Fishing reports
19273 reports across all 50 states — current conditions and what's biting.
Central MA bass eye summer structure as flows run low under new moon
USGS gauge 01105500 clocked just 8.85 cfs on June 14 — thin for mid-June — while gauge 01111500 read 28.2 cfs, signaling that Central MA watersheds are in a settled, low-flow phase with no water temperature telemetry available from either site. Low, clear conditions typically push largemouth bass and chain pickerel off exposed shallows and toward deeper weedline edges, submerged structure, and shaded coves. Wired 2 Fish reports that summer bass work surface water early, then drop to "deep structure" once the sun climbs — making the first hour after dawn the priority window right now. Tactical Bassin highlights swing-head jigs and soft-plastic swimbaits as reliable producers when bass slide to offshore holds. With no gauge temps available, anglers targeting stocked trout should check conditions locally before committing; Field & Stream's current temperature guide flags summer afternoon highs as a stress risk warranting extra caution. Tonight's new moon may sharpen feeding activity at dawn and dusk edges.
Cobia and Bluefish Fill the Bay Mouth as Stripers Move North
On The Water's June 12 striper migration map confirms bass are now running widespread from New Jersey to Maine, meaning the main spring push has cleared the Chesapeake mouth and the fishery is shifting into summer mode. The new moon today (June 14) drives strong tidal exchanges at the Bay entrance — historically one of the better feeding triggers of the month. Cobia typically peak at the Bay mouth through July as warming offshore water pushes north, though no direct captain reports from the mouth are included in this cycle's intel. On The Water also notes VIMS scientists are actively electrofishing Chesapeake Bay tributaries to monitor resident striped bass populations, a signal that stock assessment fieldwork is keeping pace with the season. Environmental buoy data is unavailable for this report; check NOAA Chesapeake Bay stations and local charter boards before departure.
Savannah River record bluegill headlines a hot mid-June Georgia bite
Seth Seckinger of Springfield landed a new Savannah River record bluegill on June 6 — 1 lb., 10.1 oz., taken on a white Beetle Spin tipped with a cricket, per GA Sportsman / Georgia Outdoor News. That catch reflects what anglers across Georgia are experiencing this week: bluegill and panfish in full summer mode, with lakes and ponds drawing the strongest statewide reports. Captain Travis Harper has also been putting clients on nice trout, per the same source. The Savannah River is running 3.9 feet and steady at Clyo (June 11 gauge reading), with USGS gauge 02197000 upstream reporting 4,870 cfs — a manageable level for wading and bank access. Today closes National Fishing and Boating Week, and the Georgia Wildlife Blog notes that yesterday's Free Fishing Day brought new anglers to public waters statewide. Tonight's new moon should extend low-light feeding windows into early Saturday morning — a prime window for bass and panfish alike.
Rangeley brook trout and landlocked salmon enter mid-June prime window
USGS gauge 01054200 on the Androscoggin headwaters is logging 55.1 cfs as of Sunday afternoon, June 14, a moderate and wadeable flow marking the post-runoff summer transition. Water temperature is unavailable from the gauge, but the Rangeley highlands typically hold cold-water-friendly stream temps through mid-June. Mainely Fly Fishing (ME) noted ice out at Dundee Pond as late as April 4th this spring, suggesting a compressed season start that may still be keeping fish accessible in shallower water than a warmer year would show by now. Brook trout and landlocked Atlantic salmon are the primary draws across the Rangeley Lakes chain and inlet streams at this stage of the season, while lake trout push deeper as surface temperatures climb toward summer. The New Moon this weekend eliminates lunar glare and can sharpen daytime feeding windows. Per Field & Stream's trout temperature guidance, watch stream temps closely in coming weeks: if exposed stretches push into the mid-60s Fahrenheit, plan for early-morning sessions.
Toledo Bend largemouth shifting to deep structure as summer heat builds
USGS gauge 08025500 on the Sabine at Logansport registered just 6.48 cfs on June 14, signaling near-minimal inflow and likely improving water clarity in Toledo Bend's upper arms heading into mid-June. No direct charter or shop reports came through for this stretch this week, but the broader bass-fishing conversation points clearly toward an early-summer offshore shift. Wired 2 Fish reports that summer largemouth feed on topwater at first light, then slide to deep structure once the sun climbs. Tactical Bassin backs that up, spotlighting swing-head jigs and crankbaits as the go-to tools for finding offshore bass on points and ledges through the heat of the day. Tonight's new moon sets up strong low-light feeding windows at dawn and dusk — the best windows of the week for targeting quality fish. Catfish and crappie round out the fishery; expect catfish to hold in deeper channel bends while crappie push to submerged timber in 20-plus feet.
