Fishing reports
19272 reports across all 50 states — current conditions and what's biting.
Lake Erie smallmouth on swimbaits; Ohio River catfish hitting the shallows
Tactical Bassin's recent Great Lakes outing put trophy smallmouth bass in the net during windy Erie conditions, with the Dark Sleeper and Spark Shad swimbaits proving a 'phenomenal 1-2 punch': the Spark Shad drawing bites on the finesse fall, the Dark Sleeper closing out the bigger fish. On the Ohio River, Wired 2 Fish reports that catfish are entering spawn mode for mid-June, with large fish pushing into the shallows and becoming highly targetable for anglers who know where to look, though the reliable bottom bite can soften during the peak spawn window. USGS gauge 03271601 returned no flow or temperature readings at report time, so Ohio River levels should be confirmed locally before launching. No buoy data was available for Lake Erie this cycle. Walleye, the cornerstone of Erie's summer fishery, are in a post-spawn scatter phase; no direct charter or shop intel confirmed specific conditions this week. The waxing crescent moon favors dawn and dusk windows across both systems.
Hill Country lakes hit summer stride: bass go deep, catfish go shallow
Mid-June on the Hill Country highland lakes marks a shift toward summer patterns. The Colorado River is flowing at 339 cfs past Austin (USGS gauge 08158000), indicating moderate dam releases from Lake Travis. Direct lake-level reports for Travis, LBJ, and Buchanan are limited this cycle: TPWD suspended its weekly fishing report series earlier this year while a new format is finalized, per My Canyon Lake Fishing. Nearby Canyon Lake is sitting at 58.6% capacity with multiple boat ramps open and conditions described as ideal for on-the-water recreation. For the highland lakes, Tactical Bassin has been pushing crankbaits as the go-to lure for summer bass, working the full depth column from shallow structure down to the thermocline. Wired 2 Fish notes catfish are in or near their spawn this time of year, moving into shallows where big fish concentrate in surprisingly accessible water. Check local LCRA lake-level data before launching.
Lake of the Woods walleye seek current breaks as Rainy River flows hold strong
USGS gauge 05133500 clocked the Rainy River at 62°F and 16,200 cfs this morning, a substantial flow that typically shuffles walleye off open flats and into current seams, eddies, and structure along the main channel. No direct on-the-water captain or shop reports from Lake of the Woods or the Rainy River corridor surfaced in today's regional intel; the gauge reading is the clearest signal available. At 62°F, water temperature is squarely in walleye's prime feeding window, and post-spawn fish should be actively restoring calories. Fishing the Midwest contributor Bob Jensen writes this week about the value of working weedlines and current breaks to connect with walleye in open-water season, advice that maps well to the Rainy River's mid-June conditions. The waxing crescent moon favors low-light dawn and dusk windows. Northern pike and sauger round out the typical mixed-bag on this system.
Lake Erie Smallmouth and Walleye Shift to Summer Mode Across Western NY
Water temperatures logged at 69°F this morning (USGS gauge 04231600) place Western NY's Lake Erie and Niagara corridor squarely in post-spawn territory, with smallmouth bass leading the active species list. Tactical Bassin's recent Great Lakes smallmouth outing demonstrates what's working now: a swimbait two-punch keyed to conditions. The Spark Shad handles finesse bites along the bottom while the Dark Sleeper closes out bigger fish when the school fires up, and this pairing is producing on windy, wave-driven Lake Erie. Walleye are at the transition point between nearshore spring structure and mid-lake summer holding, with Fishing the Midwest flagging weedline presentations as the critical adjustment for mid-season success. Post-spawn largemouth are in a brief recovery phase; On The Water notes finesse rigs coax reluctant early-summer bass from the shallows. Area tributary flows are running at 1,830 cfs, elevated but fishable for Niagara River channel-edge targeting. A waxing crescent moon supports strong low-light morning and evening bites.
Post-Spawn Bass Fired Up on Toledo Bend and Sam Rayburn
Lake Fork Trophy Bass reported in late May that bass across East Texas have moved to "a number of productive feeding patterns to replenish themselves" as the spawn winds down, signaling prime early-summer conditions that typically translate to Toledo Bend and Sam Rayburn as well. With the annual spawn behind them, largemouth are roaming from shallow flats to deeper structure. Per Lake Fork Trophy Bass, you can "catch big bass fishing just about any way you'd like to from shallow to deep" this time of year. The Sabine River gauge (USGS 08030500) recorded 3,550 cfs as of this morning, indicating moderate, steady inflow into Toledo Bend; no water temperature reading was available from the gauge. On The Water notes that finesse presentations targeting the transition zones where bass go after spawning can cut through the early-summer slump for anglers willing to adapt depth and technique throughout the day.
