Fishing reports
19272 reports across all 50 states — current conditions and what's biting.
Gulf of Alaska halibut and salmon in prime June window
Alaska Sea Grant's 2026 research award announcement underscores sustained investment in Gulf of Alaska marine resources, but no on-the-water charter or angler reports reached this feed for the region this cycle. Based on typical mid-June patterns, Pacific halibut fishing is at or near seasonal peak across GOA grounds, with anglers historically finding success working heavy jigs and large circle-hook bottom rigs near structure. Chinook (king) salmon opportunities vary by drainage and active sport openers, while sockeye (red) salmon begin building toward a midsummer surge in bay and nearshore systems. Lingcod and Pacific rockfish round out the typical deepwater menu. No NOAA buoy readings are available this cycle, so specific on-ground conditions remain uncertain. A waxing crescent moon this week brings moderate tidal exchanges. Check local forecasts and contact a licensed charter operator before heading out, and verify current retention rules with state fisheries management.
Lake Michigan Salmon Season Peaks as Door County Launches Reopen
The WI DNR Lake Michigan Fishing Report confirmed standout 2024 harvests: over 210,000 coho salmon (a new record) and more than 160,000 Chinook (best since 2012), both driven by strong alewife classes that boosted stocked-fish survival across the lake. That forage base bodes well for the 2026 season now in full swing. The Rowley's Bay boat launch in Door County completed its improvements and reopened after May 31, restoring access to northern Door County's prime offshore salmon grounds heading into the heart of summer. Mid-June is typically one of the strongest trolling windows on this stretch of Lake Michigan, with Chinook and coho holding at productive depths as surface temperatures climb. Smallmouth bass are also active, with Tactical Bassin documenting trophy-class Great Lakes fish coming on swimbait presentations including the Dark Sleeper and Spark Shad in wind-blown big-water conditions. No current buoy readings are available; check local marina reports before launching.
Bitterroot running high as stonefly season peaks on western Montana waters
The Flathead River at 18,300 cfs and 59°F as of early June 17 (USGS gauge 12372000) reflects peak snowmelt season across western Montana — flows are high, but water temps are in the productive upper-50s range where trout feed actively. No specific charter, shop, or state-agency reports appeared in this week's intel feed for the Flathead Lake and Bitterroot corridor, so conditions below draw on gauge data and regional seasonal patterns. The high-water pulse pushes fish off exposed gravel bars and mid-channel riffles and into slower margins: cut banks, back eddies, tributary mouths, and side channels. Wading the main Bitterroot stem is typically unsafe at peak runoff; a drift boat or pontoon makes the most of current seams and brushy shoreline lies. Flathead Lake kokanee are typically accessible in open water by mid-June, and the lake's mackinaw are in a classic early-summer transition toward deeper structure.
Kennebec & Penobscot bass and landlocked salmon ease into summer rhythm
USGS gauge 01046500 logged 2,260 cfs in the Kennebec basin early this morning, signaling that spring-runoff levels are settling toward early-summer norms. No direct on-water reports from area captains or tackle shops came through this cycle, so conditions here draw on gauge data, regional seasonal patterns, and national fishing media. Smallmouth bass should be transitioning out of the post-spawn recovery phase this week, moving from their spawning shallows onto current seams, rocky points, and mid-river structure. Tactical Bassin has been highlighting this transition as the prime early-summer setup for river smallmouth. On The Water noted Massachusetts' commercial striped bass season opened June 16, reinforcing that the broader New England region is firmly in early-summer mode. Landlocked salmon are likely pushing to cooler, deeper water as surface temperatures creep upward. A Waxing Crescent moon favors feeding windows concentrated at first and last light.
Smokies Trout Seek Cool Pockets as Summer Heat Tightens the Window
Water at USGS gauge 03512000 registered 66°F and 194 cfs on the morning of June 17 — moderate flow but a temperature sitting squarely at the upper boundary of trout comfort. No regional charter or tackle-shop intel was available this cycle, but Hatch Magazine's summer trout guide makes the seasonal reality clear: when stream temps approach this threshold, fish hug shaded runs, cold spring seeps, and feeder-stream mouths where groundwater keeps things cooler. Time of day matters enormously. Rainbows and browns will feed most actively in the predawn and early morning window before solar gain pushes surface temperatures up; by midday, expect fish to sulk in the deepest, coolest slots. Native brook trout — most thermally sensitive of the three resident species — will have retreated to higher-elevation headwaters. Nymphing deep with small bead-head patterns, per guidance from Gink and Gasoline (fly), should out-produce dry-fly fishing during the warmest midday hours.
