Fishing reports
19272 reports across all 50 states — current conditions and what's biting.
Stripers Taking Clams in the Surf as New Moon Tides Kick In at Sandy Hook
Sea bass fishing around Raritan Bay and Sandy Hook is producing a split report this week. Capt Ron out of Atlantic Highlands notes fish gorged on tiny sand eels, visible on the sonar but refusing to commit, calling recent open-boat days 'not good fishing by any means.' Blue Chip Sportfishing tells a different story on their grounds, reporting sea bass as 'red hot' and limiting out on nearly every trip. On the surf side, OTW Northern New Jersey's June 11 report confirms striped bass are actively taking clams along the beach, with fluke to 8 pounds showing in nearby rivers. Grumpys Tackle (NJ) rounds out the picture with bluefish and black drum added to the bay mix. With today's new moon delivering stronger tidal differentials, On The Water's June 12 migration map notes stripers and bait are tracking toward summer haunts across the full Jersey coast.
Stripers and Black Drum Running as Delaware Bay Hits Summer Transition
OTW Northern New Jersey's June 11 report opens with a clear picture: stripers are taking clams in the surf, sea bass is steady on the reefs, and fluke are on the uptick as warmer water and bait push into NJ coastal grounds. Those conditions extend to the Delaware Bay NJ side, where the new moon this week brings the strongest tidal exchanges of the month. The June 4 OTW Northern New Jersey report documents black drum, bluefish, stripers, and fluke active in the surf, a multi-species mix that tracks with classic mid-June Delaware Bay opportunity. On the Water's June 12 striper migration map confirms bass remain widespread from New Jersey to Maine, with new moon tides expected to accelerate bait and fish movement toward summer haunts. Grumpys Tackle notes surf clam fishing is the top striper producer right now. No buoy or gauge data is available for Delaware Bay NJ side; nearby LBI-area waters are running in the low-to-mid 60s per Fishermans HQ LBI.
Tarpon Peak Arrives in Tampa Bay as Mote Boosts SW Florida Snook
Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota is releasing approximately 22,000 juvenile snook into Southwest Florida estuarine habitats this summer, per Coastal Angler Magazine — a timely population boost as the Gulf-side snook harvest season closes June 1 through late August. While snook remain catch-and-release only, June is the peak month for giant tarpon in both Tampa Bay and Sarasota, with silver kings staging near pass entrances, bridge structure, and grass flat edges. Captain Rick Murphy (FL Insider) has been posting tarpon-handling tips recently, a reliable signal that fish are active and accessible. Salt Strong's Florida Gulf Coast weekend game plan (June 12–14) highlights wake-style mullet imitations producing for the redfish, snook (C&R), and trout mix on grass flat margins. New Moon tides this week will drive strong tidal exchanges through the region's passes — prime windows for tarpon ambushing bait in current seams and redfish working the mangrove edges. Spotted seatrout round out the flat bite.
Catfish Spawn Peaks on Platte and Missouri: Shallow Bite Heats Up
The Platte River is logging 4,520 cfs at USGS gauge 06796000 this morning, a solid mid-June flow pushing catfish into shallow staging zones right as the spawn peaks. Wired 2 Fish reports that during the catfish spawn big fish move into the shallows and the normally dependable bottom bite all but vanishes, but anglers who adjust can find trophy-class opportunities by targeting inside bends, gravel bars, and tributary mouths rather than deep holes. Tonight's new moon adds a real edge: dark skies favor nocturnal catfish feeders, and the absence of moonlight means fish are less wary in the shallows. Fishing the Midwest notes that the 2026 open-water season is in full swing and that rivers deliver some of the best summer action available, with current breaks and secondary channels worth working for multiple species. White bass are transitioning into their post-spawn summer patterns on both the Platte and Missouri, feeding actively through current transitions and eddy pockets.
Catfish Spawn Opens Shallow-Water Bite as Mississippi Runs High
Wired 2 Fish spotlights the catfish spawn as an overlooked early-summer opportunity this week, with Southeast Louisiana river angler Mike Jones noting that big catfish abandon their typical deep-bottom stations and push into the shallows during the spawn -- a period most anglers ride out, but one that can yield some of the largest fish of the year. USGS gauge 07289000 shows the Mississippi running at 640,000 cfs as of June 16 -- well above typical mid-June levels -- which amplifies the pattern: spawning cats are staging in flooded timber, undercut banks, and backwater slack zones. No water temperature reading was available from the gauge this cycle. For bass, Tactical Bassin recommends swing-head jigs and crankbaits as June's top combination for current breaks and flooded laydowns. Crappie action typically slows on high water; protected oxbow lakes with better clarity are your best shot. The New Moon on June 16 sets up productive low-light feeding windows overnight.