Black bass opener arrives as Hudson Valley water heats up
Water temps on the Hudson River have climbed to 73°F (USGS gauge 01357500, June 17), and NY DEC's Fishing Line reported in its June 12 issue that 'the fish bite is picking up with the warmer summer weather arriving just in time' for the black bass season opener — which falls in the final days of June for most NY waters. Post-spawn bass are finishing recovery and transitioning into early-summer feeding patterns. On The Water's current coverage of post-spawn bass tactics highlights finesse presentations on transitional structure, a technique well-suited to the rocky flats and weed edges of Finger Lakes bays. Musky season is available on Finger Lakes waters following the June opener noted by NY DEC in its May 22 newsletter. Trout anglers should expect a tough mid-day bite — 73°F surface temps push browns and rainbows deep or into cooler inlet flows. The Hudson is running a manageable 1,970 cfs at Green Island, with the downstream gauge (USGS 01358000) logging 5,270 cfs — both within normal boat-access range.
Chickamauga and Watts Bar bass settle into summer pattern as catfish spawn
USGS gauge 03578500 logged 37.9 cfs on the morning of June 17, pointing to low tributary inflow and stable, warming pool conditions across the Tennessee River chain. Water temperature data was unavailable from gauges, so check TVA lake info before heading out. Mid-June puts largemouth and smallmouth bass firmly in a post-spawn recovery and transition phase. On The Water's recent post-spawn analysis highlights finesse presentations, including drop shots, shaky heads, and small swimbaits, as the go-to approach when bass are lethargic between bedding and their summer offshore push. Tactical Bassin reinforces the crankbait angle, noting that shallow-to-deep crankbait sequences are highly effective in early summer as bass shift from spawning flats toward channel edges and submerged structure. Catfish are also worth targeting: Wired 2 Fish details how big flatheads and channel cats move into rocky shallows during the spawn, creating a reliable shallow-bank bite right now. The waxing crescent moon sets up productive low-light morning windows through the week.
Wyoming's canyon trout rivers approach the summer dry-fly window
USGS gauge 06259000 returned no live readings at report time, leaving exact flows and water temperatures for the Wind River and North Platte drainages unconfirmed. The wider Rocky Mountain West picture carries a relevant caution: Hatch Magazine's trout drought guide documents the low, warming-water stress pattern that pushes fish out of riffles and into deep, shaded lies, a scenario worth monitoring if Wyoming's snowpack has run below average this season. No regional charter or shop reports from this drainage appeared in this week's feed, so the current picture leans on seasonal pattern rather than fresh on-the-ground intel. Mid-June on the Wind River and North Platte typically marks the close of the heavy-runoff window: water should be beginning to clear and drop, morning caddis emergences picking up, and golden stonefly activity winding down on higher-gradient runs. Fish early to beat afternoon warming and probe the deeper seams near structure until conditions stabilize.
Lake Cumberland bass primed for tournament week as tailwater dips to summer lows
USGS gauge 03413200 shows the Cumberland River tailwater at just 6.86 cfs this morning, sitting near non-generation levels and producing clear, slow-moving water that concentrates trout in the deepest available runs below Wolf Creek Dam. The biggest regional news comes from MLF News: the 17th Annual High School Fishing National Championship and World Finals arrives at Lake Cumberland in Russell Springs the week of June 24-26, drawing teams from nearly every U.S. state and signaling that the main-lake bass fishery is well worth the trip. Mid-June puts Kentucky bass anglers squarely in the post-spawn transition; On The Water notes that this is the season for finesse baits as fish settle off beds into summer staging areas. Catfish anglers also have an opening. Wired 2 Fish highlights that big fish are pushing into the shallows during the spawn right now, a pattern worth working before the heat fully sets in. No water temperature reading was available at time of report.
