Fishing reports
19272 reports across all 50 states — current conditions and what's biting.
Delta running high as stripers and bass seek calmer back-channel water
USGS gauge 11455420 logged 77,800 cfs on the Sacramento River on June 16, well above typical early-summer levels, pushing turbid, fast-moving water through the Delta system. No water temperature reading was available from gauge sensors. With high, off-color conditions dominating the main channels, striped bass and largemouth bass are expected to hold in slower back sloughs, tule edges, and current seams where they can intercept baitfish without fighting the full river push. NorCal Fish Reports covers the Delta in its weekly regional roundup but returned no specific bite intel for this cycle. Based on seasonal patterns and the elevated flow signature, focusing on structure in the clearer, slower back channels is the sound play for all target species right now. Channel catfish typically remain productive in sheltered backwater areas at these flow levels. Verify current conditions locally before launching — high-flow periods can compress productive bite windows and increase debris hazards on the water.
Sacramento-Delta: Catfish Spawn Peaks as Bass Shift to Summer Structure
Mid-June marks the Sacramento-Delta's full summer transition — NorCal Fish Reports covers the region regularly and is the best local resource for current channel and slough conditions, though no specific bite reports for the Delta were captured in this week's intel feeds. Based on seasonal patterns, catfish are the standout bite right now: they move into warm backwater sloughs during their spawn window, making dusk and overnight sessions the most productive approach through early July. Striped bass are post-spawn and dispersed, pushing toward cooler, deeper channel edges as midday heat builds. Largemouth are wrapping up spawn recovery and retreating to shaded tule banks and submerged riprap. Tactical Bassin notes that crankbaits covering the full water column are among the best early-summer bass producers — a tactic that translates directly to Delta structure fishing. A Waxing Crescent moon keeps tidal swings moderate, and darker nights favor catfish anglers working the shallows.
Pine Barrens streams run low as summer bass and pickerel season opens
NJ Fish & Wildlife News highlights Silver Lake at Hamburg Mountain WMA (Sussex County) as actively stocked with trout and warm-water species heading into summer, with Franklin Pond Creek providing year-round trout habitat. The USGS Toms River gauge (site 01408000) registered 24 cfs on June 17, reflecting below-median flow across the Pine Barrens drainage and pointing to low, clear conditions in the system's characteristic cedar-stained streams. No water temperature was recorded, but mid-June conditions suggest Pine Barrens ponds and slow river pools are climbing toward the 70-degree mark. NJ Fish & Wildlife News also notes seasonal closures at five WMAs through September 7; confirm access before making the drive. Chain pickerel, largemouth bass, and sunfish hold the Pine Barrens' tannic shallows right now, while smallmouth and catfish work Delaware River structure as the post-spawn transition to summer patterns continues.
Bass moving offshore on Lanier and Allatoona as post-spawn transition peaks
The USGS gauge on the Chattahoochee below Buford Dam (site 02334430) recorded 644 cfs at 48°F in the predawn hours of June 17 — cold hypolimnetic releases keeping the tailwater stretch viable for trout even as Lanier's surface warms into summer. GA Sportsman's June 13 Southern Waters Fishing Report notes that "lakes and ponds have produced some of the best reports" of the week across Georgia. Bass are the primary story on both impoundments right now. Post-spawn largemouth and spotted bass have largely vacated the spawning flats and are settling onto deeper offshore structure and channel edges — the transitional window On The Water identifies as one of summer's trickiest but most rewarding patterns to dial in. Catfish fishing typically strengthens through June as water warms, a pattern Wired 2 Fish highlights in current catfish spawn coverage. Tonight's waxing crescent moon favors low-light feeding windows at dawn and dusk.
Pearl River Stripers Stocked; Louisiana Gulf Coast Enters Summer Stride
Louisiana Sportsman reported June 16 that the LDWF, USFWS, MDWFP, and the Gulf Striped Bass Working Group released 5,500 Gulf Strain Striped Bass into the Pearl River — a restoration milestone for a native species working its way back into the system. That news frames a broader mid-June shift on the Louisiana Gulf Coast and Delta, where summer patterns are settling in across the estuary. No current buoy readings are available for precise water-temperature context, so conditions should be verified locally before launching. Typical for this week in June, inshore anglers should find redfish working marsh edges and shell pads while speckled trout begin their predictable drift toward slightly deeper grass flats as surface temps climb. Offshore, red snapper draw strong summer interest to structure and natural bottom throughout the Gulf — Sport Fishing Mag notes that the largest fish claim the prime positions on any given piece of bottom, making precision drops the key to connecting with quality fish this time of year.
