Fishing reports
19272 reports across all 50 states — current conditions and what's biting.
Illinois River Catfish Go Shallow While Lake Michigan Smallmouth Fire Up
The Illinois River is running at 46,700 cfs (USGS gauge 05586100) as of June 16, well above typical mid-June levels, a condition that shifts productive water from the main channel to slack-water eddies, tributary mouths, and connected backwaters. Water temperature data is unavailable from current sensors. Wired 2 Fish highlights that catfish spawn activity is moving big fish into the shallows across Midwest river systems right now, making shallow flats and submerged timber the prime target before the bite transitions back to deeper structure. Fishing the Midwest's Bob Jensen recommends working weedlines as the open-water season hits full stride, a tactic that translates well to Illinois River oxbows and backwater lakes as post-runoff clarity improves. Over on Lake Michigan, Tactical Bassin recently documented Great Lakes smallmouth responding well to finesse swimbaits under windy lakefront conditions; mid-June is when that bite builds in earnest along the Illinois shore. Tonight's new moon favors feeding pushes through the overnight and early-morning hours.
Olympic Peninsula salmon rivers set up for early-summer chinook push
As of June 16, USGS gauge 12041200 is reading 1,050 cfs and gauge 12035000 is reading 558 cfs across Olympic Peninsula river systems — moderate flows that should keep primary runs accessible while providing enough current to hold and move early-run fish. Water temperatures were unavailable from either gauge this cycle, making thermal stress assessment difficult. Our intel sweep turned up no direct charter, shop, or creel reports specific to the Olympic Peninsula; the WA WDFW Fishing Reports feed returned only a general page description without current conditions. The most relevant regional signal comes from Outdoor Hub, which reports Oregon's ODFW urging anglers to fish early in the day as low snowpack and drought push water temperatures higher on salmon and trout streams to the south — a trend worth watching as the season advances here. Mid-June is typically the opening window for early chinook entry on Peninsula rivers, with summer steelhead also beginning to appear.
Big bluefish rule the Hatteras surf as spanish mackerel push in
Tom at Hatteras Jack reports a strong surf bite at Hatteras and Ocracoke, with bigger bluefish pushing past 30 inches hitting both casting metals and cut baits — one of the more notable size upgrades the Banks surf sees in early summer. Sea mullet fishing has run steady alongside. The spanish mackerel push is well underway across the NC coast: Morgan of The Reel Outdoors (Swansboro/Emerald Isle, via Fisherman's Post NC) reports good numbers moving nearshore and along the beachfront, a pattern that routinely tracks northeast up the Banks. Rich of Chasin' Tails (Morehead/Atlantic Beach, via Fisherman's Post NC) confirms bluefish, spanish mackerel, and bonito all active for surf and pier anglers, with scattered red drum holding in deeper inshore holes. No NOAA buoy readings are available this cycle, so water temperature is unconfirmed, but the active pelagic push and large bluefish in the surf signal that early-summer conditions are well underway along the Outer Banks.
Marlin and ahi fishing peaks as Hawaiian Islands enter summer stride
Hawaii Fishing News tracks the Islands' state records and moon-tide rhythms year-round, and mid-June puts anglers squarely in the heart of Hawaii's prime offshore window. No buoy readings or gauge data were available for this report cycle, and none of the angler-intel feeds carried Hawaii-specific conditions updates this week. That said, June seasonal patterns for the Islands are well established: blue marlin fishing historically peaks from late May through September, with trollers working blue-water ledges along leeward coasts and island-channel crossings. Yellowfin tuna (ahi) and mahimahi are reliably active on current lines and floating debris. The New Moon phase (June 16) typically suppresses surface light at night, concentrating baitfish and priming dawn and dusk bite windows. Nearshore papio and ulua action typically holds steady at channel mouths and rocky points through summer. Check with local charter captains for real-time confirmation before heading out.
Finger Lakes Smallmouth and Bass Settling into Early-Summer Structure
USGS gauge 04232050 logged 66°F and 24.4 cfs on June 16, water temperatures that signal the close of the spawn window across Cayuga, Seneca, and Skaneateles and push bass onto transitional structure. Post-spawn smallmouth and largemouth are the primary near-term targets. Tactical Bassin's recent Great Lakes smallmouth coverage confirms that swimbait and finesse presentations, specifically pairing a heavier power swimbait with a finesse shad profile, are drawing quality fish in early-summer conditions closely analogous to what the Finger Lakes are seeing now. On The Water's post-spawn bass breakdown echoes the same theme: fish have cleared the beds and are regrouping on nearby drop-offs and weed edges. Tributaries are running low and clear at 24.4 cfs, which rewards finesse presentations over power fishing. The New Moon phase through this week extends low-light feeding windows, making dawn and dusk the premium windows for topwater and sub-surface action. Typically in mid-June, trout begin retreating to thermocline depth on the deeper basin lakes; check state regulations before keeping any.