Steelhead sprint winds down on the North Shore; summer bite takes shape
A 30-inch, 10-pound rainbow trout broke a Minnesota state record on the Stewart River this May 10 — documented by Wired 2 Fish — crystallizing how strong the spring steelhead run was on Lake Superior's North Shore. Six weeks on, that spawn is winding down. North Shore tributaries are reading lean: USGS gauge 04015330 logged 6.96 cfs on the morning of June 17, pointing to low, clear conditions typical of early summer. Water temperature is unavailable at this gauge. With steelhead activity tapering — lake-run rainbows are catch-and-release only on North Shore rivers per state regulation, as Wired 2 Fish's reporting confirms — angler attention is shifting to lake trout in the cold nearshore waters of Lake Superior and smallmouth bass beginning to work the rocky shoreline structure. Resident stream trout round out the early-summer picture for those willing to target the lower tributary flows.
Oregon drought forces early-morning game on Deschutes and Klamath
Outdoor Hub reports that Oregon's Department of Fish and Wildlife is urging anglers to fish smart, fish early, and know where the fish are — a direct response to record-low snowpack and drought conditions ranging from moderate to extreme across most of the state. For the Deschutes and Upper Klamath, that translates to low, warm water at exactly the point in the season when trout need cold refugia most. No flow or temperature data were available from USGS gauge 14070500 at report time. Outdoor Hub describes this as one of Oregon's toughest fishing summers in years, with the drought-driven heat-and-low-water combination stressing salmon and trout statewide. Hatch Magazine's drought guide for trout anglers underscores the approach: fish concentrate in deeper, shaded holding lies when flows shrink, and quick wet-hand releases become essential. The window of fishable conditions is narrowing to pre-dawn through mid-morning; plan accordingly.
Missouri River cats hit the shallows as Black Hills streams enter summer mode
Channel catfish are moving into the shallows along the Missouri River right now. Wired 2 Fish reports this week that during the spawn, big fish shift from their typical deep holding structure and hunt bank edges and flooded brush, making shoreline presentations more productive than bottom-fishing the holes. USGS gauge 06440200 logged 0 cfs on the morning of June 17, an anomalous reading worth verifying before planning a wade or float trip; the Missouri main stem is regulated by upstream dam releases and actual flows likely differ from this isolated reading. No region-specific shop or charter reports appeared in this week's feeds, so we're leaning on seasonal context and national angler coverage to fill in the picture. Fishing the Midwest's Bob Jensen recommends working weedlines for walleye and bass through June, while Hatch Magazine's guide to drought fishing offers timely tactics for Black Hills trout streams entering the summer warmth window.
Blue catfish limits on fire at Eagle Mountain Lake as June peaks
At 80°F on USGS gauge 08211200, Texas river temps are firmly in summer territory, and the catfish couldn't be happier. North Texas Catfish Guide reports Eagle Mountain Lake near Fort Worth is producing limits of blue catfish on virtually every guided trip, including multiple fish over 30 pounds in recent weeks. The guide ties the hot bite to a nearly full lake with active fresh-water inflows: fresh water coming into the system plus rising pool levels equals actively feeding fish. Channel catfish are biting hard alongside the blues, with white bass also showing up on the main lake. For South Texas anglers, Lone Star Outdoor News flags Rio Grande cichlids as a worthwhile summer alternative now that trout season is winding down. Wired 2 Fish notes that early summer marks a key transition as catfish finish spawning and big fish begin moving back from shallow staging areas to deeper feeding zones, a pattern worth factoring into anchor spot selection this weekend.
Channel cats move shallow as Red River reaches summer temps
At 68°F and 1,390 cfs per USGS gauge 05054000 this morning, the Red River is solidly in summer mode. That water temperature puts channel catfish squarely in their spawn window. Wired 2 Fish reports that during the catfish spawn, big fish abandon reliable bottom structure and move into shallower current margins, rewarding anglers willing to follow them rather than wait out the season. Walleye are the other signature target for this system: with temps above 65°F, they'll hold tightest to deeper wing dams and current seams, with the productive window compressing to low-light bookends at dawn and dusk. Fishing the Midwest underscores the summer-river advantage, noting larger rivers concentrate fish at predictable structure even as temperatures climb. Flow at 1,390 cfs is moderate and fishable throughout. Northern pike activity typically softens through the June warm-up. Plan Missouri River runs around the coolest parts of the day for the most consistent action.