New Moon Triggers Prime Bass Window on Quabbin & Wachusett
USGS gauge 01174500 on the Swift River — Quabbin Reservoir's primary outflow — logged 10.5 cfs on June 14, pointing to stable, well-retained reservoir levels entering midsummer. No surface temperature reading is available; mid-June in central Massachusetts typically pushes reservoir surfaces toward the low-to-mid 60s°F, which Field & Stream's trout temperature guide marks as the transition zone where cold-water species begin their retreat to depth. Smallmouth bass and yellow perch are the primary targets right now, holding at mid-depth rocky structure that both reservoirs offer in abundance. Tonight's new moon is the top timing trigger of the week: reduced overnight light and the new-moon feeding rhythm traditionally push reservoir bass into shallow lanes at dawn and dusk. Wired 2 Fish's summer bass breakdown highlights topwater and crankbaits for early-summer conditions; Tactical Bassin's swing-jig and soft-plastic pairing translates well to Quabbin's boulder-strewn drop-offs.
Spring Creek & Penns Creek Pivot to Summer Mode as June Hatches Shift
USGS gauge 01546500 recorded 76.2 cfs on the afternoon of June 14 — a moderate, wadeable flow for central Pennsylvania's limestone belt as the season pivots toward summer. No water temperature data was available at time of collection. Limestone spring creeks draw on constant-temperature groundwater and typically hold in the 55–65°F range well into summer, a buffer that keeps trout active when surrounding freestone waters begin to heat. Field & Stream's current trout temperature guide flags rising late-June water temps as the key variable to watch, noting that agencies trigger "hoot owl restrictions" when rivers warm dangerously — a timely reminder even for thermally stable limestone streams. PA Sea Grant announced a June 25 webinar on harmful algal blooms affecting Pennsylvania waterways this summer. No charter captain, tackle shop, or on-the-water reports specific to Spring Creek or Penns Creek were available in this data cycle; conditions here are assessed from gauge data, regional sources, and established mid-June patterns for limestone trout fisheries.
Stripers Widespread and Squid Blitzing Cape Cod at June New Moon
Thousands of squid were caught chasing baitfish right onto Cape Cod beaches last week, per On The Water, with the Center for Coastal Studies in Provincetown capturing the spectacle on video. That squid presence is a bellwether: striped bass follow bait, and On The Water's June 12 migration map confirms bass remain spread from New Jersey to Maine as of this weekend. The new moon on June 14 is expected to amp up tidal exchanges and push fish toward their summer grounds. Saltwater Edge Blog (RI), reporting on conditions in adjacent Rhode Island waters, notes that both striper and squid fishing have been "fantastic" under the cool-water regime that has persisted through early June, and neither bite shows signs of slowing. The Cape Cod Canal, where Buzzards Bay and Cape Cod Bay exchange water and currents rip hardest, is highlighted in OTW Surfcasting's 2026 Canal cheat sheet as a premier striper venue. Shore-based shark regulations are in full effect across Massachusetts waters, per On The Water and OTW Surfcasting.
Summer Bass Tournament Season Kicks Off Across the Columbia Basin
Per Outdoor Hub's Washington Bass Tournament Calendar for Summer 2026, bass season is in full swing across Eastern Washington's Columbia Basin, with events running through August at Moses Lake, Potholes Reservoir, and Banks Lake — a lineup shared by WDFW and the Inland Empire Bass Club covering both open and club-only competitions. That calendar is a fishery signal in itself: tournament anglers don't schedule on dead water. On the river side, the Yakima at Ellensburg is reading 3,020 cfs as of Sunday morning (USGS gauge 12484500), reflecting active snowmelt drainage that keeps flows elevated and water cold. No temperature reading is available from the gauge. New moon conditions this weekend should sharpen low-light feeding windows at dawn and dusk. Wired 2 Fish flagged drought-driven fish kills hitting Western reservoirs broadly this week, though Eastern WA impoundments are not cited in those reports.