Bass Action Heats Up on Cherokee and Old Hickory
Cherokee Lake near Jefferson City is running roughly 10 feet below normal pool as mid-June arrives, but MLF News reports that local bass veteran Tim Smiley sees opportunity rather than obstacle heading into the upcoming Phoenix Bass Fishing League Volunteer Division event — with largemouth expected to be the primary target. Down on the Cumberland system, Old Hickory Lake near Mt. Joliet is showing multiple productive patterns across several lake sections, per MLF News, signaling the early-summer bass bite is well underway. The Cumberland River at Clarksville is logging 385 cfs per USGS gauge 03434500, indicating moderate, fishable river flows. Post-spawn bass are transitioning onto offshore structure and summer staging zones — a shift echoed by Tactical Bassin's recent emphasis on wobble-head jigs, swing heads, and deep-running crankbaits as the June go-to pattern. Catfish anglers should note that spawning activity is peaking on Tennessee waterways right now, with big fish pushing into shallow cover, per Wired 2 Fish.
Smallmouth step up as heat stress squeezes salmon season on Oregon's rivers
Water at USGS gauge 14211720 registered 69°F on June 16, right at the thermal stress threshold for salmon and trout. Outdoor Hub's coverage of an Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife advisory this week frames the situation plainly: record-low snowpack and widespread drought have left Oregon rivers low and warm, and state managers are urging anglers to fish early and fish smart. On the Columbia and Rogue, that means targeting Chinook and summer steelhead in the first two hours after sunrise, when overnight cooling keeps temps at their daily minimum and fish in deeper lies are most likely to commit. Smallmouth bass are the clear upside in these conditions — warming mid-river water sits squarely in their preferred feeding range, and they should be actively working rock structure through midday. The new moon (June 16) adds a low-light edge at dawn and dusk. Check ODFW's emergency closure portal before any outing.
Colorado Tailwater in Prime Shape as Summer Heat Pushes Salt River Bass Deep
The USGS gauge at site 09380000 recorded the Colorado River flowing at 8,070 cfs with a water temperature of 61°F on June 16 — squarely in the ideal range for rainbow trout at the Lees Ferry tailwater below Glen Canyon Dam. That dam-regulated temperature is the headline here: while mid-June desert air often tops triple digits across northern Arizona, Glen Canyon's cold hypolimnetic releases hold the fishery in a productive window that unregulated open-water rivers can't match this time of year. At 8,070 cfs, flows are on the higher end for wading, making drift-boat access and anchor-down presentations more practical than wade-in approaches. On the Salt River, the seasonal picture shifts sharply: June heat drives largemouth and smallmouth bass toward deeper structure and shaded canyon walls. No regional shop or charter reports came through our feeds this cycle, so these conditions draw on the USGS reading and seasonal patterns known for mid-June on these drainages.
Guntersville and Wheeler bass push offshore as catfish spawn fires up
USGS gauge 03575100 logged 470 cfs on June 16, reflecting moderate, stable inflow into the Wheeler drainage with no significant color or current disruption to fish positioning. Bass on both Guntersville and Wheeler are squarely post-spawn and shifting to early-summer offshore patterns; On The Water's current post-spawn breakdown points to finesse presentations along depth transitions as the key unlock. Wired 2 Fish is spotlighting the catfish spawn unfolding right now across Southern waters, noting big fish push into the shallows while the predictable bottom bite temporarily goes quiet. Shallow rocky banks and wood cover with cut bait should produce during this window. MLF News adds regional context: Banks Shaw's Pro Circuit win at nearby Lake Eufaula built on a shad-spawn ChatterBait and offshore brush-pile pattern, a signal that shad-keyed moving baits are broadly productive across Alabama lakes right now. The new moon tonight sharpens dawn and dusk low-light feeding windows.
