Fishing reports
19272 reports across all 50 states — current conditions and what's biting.
Yellowstone trout fishing opens as flows ease; walleye active on Canyon Ferry
MT FWP and Walleyes Unlimited of Montana are urging Canyon Ferry Reservoir anglers to keep smaller walleye rather than releasing them, a management signal that the fishery is maturing and the bite is on. On the Yellowstone system, USGS gauge 06043500 logged 1,360 cfs on June 21, consistent with late-runoff levels that should continue easing toward wade-fishable territory through the coming week. Water temps were not available from this gauge, so check conditions before committing to a specific reach. Timing matters most this season: MT FWP's virtual townhall flagged below-average winter snowpack and a summer forecast running hotter and drier than normal, a combination that will compress the productive midday trout window earlier than usual. Fish first light through mid-morning or return in late afternoon to avoid heat stress on trout. MT FWP also launched TroutCast, a new USGS-built drought-forecasting tool for Montana's blue-ribbon rivers, on June 1, giving anglers a planning resource to check before each outing.
Red snapper season peaks as summer heat builds along Alabama's Gulf Coast
Sport Fishing Mag's in-depth look at the red snapper life cycle this week lands squarely in what is typically Alabama's most productive offshore window. No buoy readings or USGS gauge data were available for Mobile Bay and nearshore Gulf waters at press time, and none of this week's regional feeds carried Alabama-specific captain reports. That said, late June historically marks an open or recently active federal red snapper season along the Gulf Coast; verify current NOAA regulations before targeting them. Sport Fishing Mag notes that the largest red snapper hold the best positions on a given piece of structure, making precision drops essential over flat-bottom drifts. Offshore anglers typically focus on hard bottom and artificial reefs from 40 to 100 feet. Inshore, speckled trout and redfish shift toward deeper grass edges and channel margins as Mobile Bay surface temperatures climb through summer's peak. A regional fishing rodeo announced on Pensacola-area forums signals active tournament energy just east of the Alabama state line. Early-morning tides remain the most reliable window before afternoon heat sets in.
Sharks and whiting hot as summer peaks on the Lower Laguna Madre
Summer is running hot on the Lower Laguna Madre and South Padre Island flats. Lone Star Outdoor News reports that coastal sharks are picking up along the Texas coast, while whiting are described as running "extremely" well this season — prime fish-fry material for surf anglers working the beachfront. Capt. Kevin Navid filed back-to-back Baffin Bay and Laguna Madre area reports for TexasFishingTips on June 11 and June 18, signaling consistent guide activity across the region. Ten boats fished the Getaway Lodge Reel Lifesaver Invitational out of Port Mansfield Harbor this past Saturday under gray, overcast skies, per Lone Star Outdoor News. Texas Fish & Game Magazine underscores what most South Texas guides already know: tidal movement is the single biggest variable on these shallow, clear flats, with the seagrass beds of the Lower Laguna Madre demanding precise timing around current pushes and tidal exchanges.
Halibut season peaks in SF Bay as Bodega rockfish grounds open up
SF Bay halibut fishing sits at its typical summer peak as of the June 21 solstice, with fish historically stacking on sandy flats in 20-40 feet of water on the south end of the bay. No NOAA buoy readings or fresh charter reports were available for this pull; the NorCal Fish Reports feed returned only site navigation with no publishable bite data. Striped bass maintain a consistent summer presence in the bay, showing best on incoming tides along structure and current seams. Bodega Bay's nearshore rockfish grounds become accessible on calmer upwelling windows when northwest winds relent. Because no charter, shop, or agency reports came through this cycle, we'd strongly recommend contacting local party boat operators or tackle shops directly for current conditions before heading out. California Chinook salmon regulations shift frequently; confirm any active closures before targeting kings.
Summer sharks and slot redfish headline Texas Gulf Coast action
The Galveston Redfish Series held its third tournament event of the year on June 7, with teams targeting live slot redfish in the 4-8 pound range across Galveston Bay — a strong indicator that inshore reds are well-distributed along this stretch right now, per Galveston Daily News — Reel Report. Offshore, Lone Star Outdoor News — Fishing reports TPWD is running a Gulf-wide disCARD study during an active red snapper season, confirming boats are getting out. Closer to the sand, summer sharks are building along the Texas coast as temperatures climb. Whiting are also running hard this season — Lone Star Outdoor News calls the bite "extremely" productive — making surf fishing a reliable option when bay conditions turn choppy. TexasFishingTips has aired back-to-back reports from Port Aransas, Aransas Pass, and Baffin Bay/Laguna Madre as recently as June 17-19, suggesting guides are finding fish across the full Galveston-to-Corpus stretch. South winds of 10-20 knots are expected through the weekend.
