Fishing reports
19273 reports across all 50 states — current conditions and what's biting.
Stripers Clinging to Clams as New Moon Tides Hit Raritan Bay
The June 11 OTW Northern New Jersey report sets the tone: stripers are taking clams in the surf, sea bass are holding steady on the nearshore reefs, and the fluke bite is picking up pace as warmer water and bait push in. Out of Atlantic Highlands, Capt Ron's is logging a mixed week on the bottom. Fish are showing on the sonar but the bite has been finicky; on the best day, ling dominated with scattered sea bass in deeper water, while sand eels appear to be filling the fishes' bellies and dampening bait interest. Blue Chip Sportfishing tells a different story offshore: sea bass charters are near-limiting almost every trip, and shark action has busted wide open, with last Friday producing three mako releases. Back on the beach, Grumpy's Tackle confirms a larger class of striped bass has moved into the surf lineup, with clams and bunker chunks the top presentations. The new moon weekend typically unleashes big tidal exchanges that push bait and trigger feeding windows.
Lee's Ferry Trout Dialed In as Arizona Reservoirs Contend with Drought Pressure
USGS gauge 09380000 clocked 60°F and 8,110 cfs on the Colorado River on June 14 — cold Glen Canyon Dam releases that keep the Lee's Ferry tailwater producing trout long after most Arizona fisheries have baked into summer dormancy. The wider regional picture is sobering: Wired 2 Fish reports a complete fish kill at Arizona's San Carlos Lake, where drought-driven low water stripped oxygen from the reservoir and wiped out its largemouth bass, crappie, and catfish population. The Salt River chain hasn't reached that extreme, but summer heat is pressing bass off shallow structure toward deeper, cooler haunts. New moon conditions this weekend typically compress daytime feeding windows — expect largemouth to be most aggressive at first and last light, with catfish taking over once darkness settles. Field & Stream's temperature guide notes that 60°F sits in the ideal trout feeding band, which bodes well for the Lee's Ferry corridor.
Go deep for bass as summer locks in on Travis, LBJ, and Buchanan
The Highland Lakes (Travis, LBJ, and Buchanan) are firmly in summer mode as of mid-June, with bass behavior shifting to the thermal-stratification patterns that define Texas reservoir fishing through the hottest months. No water temperature reading is available from our gauges this cycle, but mid-June conditions in the Hill Country routinely push surface temps into the upper 80s, sending largemouth and striped bass off the shallows and onto offshore structure by midday. The Colorado River at Austin (USGS gauge 08158000) is recording 700 cfs, reflecting moderate Highland Lakes system releases. Wired 2 Fish notes that summer bass success hinges on targeting fish shallow at dawn, then following them to deep structure as the sun loads the water column. Tactical Bassin specifically calls out the wobble-head jig and shaky-head worm as a reliable June one-two punch for offshore bass, a pattern that translates well to the chain's submerged creek channels and points. The New Moon this weekend may suppress topwater surface activity but opens productive feeding windows around low-light transitions.
Delaware River and Pine Barrens bass fishing enters its prime summer window
The USGS gauge at site 01408000 recorded a flow of 19.6 cfs on June 14, a low figure that reflects dry early-summer conditions across the Pine Barrens watershed. No water temperature reading was available from this gauge, but flows at this level concentrate fish in deeper pools, undercut banks, and channel bends — a pattern that rewards finesse presentations and targeted structure fishing. Freshwater-specific intel for this region is limited this cycle; most New Jersey reporting has focused on the active coastal bite. NJ Fish & Wildlife highlights Hamburg Mountain WMA's Silver Lake and Franklin Pond Creek as actively stocked trout waters, and notes that seasonal closures are in effect at five WMAs through September 7, 2026 — anglers should confirm access before heading out. On the Delaware River, mid-June historically marks the shift from the tail end of the shad run to prime season for smallmouth bass and channel catfish working boulder fields and deeper ledges.
White River trout slow as summer heat arrives below Bull Shoals and Norfork
USGS gauge 07060710 on the White River system recorded a water temperature of 74°F and flow of just 27.4 cfs on June 14 — conditions that push Bull Shoals and Norfork tailwaters into high-stress territory for trout. Field & Stream's temperature guide for trout anglers flags this range as prime "hoot owl restriction" season: as summer heats up, agencies limit fishing hours on stressed rivers to reduce catch-and-release mortality risk. At 74°F, rainbows and browns go lethargic and compress feeding windows to the pre-dawn hours when cold dam releases still dominate. The 27.4 cfs reading suggests little to no active power generation at either dam, meaning limited cold-water discharge into the system. No specific on-the-water reports from White River guides, shops, or charters appeared in this week's intel feeds. Hatch Magazine's drought fishing guide advises anglers facing these conditions to fish earliest available light, minimize handling, and skip mid-day sessions entirely when temps remain elevated.