Champlain Smallmouth Enter Post-Spawn Summer Mode as Landlocked Salmon Seek the Deep
A 68°F water reading from USGS gauge 04294500 on June 17 confirms Lake Champlain is firmly in early-summer territory, warm enough that most smallmouth have completed their spawn and are shifting from rocky shallows into mid-depth structure and weed edges. On The Water's recent post-spawn bass breakdown notes that bass become scattered and finicky in the immediate post-spawn window, responding best to slower, finesse-oriented presentations over bottom transitions. Tactical Bassin's Great Lakes smallmouth coverage highlights swimbaits, both power and finesse profiles, as effective tools when fish move to open structure in warmer early-summer conditions. Landlocked salmon, which prefer the 50 to 60°F range, are almost certainly pushed into the thermocline or deep cold-water channels as surface temps climb. No charter or shop reports from Lake Champlain are available in this cycle; the picture here is drawn from temperature data and general seasonal patterns corroborated by regional sources.
Flaming Gorge tailwater trout on the bite as June hatches ramp up
The USGS gauge 09234500 recorded 1,810 cfs and 55°F on the Green River below Flaming Gorge Dam as of early June 17, placing this regulated tailwater squarely in the heart of its summer prime. At 55°F, both rainbow and brown trout are feeding actively, with morning nymph sessions and afternoon dry fly windows both worth targeting. No regional shop or charter reports were available in this update's intel feeds, but MidCurrent's tying coverage notes that midge-style patterns "excel in the clear, pressured water of stillwaters and tailraces," a direct reminder that this fishery rewards precise, small-fly presentations. Hatch Magazine flags drought and elevated temperatures as a broader Mountain West concern heading into summer, though the Green River's dam-controlled releases largely buffer those stressors. With a waxing crescent moon favoring early feeding windows and flows in a moderate, wadeable range, this is a strong window to be on the water.
Green River trout in prime form as June temps hold below Flaming Gorge
USGS gauge 09234500 measured the Green River at 55°F and 1,810 cfs at dawn on June 17, a temperature range squarely in the trout comfort zone even as elevated June flows push fish toward slower current seams and protected pockets. No local shop or charter reports came through this cycle for the Green River corridor or the Uinta high-country lakes, so conditions are drawn from gauge data and seasonal context. MidCurrent's recent Tying Tuesday roundup highlights midge-style nymphs built for clear, pressured water of stillwaters and tailraces, a description that fits the technical sections of this tailwater below the dam. Hatch Magazine's coverage of Front Range tailwaters notes that dam-regulated rivers hold temperature stability significantly better than free-flowing streams, keeping the trout bite consistent well into mid-June even as surrounding dryland streams begin to warm past trout-comfort thresholds. Waxing crescent moon phase this week favors low-light sessions at dawn and dusk on both river and high-country lakes.
Missouri River catfish in prime spawn mode as June flows run high
At 76°F and 220,000 cfs as of June 17 (USGS gauge 06934500), the Missouri River is running warm and elevated — conditions that place the catfish spawn squarely at or near peak. Wired 2 Fish covered the spawn pattern this week, noting that big fish "move up into the shallows" during this window and can be targeted deliberately rather than waiting out the lull. Waxing crescent moon and long summer evenings favor night and dawn runs for channel and flathead catfish on shallow flats and woody cover. Fishing the Midwest confirms that "rivers can provide some outstanding fishing action throughout the summer," making the Missouri and Ozark tributaries worth a close look right now. High flow conditions push bass out of main-channel current and into slack-water backwaters and eddies, where summer-focused presentations have the best shot at connecting.
Catfish spawn peaks and post-spawn bass regroup at Lake of the Ozarks
Water temperatures have climbed to 76°F (USGS gauge 06934500, June 17), placing Lake of the Ozarks squarely in prime catfish spawn territory. Wired 2 Fish reports this week that big catfish abandon their typical bottom patterns during the spawn, pushing shallow to protect nests; anglers targeting timber, laydowns, and shallow coves will find them far more accessible than usual. For bass, On The Water's early-summer post-spawn breakdown notes that largemouth stage off deeper structure after recovering from the spawn, responding best to finesse rigs and slower presentations. Tactical Bassin backs this with swing-head jigs and crankbaits as standout options for bass holding on offshore ledges and humps. The regional gauge is running at 220,000 cfs, signaling elevated flows across the watershed; the Osage River below Bagnell Dam will run off-color and swift under these conditions, making the lake's main-lake structure and protected coves the more reliable targets through the near term.
