions need ground-truth checking before you launch. The First Quarter moon supports stronger feeding windows around dawn and dusk. Warm-water targets (bass, panfish, pickerel) are the realistic play now; check water levels and clarity locally before heading out.
Summer Heat Pushes Lake O Bass to Dawn Edges and Hydrilla Mats
Field & Stream's current 'Pond-Hopper's Guide to Summer Bass Fishing' captures the moment perfectly for central Florida right now: late-June heat has compressed productive windows to the bookend hours on both Lake Okeechobee and the St. Johns River, pushing largemouth to hydrilla edges, lily pad fields, and any structure offering shade or dissolved oxygen. Tactical Bassin's early-summer tips reinforce the same pattern, pointing to swimbaits, soft plastics, and finesse rigs as the midday backup when topwater goes quiet. On Okeechobee, working mat edges and submerged grass lines accounts for the most consistent action; on the St. Johns, downed timber and tidal grass flats hold fish through the day. Live shiners remain the workhorse bait on both systems for quality bass. Black crappie have retreated to deeper, cooler reaches, typical for this time of year. No real-time gauge or buoy data was available for this cycle. The first-quarter moon on June 22 adds moderate push that can activate brief feeding windows on the St. Johns' tidal stretches.
Great Lakes smallmouth and Wabash catfish enter peak summer stride
Tactical Bassin reports that Great Lakes smallmouth bass are firing on windy days along the southern Lake Michigan corridor, with anglers logging quality fish using swimbait combinations — the Dark Sleeper drawing reaction strikes while finesse options like the Spark Shad clean up once fish are located. That is the headline for Indiana's Lake Michigan shoreline heading into late June. On the Wabash River, Fishing the Midwest notes that summer rivers — particularly larger systems — reward anglers who work banks and weedlines, with catfish and bass within reach of most shoreline access points. No NOAA buoy readings or USGS gauge data were available for this reporting period, so precise water temps and flow conditions should be confirmed via the Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant buoy network before launching. The First Quarter moon on June 22 typically marks a transitional feeding phase; expect activity to build as the lunar cycle pushes toward full over the coming week.
Smallmouth and catfish shift to summer structure on Potomac and Shenandoah
No NOAA buoy or USGS gauge readings were available for this report period, and no direct Potomac or Shenandoah fishing dispatches surfaced in the regional feeds this week. That said, two useful data points stand out. Wired 2 Fish reports that Maryland is offering cash rewards up to $1,500 per charter trip for removing invasive blue catfish from the Chesapeake Bay watershed, reflecting how heavily blue cats have colonized the lower Potomac corridor. On the bass front, Field & Stream's summer terrestrial guide highlights late June as prime hopper-and-cricket season on moving water, a pattern that maps cleanly to the Shenandoah's rocky riffles and Potomac flats. Tactical Bassin confirms tube jigs and finesse swimbaits as reliable early-summer go-tos on pressured river systems. With the First Quarter moon this week, expect moderate feeding windows at first light and again near sunset. Without local flow readings, check USGS stream gauges before launching — the Shenandoah can spike quickly after summer thunderstorms.
Erie smallmouth in prime position as walleye shift to night runs
PA Sea Grant has issued a June 25 public webinar on harmful algal blooms, a timely heads-up for Lake Erie and Presque Isle Bay anglers as summer heat can accelerate bloom conditions along Pennsylvania's shoreline. No NOAA buoy or USGS gauge readings were available for this reporting cycle, so water temperature and flow figures are absent. Late June on the Pennsylvania stretch of Lake Erie marks a well-established seasonal transition: smallmouth bass move onto mid-lake rock piles and offshore humps, walleye shift toward deeper structure and night trolling as surface temps climb, and yellow perch school along basin edges. Wired 2 Fish covers Great Lakes smallmouth responding well to swimbaits in wind conditions, noting the "Dark Sleeper and Spark Shad are a phenomenal 1-2 punch" for big-water days, a playbook applicable to Erie's rocky points. Fishing the Midwest recommends working weedline transitions through summer, a pattern that fits Presque Isle Bay's vegetation edges. Species statuses below reflect general late-June seasonality, not current first-hand reports. Check PA Fish & Boat Commission biologist updates for the latest local intel.