Smallmouth hitting peak on the Columbia while salmon anglers track rising temps
Water temperature at USGS gauge 14113000 came in at 65°F on June 16 — flow holding at 975 cfs — and those readings tell two different stories depending on your target species. For smallmouth bass and walleye, mid-60s water in late June puts them in their prime summer feeding window: active on warm flats, current breaks, and basalt ledges throughout the Columbia system. For salmon-focused anglers, Outdoor Hub is carrying ODFW's regional advisory that record-low snowpack has Oregon and neighboring Pacific Northwest drainages running warm and low this summer, with fish managers urging anglers to fish early and identify cooler-water holds. That warning applies to Washington's Columbia tributaries as well, where 65°F sits at the upper edge of comfortable for Chinook and summer steelhead. WA WDFW conducts creel surveys statewide; check their fishing and stocking reports for current hatchery and retention rules before heading out.
Rangeley salmon and brook trout best at dawn and dusk as summer sets in
The Androscoggin headwaters gauge (USGS 01054200) logged 76 cfs on June 17, with no water temperature reading available from instrumentation. That flow places the upper river in fishable wading range as early-summer conditions settle in. Mainely Fly Fishing (ME) noted ice-out on area ponds around April 4th in their spring 2026 report, tracking close to a normal seasonal pace. With surface layers warming through June, landlocked salmon and brook trout in the Rangeley chain typically compress toward inlets, thermoclines, and cooler depth during midday hours. For fly anglers, MidCurrent's recent Tying Tuesday coverage spotlights surface-film and open-water patterns as productive when hatches begin to fire: caddis and mayfly imitations fished through riffle tails at dusk are worth a close look on the headwater rivers. Togue (lake trout) are likely retreating to deeper structure as surface temps climb. Check current Maine size and season regulations before targeting any salmonid species in this drainage.
June spawn pushes big catfish shallow at Toledo Bend
Wired 2 Fish's catfish spawn feature, anchored by southeast Louisiana river veteran Mike Jones, puts blue and channel cats front and center for Toledo Bend right now. Jones reports that during the spawn, "those big fish move up into the shallows" — a pattern running hot across brushy coves and creek arms through mid-June. The Sabine River (USGS gauge 08025500) is flowing at 2,200 cfs as of June 16, a moderate level keeping reservoir conditions stable. No water temperature reading is available this cycle; mid-June surface temps on Toledo Bend typically push into the upper 70s to low 80s°F. Louisiana Sportsman also notes the LDWF and USFWS released 5,500 Gulf Strain Striped Bass into the Pearl River on June 16, a signal that striper restoration efforts remain active across Louisiana waterways. Largemouth bass are in a post-spawn holding pattern, with Tactical Bassin's summer guides pointing to deep structure and offshore brush as the productive zones.
Inshore trout and redfish headline the Mississippi Sound summer push
MS DMR's advisory commission convened in D'Iberville this week with the Sound already deep in its summer season, as speckled trout and redfish settle into early-morning patterns on the inshore grass flats. This week's MS DMR feeds focused on administrative matters (a pier permit application in Waveland, the commission meeting, and a seafood industry training course in Biloxi) rather than on-water fishing conditions, and no charter or tackle-shop reports were available in this data pull. With that data gap noted honestly, mid-June historically delivers reliable early-morning action on the inshore flats for spotted seatrout, while redfish concentrate along oyster reefs and shell edges on the moving tide. The waxing crescent moon this week supports cleaner early tidal windows before afternoon heat suppresses surface activity. Spanish mackerel are a typical nearshore presence along the barrier islands at this time of year. Anglers targeting red snapper offshore should verify the current federal Gulf season status with MS DMR before departure.
Trico mornings and terrestrials ahead as PA limestone trout enter summer mode
USGS gauge 01546500 logged 74.4 cfs in the early hours of June 17, placing the central Pennsylvania limestone corridor at a workable early-summer flow. Water temperature data was unavailable from this gauge cycle, though Spring Creek and Penns Creek are insulated by constant limestone spring inflow and typically hold between 52 and 58°F well into summer — a key advantage over nearby freestone streams as air temperatures climb. No shop, charter, or state-agency reports specific to these waters surfaced in this update, so conditions here reflect gauge data and established mid-June patterns for the region. Hatch Magazine's recent guide to fishing trout through drought and low-water conditions offers useful seasonal context for approaching these waters in June. The Sulphur hatch that defines late May and early June on Penns Creek is typically winding down by the third week of June, with Trico spinner falls and terrestrial action stepping in as the dominant summer feeding modes. Check PA Fish & Boat — Biologist Reports for confirmed hatch timing and access conditions before your trip.