Wisconsin River walleye work weedlines while Lake Superior smallmouth fire up
The Wisconsin River is running at 904 cfs as of June 17 (USGS gauge 05391000), a moderate summer flow keeping conditions fishable across the corridor. Wisconsin's general inland season, which opened May 2 per WI DNR Wisconsin Fishing News, is now six weeks in, and early-summer patterns are fully establishing themselves. Fishing the Midwest notes weedline fishing is the productive play right now for walleye and mixed bags; as aquatic vegetation fills in along flats and drop-offs, predators stage along those edges through the warmest months. Over on Lake Superior, Tactical Bassin recently ran an outing specifically targeting Great Lakes smallmouth on a windy day, finding the Dark Sleeper and Spark Shad a productive one-two swimbait punch that produced multiple trophy-class fish. WI DNR Lake Superior Fishing continues to highlight Chequamegon Bay's growing lake whitefish fishery, which has drawn increasing boat-angling interest in recent seasons. With the waxing crescent moon this week, low-light windows at dawn and dusk should concentrate feeding activity across both systems.
BWCA and Iron Range Walleye Keying on Summer Weedlines
USGS gauge 05129115 logged a flow of 405 cfs as of this morning, offering a mid-June baseline for northeastern Minnesota river systems. Direct on-water reports from the Boundary Waters and Iron Range are thin this week, but Fishing the Midwest's Bob Jensen notes the 2026 open-water season is fully underway across the upper Midwest, and his weedline breakdown points to the pattern that should dominate Iron Range lake chains right now: post-spawn walleye pushing off shallow flats and onto the first firm weed edges. Northern pike are staging opportunistically along reed and cabbage beds through the morning hours before retreating to deeper adjacent structure. Lake trout in the deeper BWCA basin lakes are trending toward the thermocline as surface temperatures build through June. The waxing crescent moon keeps nights fairly dark this week, extending low-light feeding windows at dawn and dusk. Water temperatures were unavailable for this report; verify conditions locally before launching.
Bass and catfish shift to summer patterns on Potomac and Patapsco
USGS gauge 01589000 on the Patapsco logged 49.3 cfs this morning — low, clear conditions that typify the river's shift into summer fishing. No Chesapeake-region tackle shops or charter captains surfaced this week with targeted Potomac or Patapsco reports, but Wired 2 Fish notes that catfish are actively moving into the shallows to spawn on mid-Atlantic river systems right now, with typically reliable bottom bites going quiet as big fish stage near woody cover. For bass, Tactical Bassin's early-summer breakdown points to swing-head jigs and crankbaits as primary producers once post-spawn fish reorient off the beds and begin feeding along structure. With flows running at low-summer levels and no temperature reading from the gauge, expect warm, clear water through the week — a condition that strongly favors early morning and late evening sessions over midday heat. The waxing crescent moon is a building-bite phase.
Early-summer bass patterns taking shape on Champlain and the Connecticut River
USGS gauge 01135300 on Vermont's Wells River registered 38.1 cfs this morning, a low and clear reading that reflects conditions across much of the Connecticut River corridor heading into summer. On The Water's post-spawn breakdown is timely: smallmouth and largemouth come off beds seeking shade, cooler water, and easy forage, making finesse presentations the clear pick over aggressive reaction baits through mid-June. On Lake Champlain, Fishing the Midwest points to weedline edges as the summer holding zone; target the first healthy green line in 6–12 feet where bass and walleye stack before the day warms. Tactical Bassin backs crankbaits and swing-head jigs as twin workhorses for this transition window, both translating well to Champlain's rocky shoals and the Connecticut's deeper pools. With no water temperature reading available and a waxing crescent moon brightening overnight periods, lean into early-morning windows before fish retreat to deeper structure.
Post-spawn bass and catfish heat up at Mosquito and Pymatuning
Wired 2 Fish reports the catfish spawn is in full swing this week, with big fish pushed into predictable shallow zones. On Mosquito Lake and Pymatuning Reservoir, that means one of the most findable bites of the year on two impoundments loaded with catfish habitat: submerged timber, broad flats, and undercut bank structure. The USGS gauge on the Mahoning River (site 03110000) reads 59.5 cfs as of this morning, a moderate, stable flow indicating steady reservoir levels and no recent turbidity events. Water temperature is not available from the gauge, but mid-June surface temps on northeast Ohio reservoirs typically sit in the low-to-mid 70s. Bass are simultaneously in their post-spawn transition, with fish dropping off beds and relocating to the first available structure and weed cover. Tactical Bassin's current summer bass breakdown points to crankbaits and swing-head jigs for covering weedline edges, while On The Water's post-spawn guide favors finesse presentations for fish that are still adjusting after the spawn.