Fishing reports
19273 reports across all 50 states — current conditions and what's biting.
Striper Migration Reaches Maine Rivers as New Moon Drives June Tides
Per On The Water's June 12 striper migration update, the coastal push now stretches continuously from New Jersey to Maine, with the new moon on June 15 expected to fuel big tidal swings that push striped bass and baitfish toward summer river haunts. While no USGS gauge readings were available for the Kennebec or Penobscot this cycle, regional context from The Fisherman's South Shore MA to ME corridor tells a bullish story: mackerel are thick, stripers up to 47 inches have been reported in nearby Massachusetts rivers, and On The Water notes that new moon tides 'should continue to move bass and bait toward summer haunts.' For anglers targeting the tidal reaches of the Kennebec below Augusta or the Penobscot below Bangor, this migration window is typically one of the best of the year. No direct in-state tackle shop or charter reports from either Maine river were available for this cycle.
Tarpon schools surge along Sarasota beaches as New Moon arrives
Capt. Rick Grassett's June 2026 forecast from CB's Saltwater Outfitters notes tarpon schools are building in size and numbers this month, with fish pushing offshore to spawn near new and full moons — making this New Moon weekend a prime timing window. Set up in travel lanes along the beach at first light with live crabs, baitfish, or DOA Baitbusters, giving other anglers several hundred yards of space. Sharks are running strong: Capt. Brandon Naeve at CB's Saltwater Outfitters reports solid action on Bull Sharks, Blacktips, and Lemon Sharks in and around Sarasota Bay, with peak activity from late spring through fall. Inshore, Capt. Chuck Cress found upper-slot Redfish and Trout working an oyster bar in upper Sarasota Bay last week, with multiple 20-to-25-inch reds in the mix. Snook remain a target near Boca Grande, where Capt. Naeve's charter landed a 34-pound boat-record fish in May — fish are now stacking on passes and structure for the summer spawn.
Lake Michigan Smallmouth Running Hot as June Bass Patterns Develop
Great Lakes smallmouth bass are showing strong along Indiana's Lake Michigan shoreline this week. Tactical Bassin documented trophy-class smallmouth catches on a recent windy-day session, crediting the Dark Sleeper and Spark Shad swimbaits as a "phenomenal 1-2 punch" for churned-up open-water conditions. With the new moon falling June 14-15, the darkest nights of the cycle should favor flathead catfish movement on the Wabash River after sundown. On the Wabash itself, no charter or agency reports are in this week's intel feeds, but June historically marks the onset of peak summer catfishing near deep bends and submerged timber. Wired 2 Fish's summer bass breakdown notes that bass rotate between shallow dawn feeding zones and deeper offshore structure as midday temperatures climb, a pattern that applies equally to Lake Michigan smallmouth and Wabash River largemouth. With no buoy or gauge data in this cycle, anglers should check IL/IN Sea Grant's three nearshore Lake Michigan buoys for current water temperatures before launching.
Prime smallmouth window opens across Potomac and Shenandoah as new moon arrives
No NOAA buoy data or USGS gauge readings are available for the Potomac and Shenandoah systems this period, and direct local angler reports were absent from the feeds reviewed this week. Conditions here draw on seasonal patterns and adjacent-region signals. On The Water's June 12 striper migration map shows the coastal run widespread from New Jersey to Maine, suggesting fish pushing the Potomac tidal corridor are mid-run. Tonight's new moon is the key timing event: feeding windows for smallmouth bass and channel catfish on both rivers tend to concentrate just before and after sunrise and sunset in the 24 to 48 hours following the dark phase. Field & Stream's current water-temperature guide is worth bookmarking before heading into Shenandoah headwater tributaries, where mid-June warming can push marginal streams into stress territory for trout. Check Virginia DWR regulations for current season rules before your trip.
Stripers and Squid Running Strong as New Moon Hits Narragansett Bay
Narragansett Bay is delivering on two fronts this week. Per Saltwater Edge Blog (RI), both the striped bass fishing and squid fishing have been 'fantastic' heading into the June new moon, with neither showing signs of letting up. Cool water temperatures have persisted longer than usual this season, a condition Saltwater Edge notes is keeping both fisheries productive well past their typical peak window. The new moon arrived June 15, and On The Water's June 12 striper migration map confirms bass remain spread from New Jersey to Maine, noting that 'new moon and big tides this weekend should continue to move bass and bait toward summer haunts.' The second half of June traditionally opens additional options in Rhode Island waters, making this a strong window to be on the water. No NOAA buoy readings were logged for this report cycle; water temperature is reported qualitatively as cooler than average for mid-June.