Finger Lakes smallmouth enter summer mode as post-spawn windows open
Water temperature logged at 62°F at USGS gauge 04232050 on June 17, signaling a clear early-summer transition across Cayuga, Seneca, and Skaneateles. Smallmouth bass have likely wrapped up spawning at this temperature and are beginning to stage on mid-lake hard-bottom structure, points, and emerging weed edges. Tactical Bassin reports Great Lakes smallmouth responding well to swimbait presentations on open water this time of year, with finesse swimbaits drawing consistent bites in choppy conditions. On The Water's post-spawn bass breakdown advises leaning on finesse baits — drop shots, shaky heads, and tubes — for fish still recovering from spawn stress. Inflow is running low at 20.9 cfs (USGS gauge 04232050), keeping tributary mouths clear and lake visibility favorable. Lake trout, a signature species of the deep Finger Lakes basins, are likely retreating to thermocline depths as surface temps push toward the mid-60s. Direct local charter or tackle-shop intel for these lakes was limited this cycle — treat species assessments as season-typical estimates and verify locally before heading out.
Summer generation windows become key on White River's Bull Shoals and Norfork
Water at USGS gauge 07060710 is reading 72°F on a flow of just 13.2 cfs as of mid-June — a combination that signals the classic early-summer tailwater pattern on Arkansas's White River system below Bull Shoals and Norfork dams. At 72°F, trout gravitate toward the deepest, coldest holding lies, typically the first few miles of tailwater directly below each dam where cold-water dam releases provide thermal refuge. None of this week's angler-intel feeds included direct on-water reports from White River guides or local shops, so specific bite details are grounded in conditions data and general tailwater pattern knowledge. Hatch Magazine's recent piece on fishing through drought and warm-water conditions is instructive: go early, fish deep, and plan around generation windows when cold water pushes downstream and activates trout. Check Army Corps generation hotlines and USGS flow data before launching.
Alabama Rivers: Catfish Move Shallow and Bass Dial In Summer Patterns
The Coosa River is running at 8,100 cfs per USGS gauge 02339500 as of June 17, a moderate mid-summer flow that keeps current seams and eddies productive for ambush predators. No water temperature reading is available from the gauge this cycle. The most direct Alabama bass signal in this week's intel comes from MLF News, where Banks Shaw won the Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit event on Lake Eufaula fishing a shad spawn and offshore brush pile pattern, building his bag on a Z-Man ChatterBait JackHammer and Rapala CrushCity swimbait. While Eufaula sits on a different drainage than the Tennessee and Coosa systems, the mid-June shad spawn dynamic is broadly applicable across Alabama's freshwater reservoirs. On the catfish front, Wired 2 Fish reports that big flatheads and channel cats have moved into the shallows during their spawn, temporarily vacating the deep-water bottom bite. It is a brief window that rewards anglers probing rocky banks and submerged timber in shallow water.
Lake Eufaula bass locked on shad spawn and offshore brush heading into summer
Banks Shaw's win at the MLF Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit Stop 5 on Lake Eufaula offers the sharpest read on current Oklahoma freshwater conditions: largemouth are keyed on the shad spawn and holding to offshore brush, with a Z-Man ChatterBait JackHammer Baby Jack in golden shiner and a Rapala CrushCity Freeloader on a swimbait jighead earning top honors, per MLF News. That shad-spawn pattern signals a peak mid-June feeding window before bass transition fully to deeper summer structure. USGS gauge 07331600 is logging 1,900 cfs, a steady flow that should not displace fish from established spots. Catfish are in or approaching spawn conditions across both Texoma and Eufaula; Wired 2 Fish notes that big cats push shallow during this period and move off their typical bottom haunts, making rocky coves and woody cover the primary target. The waxing crescent moon sets up favorable low-light windows at dawn and dusk.
Catfish Spawn Peaks and White Bass Stack Cove Mouths on Kansas Waters
Water temps have climbed to 78°F at USGS gauge 06892350, pushing Kansas and Arkansas River fishing firmly into early-summer mode. The sharpest pattern of the week comes from Wired 2 Fish, which documented white bass — locals call them 'stripes' — abandoning open-water haunts on Marion Reservoir in the Kansas Flint Hills before stacking tight at the mouth of a single cove. That cove-mouth pivot is worth replicating on any Kansas impoundment right now. On the catfish front, Wired 2 Fish also covers spawn-phase behavior: big fish are pushed into the shallows and the dependable bottom bite has largely shut down. Anglers who adapt to shallow timber and rock structure are connecting with some of the largest fish of the year. River flow is elevated at 19,400 cfs, concentrating current-averse species along slack-water seams, eddies, and the downstream sides of wing dams and bridge pilings.