Montauk Bass Bite Heats Up as Fluke Fill Long Island Bays
Water temps checked in at 67–68°F this morning — confirmed by NOAA buoys 44025 and 44065 — placing Long Island squarely in a prime early-summer window. The June 18 On The Water Long Island report delivers the headline: Montauk is producing an excellent striped bass bite on squid and sand eels, while bass continue sliding east through the Sound. Keeper fluke are also on the move, chewing better across the bays from the South Shore to the Peconics. On The Water's striper migration map from June 19 adds context: bigger bass are now concentrating on sand eels, squid, bunker, and herring as the spring run transitions into summer holding patterns. With first-quarter moon tides running and calm 1.6-foot seas at buoy 44065, conditions this weekend look manageable for both bay and offshore trips. NY DEC Saltwater Fishing and Boating confirms summer flounder, bluefish, and scup seasons are currently open — verify slot sizes and limits before keeping fish.
Smith Mountain & Buggs Island bass and stripers enter summer deep-water mode
The Staunton River feeding Buggs Island is running at 264 cfs as of June 17 (USGS gauge 02075045), a stable and moderate inflow that should keep reservoir clarity in check. Direct local intel for Smith Mountain Lake and Buggs Island is limited in this week's available reporting, but mid-June puts both lakes squarely in the post-spawn transition. Largemouth and smallmouth have moved off spawning flats and are working toward summer haunts on deeper structure and channel edges; On The Water notes that finesse baits are the key to cracking the early summer slump when bass are in recovery mode between the spawn and peak summer aggression. Landlocked striped bass, the marquee species on both impoundments, typically begin stacking at the thermocline as June surface temps climb; vertical jigging and live-bait presentations over deeper structure are the standard call. Tactical Bassin highlights crankbaits as a strong multi-depth option for bass targeting ambush points on structure transitions right now.
Tarpon Run Strong on Southwest Florida's Gulf Coast as Offshore Bite Diversifies
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. Morning sessions are producing steady jumps and grabs on migrating tarpon, while afternoons pivot to sight fishing for permit on the flats, a productive late-spring double-header that has been delivering consistently. Offshore, the species mix is strong: king mackerel are active on plugs and flies, with cobia and amberjacks also showing in the mix, per Naples Offshore Fishing Charters. On the conservation front, Coastal Angler Magazine reports Mote Marine Laboratory is preparing to release approximately 22,000 juvenile snook into Southwest Florida estuarine habitats this summer, a meaningful reinforcement of the inshore fishery. No NOAA buoy readings are available for this report cycle, so check local forecasts before heading out. The waxing crescent moon delivers modest tidal movement, generally favorable for permit sight fishing on calm, clear mornings.
Great Lakes Smallmouth on Swimbaits as Saginaw Bay Enters Summer Mode
Tactical Bassin's most recent Great Lakes outing captured a key mid-June signal: smallmouth bass responding aggressively to swimbaits in heavy wind, with anglers Tim and JD working the Dark Sleeper and Spark Shad through big-water chop to land a bag that included two trophy-class fish. That active bite aligns with mid-June patterns across Lake Huron's rocky offshore structure. Real-time sensor data is unavailable this cycle — USGS gauge 04157000 returned no readings, and no nearshore buoy data was captured — so water temperature benchmarks cannot be confirmed. The Michigan Sportsman Forum noted that recent storms and a cold front delivered a rough stretch on western Michigan inland lakes earlier this week, a system that likely carried into the Saginaw Bay corridor before clearing. No charter or tackle-shop reports from the Saginaw Bay or Thumb coast specifically were available this cycle; walleye and perch assessments below draw on seasonal baselines for this region in mid-June.
Summer steelhead season opens on the Hoh and Quinault as Peninsula flows settle
USGS gauge 12035000 clocks the Hoh River at 563 cfs this morning, with gauge 12041200 putting the Quinault at 1,090 cfs. Both are well within the fishable range heading into the summer steelhead window on Washington's Olympic Peninsula. On-the-water reports are sparse in this week's feeds for the Peninsula specifically, so this update relies on the gauge readings and regional seasonal context. Summer steelhead are the marquee target, with early fish typically beginning to enter Peninsula rivers by mid-June as snowmelt runoff eases. No water temperature readings are available from either gauge; anglers should verify temps on-site before fishing. Regional reporting from Outdoor Hub notes that low-flow and heat conditions have been stressing anadromous fish across the Pacific Northwest this summer, a signal worth monitoring locally. A waxing crescent moon sets up favorable low-light windows at dawn and dusk. Confirm current regulations with WA WDFW Fishing Reports before heading out.