Summer ledge bite developing on Alabama's Tennessee and Coosa Rivers
B.A.S.S. News is covering a Bassmaster Open at Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley, with competition on the upper Tennessee River confirming active summer bass action across the system. That momentum carries into Alabama's stretch of the Tennessee and the Coosa River corridor as fish settle into their post-spawn summer patterns. USGS gauge 02339500 recorded 15,600 cfs on June 14, indicating active current that concentrates fish on structure breaks and current seams. No water temperature reading was available from this gauge. Wired 2 Fish notes that summer bass split their day between shallow topwater presentations at first light and a move to deep offshore structure once the sun climbs. Tactical Bassin (blog) backs this up, pointing to crankbaits dialed to the right depth zone and swing-head jigs worked along the bottom as the most reliable summer producers at this stage of the season.
Finger Lakes Smallmouth Hit Post-Spawn Stride as Mid-June Arrives
Water temperatures have reached 67°F across the Finger Lakes watershed, per USGS gauge 04232050 as of June 14, marking the prime post-spawn feeding window for smallmouth bass on Cayuga, Seneca, and Skaneateles. Tactical Bassin highlighted exactly this transition this week in Great Lakes smallmouth footage: finesse swimbaits like the Spark Shad draw open-water reaction bites while swing-head jigs with soft plastics pull larger fish off bottom structure — both approaches translate directly to the Finger Lakes' rocky basin edges. Wired 2 Fish reinforces the seasonal pattern, noting that summer bass work shallow bait at first light then slide to offshore structure as the sun climbs, making the early-morning window the clear priority. For trout anglers, Field & Stream's water temperature guide flags the mid-to-upper 60s as the onset of thermal stress for browns and rainbows; lake trout have likely retreated to the cooler deep layers of Seneca and Cayuga. Smallmouth are the dominant bite right now, with lake trout still reachable for downrigger trollers willing to probe deeper water.
Prime trout window opens on Colorado and Arkansas Rivers as runoff clears
With the USGS gauge at 2,740 cfs and water temperature at 68°F, the Colorado River is cresting out of spring runoff and entering a brief but genuine fishing window. Crystal Fly Shop (CO) said it plainly: "We're on the back end of runoff now with currently great water conditions and happy fish — the time to float and fish the river is NOW before the heat kicks in." Large attractor patterns are producing in the elevated flows, and the shop expects green drakes within two weeks, followed by golden stones, PMDs, and caddis. One caution: 68°F is at the upper edge of trout thermal tolerance, and Field & Stream's temperature guide notes that wildlife agencies often implement hoot owl restrictions near these readings. Target early mornings and overcast afternoons for the best action. Cutthroat Anglers (CO) add that Colorado's historically low 2026 snowpack has compressed this season's timeline, but fish are "grouped up and ready to bite for the adaptable angler." This window is short — plan accordingly.
Smallmouth Bass the Hot Ticket at Lake Michigan's Grand River Mouth
The Grand River is pushing 4,180 cfs toward Lake Michigan per the USGS gauge, keeping the river-mouth current seam — one of mid-June's most productive transitions — reliably active. Tactical Bassin's Great Lakes smallmouth content this week confirms bass are responding well to swimbait presentations in open-water, wind-blown conditions; their field session produced a big bag including two trophy fish on a Dark Sleeper and Spark Shad combination. The new moon (June 14) opens a low-light feeding window that benefits anglers targeting walleye and bass near structure around the river mouth after dark. Water temperature data was unavailable from the gauge this period; check local surface temps before committing to depth and timing. Salmon fans can take a longer view: the WI DNR Lake Michigan Fishing Report documented over 210,000 coho harvested in 2024 — a record — alongside more than 160,000 Chinook, the most since 2012, signaling strong stocked-fish survival and a promising outlook for the approaching fall run.