Keys Snappers Firing Hard as Full Summer Offshore Season Hits Stride
Mutton snappers have been 'chewing like crazy' in the Florida Keys, per ALL IN Key West, which logged the species in force during the May full moon spawn run and calls May through July 'lights out' for everything from snappers and groupers to mahi, sharks, and kings. Yellowtail snappers are reportedly 'practically jumping in the boat' along the reef edge. On the Gulf side, ALL IN Key West ran a recent trip producing groupers, snappers, cobia, barracuda, and kingfish, with live bait the top technique for pelagic species. Offshore, BlacktipH has been running 140 miles out to 600 feet for massive Warsaw grouper, and the South Florida Fishing Channel reports active swordfishing. On the flats, June sits at the heart of tarpon season, with Captain Rick Murphy posting tips on circle-hook technique for the silver kings. No NOAA buoy data is available for this report cycle. Today's new moon means neap tides and reduced tidal exchange on the flats.
Delta stripers and bass keying on current breaks as Sacramento runs big
USGS gauge 11455420 on the Sacramento River recorded 103,000 cfs as of June 14 — a robust flow that is the dominant factor shaping Delta conditions right now. At those volumes, main-channel current is strong, concentrating striped bass at seam lines, back eddies, and the mouths of protected side channels where baitfish collect. Specific Delta bite reports were not available in this reporting cycle; conditions below are grounded in the gauge data and seasonal patterns. For largemouth bass, Tactical Bassin notes that early-summer fish respond well to swing-head jigs and swimbaits worked along current-adjacent structure — a pattern that translates directly to Delta tule banks and slough edges sheltered from the main push. No water temperature reading was available from the gauge this period; mid-60s to low-70s Fahrenheit in protected backwaters is typical for mid-June. Check CDFW regulations before keeping stripers, as bag and slot limits vary by zone in the Central Valley.
Delaware Bay Black Drum on Fire — Best Bite in 15 Years
Nick at Hands Too Bait and Tackle called the Delaware Bay black drum bite the best he's seen in at least 15 years, with boaters finding up to a dozen fish per night less than a mile off the beach, per The Fisherman — Southern NJ. Fish ranged from 15- to 20-pound class to slobs pushing 60 pounds, all falling to fresh clams fished in 10 to 18 feet of water on the moving tide. Pier 47 Marina confirmed the same story, with slipholders making the run to the Delaware Bay and connecting on drum. Closer to Slaughter Beach, Smith's Bait Shop (via The Fisherman — DE/MD/Chesapeake) reports black drum still holding at the Coral Beds, taking peeler crab first and clams second in the evening hours. Croaker and seatrout have also moved onto those same Coral Beds. With a new moon tonight, tidal exchanges will be running strong — prime timing for the overnight drum bite that has been driving all the excitement.
Stripers Running Maine Tidal Rivers as New Moon Tides Build
The striped bass migration is confirmed widespread through Maine as of June 12, with On The Water's migration map tracking fish from New Jersey to Maine. The Fisherman — South Shore MA to ME reports a strong river striper bite holding into mid-June, with fish to 47 inches taken in upriver systems and the bite progressing downstream as the season advances — a pattern that typically follows the Kennebec and Penobscot tidal reaches on its heels. The Kennebec River is flowing at 1,970 cfs per USGS gauge 01046500, a workable mid-June level that keeps stripers moving through the tidal zone. No water temperature is available from the gauge this cycle. The new moon today sets up strong tidal swings over the coming days, which tend to concentrate baitfish and trigger feeding windows in river mouths and tidal pools. Inland species — smallmouth bass and brook trout — round out the picture as Maine's freshwater systems hit their June stride.
Tarpon Schools at Full Strength as June New Moon Arrives in Sarasota
Capt. Rick Grassett's June 2026 forecast out of CB's Saltwater Outfitters confirms that tarpon season is at its peak along the Sarasota and Tampa Bay coast, with schools growing in size and fish pushing offshore to spawn. Today's new moon aligns with what Grassett identifies as a key movement trigger — fish are staging in beach travel lanes where first-light anglers casting live crabs, baitfish, or DOA Baitbusters are finding consistent shots. Inshore, Capt. Chuck Cress (CB's Saltwater Outfitters) worked Sarasota Bay oyster bars recently and released multiple upper-slot redfish, with trout and bluefish mixed in. Shark action is running strong as well: Capt. Brandon Naeve (CB's Saltwater Outfitters) reports bull sharks, blacktips, and lemon sharks active throughout Sarasota Bay and the nearshore Gulf, a pattern that holds from late spring through fall. No NOAA buoy temperature readings are available this cycle; check local forecasts and verify current snook regulations before heading out.