Upper Mississippi Catfish and Bass Hit Summer Stride as Flows Hold Steady
USGS gauge 05344500 at Prescott logged 18,300 cfs on June 16 — a moderately elevated but fishable flow through the upper pools, with no water temperature reading available. Catfish are the headline story on Midwest rivers right now. Wired 2 Fish this week spotlights strategies for targeting big flatheads and channel cats during the spawn, noting that fish push into shallow riprap, wing dams, and woody debris — structure that defines the Mississippi between Prescott and La Crosse. Fishing the Midwest recommends working the weedline as summer's primary tactic, with backwater lakes and side-channel flats offering largemouth opportunities as bass settle into early summer positions. Tactical Bassin highlights the swing-head jig and crankbaits as confidence producers for June bass, both well-suited to the mixed hard-bottom and soft-structure pockets common in these pools. The New Moon tonight sharpens low-light feeding windows at dawn and dusk across species.
Coho Salmon Hot Near Duluth as Inland Walleye Settle into Summer Patterns
The MN DNR Lake Superior Summer Fishing report for June 11 puts Lower Shore surface temps at 46-55°F, with foggy and rainy conditions keeping some anglers off the water near Duluth and Two Harbors — but not the fish. The June 4 report noted coho salmon fishing as "very hot" near Duluth and Superior, with most anglers trolling stick baits in the top 10 feet over 80-140 feet of water and many reaching their limit. Lake trout have also been steady, with bright spoons and flasher-fly rigs working 40-80 feet down. Inland, the Mississippi River at St. Paul is running at a robust 11,900 cfs (USGS gauge 05331000), and a central Minnesota river gauge (USGS 05288500) sits at 5,460 cfs — both elevated enough to push walleye and bass toward slack-water edges and backwater areas. AnglingBuzz has been featuring forward-facing sonar tactics with big plastics for suspended walleye as the season transitions into early summer patterns.
Lake Winnipesaukee bass push to structure as early summer sets in
On The Water this week flags the post-spawn bass transition as the defining early summer pattern across the Northeast, and that timing lands squarely on Lake Winnipesaukee, where smallmouth and largemouth are wrapping their spawn and pushing toward rocky points, humps, and weedline edges. The USGS gauge at the lake's outlet (site 01081000) reads 1,070 cfs as of June 16, indicating moderate, stable outflow with no recent weather disruption to cold-water stratification. Water temperature data was unavailable from monitored gauges, but mid-June on Winnipesaukee typically puts the surface layer in the low-to-mid 60s°F, warm enough to send landlocked salmon and lake trout retreating toward cooler depth. Tactical Bassin's current early summer breakdown highlights swing-head jigs and crankbaits for bass working offshore structure, presentations that suit Winnipesaukee's rocky bottom well. No direct on-the-water reports from NH waters appeared in this cycle's regional intel feeds.
Taneycomo trout fishing turns fickle as early-summer fronts roll through
Lilleys Landing's June 2026 report paints an inconsistent picture on Lake Taneycomo: mini-fronts pushing through several times daily, rain and wind included, have trout fishing good one day and slow the next. Generation has been running on a strategic schedule driven by power demand rather than flood-control releases, a direct result of the prolonged regional drought that kept Table Rock Lake at or below power pool all spring. Per the shop's May update, the silver lining is that low water and no shad runs tend to simplify the bite: 'trout fishing is going to be easier for most anglers, for the most part.' No live flow data was returned from USGS gauge 07054410 at report time. Today's new moon falls on a favorable calendar for daytime feeding, and anglers who can time a visit around cleared weather and a generation window should find more cooperative fish than the weekly average suggests.
Hiwassee and Caney Fork enter summer tailwater rhythm as June fishing heats up
USGS gauge 03565000 returned no live readings this cycle, so flow and temperature on the Hiwassee and Caney Fork remain unconfirmed heading into the week of June 16. On these TVA-regulated tailwaters, mid-June typically marks a transition into the summer generation pattern: when turbines run, water stays cold and trout stack in the main current seams; when generation stops and levels drop, fish spread into riffles and become far more approachable to wading anglers. MidCurrent's recent fly-tying coverage highlighted midge-style patterns as top producers in clear, pressured tailrace water, a description that fits the Caney Fork's reputation for technical fishing precisely. Gink and Gasoline's tailwater nymphing breakdown similarly emphasizes precise, drag-free presentations in the current seams where tailwater trout hold. With no local intel confirmed this cycle, check TVA's generation schedule before making the drive, and contact local outfitters for on-the-ground conditions. Sulphurs and caddis typically round out the summer hatch calendar on both rivers.