Big bluefish and Spanish mackerel light up Outer Banks surf in June
Hatteras Jack's Tom reports bigger bluefish pushing 30 inches and beyond in the Outer Banks surf this week, responding well to both casting metals and cut baits — a strong mid-June signal for the area. Spanish mackerel are also making their presence felt: The Reel Outdoors out of Swansboro/Emerald Isle notes mackerel moving in good numbers into nearshore zones and along the beachfront, a report echoed by Chasin' Tails out of Morehead/Atlantic Beach, which also tallies bonito alongside mackerel for surf and pier anglers. Sea mullet fishing has been steady at Hatteras, per Fisherman's Post. Offshore, the Fisherman's Post Tidelines column notes gaffer mahi moving in out of Beaufort Inlet as one of the more reliable early-summer options. Inshore, red drum have been scattered, but Chasin' Tails reports fish holding in deeper holes. The waxing crescent moon this week supports active tidal movement and productive feeding windows around current transitions.
Summer pelagics on the move around Hawaii as marlin season peaks
Hawaii Fishing News, the state's official record-keeper, tracks moon and tide windows that align well with this week's waxing crescent phase — historically a productive tide-change period for offshore trolling. No real-time NOAA buoy readings or captain reports reached this cycle, so specific water temperatures and sea conditions are unconfirmed; verify locally before departure. What is clear from seasonal patterns is that mid-June sits squarely in Hawaii's premier blue marlin (kajiki) window, with leeward banks and the 100-fathom curve drawing serious offshore crews. Yellowfin tuna (ahi) often concentrate around subsurface structure in the deeper blue water during this stretch. Mahi-mahi (dorado) and wahoo (ono) round out the typical summer spread. Surface trolling with lures or rigged ballyhoo is the conventional starting playbook, with anglers adjusting depth and speed as they dial in temperature breaks — though no live break data is available this cycle.
Cherokee and Old Hickory Bass Running Hot as Tennessee Summer Heats Up
MLF News tournament previews this week point to strong largemouth bass action across Tennessee's major reservoirs. At Cherokee Lake in Jefferson City, veteran angler Tim Smiley expects largemouth to be the primary tournament focus despite the lake sitting roughly 10 feet below normal pool — a condition he considers workable, with bass concentrating on predictable summer structure. On Old Hickory Lake near Mt. Joliet, multiple patterns are producing simultaneously, per MLF News, with offshore structure, channel edges, and shallow flats all capable of yielding winning bags ahead of this Saturday's Phoenix Bass Fishing League event. USGS gauge 03434500 is logging 312 cfs — a moderate to low reading for the Tennessee-Cumberland drainage. No water temperature is available from the gauge, but mid-June in this region typically pushes reservoir surfaces into the low-to-mid 80s °F. Per On The Water, post-spawn bass respond well to finesse presentations as fish settle into summer ranges off deeper edges.
Columbia smallmouth prime as drought pushes Oregon salmon onto stress watch
Water reading of 68°F from USGS gauge 14211720 on the morning of June 17 frames a complicated week on Oregon's Columbia and Rogue drainages. Outdoor Hub reports that ODFW has issued a direct warning: record-low snowpack and drought conditions ranging from moderate to extreme across most of the state have pushed rivers warm and low, stressing salmon and trout throughout the system. The agency urges fishing early, fishing smart, and knowing where fish are sheltering in cool, oxygenated holding water. Hatch Magazine's current drought-fishing guide echoes that approach: target deep pools and shaded confluences, and plan to be off the water before midday heat peaks. The silver lining belongs to warmwater species: Columbia smallmouth bass are right in their thermal comfort zone at these readings, and anglers willing to pivot from salmonids to bass stand to find the most consistent action this week.