New Moon Tides Kick Off Summer Season for Flounder and Cobia at Chincoteague
On The Water's June 12 striper migration map reports bass spread from New Jersey to Maine, with new moon and big tides pushing fish 'toward summer haunts.' For Virginia's Eastern Shore, that means the spring migration is largely complete and the summer inshore season is taking over. No NOAA buoy readings are available for this area this week, so water temperatures cannot be confirmed, but mid-June typically marks the shift to warm inshore conditions around Chincoteague. Summer flounder are normally in full swing by now along tidal channels and nearshore structure, and cobia, the signature summer quarry for the Eastern Shore, typically begin showing in Chincoteague waters by the second week of June. New moon current is running strong through the inlet and bay-side cuts, prime timing for drifting live baits or bucktail jigs along drop-offs and structure. Check local reports and forecast before heading out.
Sacramento-Delta enters summer pattern as new moon tides pump the channels
Wired 2 Fish flagged this week that drought conditions are driving fish kills across western reservoirs, a timely reminder that water levels and inflows matter as much as technique in the Sacramento-Delta this summer. No direct on-water reports or real-time gauge data reached this week's intel feeds for the Delta specifically, so conditions here are shaped by seasonal pattern and one concrete data point: a new moon. Stronger tidal swings through the Delta's sloughs and main channels accompany each new moon cycle, concentrating striped bass on current seams at first light. Mid-June typically sees water temps climb into the upper 60s to low 70s degrees, pushing stripers and largemouth bass to seek shade and depth by midday. NorCal Fish Reports covers the Delta beat closely and is the recommended source for up-to-the-week local conditions. Plan around moving tides and early-morning windows for the best shot at active fish.
New-moon tides set the table for Puget Sound's summer salmon push
Washington Sea Grant this week declared Washington's boating season officially open, noting sunny skies and active waters across Puget Sound and the Pacific coast — a backdrop that sets up the early summer fishing push. The current intel cycle returned limited on-water catch data for this region specifically; WA WDFW Fishing Reports tracks creel surveys statewide and remains the best real-time source before you launch. With that caveat, the new moon on June 15 generates the month's strongest tidal exchange, historically a trigger for Chinook salmon to concentrate on current seams and channel edges throughout the Sound. Pacific halibut opportunity typically continues under the IPHC's quota-managed structure along Pacific coast access points. Lingcod hold on nearshore rocky structure at mid-depth. Treat species statuses below as seasonally informed baselines rather than confirmed bite reports.
Lake Erie smallmouth peak as new moon opens a mid-June feeding window
No buoy or gauge readings reached our system for Pennsylvania's Lake Erie waters this week, leaving conditions data unavailable — anglers should pull the latest from the PA Fish & Boat Commission's Biologist Reports before heading out. That said, mid-June is historically one of Erie's strongest windows for smallmouth bass, with fish moving onto rocky reef structure and nearshore points in earnest. Tactical Bassin reports Great Lakes smallmouth responding well to swimbait presentations on windblown days — the Dark Sleeper and Spark Shad drew solid bites even in tough chop, a pattern that translates directly to Erie's reef fishery. The new moon (June 15) typically sharpens low-light walleye feeding windows along deeper breaks. PA Sea Grant has flagged growing harmful algal bloom risk in the Great Lakes region as summer temperatures build; check for discolored or foul-smelling water before launching at Presque Isle and avoid contact if blooms are visible.
Pittsburgh tailwaters enter peak summer smallmouth and catfish window
Field & Stream's summer temperature guide flags mid-June as the inflection point when river bass shift to low-light feeding as mainstem temperatures climb — a pattern expected to be fully in play on the Allegheny and Pittsburgh tailwaters right now. No USGS gauge readings or regional charter intel arrived in this reporting cycle, so this report draws on seasonal patterns and technique intel from national fishing resources. Smallmouth bass are the primary target as fish regroup from spawning; look for them on riprap, bridge pilings, and current seams below dam structures during dawn and dusk windows. Channel catfish are typical June stalwarts on these river systems, responding to bottom presentations in warming water. Tonight's new moon creates darker overnight conditions through the weekend — prime timing for catfish and river walleye working the tailrace discharge. Consult PA Fish & Boat Commission biologist reports for current stocking details and any regulation updates specific to these pools before heading out.