Lake Eufaula bass firing on shad spawn and offshore brush
Banks Shaw's victory at Stop 5 of the Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit on Lake Eufaula — reported by MLF News — is the clearest on-water signal available this week: Eufaula's largemouth are locked into two productive zones simultaneously. Shaw built his winning weight by targeting the shad spawn on shallow banks and following fish to offshore brush, leaning on a Z-Man ChatterBait JackHammer Baby Jack in golden shiner and a Rapala CrushCity Freeloader swimbait. The dual shallow-deep pattern suggests bass haven't fully committed to summer structure yet, leaving multiple entry points for weekend anglers. Nearby on Oklahoma river systems, MLF News tournament coverage of the Arkansas River confirms spinnerbaits, frogs, and swim jigs are still moving fish. Over on the Red River, USGS gauge 07247500 is logging 477 cfs — a moderate, stable flow that keeps channel catfish positioned in deeper bends and scour holes rather than scattered by heavy current.
Western Basin walleye head deeper as summer temps arrive
Water readings from USGS gauge 04193500 on the Maumee River show 71°F and 1,870 cfs as of this morning, warm enough to push post-spawn walleye off the shallows and onto deeper mid-lake structure across the Western Basin. No charter or shop reports are available in this update cycle, limiting the on-the-water picture. Fishing the Midwest notes that weedlines are productive walleye holding zones through early summer, a pattern that applies broadly here as temps climb past the comfortable feeding range. The Waxing Crescent moon sets up productive low-light windows at dawn and dusk, the most reliable walleye feeding periods in June. Maumee flows at 1,870 cfs are moderate, suggesting manageable clarity at the river mouth near Maumee Bay. Anglers should shift focus from near-shore spring staging areas to mid-basin structure and transition-depth zones as summer patterns take hold.
Idaho's Snake River heats up for smallmouth as spring Chinook fade
The USGS gauge 13340000 logged 9,360 cfs and 63°F on the evening of June 16, readings that tell a familiar early-summer story on the Snake and Salmon systems: snowmelt is fading, flows are dropping from peak, and water temperatures are climbing toward the threshold that stresses cold-water species. Outdoor Hub's coverage of a regional Pacific Northwest drought advisory flags record-low snowpack this spring across drainages that feed directly into Idaho's river systems, pushing temperatures higher and earlier than the long-term mid-June average. The spring Chinook run is winding down under these conditions, with fish seeking cold-water refugia in deep pools and tributary mouths. Meanwhile, the warm-up is a green light for smallmouth bass on the lower Snake, where rocky structure in the 60-65°F band drives aggressive feeding. Trout anglers should shift to first-light and evening sessions, concentrating on shaded canyon runs and coldwater seams. Check Idaho Fish and Game regulations for any Chinook thermal emergency closures before targeting salmon this week.
Ozark Spring-Fed Trout Parks Enter Prime Early-Morning Window
USGS gauge 07067000 on the Current River registered 1,730 cfs on the morning of June 17, reflecting a moderate, wadeable flow through the park sections. No water temperature was recorded at the gauge, but Missouri's limestone-spring parks characteristically maintain low-to-mid 60s°F through midsummer. No direct shop or guide reports from the Current or Niangua corridors surfaced in this cycle's feeds. Hatch Magazine's summer trout primer flags rising air temperatures as a meaningful stressor in trout systems lacking cold-water inputs, a concern that applies less acutely here, where constant spring discharge buffers the heat. With that cold-water advantage in place, fish are nonetheless shifting into a summer pattern: rainbows and browns push toward spring seeps and deeper shaded pools by mid-morning, then become more willing again in the final hour before dark. Early starts and evening sessions are where the odds sit best right now.
Truckee trout entering prime summer window as Sierra runoff settles
USGS gauge 10311000 logged the Truckee River at 92.6 cfs on the evening of June 16 — a moderate, wading-friendly flow that marks a clean break from spring runoff. No water temperature reading was available from the gauge, but mid-June on the Sierra drainage typically sees river temps climbing toward the upper 50s as snowmelt tapers off. None of this week's angler-intel feeds carried direct Truckee or Lake Tahoe reports, so conditions here are grounded in gauge data and regional seasonal patterns. The broader western picture carries cautionary notes: Outdoor Hub reports that Oregon fish and wildlife managers are urging anglers to fish early and target cooler stretches due to record-low snowpack and drought-driven low water — a pressure pattern Hatch Magazine echoes across Colorado's Front Range. Nevada's Sierra watershed sits in a similar climate zone; expect comparable early-morning timing windows and a preference for shaded, oxygenated runs as June deepens into summer.