Great Lakes smallmouth hit stride as summer open-water season ramps up
The Grand River is pushing 4,010 cfs as of June 14 per USGS gauge 04119000 — a solid, elevated flow that channels walleye and smallmouth toward current seams and slack-water edges. On the Great Lakes, Tactical Bassin reports smallmouth are firing on swimbaits even in tough, windy open-water conditions, with the Dark Sleeper and Spark Shad producing trophy fish. Fishing the Midwest calls out the weedline as the emerging structure key for mixed-bag bass action as the 2026 open-water season hits full swing. The MI DNR Weekly Fishing Report has been tracking sustained activity across the state through the late-spring stretch. Today's new moon sharpens feeding windows at first and last light across river and lake systems alike — making dawn and dusk the highest-percentage sessions of the week. Great Lakes salmon trolling is entering its typical June build-up phase, though no on-water captain reports were available in this cycle.
Lake Michigan Smallmouth Firing as the Wabash Runs Strong Through Mid-June
Lake Michigan is delivering standout smallmouth bass action in June's wind-whipped conditions, with Tactical Bassin reporting trophy Great Lakes smallmouth responding to Dark Sleeper and Spark Shad swimbaits fished through rough, rolling waves — a clear signal that big-water fish are actively feeding despite tough surface conditions. On the Wabash River, USGS gauge 03335500 at Lafayette recorded 8,160 cfs on June 14, an elevated mid-summer reading that shoves current hard through the river's bends and pushes bass and catfish off exposed main-channel banks and into eddies, flooded timber, and slack-water pockets. Fishing the Midwest notes that larger rivers across the region offer reliable warm-season action when anglers target precisely those current breaks. No water temperature is available from today's gauge. The new moon this weekend narrows the prime surface-feeding window to first and last light — plan early starts.
New Moon Window Opens for Potomac Smallmouth and Tidal Stripers
USGS gauge 01646500 put the Potomac at 3,630 cfs Sunday afternoon — a workable mid-summer flow, though no water temperature reading was available from the gauge this cycle. The new moon falls today, June 14, opening one of the better bass feeding windows of the month. On The Water's June 12 striper migration map notes that new moon tides are actively moving striped bass and bait across the Mid-Atlantic coast, a pattern that typically reaches into the lower Potomac's tidal corridor. On the Shenandoah, mid-June is historically a prime smallmouth window before late-summer heat stresses fish. Field & Stream's trout temperature guide, published this week, is a timely heads-up that upper-trib cold-water species deserve quick releases as stream temps climb. No charter or local tackle shop reports specific to these drainages appeared in this cycle's feeds, so conditions here draw primarily from gauge data, migration coverage, and established regional patterns.
Squid Run Holds Strong as Stripers Cruise Narragansett Bay
Water temperatures in the mid-50s (per Frances Fleet) have held the squid bite unusually strong for mid-June. Chris at The Saltwater Edge reported a very good week of squid fishing around the islands and out front along the beaches, with cooler-than-normal water keeping the run from tapering off as it typically would. Striper fishing is holding up well alongside it. Big fish have been working the bay and around the islands, with schoolies mixed in. Tony Guarino of Booked Off Charters confirmed solid striped bass and black sea bass action, though he flagged fluke as off to a very slow start. Frances Fleet echoed that assessment, noting fluke are behind where they should be for this time of year, but that plenty of bait on the grounds should set up a strong bite when fish do arrive. Sand eels have pushed into the bay in numbers, with birds, bass, and blues actively chasing them per The Saltwater Edge.
Summer Flounder and Drum in Peak Season as New Moon Tides Surge Through Chincoteague
Direct Chincoteague-specific intel is thin in this cycle's feeds, but regional signals confirm a strong mid-June window. On The Water's June 12 striper migration map notes bass remain 'widespread from New Jersey to Maine,' with the new moon and building tides this weekend pushing fish toward summer haunts — favorable timing for Virginia's barrier island waters. OTW Saltwater's Chesapeake Bay gamefish roundup highlights red drum and summer flounder as the species defining this transitional period, with topwater tactics highlighted for drum along shallow structure. The Fisherman's June 11 NJ/DE Bay forecast reports nearshore squid action as 'surprisingly good' across the mid-Atlantic — a bait presence that typically concentrates flounder and bluefish around inlets and structure. No buoy readings are available this cycle, leaving water temps unverified. June historically marks the height of summer flounder season around Chincoteague's inlets and coastal bays, with new moon tidal flow a consistent bite-window trigger for both flounder and drum anglers.