Montauk striper bite peaks as bluefish arrive and yellowfin hit the docks
Multiple East End sources are confirming this is some of the best striped bass fishing Montauk has seen all season. The Fisherman — Long Island East End reports fish to 40-plus pounds on bucktails, jigs, and live eels in front of the Point, while The Fisherman (Northeast) puts quality bass to 50 pounds in the hands of both boat and shore anglers across Long Island. On The Water — New York / Long Island adds that Montauk's excellent bass bite is keying on squid and sand eels, with stripers also sliding east through the Sound. Bluefish have arrived in force around the Point, per multiple East End marina reports through The Fisherman — Long Island East End, while porgies are starting to show. Fluke has been slow this season; The Fisherman (Northeast) calls it "painfully inconsistent," though first doormat reports emerged from Nantucket Shoals and LIS catch counts are ticking up near Port Jefferson. Offshore, The Fisherman — Long Island East End confirmed the season's first yellowfin tuna reached the docks from the canyons.
Stripers and Bass Enter Deep-Water Summer Mode at Smith Mountain and Buggs Island
Wired 2 Fish this week flags an aggressive blue catfish expansion across the Chesapeake Bay watershed, with Maryland now offering cash incentives of up to $1,500 per charter trip for anglers targeting the invasive species, a signal of how thoroughly the species has colonized Virginia reservoir systems including Buggs Island (Kerr Reservoir). No real-time gauge readings or local captain reports were available for Smith Mountain Lake or Buggs Island this cycle. Based on typical late-June patterns, landlocked striped bass at both reservoirs are likely staged on thermoclines between 20 and 40 feet as surface water warms. Vertical jigging with bucktails or jigging spoons over deep creek channels is the standard summer approach. Largemouth bass remain catchable on early-morning topwater and weedline plastics, consistent with early-summer power fishing and finesse techniques covered this week by Tactical Bassin and Field and Stream. Check Virginia DWR for current creel limits before heading out.
Gulf Coast Tarpon Migration at Full Peak; Permit and Kingfish Running Strong
Naples Offshore Fishing Charters reports the tarpon migration is 'fully underway' along Southwest Florida's Gulf Coast, with captains intercepting quality fish as they push through the area. The established late-season pattern holds: mornings devoted to jumping tarpon, afternoons pivoting to sight fishing large permit — a pairing that makes this one of the most varied inshore windows of the year. Kingfish are producing steadily on plugs and flies per the same charter operation, with cobia and amberjacks rounding out the nearshore spread. Heading further offshore, Captain Rick Murphy (FL Insider) notes that tuna action is heating up in the Gulf, and crews are advised to keep a marlin setup ready on those runs. No NOAA buoy data was available for this report cycle; confirm current water temperatures and tidal windows through local sources before launching.
Saginaw Bay walleye in tournament mode as late June arrives
A lower-bay session on Saginaw Bay this week produced steady walleye action on body baits, with fish running mostly under 3 pounds and spoons drawing strikes as well, per Michigan Sportsman Forum reports. Separately, anglers are sizing up the Michigan Walleye Tour on Saginaw Bay, with tournament predictions running around 50 pounds over two days, suggesting solid fish density across the bay. The MI DNR Weekly Fishing Report was not accessible this cycle, leaving state agency data sparse, and no buoy or gauge readings were captured. Fishing the Midwest notes that weedlines are the go-to walleye structure across the Great Lakes region right now, a pattern that fits Saginaw Bay's mid-season playbook. For smallmouth, Tactical Bassin highlights Great Lakes conditions under wind-driven chop, pointing to the Dark Sleeper and Spark Shad as productive presentations. Perch reports are quiet this cycle; typical for late June, the bite can be hit-or-miss depending on bait location.
Summer Chinook Season Opens on Olympic Peninsula Rivers
WA WDFW Fishing Reports confirms the department's creel-survey monitoring is active statewide, though no specific catch data for Olympic Peninsula rivers was available in this reporting cycle, and no buoy or gauge readings were returned for the region. With that noted, late June is traditionally the opening of the summer Chinook window on the major OP drainages. Summer kings typically begin entering river mouths and lower reaches around this week, with the Hoh, Queets, Quinault, Sol Duc, and Bogachiel among the primary destinations. The First Quarter moon on June 22 can concentrate fish movement around low-light periods at dawn and dusk — worth timing your sessions accordingly. WA Sea Grant notes Washington's 2026 recreation season is in full swing, a timely reminder to verify river-access conditions and check WDFW's emergency closure list before heading out. Regulations vary significantly by drainage — confirm your water before you launch.