Catskills trout in summer mode as flows ease and evening hatches begin to build
Flow readings on two Catskill watershed gauges frame the week: USGS gauge 01413500 logged 58.4 cfs and USGS gauge 01415000 registered just 8.94 cfs as of June 16, suggesting wading-friendly conditions on these storied streams. Water temperature readings were unavailable at both sites. No region-specific shop or guide intel from the Adirondacks or Catskills surfaced in this cycle, so conditions here are assessed against mid-June seasonal baselines. This transition historically marks the close of the peak spring hatch window and the start of summer low-water patterns: major Catskill mayflies (sulphurs, Light Cahills) taper into sporadic evening events, caddis take over as the primary surface driver, and browns and brookies push toward shaded riffles and deeper pools with adequate oxygen. MidCurrent's current tying coverage highlights patterns built for when hatches "begin to fire" across northeastern trout streams, pointing to an active surface window in the evenings. Fish early and late; midday heat pushes trout tight to structure.
Lake Erie smallmouth active on swimbaits as Ohio River catfish move shallow
Tactical Bassin's Tim and JD recently hit Great Lakes smallmouth on a blustery day, putting together a strong bag that included a pair of trophy fish using a Dark Sleeper and Spark Shad swimbait combination. That one-two punch fits squarely into mid-June Erie conditions, where post-spawn smallmouth are actively chasing forage along rocky structure and wind-swept shorelines. On the Ohio River, Wired 2 Fish reports that catfish are moving into the shallows for the spawn — the normally reliable bottom bite softens considerably during this window, but anglers who target shallow wood and undercut banks with fresh cut bait stand to connect with some of the season's biggest fish. No gauge readings were returned from USGS gauge 03271601 for this report, so exact flow and temperature data are unavailable; verify conditions before launching. The new moon this week typically supports active feeding windows at dawn and dusk across both systems.
Hill Country Lakes Shift to Summer Mode: Catfish Spawn and Bass Go Deep
The Colorado River's USGS gauge (site 08158000) clocked 499 cfs on June 16, reflecting stable outflow from the Highland Lake chain as Travis, LBJ, and Buchanan transition firmly into summer. Direct on-the-water intel for these three reservoirs was sparse this cycle, so conditions draw on broader Texas fishing signals. Wired 2 Fish covers the catfish spawn this week, noting that early-summer staging moves big fish into the shallows while the reliable bottom bite temporarily fades — a pattern anglers on the Highland Lakes should recognize right now. Bass have completed their post-spawn recovery and are shifting offshore: Tactical Bassin's June content spotlights wobble-head jigs and deep-diving crankbaits for reaching fish on deeper summer structure. Lone Star Outdoor News — Fishing notes that rainbow trout season is closing out statewide, redirecting Texas freshwater attention squarely onto warm-water species. The new moon tonight adds a subtle edge for low-light morning sessions.
White River trout push deep as Ozarks summer heat arrives
The North Fork of the White River registered 76°F and 15.4 cfs at USGS gauge 07060710 on June 16 — temperatures that push trout well above their preferred feeding range and into summer stress territory. Rainbow trout become increasingly lethargic above 68°F, making early-morning and late-evening sessions the most productive windows right now. Brown trout, more tolerant of warm water, are the better mid-day target in the deeper, shaded runs closest to the dam structures. Low flow means gin-clear water, so presentation accuracy matters more than fly selection — a principle Gink and Gasoline illustrated recently covering picky trophy browns on a similarly low, clear tailwater system. Fine tippet, drag-free drifts, and small nymphs or midges are the formula. No local shop or charter reports are currently available for this stretch; conditions described here are drawn from gauge data and broadly applicable tailwater knowledge.
Shad Spawn Fuels Bass Action as Catfish Move Shallow on Alabama Rivers
Banks Shaw's tournament victory on Lake Eufaula this week, reported by MLF News, tells the story of Alabama river-reservoir bass right now: shad spawn still firing, offshore brush piles loaded, and a ChatterBait JackHammer and swimbait jig getting the job done. That pattern applies across the Tennessee and Coosa corridors, where post-spawn bass are staging on transitional structure as summer heat builds. USGS gauge 02339500 registered 836 cfs on June 16, reflecting moderate, fishable flows. On The Water's recent post-spawn breakdown confirms bass are responding to both power baits in shad spawn scenarios and finesse presentations at mid-depth. Wired 2 Fish flags the catfish spawn window as currently open across southeastern river systems, with big fish pushing shallow and disrupting the standard bottom bite. Target shallow wood, rocky banks, and cove pockets for spawning cats. Tonight's New Moon sets up enhanced low-light feeding windows at first light and last light through the week.