Iowa Rivers Running High as Catfish Hit Spawning Shallows
Wired 2 Fish reports that the catfish spawn is in full effect on Midwest rivers — big fish abandoning deep channel structure for the shallows, causing the 'normally dependable bottom bite' to largely shut down. That intel aligns with USGS gauge 05465500's June 16 reading of 24,100 cfs on the Iowa River at Wapello, a flow level well above typical mid-June norms that's pushing off-color water through the system. With the main-channel bottom bite inconsistent during spawn and flows elevated, the best catfish opportunity right now is hunting shallow riprap, gravel bars, and woody debris where spawning activity concentrates fish. Walleye and smallmouth bass are easing into early-summer patterns as post-spawn recovery wraps up. Fishing the Midwest notes rivers are overlooked summer destinations for anglers willing to adapt — high flows demand heavier presentations and a focus on current seams and slack-water pockets to keep baits in the strike zone.
Bass and Catfish Hold Tight as Nanticoke Flows Hit Summer Lows
The Nanticoke River near Bridgeville is recording just 1.94 cfs this morning per USGS gauge 01493500, one of the lowest early-summer readings typical of a dry June stretch across the Christina and Nanticoke drainages. With water this thin, fish are consolidating in deeper holes, shaded channel bends, and any structure that offers cover and oxygen. Today's New Moon adds a useful edge, as lunar feeding windows tend to align with dawn and dusk, making the first and last hours of daylight the most productive. Catfish are in spawn mode across the mid-Atlantic right now; Wired 2 Fish notes the big fish push into the shallows but the reliable bottom bite "all but vanishes" until post-spawn. Largemouth bass are the steadier bet, transitioning into early summer patterns on deeper structure. No regional charter or shop reports are available this cycle to confirm specific catches on the Christina or Nanticoke.
Catfish Push Into the Shallows as Early-Summer Spawn Peaks on Arkansas Rivers
USGS gauge 07263620 returned no readings this cycle, so conditions on the Arkansas and White rivers are being read from regional angler reports rather than hard numbers. The most relevant signal for mid-June comes from Wired 2 Fish, which this week profiles catfish-spawn tactics directly applicable to Southern river systems like these: big channel and flathead catfish have moved into the shallows as water temperatures climb into early summer, and the normally reliable deep bottom bite softens temporarily. Per Wired 2 Fish, anglers who adapt to shallow presentations near woody debris, undercut banks, and rocky structure with fresh bait stand to connect with the best fish of the season. The same outlet covered a reported 113-pound flathead from a Southern river system this week, a reminder that trophy-class cats are very much a reality in these waters. On the White River, cold tailwater releases below the dams keep trout available through the summer heat. Fishing the Midwest notes that rivers can deliver outstanding action throughout summer as fish concentrate along current breaks.
Post-spawn Delta stripers finding summer rhythm on tidal current seams
USGS gauge 11455420 recorded a pronounced reverse tidal flow through the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta in the predawn hours of June 16, reflecting the strong tidal exchange this system draws from San Francisco Bay. NorCal Fish Reports, which maintains a dedicated Delta conditions section, did not carry targeted bite detail in this week's aggregated data, so this update draws on established mid-June seasonal patterns. Striped bass are typically off their spawn by now and regrouping along channel edges, point bars, and structure that concentrates current. The tidal transition, as that reverse flow flips to an incoming flood, is the prime feeding window to target. Largemouth bass are settling into early-summer routine on tule mats and dock pilings. Channel catfish are active through their spawn period, with larger fish pushing shallow after dark. No water temperature reading was available from the gauge this cycle; check local sources before heading out.
Sacramento-Delta: bass and catfish peak as summer heat takes hold
USGS gauge 11447650 at Sacramento/Freeport registered 74°F and 6,000 cfs in the early hours of June 16, placing the Delta firmly in summer fishing mode. Direct Sacramento-Delta angler reports were limited in this cycle's intel feed. NorCal Fish Reports indexes this region but no specific Delta dispatches appeared in today's pull, so seasonal patterns and gauge data carry this update. Largemouth bass are in prime territory at 74°F, typically hugging tule edges and channel mouths through dawn and dusk windows. Striped bass, which prefer water below 68°F, face thermal stress at current surface temps and should be sought on deep channel ledges or in cooler tributary flows. Wired 2 Fish notes that during the catfish spawn, which commonly peaks in the Delta through June, the larger fish move into shallow levee margins. Cut bait fished after dark on a new-moon night like tonight is a reliable approach for quality catfish.