Big bluefish and Spanish mackerel heating up the Outer Banks surf
Tom at Hatteras Jack reports bigger bluefish, some pushing 30 inches and beyond, in the Hatteras surf this June, hitting casting metals and cut baits in solid numbers. That surge signals the early-summer run is in full swing along the Outer Banks. Fisherman's Post (NC) also notes steady sea mullet fishing at Hatteras and Ocracoke, making the surf a reliable two-species option for beach anglers. Spanish mackerel are moving in good numbers into nearshore areas and along the beachfront, and per Fisherman's Post (NC), that push is tracking northward toward OBX waters. Surf and pier anglers at Morehead/Atlantic Beach have done well on bluefish, Spanish mackerel, and bonito, while inshore red drum are scattered but findable in deeper holes. Offshore, gaffer mahi were pushing in from Beaufort Inlet in late May, per Fisherman's Post, a pattern that typically intensifies through June. No NOAA buoy readings were available for this report period; check local marinas for current water temperatures before heading out.
Blue Marlin and Ahi Season Peaks Across the Hawaiian Islands
Hawaii Fishing News, the state's official fish-record keeper and go-to source for Moon & Tide calendars among serious Hawaiian anglers, is the primary reference in this week's intel pull. No NOAA buoy readings or specific charter reports populated the feeds for this period. Drawing on seasonal patterns: late June marks the heart of Hawaii's offshore pelagic season. Blue marlin are typically at or near peak abundance, ahi (yellowfin tuna) school along temperature breaks, and mahi-mahi and wahoo (ono) remain consistent daily targets. The First Quarter moon on June 21 supports stronger feeding windows around tidal transitions. Without buoy-confirmed water temperatures on hand, anglers should pull the latest NOAA Pacific Islands buoy data before heading offshore. The calendar strongly favors a run; verify sea state before committing.
Early-Summer Bass Transition Underway on Tennessee and Cumberland Waters
Banks Shaw's dominant 82-pound, 28-bass performance at the MLF Bass Pro Tour Stage 6 on Grand Lake this week (per MLF News) signals that early-summer bass are highly catchable across Southern reservoir systems — a pattern that maps directly onto Tennessee River and Cumberland River impoundments. No NOAA buoy or USGS gauge readings were available for this cycle, but the June 21 First Quarter moon aligns with midday feeding windows that typically produce reliable bites. Tactical Bassin reports finesse swimbaits and senkos getting consistent early-summer bites, with drop shots filling in when fish go deep. Field & Stream's summer bass guidance points toward creek-channel edges and main-lake points as surface temps climb. On Tennessee and Cumberland drainages, expect largemouth and smallmouth to be settling into post-spawn summer structure, while striped bass staging below river dams and catfish along deep channel breaks represent seasonal defaults based on typical late-June patterns rather than confirmed local reports.
Summer chinook and steelhead push into the Columbia and Rogue
Late June marks the arrival of Oregon's summer fishery in full force, with chinook salmon pushing upriver on both the Columbia and the Rogue and summer-run steelhead staging through prime holding water. No current NOAA buoy or USGS gauge readings were available for this report cycle, so real-time temperature and flow conditions should be confirmed through local sources or ODFW before you launch. Field & Stream notes that terrestrial patterns, particularly grasshoppers, become go-to presentations on Oregon streams once aquatic hatches thin and water warms, a cue worth packing for Rogue tributary work this week. Smallmouth bass on the Rogue typically reach peak mid-summer aggression by the third week of June, responding well to surface presentations during low-light windows. Columbia mainstem anglers should verify current tributary closures and hatchery rules, as summer chinook regulations shift frequently. Conditions this week are consistent with what is typical for the season: expect active fish, warm afternoons, and the best action concentrated in early morning and evening windows.