Post-Spawn Walleye Bite Building on Lake of the Woods Under New Moon
The Rainy River at International Falls reads 59°F and 21,100 cfs as of June 14 (USGS gauge 05133500), placing Lake of the Woods walleye squarely in prime post-spawn feeding territory. At this temperature, fish have wrapped up spawning and are actively regrouping on mid-lake reefs, hard-bottom flats, and channel structure along the Rainy River corridor. AnglingBuzz (YT) has been drilling into walleye presentations this week, covering jig-and-crawler setups and finesse line choices, with techniques that translate directly to these waters. Jason Mitchell Outdoors (YT) recently covered bottom bouncers and spinners for active post-spawn walleye, another staple approach on the Rainy River corridor. Tonight's new moon extends the productive low-light windows at dawn and dusk, typically the most consistent timing on LOTW. No direct charter or tackle-shop intel from the immediate LOTW area was available in this cycle; conditions are drawn from gauge data and regional walleye content.
Lake Erie Smallmouth in Prime June Form as Great Lakes Season Heats Up
Area gauges are reading 74°F on June 14, with flow at 2,510 cfs — conditions that put Lake Erie's smallmouth bass squarely into their early-summer pattern. Tactical Bassin recently filmed a Great Lakes smallmouth session on a windy day, reporting the Dark Sleeper swimbait and finesse Spark Shad as a "phenomenal 1-2 punch" for turning fish when conditions looked tough. The lesson for Erie anglers: wave action concentrates bait and activates bass along structural breaks. Walleye, Lake Erie's other marquee species, are most likely holding in deeper, cooler zones as daytime surface temps peak. Yellow perch remain a consistent mid-depth producer. At 74°F, steelhead and brown trout are best pursued in cooler, spring-fed Niagara tributaries rather than the main lake — Field & Stream's trout temperature guide flags significant salmonid stress above 68°F. Tonight's new moon adds a favorable low-light feeding window; plan early morning and evening pushes for best results across all species.
East Texas bass locked into summer feeding mode on Toledo Bend and Sam Rayburn
Lake Fork Trophy Bass reports that East Texas bass are in a robust post-spawn feeding cycle for 2026, describing May as 'outstanding' with fish catchable 'from shallow to deep' as they replenish after the spawn. That same summer feeding pattern is now fully underway on Toledo Bend and Sam Rayburn heading into mid-June. The Sabine River system is running at 1,980 cfs per USGS gauge 08030500, a moderate summer reading that should keep the upper reservoir arms in decent shape without significant water-clarity issues. No water temperature reading was available in today's dataset, but midsummer East Texas conditions typically push surface temps into the low-to-mid 80s°F. With the New Moon on June 14, low ambient light favors shallow dawn bites before bass drop to ledges and points by mid-morning. Wired 2 Fish notes summer bass shift from shallow early feeders to deep-structure fish once the sun climbs, a transition that defines the daily June rhythm on both Toledo Bend and Sam Rayburn.
Delaware Bay Drum and Stripers in Form as New Moon Tides Build
On The Water's June 12 striper migration map confirms bass spread widely from New Jersey to Maine, with the new moon this weekend expected to push fish and bait toward summer haunts. Along the NJ side of Delaware Bay, striped bass and black drum are the primary targets right now. Grumpys Tackle's recent roundup highlighted drum, bass, and blues all active together on the mid-Jersey coast, with clams and bunker chunks producing the most consistent striper results in the surf and bay edges. OTW Northern New Jersey confirmed on June 11 that stripers are still taking clams in the surf as sea bass hold steady on nearshore structure. Fluke are improving slowly, with OTW Northern New Jersey noting that warmer water and an abundance of bait are setting the stage for better action ahead. No buoy temperature data is available this cycle, but conditions are consistent with the typical mid-June Delaware Bay window when bass, drum, and early-summer flounder overlap.
Spanish Mackerel Nearshore, Sheepshead on Structure at Charleston Harbor
Fisherman's Post — Carolinas saltwater's June dispatches confirm Spanish mackerel are moving into Carolina nearshore waters in good numbers, with Morgan of The Reel Outdoors reporting fish pushing the beachfront from the upper Carolina coast — a migration that typically tracks south to Charleston Harbor through mid-June. Bluefish remain active along the surf zone as well. Inshore, red drum are present but scattered, per Fisherman's Post; fish are holding in deeper holes around hard structure rather than roaming the flats. The first push of smaller sheepshead has arrived on structure along the Carolina coast, with Lewis at Island Tackle and Hardware noting fish staging up on hard structure in the Cape Fear system. No buoy data is available for Charleston Harbor this week, leaving water temperature unreported. With a New Moon this weekend, tidal exchanges will run stronger than average — the prime window for structure anglers working current through docks, pilings, and oyster bars for both sheepshead and red drum.