Columbia River summer Chinook building as spring-run window closes
USGS gauge 14105700 recorded 194,000 cfs and 63°F on the Columbia River as of early June 16, placing the river in a late-snowmelt push that remains favorable for migrating salmon. At 63°F, water temperatures sit comfortably below the acute stress threshold for Chinook, though they are trending toward midsummer levels. The spring Chinook run is typically winding toward its close at lower-river access points by mid-June, while summer Chinook are beginning to filter into the system in increasing numbers. Sturgeon anglers can expect higher flows to concentrate fish in deep-water refuge zones and behind large current breaks, the classic high-water holding structure. None of this week's angler-intel feeds carried Columbia River-specific bite reports, so conditions here are drawn from seasonal patterns; verifying with local sources before launching is advisable. The new moon tonight can open favorable low-light feeding windows for both salmon and bottom-feeding sturgeon.
Redfish ruling the Lower Laguna Madre flats as summer takes hold
Texas Fish & Game Magazine's feature on chasing redfish on Lower Laguna Madre flats this season confirms the shallow-water fishery remains a signature draw, with fly anglers targeting tailing and cruising reds in the hypersaline shallows stretching south toward South Padre Island. On the water this week, TexasFishingTips logged a June 11 captain's report from Capt. Kevin Navid covering Baffin Bay and the Laguna Madre area, representing the most current local intel available as of this report. Tournament activity at Port Mansfield Harbor stays strong: Lone Star Outdoor News reports the Getaway Lodge Reel Lifesaver Invitational sent 10 boats out under gray, overcast skies this past weekend, with Johnson claiming the Grand Champion title. Lone Star Outdoor News also flags summer sharks picking up along the Texas coast and whiting running well, consistent with the mid-June transition now in full swing. No buoy or gauge readings were available; anglers should confirm current water temps locally before launching.
Gulf amberjack crushing topwater at rigs as summer pattern takes hold
Sport Fishing Mag's recent coverage of Northern Gulf rig fishing notes that platforms stretching from Mobile Bay to the Texas Coast offer 'the continent's most diverse and abundant fishing opportunity,' and the offshore bite is currently delivering on that reputation. Amberjack are the standout story: per Sport Fishing Mag, these hard-pulling fish are crushing topwater stickbaits worked aggressively over deep-water Gulf wrecks, with the most productive sessions coming after chumming fish to the surface first. Inshore, redfish remain consistent along salt marsh edges and oyster bars across the upper Gulf Coast; Sport Fishing Mag's salt marsh guide confirms the species holds reliably in 'vast acreage of swaying grasses, muddy creeks, and oyster bars' from the Gulf northward. No NOAA buoy data is available this cycle, so water temperatures are unconfirmed; mid-June historically places Mobile Bay inshore waters in the upper 70s to low 80s°F. The new moon on June 16 should strengthen tidal push and open more aggressive feeding windows across the bay system.
SF Bay stripers and halibut hit summer stride on new-moon tides
Real-time buoy and gauge data are unavailable for this reporting cycle, limiting precise water temperature and swell readings for SF Bay and Bodega. NorCal Fish Reports, which tracks the Bay Area and Saltwater beats, returned no specific on-the-water conditions at press time. Stepping back to what mid-June typically delivers here: striped bass are in a historically productive window inside the bay, with fish following anchovies and sardines around points, bridges, and channel edges. California halibut are prime through the summer months, holding on sandy bottom structure in shallower bay water. Offshore out of Bodega Bay, rockfish fishing on deeper reefs remains a reliable option. The new moon on June 16 sets up stronger tidal exchanges — moving water at dawn and dusk tends to concentrate baitfish and trigger feeding. Verify current regulations before harvesting any species, particularly rockfish depth and limit rules, which adjust seasonally.