Columbia Transitions to Summer Chinook as Spring Kings Wind Down
Drought-driven fish kills spreading across western reservoirs — covered this week by Wired 2 Fish in reporting on Arizona's San Carlos Lake and broader western declines — provide sobering regional backdrop to a Columbia River cycle that arrived with no live buoy or gauge readings and no in-river catch reports from any citable source. Absent real-time data, conditions below reflect typical mid-June patterns for this stretch. Spring Chinook, which peak below Bonneville in April and May, are winding down by the second week of June; the focus shifts to early summer kings moving into the lower and mid-Columbia. White sturgeon hold year-round in deeper tailouts and below each dam, and the New Moon on June 15 historically corresponds with increased bottom-feeding windows in slack-current zones. IFish.net produced only lost-gear posts for this cycle with no verifiable Columbia River bite intel. Check ODFW current rules for your zone before harvesting salmon or sturgeon — regulations vary significantly by section and run timing.
Pre-Spawn Snook Go Trophy-Size as South Atlantic Red Snapper Season Blocked
Snook Nook out of Stuart reports that June is historically the strongest month for trophy snook on the Treasure Coast, with 40-inch-plus fish actively staging ahead of their annual spawn. The snook harvest season has closed for summer, typically June 1 through August 31 in this area per Snook Nook, making catch-and-release the only option right now. The shop urges careful handling of these breeder fish. Offshore, CCA Florida reports that a U.S. District Court issued a preliminary injunction blocking South Atlantic red snapper Exempted Fishing Permit programs for Florida and three neighboring states, shutting down the anticipated Atlantic recreational season before it could open. In deeper water, South Florida Fishing Channel and BlacktipH (YT) have been targeting swordfish and Warsaw grouper offshore, with BlacktipH logging runs to 140 miles out in 600-foot depths. New Moon conditions this weekend favor low-light feeding windows at first light and last light for inshore species near passes and beach fronts.
Bream lights up Savannah chain as summer bass push to deeper structure
Lakes and ponds across Georgia are producing some of the best fishing of the season, according to the June 13 Southern Waters Fishing Report in GA Sportsman / Georgia Outdoor News. On the Hartwell and Russell system, USGS gauge 02192000 recorded 588 cfs Sunday evening, reflecting controlled releases typical for June. The most notable recent catch from the Savannah chain came June 6, when Springfield angler Seth Seckinger landed a 1-lb., 10.1-oz. bluegill on the Savannah River using a white Beetle Spin tipped with a cricket, a new Savannah River record per GA Sportsman / Georgia Outdoor News. With the new moon coinciding with mid-June heat, largemouth and striped bass are completing their post-spawn transition to offshore structure. Crankbaits, wobble head jigs, and Carolina rigs on channel transitions and submerged timber are the reliable summer playbook per Wired 2 Fish and Tactical Bassin. Georgia Wildlife Blog notes National Fishing and Boating Week ran through June 14, with a Free Fishing Day on June 13.
Lanier tailwater cold and productive as lakes shift into summer bass patterns
The Chattahoochee tailwater below Buford Dam logged 49°F at 652 cfs as of Sunday evening (USGS gauge 02334430), keeping trout conditions in prime shape below Lake Lanier. On the impoundments themselves, GA Sportsman / Georgia Outdoor News noted in their June 13 report that "lakes and ponds have produced some of the best reports" received all week. Bass on both Lanier and Allatoona are settling into early-summer patterns: active topwater during the first hour of light, then retreating to deeper structure as temperatures climb. The new moon (June 15) favors strong dawn-and-dusk feeding windows through the weekend. Georgia's National Fishing and Boating Week concluded June 14, and June 13 was a statewide Free Fishing Day — Georgia Wildlife Blog — Fishing noted the event brought many new anglers to the water. Shad-imitating swimbaits and deep-diving crankbaits are the carry-over techniques as bass transition away from shallow post-spawn haunts.