Oklahoma bass fires up for summer as Eufaula and Texoma ledges come alive
Sallisaw's Rodney Copeland claimed his first MLF win this week at the Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats on the Arkansas River near Muskogee, totaling 40 pounds, 13 ounces over three days, per MLF News. Local knowledge of eddies and current breaks was the decisive factor, and the same principle applies on Lake Eufaula and Lake Texoma as the summer structure bite develops. The USGS gauge (site 07331600) logged 6,930 cfs on June 14; no water temperature reading was available. The new moon this weekend is a natural trigger for heightened feeding activity across all species. Tactical Bassin's seasonal coverage highlights crankbaits and swing-head jigs as the go-to summer presentations, noting that bass shift between shallow ambush points at dawn and deep offshore structure through the midday heat. Both Eufaula and Texoma anglers know this pattern well: first light and last light are the windows that matter most in mid-June.
New moon sparks bass action on Lake Okeechobee and the St. Johns
USGS gauge 02232000 on the St. Johns system registered 24.8 cfs Sunday afternoon, confirming the near-flat, sluggish flow that defines this northward-flowing river in mid-June. No water temperature was recorded, but central Florida freshwater surfaces typically climb into the upper 80s by this point in summer, compressing productive fishing into the low-light margins of the day. The new moon today adds a natural feeding trigger; largemouth bass on both Lake Okeechobee and the St. Johns chain typically push hard to grass edges and submerged structure during dawn and dusk windows around the new phase. Wired 2 Fish's current summer bass breakdown underscores the pattern: topwater and shallow-running presentations dominate first light, giving way to deep crankbaits and bottom-contact jigs once the sun climbs. Specific on-the-water reports from Okeechobee captains or St. Johns tackle shops were not captured in this update cycle; conditions here draw from regional technique signals applied to known local seasonal patterns.
Summer catfish prime time arrives on Kansas and Arkansas Rivers
Water temperature hit 78°F on the Kansas River corridor as of June 14 (USGS gauge 06892350), with flows elevated at 19,300 cfs, a combination that puts channel and flathead catfish in active-to-hot territory. The New Moon phase adds a boost for night anglers working cut bait in current seams and back eddies, where displaced baitfish tend to concentrate during high-water conditions. Fishing the Midwest notes that rivers deliver outstanding summer action and encourages anglers to take advantage of moving-water opportunities this season. Bass anglers face a tougher go: Tactical Bassin recommends swing jigs and wobble-head rigs to pick through offshore structure when fish get pushed by current and warm temps. White bass, which favor moving water and shad-heavy current breaks, are worth targeting below any dam or tailwater structure where flow funnels bait.
Early Kenai Kings in the Window as June Snowmelt Flows Peak
USGS gauge 15266300 put the Kenai River at 6,970 cfs and 48°F on June 14, markers of peak snowmelt-season conditions in the drainage. No charter, shop, or state-agency reports appeared in this week's intel feeds specifically covering the Kenai or Alaska interior rivers, so this report draws on gauge data and mid-June seasonal patterns. At 48°F, salmonids are in their feeding comfort zone; Field & Stream's trout temperature guide notes that cold-water species feed actively through the upper 40s and into the low 50s. Mid-June is historically the prime opening window for the early Chinook run on the Kenai — one of the most sought-after freshwater fisheries on the continent — with sockeye beginning to stage in the lower river as well. Expect fast, high-volume current: at nearly 7,000 cfs, heavier terminal rigs and precise depth control are essential to keep presentations in the bottom third of the water column where kings hold. The new moon this weekend may concentrate salmon movement during low-light windows.
Mississippi backwaters heat up for summer bass and catfish as new moon arrives
The USGS gauge at Baton Rouge (07374000) logged water at 82°F and flows near 531,000 cfs on June 14, pushing conditions firmly into summer mode on the lower Mississippi and Atchafalaya systems. No tackle shop or charter reports came through this cycle with direct freshwater intel for these drainages, but broader fishing sources point the way. Wired 2 Fish notes that summer bass are now split between pre-dawn topwater action in shallow cover and deeper offshore structure once the sun climbs — a pattern that translates well to the bayou backwaters and oxbow lakes flanking both rivers. Field & Stream's recent coverage of a 110-plus-pound flathead caught on a Santee rig in a 40-foot back eddy on the Pee Dee River highlights the deep-eddy catfish pattern that runs parallel here all summer. The New Moon this weekend should amplify feeding windows across species, particularly at dawn and dusk.