Guntersville & Wheeler largemouth shift to deep summer structure as late-June heat builds
Largemouth bass on Guntersville and Wheeler are making the classic post-spawn transition to early-summer deep structure, a pattern Tactical Bassin's current early-summer breakdown captures well with its emphasis on power-finesse combinations: swimbaits and Senko-style rigs along grass edges at first light, then drop-shot or tube presentations on deeper ledges through the heat of the day. No local gauge readings or Alabama-specific angler reports arrived in this cycle, so conditions here draw on seasonal baselines for late June on these TVA impoundments. Water temperatures on both lakes typically reach the low-to-mid 80s by the third week of June, compressing the productive bite into early-morning and evening windows. Field & Stream's summer bass guide reinforces that shaded creek-channel bends and deep structure edges are the primary midday refuges. Catfish night runs are historically prime on both lakes this time of year. The First Quarter moon provides a building solunar window through the coming weekend, with peak activity at dawn and dusk.
Colorado River trout firing as runoff fades — green drakes and golden stones incoming
Crystal Fly Shop (CO) is calling the Colorado River from Glenwood Springs to Rifle one of the best windows of the season right now — runoff is on its back end, water conditions are excellent, and fish are active. Large attractor patterns are producing, with green drakes expected "right on the horizon in the next two weeks," joined by golden stones, PMDs, and caddis. Overcast days are flagged as the prime window. The Frying Pan River, a reliable tailwater tributary feeding into this drainage, is running low, clear, and cold with consistent BWO and PMD hatches each afternoon, per Crystal Fly Shop. Across Colorado's high country, Cutthroat Anglers (CO) is direct about 2026: snowpack was historically bad, and rivers are tracking well below normal for late June — the upside being that remaining fish are concentrated and willing to eat. No direct Arkansas River shop reports are available this week; the statewide low-snowpack context applies.
Snake River cutthroat enter prime window as June runoff clears
Field & Stream's summer terrestrial guide highlights late June as the moment grasshoppers begin earning their place on the water — timing that maps directly to the Snake River corridor and Yellowstone drainages of northwest Wyoming, where fine-spotted and Yellowstone cutthroat are the headline species. No buoy readings or USGS gauge data came through for this week's report, so precise flow and temperature figures aren't available; anglers should check live gauges and call local outfitters before making the drive, as snowpack variability can shift the prime runoff-clearing window by several weeks. That said, the summer solstice window — right now — typically marks the waning of high water on the upper Snake and the beginning of summer-low conditions that concentrate fish in riffles and pools. Golden stonefly and PMD hatches typically overlap through mid-June into early July. Without specific charter or shop intel this week, conditions should be treated as directional, not confirmed.
Salt and Colorado bass push deep as Arizona midsummer heat bears down
No live USGS gauge readings arrived in today's data pull for the Colorado and Salt River systems, so current flows and water temps are unverified — check local gauges before launching. Seasonal patterns, however, are well-established: late June in the Arizona low desert is the heart of summer, and surface temps across the Salt River chain of lakes typically climb into the upper 80s°F by mid-morning, forcing largemouth and smallmouth bass off shallow banks and onto deep main-lake structure. Tactical Bassin's early summer coverage highlights drop-shot rigs and finesse swimbaits as the go-to presentations when bass are stacked deep and reluctant to chase. Channel catfish remain the most productive species this time of year, feeding aggressively after dark when air temps finally relent. Plan around dawn and dusk windows; midday fishing on exposed water in this heat can be both unproductive and unsafe.
Upper Mississippi pools enter summer stride with walleye and smallmouth in focus
Fishing the Midwest contributor Bob Jensen writes that rivers across the region deliver outstanding summer action, and the Upper Mississippi pools from Prescott to La Crosse fit squarely in that window as the June 21 solstice arrives. No current gauge or buoy readings are in this report, so we recommend checking USGS flow data before launching — pool conditions can shift meaningfully after any upstream precipitation. Regionally, Wired 2 Fish reports that Minnesota has certified nine new state fish records in 2026, signaling an unusually productive year for fish size throughout the Upper Mississippi watershed. AnglingBuzz is focusing on walleye techniques right now, highlighting slip-bobber rigs and jig-and-crawler combos as reliable summer producers. Jason Mitchell Outdoors is covering bottom-bouncer and spinner rigs for walleye — presentations that translate well to the deeper wing-dam structure throughout these pools. First Quarter moon brings a reliable evening bite window starting around sunset.