Pine Barrens bass and pickerel prime as NJ summer bite takes hold
NJ Fish & Wildlife News spotlighted Hamburg Mountain Wildlife Management Area this week, citing Silver Lake and Franklin Pond Creek in Sussex County as productive stocked-trout and warm-water fisheries heading into summer. No USGS gauge readings or NOAA buoy data are available for the Delaware River or Pine Barrens drainages this cycle, so flow and temperature must be checked locally before you launch. NJ Fish & Wildlife News also notes that seasonal WMA closures are in effect at five Wildlife Management Areas through September 7, 2026, for resource and safety protection; verify access to your planned WMA before you go. The new moon of June 16 sets up favorable low-light feeding windows at dawn and dusk this week. With the Delaware's spring shad run traditionally winding down by mid-June, the fishery shifts to smallmouth bass, channel catfish, and largemouth bass in the back-country Pine Barrens lakes and cedar-stained streams. No charter or tackle-shop freshwater reports for the Delaware River or Pine Barrens basin appeared in this cycle's intel feeds.
Lanier & Allatoona bass tracking herring schools as summer sets in
Georgia lakes have been producing some of the strongest freshwater reports of the week, per GA Sportsman / Georgia Outdoor News (June 13). For Lake Lanier and Allatoona specifically, the sharpest technique signal this cycle comes from MLF News: 18-year-old Jack Story, who honed his craft on Lake Lanier, secured his Phoenix Bass Fishing League All-American victory at Lake Murray by targeting herring-oriented bass on points and supplementing them with fry-guarders in the shallows: a direct window into what's drawing strikes on Lanier's current summer playbook. The new moon on June 16 should tighten low-light feeding windows at first light and dusk, when fish push up to ambush threadfin herring near structure. No buoy or gauge data was available this reporting cycle, so water temperature remains unconfirmed. The Georgia Wildlife Blog — Fishing noted a Free Fishing Day on June 13, which likely added weekend pressure to public-access banks across both reservoirs.
Amberjack Pop Topwater as Redfish Work Marsh Edges at New Moon
Sport Fishing Mag's current Gulf amberjack feature reports these bruisers crushing topwater lures worked quickly over deep-water wrecks and platforms — a pattern directly applicable to Louisiana's offshore rig network, which the same source calls the continent's most diverse and abundant fishing opportunity. Inshore, Sport Fishing Mag's salt marsh guide identifies redfish as the marquee species of the coastal marsh system from the Gulf to the Carolinas, holding along grass edges, oyster bars, and tidal creeks. Salt Strong's regional inshore content highlights redfish and speckled trout responding to buoyant wake-style presentations in warming summer nearshore waters. The new moon today (June 16) generates spring tides — stronger-than-average tidal exchange through the delta's passes and bayous — which typically sharpens the inshore bite considerably. No NOAA buoy or USGS gauge data was available for this report cycle; Louisiana coastal bay temperatures typically run the low-to-mid 80s°F by mid-June. Check local captains or the NWS marine forecast for current conditions before heading out.
Salmon and smallmouth converge at Grand River mouth for peak June action
No NOAA buoy or USGS gauge readings came back for this window, leaving water temperature and Grand River flow unconfirmed going into mid-June. With that caveat upfront, available intel still points toward a productive stretch. Tactical Bassin's latest Great Lakes report has smallmouth responding aggressively to swimbaits on windblown days, with the Dark Sleeper producing quality fish and the Spark Shad drawing reaction bites, a pattern that translates directly to the Grand River mouth jetties and nearshore structure. On the salmon side, the WI DNR Lake Michigan Fishing Report's 2024 harvest recap offers encouraging context: over 210,000 coho and more than 160,000 Chinook were landed that season, driven by strong alewife year classes that boosted stocked-fish survival. Those cohorts are now maturing, and mid-June historically marks the start of productive offshore trolling from the river mouth. Today's New Moon concentrates peak feeding into low-light windows. Confirm current lake conditions with the MI DNR before heading out.
Gulf Rigs Primed for Amberjack as Panhandle Enters June Offshore Season
Mid-June on the Florida Panhandle signals one of the Gulf's most productive offshore windows. Salt Strong included the Florida Panhandle and Big Bend among their June 12–14 regional weekend game plans, reflecting active fishing momentum across the area. Offshore, amberjack are the headline target on rigs and wrecks — Sport Fishing Mag spotlights Gulf amberjack hammering topwater plugs worked quickly over deep-water structure as a signature summer technique, with chumming pulling fish up from depth for explosive surface strikes. Red snapper season typically runs through summer on the northern Gulf, making offshore trips doubly productive. Inshore, speckled trout and redfish are following warm-season patterns on grass flats and bay edges. No NOAA buoy readings were available at time of writing, so verify current water temperatures locally before heading out. This week's New Moon produces stronger tidal movement, which tends to sharpen feeding windows on current breaks inshore and offshore structure alike.