Great Lakes Smallmouth Fire Up Along Indiana Shoreline for Mid-June
Tactical Bassin's latest Great Lakes outing shows smallmouth bass actively chasing swimbaits in tough, windy conditions this week, producing a strong bag including trophy-class fish on a Dark Sleeper and Spark Shad combination. No buoy or gauge readings are currently available for the Indiana shoreline, so conditions intel leans on regional reports. The new moon (June 14) typically suppresses midday surface activity but can push aggressive feeding windows at first and last light along breakwalls and rock structure that define this stretch of coast. IL/IN Sea Grant confirms its nearshore Lake Michigan buoys are now deployed for the 2026 season. The broader lake carries strong momentum: WI DNR's 2024 harvest data showed record coho returns topping 210,000 and the best Chinook numbers since 2012, signaling a healthy forage base that benefits the full predator chain. Salmon trollers and perch anglers working deeper water off the Indiana ports should find favorable conditions as June progresses.
Gulf Rigs and Live Bait Delivering Offshore as Panhandle Summer Season Opens
A June 13 report from the Pensacola Fishing Forum describes anglers loading up on live bait at daylight, running 60-70 miles SSW, finding great conditions, and returning with solid boxes of fish, though specific species weren't detailed. That offshore run aligns with typical mid-June Panhandle patterns, when summer federal seasons open and Gulf amberjack, king mackerel, and red snapper stack on structure. Sport Fishing Mag notes that Gulf amberjack are hammering topwater lures worked aggressively over deep wrecks, and their guide to northern Gulf rig fishing reinforces that the Pensacola-Destin corridor is some of the most target-rich offshore water in the Gulf. Inshore, Captain Rick Murphy (FL Insider) is covering current redfish casting technique on Gulf-coast flats. No NOAA buoy data was available for this update, so water temperatures are unconfirmed; check with local marinas before heading out. The new moon today keeps nights dark, a plus for nearshore redfish feeding during the morning low-light window.
UP trout streams settling into summer shape as Lake Superior lakers remain active
Flow on the Michigamme drainage (USGS gauge 04059500) clocked 321 cfs as of June 14, a moderate reading that signals UP trout streams are past peak runoff and settling into early-summer shape. No water temperature is available from the gauge, but mid-June in the Upper Peninsula typically places freestone stream surfaces in the trout-comfortable mid-to-upper 50s range. On Lake Superior, Wired 2 Fish reported a catch-and-release state record lake trout from Superior's Minnesota waters this spring — a 45.5-inch fish taken in early May — pointing to active lakers across the lake's basin. WI DNR Lake Superior Fishing highlights a rapidly growing angler fishery for lake whitefish in the Chequamegon Bay corridor, interest that extends to Michigan's south shore. Tonight's new moon stretches the low-light feeding window at dawn and dusk. Tactical Bassin notes Great Lakes smallmouth responding well to swimbait presentations in big-water conditions this season.
Catfish and bass move deep as Santee and Lake Murray hit summer peak
Field & Stream reported a new South Carolina state flathead catfish record this week: a 110-plus-pound fish landed on the Pee Dee River using a Santee rig, the bottom-fishing setup named for this very system. That landmark catch underscores how productive SC's freshwater catfish bite can be heading into summer. On Lake Murray and the Santee Cooper chain, mid-June marks the full transition into a deepwater pattern. Striped bass, the flagship species of both impoundments, are pushed off the shallows by warming surface temps, staging on main-lake humps and points where cooler, oxygenated water persists. Largemouth bass follow the same split-shift script: topwater action in the early-morning hours near woody cover, then a move to offshore ledges and deep structure as the sun climbs. USGS gauge 02160390 logged 133 cfs on June 14, with no temperature reading available; conditions appear stable heading into the weekend.
Susquehanna Heats Up: Smallmouth and Cats Lead the Midsummer Bite
Water temperatures at 80°F on the Susquehanna (USGS gauge 01540500, read Sunday afternoon) place the river squarely in midsummer warmwater territory, well above the stress ceiling for trout. Field & Stream's trout temperature guide flags conditions above 75°F as potentially lethal for salmonids; any angler who incidentally hooks a trout should release it immediately with minimal handling. Wired 2 Fish reports that summer bass shift between shallow dawn feeding lanes and deeper offshore structure as heat builds through the day, a rhythm that fits the Susquehanna's current thermal profile. Catfish thrive in warm, moderate-flow conditions and represent the most reliable daytime bite right now. PA Sea Grant has raised a timely alert about harmful algal blooms expanding across Pennsylvania waterways this summer, with a public webinar scheduled for June 25; anglers planning extended river trips should monitor bloom forecasts, as blooms can develop rapidly in warm, slower-moving sections.