Colorado River clears from runoff as green drakes and golden stones build
Water at USGS gauge 09095500 is running 2,850 cfs and 69°F on the Colorado River as of June 16 — warm enough to flag caution with trout handling and make early-morning starts non-negotiable. Crystal Fly Shop calls this the moment to be on the water: 'We're on the back end of runoff now with currently great water conditions and happy fish,' urging float trips before summer heat tightens the window. Green drakes are expected within two weeks below Carbondale, per Crystal Fly Shop, with golden stones, PMDs, and caddis also building toward their peak. Cutthroat Anglers points out that Colorado's historically poor 2026 snowpack has fish 'grouped up and ready to bite' in predictable lies — a real tactical advantage for the angler willing to slow down and read the water. At 69°F, trout are approaching their stress threshold; fish first light and handle quickly. The New Moon favors low-light feeding windows at dawn and dusk.
Lake of the Woods Walleye Active as Early Summer Conditions Lock In
The Rainy River is flowing at 19,700 cfs with a water temperature of 61°F as of June 16, per USGS gauge 05133500. Those readings put walleye and sauger squarely in their early-summer feeding window. Elevated flow is pushing fish off the main channel and into current seams, eddies, and slack-water pockets along the banks, where they stage to intercept drifting baitfish. AnglingBuzz (YT) has been covering forward-facing sonar techniques for locating suspended walleye and presenting big plastics to them, a method well-suited to the scattered, post-spawn fish that characterize mid-June on this system. Jason Mitchell Outdoors (YT) is featuring bottom bouncer and spinner rigs, a proven mid-depth approach when walleye spread across flats. The New Moon this week removes ambient surface light, concentrating the best walleye action into early-morning and late-evening windows on shallower structure and rock edges.
Lake Erie Smallmouth Bass Dialed In for Prime Early-Summer Window
Water registering at 71°F on USGS gauge 04231600 puts Lake Erie and the Niagara corridor squarely in prime early-summer territory. Post-spawn smallmouth bass are the headline right now — Tactical Bassin recently documented a Great Lakes smallmouth outing in windy conditions where a Dark Sleeper and Spark Shad swimbait combination produced trophy-class fish, confirming how productive the Lake Erie bass bite becomes when anglers commit to the right big-water presentation. At this temperature, smallmouth have cleared their spawning beds and are sliding toward offshore rock structure and gravel transitions. The New Moon this week strips out ambient light, pushing the most aggressive feeding windows to early morning and evening. Walleye, the other signature species of the eastern Lake Erie basin, typically hold strong mid-June patterns along deeper ledges and breaks. Flow at 1,540 cfs through the Niagara corridor keeps current manageable, with perch stacked on channel edges and walleye tucked into current seams worth targeting this week.
Toledo Bend and Sam Rayburn bass transition to early-summer offshore bite
Lake Fork Trophy Bass reported in May that post-spawn bass across East Texas are in peak feeding mode, moving freely "from shallow to deep" as they replenish after the spawn. That transition is carrying into mid-June on Toledo Bend and Sam Rayburn, where early summer patterns are now establishing themselves. The Sabine River system is running at 2,420 cfs at USGS gauge 08030500 as of June 16, a moderate flow that keeps Toledo Bend's upper reaches fishable without major staining concerns. Tactical Bassin's June breakdown points to offshore bass as the primary target, with the wobble head jig paired with a shaky head worm as a reliable one-two punch when fish have backed off the bank. On The Water's post-spawn guide similarly notes that finesse presentations outperform power fishing as bass regroup on deeper structure. With today's New Moon, low-light windows at dawn and dusk should be the most productive periods for topwater and reaction baits.
Lake Eufaula bass fire on shad spawn; Texoma stripers worth watching
MLF News coverage of the Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit Stop 5 at Lake Eufaula delivers the clearest on-water read for the region this week: Banks Shaw's tournament win centered on a shad spawn and offshore brush-pile pattern, with a Z-Man ChatterBait JackHammer Baby Jack in golden shiner and Rapala CrushCity Freeloader swimbaits producing the winning bag. That transition to offshore structure is the signature of early summer on Eufaula, signaling largemouth are actively feeding before committing to deeper summer haunts. Over on the Arkansas River near Muskogee, MLF News reports that spinnerbaits, frogs, and swim jigs dominated a recent Toyota Series event, echoing the same shad-oriented power-fishing theme across eastern Oklahoma. USGS gauge 07331600 logged 158 cfs as of June 16, pointing to stable, low-flow conditions. Per Wired 2 Fish, catfish are deep in their spawn right now, with the normally reliable bottom bite temporarily soft as fish move shallow to nest. The New Moon this week may sharpen low-light feeding windows at both lakes.