Columbia Summer Chinook and Steelhead Season Enters Mid-June Stride
WA WDFW Fishing Reports confirms the department is actively monitoring fishing activity statewide as Washington enters peak summer season, but this reporting cycle's angler-intel feeds returned no creel data or on-water reports specific to the Columbia or Puget Sound river systems. With no direct testimony available, conditions described here draw on seasonal patterns typical for mid-June in this region. The Columbia's summer Chinook run is traditionally underway by now, with fish distributed across lower, mid, and upper river sections and harvest managed dynamically based on weekly run-strength assessments. Summer steelhead are entering the Columbia as well, with hatchery fish the primary target for retention while wild fish are typically catch-and-release. Tonight's new moon creates favorable low-light conditions at dawn and dusk that can improve bite activity in moving water. Consult WA WDFW Fishing Reports for current creel data and in-season regulation adjustments before your trip.
Galveston jetties producing specks and reds as summer sharks move in
A group fishing out of Eagle Point Fishing Camp made a run to the Galveston jetties recently and came home with speckled trout, black drum, and redfish on live shrimp, per the Galveston Daily News Reel Report: a concrete indicator that bay species are cooperating as mid-June conditions settle in. Fishing proved best during lighter morning winds, with breezes stiffening by midday through the weekend. The ongoing STAR Tournament has already confirmed red-tag redfish catches in Galveston Bay waters, underscoring that reds are active and showing well. Lone Star Outdoor News reports summer sharks are picking up along the Texas coast, and whiting are running in force: one report called it prime fish-fry season. Offshore, Sport Fishing Mag notes Gulf amberjack are crushing topwater lures over deep-water wrecks this time of year. No buoy water temperature readings are available this cycle; anglers should check NOAA buoys for current conditions before heading out.
Northwoods muskies fire post-spawn as crappie crowd the shallows
Crappies and panfish have pushed into the shallows around Minocqua and are delivering excellent action, per Rollie & Helen's Musky Shop's early June 2026 Northwoods report. Air temperatures have climbed into the 80s, pulling water temps up along with them and kicking most species into an active mode. Muskies have cleared their post-spawn recovery and begun the first serious feeding binge of the year: Rollie & Helen's reports that bucktails and downsized rubber baits are the go-to presentations for fish that are willing but not yet ready to chase massive offerings. For walleye, Fishing the Midwest points to weedlines as the primary structure to target as the 2026 open-water season hits full stride. No stream gauge readings were available for this reporting period, so confirmed water temperatures cannot be stated, but multiple angler accounts describe warming, highly active conditions across the Northwoods lakes.
Kenai King Salmon Season Hits Stride as Solstice Week Arrives
No local gauge readings or on-the-water angler intelligence arrived in this reporting cycle for Alaska's Kenai and interior rivers. AK Sea Grant's current publications focus on mariculture research, kelp and oyster farming, and community fellowships, with no coverage of freshwater fishing conditions this week. What remains reliable is the calendar: mid-June is historically the heart of the early king (chinook) salmon run on the Kenai River, when drift boats and bank anglers crowd the upper river sections chasing the first strong push of fish. Rainbow trout and Dolly Varden remain available throughout the system. Interior river systems in the Fairbanks and Mat-Su regions typically carry elevated, off-color water through June as late snowpack continues to drain. With no corroborated local intel to cite this week, all species status assessments below reflect typical mid-June seasonal patterns for this drainage rather than confirmed reports.
Mid-June Salmon Trolling Window Opens on Indiana's Lake Michigan Shore
The WI DNR Lake Michigan Fishing Report recorded a landmark 2024 season across the greater Lake Michigan system — over 210,000 coho salmon (a new record) and more than 160,000 Chinook, the most since 2012 — attributing the strong returns to above-average alewife forage that boosted stocked-fish survival. That broader lake-wide health sets a favorable backdrop for Indiana's shoreline in mid-June, which historically marks the core of the Chinook and coho offshore trolling run in the southern basin. No current buoy data is available to confirm water temperatures, but the IL/IN Sea Grant maintains three nearshore Lake Michigan buoys that anglers can check before launching. Smallmouth bass are also in play along structure this time of year; Tactical Bassin reports Great Lakes smallmouth responding to the Dark Sleeper and Spark Shad in wind-driven conditions. Tonight's new moon means darker nights ahead — favorable for early-dawn bite windows across multiple species on the lake.