Post-spawn bass settling onto summer ledges at Guntersville and Wheeler
At Lake Guntersville and Wheeler, the early-summer bass transition is underway — largemouth are moving off spawning flats and settling onto offshore ledges, grass edges, and brush piles as June temperatures climb. The closest comparable Alabama signal this week comes from MLF News, which reported that Banks Shaw won a Toyota Series event on Lake Eufaula working a shad spawn pattern around offshore brush with a ChatterBait and swimbaits — a technique worth watching on Guntersville's deep channel ledges and Wheeler's creek arms. On The Water's recent post-spawn breakdown confirms the broader picture: finesse presentations and slower retrieves can unlock lethargic fish once the spawn concludes. USGS gauge 03575100 registered 435 cfs on the morning of June 17. No water temperature was available at the gauge; Guntersville's main pool is typically in the low-to-mid 80s°F by mid-June. Waxing crescent moon offers low-light windows at dusk this week.
Post-runoff prime window opens on the Colorado River
Crystal Fly Shop (CO) is calling it: the Colorado River is on the back end of runoff with "great water conditions and happy fish." USGS gauge 09095500 confirms the Colorado running at 2,720 cfs and 67°F as of June 17 — right at the warm edge of the prime trout window. Crystal Fly Shop urges anglers to get out now, before summer heat tapers the bite, noting green drakes are expected to emerge in full force within two weeks along the Colorado corridor. Golden stoneflies, PMDs, and caddis are already in play, with overcast days particularly productive for dry-fly fishing. On the Arkansas River and across the broader Colorado drainage, Cutthroat Anglers (CO) reports that despite a historically low snowpack this season, trout are "active, grouped up, and ready to bite" for anglers willing to downsize flies and fish lighter tippets. Plan sessions for early mornings and evenings, as 67°F water temps can push fish into shade and deeper slots during midday heat.
Cutthroat season hits its peak window on the Yellowstone and Teton Snake
USGS gauge 06192500 put the Yellowstone River at 7,180 cfs and 57°F on the morning of June 17 — strong snowmelt volume, but water temps squarely in the prime trout feeding range. High, off-color flows are the defining condition right now, pushing fish out of the main channel into softer seams, eddy lines, and tributary confluences where they're easier to target. No local shop or charter reports specific to this drainage came through in this data pull, so direct bite attribution isn't possible here; technique guidance draws on seasonal patterns for this fishery and regional coverage. MidCurrent's recent fly-tying features highlight surface and subsurface patterns — including the buoyant Dyret attractor — coming into their own as late-spring hatches begin to fire, a signal broadly applicable to high-elevation Rocky Mountain rivers right now. Typical mid-June fare on these waters includes golden stonefly, PMD, and caddis activity in lower-gradient stretches. Wade with caution at current flows; floating is the preferred access method on most of the upper main stem.
Lees Ferry Trout Active on Cold Releases as Salt River Bass Enter Summer Mode
USGS gauge 09380000 puts the Colorado River at Lees Ferry at 58°F and 6,470 cfs this morning, anchoring conditions well inside the trout comfort zone even as desert summer heat takes hold across the Vermilion Cliffs corridor. Glen Canyon Dam's cold releases insulate this stretch from ambient temperature swings, making Lees Ferry one of the Southwest's most reliable warm-weather trout destinations. No direct AZ-river reports landed in this week's intel feeds, but Hatch Magazine's drought trout guide highlights a pattern familiar to high-desert tailwaters: fish stack in the coldest, deepest slots through midday heat, with feeding windows compressing to the first couple of hours of light and the final hour before dark. On the Salt River chain, On The Water's post-spawn bass breakdown notes that finesse baits are the key as bass recover from the spawn and settle into deeper summer holding lies.
Post-spawn bass and catfish moving shallow on the Upper Mississippi pools
The USGS gauge (site 05344500) recorded 17,200 cfs on the morning of June 17, putting the Upper Mississippi between Prescott and La Crosse at a full, energetic flow. Water temperature wasn't captured at the gauge. That current is organizing fish: the seams behind wing dams, tributary mouths, and connected backwater bays are the most productive staging areas right now. Wired 2 Fish reports that catfish are actively moving into the shallows during the spawn, setting aside their typical bottom-holding patterns for nearshore cover. That move fits the classic June calendar on these pools. For bass, On The Water's post-spawn breakdown calls for finesse presentations to overcome the early-summer lull, while Tactical Bassin is making bags on swing-head jigs and crankbaits for structure-oriented fish. Fishing the Midwest confirms the 2026 open water season is fully underway across Wisconsin and Minnesota waters.