Striper Window Opens in Delaware Bay Before Summer Slot Season
OTW Saltwater's June 16 striper migration report puts summer baitfish patterns at the top of the Delaware Bay playbook, with the mid-Atlantic corridor now holding 30-pound-plus bass that reward heavier terminal tackle. For local anglers, that timing lands alongside a regulatory note: Delaware Surf Fishing has documented DNREC's summer slot size limit at 20-24 inches with a July 1 start in prior seasons, so confirm current 2026 rules with DNREC before harvesting. Saltwater Edge Blog notes that cool water temperatures have held stripers active well into mid-June in the Northeast, conditions that historically track south into Delaware Bay. No NOAA buoy readings were available for this cycle; confirm current bay temperatures locally before launching. With a waxing crescent moon building tidal energy through the weekend, outgoing tides at dawn along channel edges and rip lines are the primary targeting window right now.
NH Gulf of Maine Stripers Running Strong into the June New Moon Window
OTW Saltwater's June 16 striper migration report flags strong baitfish activity and 30-pound-plus bass in the mix throughout New England, conditions that translate directly to the NH coast. Massachusetts opened its commercial striped bass season on June 16, per On The Water, reflecting the solid showing of fish across the region. Saltwater Edge Blog, reporting from Rhode Island this week, notes that cool water temperatures are holding through June, keeping striper fishing "fantastic" with no signs of slowing. The Gulf of Maine typically runs cooler than southern New England, which should amplify those same favorable dynamics along the NH shoreline. Post-spawn bass have had time to recover and are feeding actively. On The Water's coverage of post-spawn tactics notes a shift toward finesse presentations as summer sets in. With a waxing crescent moon building toward first quarter, tidal movement is strengthening daily; plan sessions around peak current windows at structure-rich spots along the coast.
White Seabass Showing Off Gaviota as Pelagic Season Builds Offshore
A kayak angler scored a tanker white seabass off Gaviota this week, with Western Outdoor News — Saltwater reporting that Long Liu launched through 5-foot surf before dropping live bait straight to the bottom near Santa Barbara, and was rewarded roughly 90 minutes later with a fish he initially mistook for halibut. That single hookup is the sharpest piece of Central Coast angler intel in this reporting cycle; no NOAA buoy data is available, leaving water temperature unconfirmed. Mid-June typically marks the heart of the white seabass window as baitfish concentrate near kelp edges and rocky structure. Further south, Western Outdoor News — Saltwater documents a lively bite around San Diego: bluefin tuna, opah, and homeguard yellowtail all productive on recent multi-day offshore trips. That warm-water push typically extends north through the summer, giving Central Coast anglers strong reason to work kelp zones and nearshore structure closely in coming days.
Homeguard yellowtail and offshore bluefin firing as summer swell builds
A 45-plus-pound homeguard yellowtail pulled from Crystal Pier in Pacific Beach made waves this week — per Western Outdoor News — Saltwater, shore-pounder Brandon Dawson landed the fish from the pier, a result that qualifies as a local fish-of-a-lifetime by nearly any measure. Offshore, the same source reports the fleet is back on bluefin tuna, with a 1.5-day run west of Point Loma producing 16 bluefin plus a rare triple hookup on opah; night jigging is currently offering the better bite on larger fish. A kayak angler also landed a white seabass off Gaviota after punching through five-foot surf to make bait. The drag on conditions is the beach: Surf Fishing in So Cal reports a significant south-southwest swell building since late May that has made surf fishing difficult and kept beach anglers in a holding pattern heading into mid-June.
Oregon Coast Enters Summer Mode: Chinook, Halibut, and Rockfish in Play
IFish.net forum posts this week place Oregon coast anglers on the Wilson River and local tidal access areas, though no specific bite reports reached our feeds this cycle; no buoy readings or environmental measurements were available either. Based on typical mid-June patterns for the Oregon Coast, offshore Chinook salmon is the headline saltwater target right now, with trolling in the 20-to-50-fathom zone the standard approach. Pacific halibut is typically near peak accessibility this time of year, with fish distributed across sandy shelf bottom from nearshore to mid-shelf. Nearshore rockfish and lingcod offer consistent action from jetties and charter boats throughout the summer. The waxing crescent moon this week supports moderate tidal swings and daytime feeding windows on most species. With no confirmed bite intel available, conditions appear on a typical mid-June track. Verify locally before launching.