Low Water Concentrates Summer Bass on Catawba and Roanoke
USGS gauge 02142900 measured just 0.57 cfs on the evening of June 14 — near-drought flow that funnels fish into the deepest pools, channel bends, and any remaining structure with current. No water-temperature reading is available this cycle; mid- to upper-60s°F are typical for NC freshwater in mid-June, though larger Catawba and Roanoke impoundments are likely developing summer thermoclines. The new moon on June 15 opens the best low-light bite windows of the month at first and last light. Broader NC context is encouraging: B.A.S.S. News reports that Jason Christie just claimed a 92-pound, 7-ounce, four-day total to win the Bassmaster Elite at Pasquotank River/Albemarle Sound this week, signaling that the state's freshwater bass are actively feeding. On Catawba-Roanoke waters, Wired 2 Fish's summer bass guide points to offshore channel structure as the key daytime holding zone, with crankbaits and swing-head jigs the recommended presentations.
Georgia Coast Seatrout Running Well as New Moon Tides Build
Captain Travis Harper was putting clients on nice trout this past week, per the GA Sportsman / Georgia Outdoor News June 13 Southern Waters report — the clearest coastal indicator in a fishing week that coincided with National Fishing and Boating Week and Georgia's Free Fishing Day on June 13. No NOAA buoy data is available for this cycle, but falling river levels on the Altamaha (7.2 ft and falling), Savannah (3.9 ft and steady), and Ocmulgee (1.9 ft and falling), per GA Sportsman / Georgia Outdoor News, suggest easing freshwater discharge into coastal estuaries — a condition that typically strengthens salinity in tidal marshes and concentrates bait in creek mouths and drains. With a new moon on June 15 generating the month's strongest tidal swings, the moving-water windows that Georgia's inshore gamefish depend on are setting up well. Salt Strong's summer-edition southeastern surf guide notes coastal surf action builds steadily as water temperatures rise through early June.
Stripers Spread Into Maine as New Moon Tides Build
On June 12, On The Water's striper migration map confirmed bass widespread from New Jersey to Maine, with the new moon and strong tides expected to push fish toward summer grounds. That regional picture gets a Maine-specific signal: on June 8, OTW Saltwater reported that Maine DMR Commissioner Carl Wilson issued an open letter to Saco River striper anglers urging better catch-and-release practices, a clear indicator that the Saco has been seeing both active fish and significant pressure. No NOAA buoy data was available for this report cycle, leaving water temperatures unconfirmed, but mid-June Gulf of Maine conditions typically support active striper feeding as nearshore temps work toward the upper 50s. OTW Surfcasting acknowledges a split fishery coastwide: some stretches are fishing as well as they have in years, others are tough. Timing the new moon tidal exchanges and scouting beyond high-pressure river access points will be the keys this week.
Summer heat fires up bass while CT inland trout seek cooler refuge
Water temps recorded at 76°F on the Connecticut River drainage (USGS gauge 01184000) place inland conditions squarely in midsummer territory as of June 14. For bass anglers, that's welcome news: largemouth and smallmouth are actively chasing baitfish in the shallows at first light, and Wired 2 Fish's summer bass roundup highlights crankbaits and swimbaits as high-percentage producers once the sun climbs. Tactical Bassin rates the swing-head jig and shaky-head worm as a reliable one-two punch for offshore summer bass patterns. The flip side is trout: Field & Stream's temperature guide for trout fishing flags 68°F as the stress threshold, meaning our current 76°F readings put brook, brown, and rainbow trout in marginal territory. If you do target trout on cooler spring-fed tributaries — where gauge 01193500 is running a lean 29.5 cfs — keep fish in the water and handle quickly. Today's new moon adds a prime feeding window at dawn and dusk.
Moosehead salmon season shifts to deep-water trolling for summer
The upper Penobscot is flowing at 1,150 cfs (USGS gauge 01030500, as of June 14), a moderate early-summer pace confirming the spring runoff surge has largely subsided. No water temperature is available from the gauge this cycle, though mid-June typically pushes surface temps across the Moosehead basin into the low-to-mid 60s°F, the inflection point where landlocked salmon abandon the shallows and stack near the thermocline. Field & Stream's current trout temperature guide reinforces that once surface readings climb past 60°F, salmonids increasingly retreat to cold-water refugia, a well-known cue for Moosehead regulars to swap spring streamer work for lead-core or downrigger trolling with smelt imitations. Brook trout continue to hold in spring-fed coves and cold tributary mouths. Specific on-the-water dispatches from local captains or shops are absent from our feeds this week; this report leans on gauge data, seasonal patterns, and general freshwater guidance rather than live charter reports.