Stripers Rolling Through the Gulf of Maine as Summer Push Builds
Massachusetts' commercial striped bass season opened June 16 with a 683,773-pound season quota unchanged from last year, per On The Water — a firm signal that the summer striper migration is solidly underway through the Gulf of Maine. On The Water's Striper Migration Report (June 16) zeroes in on summer baitfish patterns as the fish-locating driver right now, with 30-pound-plus bass in the mix and a recommendation to beef up terminal tackle when working rips and structure. Saltwater Edge Blog, reporting from Rhode Island to our south, notes water temperatures have been running cooler than average across the region, keeping stripers locked into feeding windows longer than a warmer June typically would. Where squid are stacked through southern New England per Saltwater Edge, bass and bluefish tend to follow north. No live NOAA buoy data is available for this cycle — confirm local conditions before departure.
Long Island Sound Striper Bite Running Hot as Summer Bait Patterns Take Hold
Per Saltwater Edge Blog this week, striped bass fishing across southern New England has been 'fantastic,' with water temperatures staying cool and the bite showing no signs of slowing — conditions that track directly into Long Island Sound. The OTW Saltwater Striper Migration Report from June 16 flagged active summer baitfish schools moving through the region and cautioned anglers to beef up terminal tackle when working 30-pound-plus fish during the June moon cycle. With the new moon just behind us and a waxing crescent now building, tidal current through LIS rips and rocky points should strengthen over the coming days — historically the sharpest window for topwater and soft-plastic presentations at dawn and dusk. Squid, still plentiful in adjacent Rhode Island waters per Saltwater Edge Blog, remain a viable LIS option at night under lights. On The Water recently covered post-spawn bass tactics, noting finesse baits are picking up fish during the typical midseason adjustment. Verify current size and bag limits for striped bass with CT state regulations before keeping any fish.
Lake Ontario salmon firing as open-water trolling picks up steam
Strike Zone Charters is reporting excellent salmon action on Lake Ontario this week, with browns and lake trout mixed into the catch. The productive zone has been 100 to 160 feet of water, though optimal depth shifts day to day as wind repositions the temperature breaks. Mag Dipsey Divers are the setup of choice when fish are holding deeper, paired with green, white, and chartreuse e-chips. On the tributary side, USGS gauge 04250750 on the Salmon River recorded 107 cfs on June 16 — a low, clear summer reading typical for mid-June. The tributaries are in their traditional early-summer gap: the spring steelhead push has run its course, and the fall Chinook run that defines the Salmon River is still months away. For anglers seeking action right now, open-water Lake Ontario trolling is the clear play, with salmon the primary target and browns and lake trout rounding out the spread.
Early Chinook push the Kenai as mid-June snowmelt flows hold fishable
USGS gauge 15266300 on the Kenai River recorded 7,970 cfs and 50°F water on June 16 — conditions sitting well within the fishable mid-June window for early Chinook salmon. At 50°F, kings pushing upriver face no thermal stress, and moderate flows define clear travel lanes in the main channel. Anglers typically work the deep slots and current seams just above major riffles during this phase of the early run, running heavy gear near the bottom where fish hold. Interior rivers across the Kenai Peninsula are also running full with snowmelt, which tends to concentrate Arctic grayling in slower back-channels and eddies rather than the main current tongue — typical for this stage of the melt cycle. None of the angler-intel feeds reviewed this week provided Alaska-specific on-the-water reports, so conditions here are grounded in the gauge reading and seasonal norms for the region. Verify current king salmon retention rules and any emergency closures before heading out.
Post-Spawn Smallmouth and Salmon Mark Mid-June on Indiana's Lake Michigan Shore
Tactical Bassin crews targeting Great Lakes smallmouth this week reported strong catches even in tough, windy conditions, relying on the Dark Sleeper swimbait paired with the Spark Shad. The blog calls it a "phenomenal 1-2 punch" for combining finesse and power presentations. With the new moon falling today (June 17), post-spawn smallmouth should be actively recovering and pushing off shallow structure toward deeper rocky shelves and offshore humps along the Indiana shoreline. No NOAA buoy or USGS gauge data was available for this report; anglers should check IL/IN Sea Grant's three nearshore Lake Michigan buoys for current water temperatures before launching. For salmon trollers, the WI DNR Lake Michigan Fishing Report documented lake-wide record coho harvests of over 210,000 fish in 2024, alongside the strongest Chinook showing since 2012, signaling a robust alewife forage base carrying into this season. June trolling for both species typically picks up across southern Lake Michigan as surface temps continue to climb.