Northwoods early summer bite turns on for walleye, crappie, and musky
Rollie & Helen's Musky Shop out of Minocqua reports the Northwoods bite has come alive, with air temperatures climbing into the 80s and water temperatures rising into productive early-summer territory. Crappies and panfish have pushed shallow and are producing excellent action on worms, Beavertails, and nightcrawlers, per the shop's early June report. Muskies are shaking off post-spawn lethargy and chasing bucktails and downsized rubber baits. Walleye fall under the shop's broad "most species quite active" assessment, pointing to fish that have recovered from spawn and are settling into summer feeding lanes. Fishing the Midwest notes that weedline edges are a high-percentage approach for walleye during this early-summer window. USGS gauge 05400650 returned no readings this cycle, so water temperature is unconfirmed by instrument, but the seasonal picture from Minocqua-area reports suggests conditions are tracking on a typical early-June schedule across the Northwoods.
Last Call for Sea Bass Limits as Fluke and Blues Fill Raritan Bay
Sea bass action on Raritan Bay's nearshore reefs has been delivering steady results heading into mid-June, with Northern NJ party boats logging multiple limit-catch trips. The Fisherman — Northern NJ reports the Big Mohawk III out of Atlantic Highlands notched five limit-catch trips in a single week, while Capt. Nick Caruso aboard the Ol' Salty II found jig-eel combos to be the top producers. Captains are flagging that the more generous bag limit is only days from reverting to one fish, making this the prime window to load the cooler. Summer species are arriving in force: The Fisherman — NJ/DE Surf reports fluke sunning themselves tight to the beach on killies and Gulp out of Hazlet, spot and croaker moving into Raritan Bay on Fishbites, and cocktail bluefish running near Leonardo and Laurence Harbor. OTW Northern New Jersey's June 11 dispatch confirms stripers still taking clams in the surf. With coastal water temps climbing into the 65-67°F range per The Fisherman — NJ/DE Surf, the spring-to-summer transition is fully underway.
Flounder Surge and Black Drum Lead Delaware Bay as Summer Pattern Takes Hold
With surf temperatures climbing into the 65-to-67-degree range per The Fisherman — NJ/DE Surf, the Delaware Bay (NJ side) is shifting firmly into summer mode mid-June. Flounder has emerged as the marquee bite across Southern NJ bays, with Riptide Bait and Tackle reporting improving keeper ratios and some boaters limiting out on fish to 23 inches on squid and minnow combos. Ray Scott's Dock confirms solid back-bay action along the ICW using live minnows with strip baits, with fish approaching 4 pounds. Waterfront Marine adds that flounder are holding in 10-to-14 feet of water and responding best to the outgoing tide, with spearing, minnows, squid, and bucktails tipped with Gulp grubs all producing. Black drum to 25 pounds remain active along the beachfront, per Riptide Bait and Tackle, taking clam baits. Striped bass have largely transitioned to bycatch status in the back bays, though night anglers near bridges are still connecting on soft plastics. Kingfish and spot are beginning to push into the surf as the summer pattern consolidates.
Sarasota Tarpon Run Peaks as June Schools Build Along the Beach
Capt. Rick Grassett's June 2026 forecast out of CB's Saltwater Outfitters calls tarpon fishing "strong" as schools increase in size and numbers along the Sarasota beachfront. Set up in travel lanes at dawn and work live crabs, baitfish, or DOA Baitbusters to fish moving north and south along the shoreline. With a waxing crescent moon building toward the next new moon, Grassett notes tarpon tend to push offshore to spawn near lunar peaks — expect beach action to intensify over the coming week. Inshore, Capt. Chuck Cress (CB's Saltwater Outfitters) found upper-slot redfish and seatrout working an oyster bar in upper Sarasota Bay last week, with a bluefish mixed in. Shark activity is also running strong: Capt. Brandon Naeve reports bull sharks, blacktips, and lemon sharks are common throughout Sarasota Bay and nearshore Gulf waters from late spring through fall. Meanwhile, Coastal Angler Magazine reports Mote Marine Laboratory is releasing approximately 22,000 juvenile snook into Southwest Florida estuaries this summer, a significant conservation investment for the local fishery.