Lake Michigan Salmon Season at Full Stride as New Moon Arrives Near Chicago
The WI DNR Lake Michigan Fishing Report logged more than 210,000 coho salmon harvested in 2024 — a lake-wide record — plus over 160,000 Chinook, the best tally since 2012, fueled by strong alewife forage classes that reach Illinois waters equally. That population strength is the backdrop for Chicago-area salmon trollers this week. On the inshore side, Tactical Bassin's Great Lakes content highlights a two-bait swimbait approach — Dark Sleeper on a swinging jighead paired with a Spark Shad — as a productive formula for smallmouth in the wind-driven chop typical of mid-June Lake Michigan. No buoy readings are available from the Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant nearshore network this cycle, leaving precise water temps unconfirmed. Tonight's new moon opens a low-light dawn window that should benefit both offshore salmon trollers and nearshore bass anglers through the weekend.
Columbia Basin Bass Season Peaks as Washington Rivers Warm Into Summer
Water temperatures of 65°F on the Columbia system (USGS gauge 14113000, June 14) confirm that summer fishing mode has arrived across Washington. For bass anglers, this is prime time: Outdoor Hub reports a fully loaded tournament calendar through August in the Columbia Basin, with Moses Lake, Potholes Reservoir, and Banks Lake all hosting Inland Empire Bass Club events — a clear sign that Columbia Basin smallmouth and largemouth fishing is in full swing. Flows are sitting at a steady 966 cfs, which should concentrate fish around submerged structure and current breaks. The warm temps tell a different story for trout: Hatch Magazine's recent guide to fishing through drought conditions across the West highlights how rising temperatures push trout into thermal refugia, and at 65°F we are approaching the upper comfort threshold for rainbow and cutthroat. No specific guide or charter reports were available from Columbia or Puget Sound river captains this week, so this report leans on gauge data and broader regional intel.
Columbia smallmouth peak as mid-June warmth settles in
USGS gauge 14211720 logged 67°F on Sunday afternoon, putting the lower Columbia River squarely in prime smallmouth bass territory. That reading aligns with what Outdoor Hub reports from the broader Columbia Basin: the summer tournament calendar is running full tilt on Washington's side of the system, with Moses Lake, Potholes Reservoir, and Banks Lake all hosting events through August, and Oregon anglers on the south bank should find parallel conditions along rock shelves and channel edges. On the Rogue, the picture is more guarded. Hatch Magazine's recent drought coverage warns that rising summer temperatures and low water are stressing trout across the West; the Rogue's upper reaches are almost certainly sharing that pressure, and early-morning sessions before the warmth builds are the practical response. New moon this weekend typically tightens feeding windows to low-light hours at dawn and dusk. Specific Oregon catch reports are sparse this cycle.
Stripers Hot in the Surf as Bluefin Tuna Follow Jersey's Massive Squid Push
Bluefin tuna have moved inside striking distance of the Jersey Shore, just 20 to 30 miles out, following a massive squid invasion offshore, per Fishermans HQ LBI. That is the headline for mid-June, but the striper fishery remains the workhorse. OTW Northern New Jersey's June 11 report has bass actively taking clams in the surf, and On The Water's June 12 striper migration update confirms the bite is widespread from NJ to Maine heading into this new moon weekend. Grumpys Tackle notes clams and bunker are the top baits in the surf, with fluke also picking up along the beachfront as warmer water slowly filters in. Sea bass fishing is split: Blue Chip Sportfishing reports near-limit trips on the reefs, while Capt Ron's Atlantic Highlands crew is finding fish on the bottom but struggling to get them to commit, as bass appear gorged on sand eels. Blue Chip has also seen mako shark action bust wide open, with multiple fish released in recent days.
Smokies Trout Pushed to Cold Refugia as Summer Heat Sets In
USGS gauge 03512000 recorded 73°F on June 14 — well above the stress threshold that Field & Stream's temperature guide for trout fishing identifies as the onset of significant physiological strain for rainbows and browns. At these readings, trout retreat to cold-water refugia: spring seeps, tributary confluences, and shaded deep pools. Bite windows tighten sharply to the coolest hours of the day, typically the first two hours after sunrise before surface temps climb. Flow sits at 215 cfs, a moderate summer level that makes wading manageable and keeps fish spread across the system. No direct Smokies-specific reports from charter or shop sources appeared in this week's intel feeds, so anglers should treat conditions as challenging and plan around early-morning sessions. Check NC Wildlife Resources Commission advisories for any active hoot owl restrictions before heading out — warm mid-June temperatures often trigger voluntary or mandatory closures on designated trophy and wild trout waters.