UP trout streams in summer mode as Lake Superior whitefish bite builds
The Tahquamenon River (USGS gauge 04059500) is running at 341 cfs as of June 16, a stable mid-flow reading that leaves most UP wading reaches accessible going into the summer solstice stretch. No water temperature was returned from our gauge this cycle, but mid-June normally finds these tannin-stained eastern UP streams pushing into the upper end of brook trout comfort range, encouraging fish to seek shaded banks and deeper pools through midday. On the Lake Superior side, the WI DNR Lake Superior Fishing program has been tracking a growing lake whitefish fishery in the Chequamegon Bay region, an emerging bite that extends toward Michigan waters as well. Great Lakes smallmouth are also in play: Tactical Bassin's Great Lakes content highlights swimbaits and finesse presentations on wind-driven structure as a productive mid-June pattern. One Michigan Sportsman Forum angler noted spoons working during what appeared to be a June 16 Lake Superior-area outing, though that report is unconfirmed by agency or charter sources.
Catfish and Post-Spawn Bass Lead the Mid-June Bite at Santee and Lake Murray
A potential world-record flathead catfish topping 113 pounds was hauled from the Great Pee Dee River in Florence, South Carolina this week — per Wired 2 Fish — a strong signal that SC's big catfish are in full midsummer feeding form across the state's major freshwater systems. USGS gauge 02160390 is registering 122 cfs, a lean, stable summer flow in the region's watershed, pointing to clearer water in the tributary arms of both Santee Cooper and Lake Murray. With bass well into their post-spawn recovery, On The Water notes this is prime time for finesse presentations on fish holding in transitional depth zones, while Tactical Bassin recommends wobble-head jigs and crankbaits for bass migrating toward deeper summer structure. Striped bass at both systems are characteristically pushing into cooler, deeper water columns as mid-June surface temperatures climb. The new moon coinciding with this reporting window favors dawn-to-mid-morning and dusk feeding activity. Check current state regs before harvesting striped bass, as slot and size limits typically apply on SC reservoirs.
Susquehanna summer bite: catfish spawn peaks and smallmouth go offshore
USGS gauge 01540500 logged 76°F and 5,510 cfs on the Susquehanna the evening of June 16, putting the river firmly in early-summer mode. Water temps in the mid-70s mark prime catfish spawn timing. Wired 2 Fish notes that during the spawn, big catfish abandon the bottom and move into the shallows, requiring a shift from the usual deep-hole presentation to flats and bank edges. For smallmouth, the post-spawn transition is underway. On The Water's recent post-spawn bass coverage highlights finesse presentations as the play when fish are recovering and resettling on summer structure. Tactical Bassin's early-summer bass content points to swing-head jigs and crankbaits as confidence producers right now, especially along deeper channel edges. The new moon phase on June 17 typically compresses feeding windows toward low-light periods; dusk and pre-dawn sessions should be most productive. PA Sea Grant has flagged a June 25 webinar on harmful algal blooms, a warm-water hazard worth monitoring on slower Susquehanna backwaters.
Post-Spawn Stripers Stage at Bay Mouth as June New Moon Arrives
The On The Water Striper Migration Report from June 16 features Johnny McIntyre and Jimmy Fee digging into summer baitfish patterns and why anglers targeting 30-pound-plus stripers should be fishing heavier terminal tackle right now. That intel translates directly to the Chesapeake mouth, where post-spawn fish are staging before their northward coastal push. No NOAA buoy readings were available for this report period, so water temperatures and current tide heights could not be confirmed. Separately, the Saltwater Edge Blog (RI) reports that striper fishing has been "fantastic" along the Atlantic coast, with cooler-than-average water keeping fish active later than typical for early summer. The new moon on June 17 brings the strongest tidal exchanges of this lunar cycle: a prime window for stripers, bluefish, and early-season cobia working the rip lines and channel edges at the Bay entrance. Verify current Virginia slot and bag limits before heading out.