Coho running hot near Duluth as early summer structure bite sets up across MN
The MN DNR Lake Superior Summer Fishing report notes that Coho Salmon fishing near Duluth and Superior was "very hot" in early June, with most trollers reaching their limit on stick baits 5-10 feet down in 80-140 feet of water. A June 11 update confirmed surface temps of 46-55°F along the Lower Shore from Duluth to Two Harbors, with foggy and rainy conditions limiting boat traffic. Anglers who did get out found success on bright stick baits and spoons in the top 10 feet, or running spoons deeper near thermal breaks. Lake Trout remained solid on bright spoons trolled 40-80 feet down. Inland, USGS gauge 05331000 shows the Mississippi running at 12,900 cfs, elevated flows that push walleye and bass out of main-channel current and into eddies and weed-edged flats. Fishing the Midwest recommends weedlines as summer's primary structure bite, with walleye, pike, and bass stacking along submerged weed edges as early summer patterns take hold.
Winnipesaukee smallmouth shift to post-spawn summer pattern mid-June
The Winnipesaukee River outlet (USGS gauge 01081000) is clocking 1,020 cfs this morning — a seasonally normal mid-June level that points to stable lake conditions following spring runoff. No water temperature data is available from buoys or gauges today; check local dock thermometers before heading out. None of this week's regional feeds carry Winnipesaukee-specific catch reports, so the picture below draws on technique intelligence from comparable Northeast and Great Lakes fisheries. Tactical Bassin's current Great Lakes smallmouth series spotlights finesse swimbaits — particularly the Spark Shad in wind-driven conditions — as the go-to early summer presentation for post-spawn bass. On The Water's post-spawn bass breakdown reinforces that angle, recommending finesse approaches as fish recover from the spawn and settle onto mid-depth transitions. Smallmouth are the primary target right now. Lake trout will be retreating to deeper, colder structure as June surface temps climb, while yellow perch stay reliably accessible along weed edges and submerged timber throughout the week.
Taneycomo trout go day-to-day as June mini-fronts keep the bite fickle
Per Lilleys Landing's June 2026 report, trout fishing on Lake Taneycomo has been anything but predictable this month. A parade of mini-fronts pushing through the Ozarks multiple times daily, bringing rain, wind, and rapid pressure swings, has produced a classic on-again, off-again bite. Lilleys Landing reports operators are running generation at strategic, demand-based windows rather than for flood control, a direct consequence of a regional drought that has held Table Rock below power pool for roughly ten months. No flow or temperature reading was available from USGS gauge 07054410 this cycle. On calm, pressure-stable days trout are cooperative; front passages reset the fish quickly. Anglers who time trips around the generation schedule (generation tends to run during the day with cuts overnight and in the mornings per earlier Lilleys Landing reports) are giving themselves the best odds on this tailwater. The waxing crescent moon provides low ambient light that can extend late-evening feeding windows when generation cooperates.
Hiwassee and Caney Fork carry summer trout as TVA generation rhythm takes over
With mid-June heat settling over East Tennessee and USGS gauge 03565000 returning no flow data at press time, anglers targeting the Hiwassee and Caney Fork tailwaters are navigating conditions the old-fashioned way: checking TVA's generation schedule before leaving the driveway. No region-specific catch reports surfaced in this week's fishing feeds, but national fly-fishing coverage offers technique guidance directly applicable to these waters. MidCurrent's tying roundup highlights midge-style patterns that "excel in the clear, pressured water of stillwaters and tailraces," and Gink and Gasoline's recent piece on picky tailwater brown trout underscores the value of small, drag-free nymph presentations over flash and movement. On both rivers, rainbow and brown trout hold through summer heat when TVA discharge keeps water cool. Generation windows dictate the day. Fish the seams when flows are up and switch to finesse presentations during lull periods.
Catskill trout in low-water mode: pools, fine tippets, and first light
USGS gauge 01415000 is reading just 8.94 cfs as of this morning, a thin-water signal for Catskill trout streams in that drainage. Gauge 01413500 offers considerably more volume at 53.4 cfs, making it the better prospect for wading anglers this week. Neither gauge reported water temperatures today. Direct shop or charter intel from the Adirondack and Catskill corridor is absent from this week's regional feeds, so the story is the gauges themselves: low, clear flows push trout tight into deeper pools and undercut banks, where they become significantly harder to approach. MidCurrent's current tying coverage spotlights surface-film patterns, including CDC Spent Spinners and high-riding attractor drys, well-suited to the evening hatch windows this region produces in June. Hatch Magazine's recent feature on low-water trout tactics reinforces the approach: drop to 5X or finer fluorocarbon, lengthen leaders to 12 feet or more, and commit to the low-light bookends of the day.