Sacramento-Delta heats up: stripers and catfish in summer holding patterns
Water temps at 74°F on the Sacramento River (USGS gauge 11447650, read June 14 at 10:15 a.m.) put the Delta firmly in midsummer mode, nearly three weeks before the solstice. Flow at 15,900 cfs is moderate for this point in the season, producing current seams through the tidal channels that should concentrate striped bass and catfish along channel edges and current breaks. No specific charter, tackle shop, or agency reports for Sacramento-Delta were available in this cycle's intel pull; conditions here draw from gauge readings and typical mid-June Delta patterns. Broader western context adds useful backdrop: Wired 2 Fish reports drought-driven fish kills at Arizona reservoirs this week, a timely reminder to watch Delta thermal refuges closely as summer deepens. Largemouth bass should be hugging shaded structure and vegetation mats during midday, with low-light windows at dawn and dusk offering the best action. White sturgeon typically go quiet as river temps climb into the mid-70s.
Chinook Season Builds Across Puget Sound and Washington's Pacific Coast
WA WDFW Fishing Reports confirms statewide creel survey and fish-stocking programs are actively running this week, though no specific on-the-water bite data reached this report for Puget Sound or Washington's Pacific coast in the current cycle. No buoy readings are available to anchor surface temperatures. Drawing on typical mid-June patterns: summer Chinook populations generally begin appearing across Puget Sound marine areas by mid-month, with troll and mooching action building through late June as early runs stage in the northern Sound. Pacific halibut retention along the Washington coast is typically in full swing by this date, with favorable summer weather opening up longer runs to offshore grounds. The new moon today tends to produce the month's strongest tidal exchanges, a window historically favorable for salmon feeding on the turn. Anglers should verify marine-area-specific retention rules with WDFW before any trip, as seasons shift rapidly this time of year.
Post-Spawn Erie Smallmouth on the Feed as Mid-June Summer Pattern Arrives
Smallmouth bass are the standout species on Lake Erie right now. Tactical Bassin (blog) ran a recent Great Lakes smallmouth session in breezy, choppy conditions and put together a solid bag quickly, including two trophy-class fish, using a Dark Sleeper and Spark Shad swimbait as a 1-2 punch — the heavier bait to trigger a commit, the lighter finesse swimbait as a follow-up on lookers. USGS gauge 04213000 on the Elk Creek tributary shows a moderate 66.9 cfs as of June 14, enough flow to hold resident fish in deeper pools without significant turbidity pushing into Erie's nearshore. Today's new moon flattens late-evening surface feeding windows; the better bite for both bass and walleye will likely fall during daytime hours on subsurface presentations worked along rocky points and weed edges around Presque Isle Bay. Walleye remain seasonally active across the open basin, though no on-the-water report pinned down specific patterns along the Pennsylvania shoreline this week.
Allegheny tailwaters elevated as summer smallmouth season peaks
Flow at USGS gauge 03036500 checked in at 6,720 cfs on June 14, running moderately elevated for mid-June on the Allegheny. No temperature reading was available from the gauge at report time, though typical mid-June surface temps in Pittsburgh-area tailwaters fall in the low-to-mid 70s°F range. Wired 2 Fish notes that summer bass shift between shallow feeding flats at first light and deeper offshore structure once the sun climbs. Tactical Bassin pegs swing jigs and wobble-head soft plastics as the go-to early-summer approach for bottom-oriented bass. With the new moon falling today, low-light windows at dawn and dusk should produce the most active bites from smallmouth and walleye. Channel catfish typically build toward a feeding peak from mid-June into July as water warms. For current stocking schedules and localized condition updates, PA Fish & Boat Commission Biologist Reports is the best on-the-ground resource for this stretch.
Summer Chinook Opening as Spring Push Tapers on the Lower Columbia
Water temperatures at 63°F and flows holding at 127,000 cfs (USGS gauge 14105700) place the Columbia River in a familiar mid-June transitional window. The spring Chinook run, the river's signature migration, typically crests in April and May; by mid-June that push is winding toward its close while early summer Chinook begin staging in the lower river. Direct catch reports for salmon and sturgeon are thin in this week's regional intel feeds, so conditions here draw on gauge readings and established seasonal patterns for this stretch of the lower Columbia. White sturgeon, present in the river year-round, are the most reliably active target right now, holding in deeper slots and back eddies that offer relief from the current at these flow levels. Tonight's new moon opens a favorable low-light feeding window over the next several days. Check current state regulations before targeting Chinook, as retention rules shift with weekly escapement counts and hatchery-wild accounting.