Hartwell Bass Running Hot as Savannah River Holds Steady
The Skeeter Team Tournament Trail at Lake Hartwell this past weekend produced a winning five-fish bag of 23 lbs 8 oz — headlined by a 5 lb 12 oz kicker — across a field of 93 teams, pointing to strong largemouth action on the upper Savannah system (GA Sportsman / Georgia Outdoor News). The Savannah River at Clyo is running 4,390 cfs and steady as of June 16 (USGS gauge 02197000), corroborating the GA Sportsman June 13 Southern Waters report that placed the Clyo gauge at 3.9 feet and holding. Captain Travis Harper has been putting clients on trout on the high rivers, and that same report notes lakes and ponds have delivered the most consistent results of the week statewide. Rivers remain fishable after a recent stretch of Georgia rain, and the New Moon (June 17) should concentrate feeding activity into low-light windows at dawn and dusk. Early-summer patterns are locking in across both the Chattahoochee and Savannah drainages.
Stripers and Squid Both Rolling as Cool Water Holds in Narragansett Bay
Saltwater Edge Blog (RI) kicked off the second half of June with a clear verdict: both striped bass and squid fishing have been 'fantastic' in Rhode Island, and neither bite is showing signs of slowing. Cool water temperatures are the driving factor. Saltwater Edge notes surface temps have been holding lower than typical for mid-June, a condition that benefits both species and is expected to continue for another couple of weeks. On The Water adds a notable wrinkle: underwater footage from guide Chris McIntee shows brown sharks actively moving through striper schools in Southern New England, a reminder that big-fish anglers should plan accordingly. The OTW Saltwater migration report from June 16 highlights summer baitfish patterns and the June moons as key shaping factors, with a direct recommendation to beef up terminal tackle when into 30-plus-pound bass. With the new moon arriving June 17, strong tidal swings are setting up prime early-morning windows across the bay.
Post-spawn bass fire at Hartwell as Skeeter field pulls 23-lb winning bag
The 2026 Skeeter Team Tournament Trail at Lake Hartwell wrapped last weekend with a field of 93 teams, and the results signal quality largemouth on the move. Jason Burroughs and Alan Bennett topped the board with a five-fish limit weighing 23 lbs 8 oz — anchored by a 5 lb 12 oz kicker — earning a perfect 300 points toward season standings, per GA Sportsman/Georgia Outdoor News. Organizers noted a welcome break from the rain that had been hammering Georgia, with skies clearing for competition day. Joshua Barber's Southern Waters Fishing Report (via GA Sportsman/Georgia Outdoor News) logged the Savannah River at Clyo at 3.9 feet and steady as of June 11, suggesting stable inflows into the Hartwell/Russell chain. With the New Moon falling June 17, low-light dawn and dusk windows should keep bass active along shallower structure a bit longer before the summer thermocline fully locks in. No live surface temperature data was available this cycle; check current readings before heading out.
Sheepshead and Spanish Mackerel converge on Charleston Harbor in June
Regional intel from Fisherman's Post — Carolinas saltwater's June 2026 dispatches signals a solid early-summer pattern taking hold along the Carolina coast. Spanish mackerel are moving into nearshore areas in good numbers along the beachfront, per the Swansboro/Emerald Isle report, while bluefish are running well through the same corridors. Inshore, red drum are scattered with fish holding in deeper holes near structure. Fisherman's Post's Carolina Beach correspondent notes the first push of smaller sheepshead staging on hard structure in the Cape Fear River — a pattern that typically migrates into South Carolina harbor systems by mid-June. No buoy or gauge readings are available for this report cycle, and no direct Charleston Harbor charter or shop intel reached this feed. With a new moon on June 17 driving strong tidal exchanges, plan around the first two hours of the outgoing tide near dock pilings, bridge abutments, and creek mouths for the best action.
Big Stripers Moving Through Buzzards Bay as MA Commercial Season Opens
Massachusetts' 2026 commercial striped bass season opened June 16 with a 683,773-pound quota, per On The Water, a signal that the early-summer push has fully arrived in Buzzards Bay and Vineyard Sound. The June new moon coincides with active summer baitfish patterns across Southern New England; OTW Saltwater's Striper Migration Report for June 16 notes that anglers are encountering 30-pound-plus bass and advises upgrading terminal tackle to handle them. Cool water temperatures have persisted across the region; Saltwater Edge Blog (RI) reports that the sustained cool has kept both striper and squid fishing 'fantastic' into mid-June with no signs of slowing. Brown sharks have returned to Southern New England waters and have been filmed moving through striper schools in adjacent Rhode Island, per On The Water. OTW Surfcasting confirms Massachusetts shore-based shark regulations are in full effect. Large soft plastics and 9-inch Slug-Go rigs remain proven presentations for post-spawn bass on structure.