Fishing reports
19273 reports across all 50 states — current conditions and what's biting.
Spawning Snook Peak Along FL Atlantic Coast as Summer Arrives
Snook Nook out of Stuart reports June as the prime month for trophy snook along the Treasure Coast, with fish pushing toward the 40-inch mark as they stage for their annual spawn in the Indian and St. Lucie Rivers. Snook season closed June 1 and reopens September 1 — every fish caught now must be released unharmed, but per Snook Nook, these are some of the largest, most cooperatively feeding fish you will encounter all year. Offshore anglers face a regulatory wrinkle: CCA Florida reports that a federal court injunction blocked Florida's planned Atlantic red snapper EFP season just hours before it was set to open, leaving access uncertain — verify current regulations before targeting snapper. Salt Strong's June 12-14 Florida Atlantic Coast game plan flags surf fishing for snook and trout as productive during the early-summer warm-water window. The new moon this weekend will amplify tidal movement, which typically concentrates bait and triggers feeding along nearshore structure.
Summer Bass Patterns Setting Up on Hartwell and Russell as Lakes Produce
GA Sportsman / Georgia Outdoor News' June 13 Southern Waters report notes that lakes and ponds have produced the best fishing reports across Georgia this week, a strong signal for reservoir anglers on the Savannah chain. USGS gauge 02192000 records the Savannah River below Russell Dam at 596 cfs, a stable and moderate release keeping lake levels steady for the weekend. No automated water-temperature readings are available today, though mid-June in the Georgia Piedmont typically pushes surface water into the upper 70s to low 80s°F. The New Moon falls today, concentrating feeding activity into low-light windows at dawn and dusk. A record bluegill weighing 1 lb., 10.1 oz. was caught on the Savannah River on June 6, per GA Sportsman, a benchmark suggesting panfish are actively feeding across the system. Bass are transitioning toward deeper summer haunts; early-morning topwater and offshore crankbaits are the patterns to lean on as heat pushes fish off the shallows.
Lanier & Allatoona bass hitting summer stride as Georgia lakes fire up
Lakes across north Georgia are fishing well right now: GA Sportsman's June 13 Southern Waters report notes that 'lakes and ponds have produced some of the best reports' of the week, a positive signal heading into peak summer on both Lake Lanier and Allatoona. USGS gauge 02334430 recorded 50°F water at 660 cfs on the Chattahoochee tailwater below Buford Dam — frigid cold-water discharge that sustains a productive trout fishery below the dam while reservoir surface temps run considerably warmer. Bass on both lakes are in a classic post-spawn transition, pushing shallow to feed at first light before sliding offshore to deep structure as the sun climbs, per Wired 2 Fish's summer bass breakdown. The New Moon today can sharpen feeding windows at dawn and dusk on both reservoirs. The Georgia Wildlife Blog notes National Fishing and Boating Week wraps up today (June 14), with yesterday a Free Fishing Day — expect boat traffic to ease as the holiday push winds down.
Stripers Running Hot Off Montauk and the North Fork Under New Moon Tides
Per On The Water's June 11 report, striper fishing off the North Fork and Montauk has been excellent as migratory fish press east and north — the strongest active signal coming out of Long Island right now. The South Shore fluke bite is slowly picking up steam, while bluefish action has remained spotty across the island. On The Water's June 12 striper migration map confirms bass are spread from New Jersey to Maine, and with today's new moon delivering the month's biggest tidal movement, conditions are set to concentrate fish along rip lines and structure. NY DEC notes the summer flounder season is underway, giving South Shore anglers a legal target as that bite develops. Bluefish remain an inconsistent presence — worth keeping a popper rigged if you're seeing birds, but not a reason to build a dedicated trip.
Catawba & Roanoke bass retreat to deep structure as flows hit drought levels
USGS gauge 02142900 recorded a near-zero flow of 0.01 cfs on June 14, signaling drought-level conditions across portions of the NC drainage. At flows this low, largemouth and striped bass are almost certainly concentrated in the deepest available pools and shaded structure, making midday fishing difficult and putting the premium on pre-dawn and dusk windows. Tactical Bassin's early-summer coverage recommends swing-head jigs and wobble heads for bass holding on offshore structure, a natural fit when low water drives fish off the shallows. On the Roanoke system, the spring striped bass run has typically tapered by mid-June, with fish pushing toward larger, cooler pools. B.A.S.S. News coverage from the Bassmaster Elite currently running at North Carolina's Pasquotank River and Albemarle Sound shows tournament pros grinding quality largemouth on slow, structured presentations, a reminder that patience over power is the June formula across the state's freshwater systems. Catfish should remain viable on summer nights as temperatures ease.
Seatrout Active in Tidal Marshes as Georgia's Summer Inshore Season Builds
Captain Travis Harper has been putting clients on solid trout along Georgia's coastal zone, per the June 13 GA Sportsman / Georgia Outdoor News Southern Waters report — the clearest on-water signal available this week. No NOAA buoy readings or USGS gauge data were returned for this update period, leaving water temperature figures unavailable; pull current tide tables before launching. The Georgia Wildlife Blog confirms National Fishing and Boating Week runs through June 14, with a license-free Free Fishing Day on June 13 drawing additional anglers to Georgia's public waters. Inshore tidal creeks, oyster bars, and grass flats are classic mid-June staging habitat for spotted seatrout along the Georgia coast. Salt marsh edges from the Gulf to the Carolinas are holding red drum this time of year, per Sport Fishing Mag's inshore marsh guide. The new moon on June 14 will drive stronger tidal exchanges over the next 48–72 hours, typically one of the most productive windows for inshore predators.
Stripers Running Strong in Maine as New Moon Tides Drive the June Push
Maine DMR Commissioner Carl Wilson's June 8 open letter urging Saco River striper anglers to "do better" — reported by OTW Saltwater — tells its own story: striped bass are present in enough numbers along the Maine coast to concentrate serious fishing pressure. The On The Water June 12 striper migration map confirms fish are "widespread from New Jersey to Maine," with the new moon and strong spring tides expected to continue pushing bass and bait toward summer grounds. No NOAA buoy readings are available for Gulf of Maine waters at this time, but adjacent southern New England waters have been running cool per Saltwater Edge Blog — a favorable setup that has kept stripers active and feeding. Squid are stacking up dramatically, with OTW Saltwater reporting mass beachings at Cape Cod as fish chase baitfish into the shallows. For Maine anglers, the new moon timing on June 14, combined with a documented northward migration, makes this a prime window for inshore striper action.
Post-spawn bass lead CT inland as warmwater season takes full hold
Connecticut River water temperature is reading 76°F at Thompsonville (USGS gauge 01184000) — a benchmark that pushes trout firmly into thermal stress territory while signaling full summer feeding mode for warmwater species. Largemouth and smallmouth bass coming off post-spawn recovery are the primary target right now. Wired 2 Fish's summer bass breakdown highlights dawn topwater transitioning to crankbaits and swimbaits as fish slide toward deeper midday structure. Tactical Bassin backs a swing-head jig paired with a shaky-head worm as the reliable early-summer one-two punch for offshore fish. On smaller systems, the Salmon River is running at a moderate 30.7 cfs (USGS gauge 01193500) — wadeable and approachable — though no water temperature is available from that gauge. Field & Stream's trout temperature guide is worth reading before heading out: at 76°F on mainstem water, catch-and-release mortality risk climbs sharply, and voluntarily shifting to bass, catfish, and panfish is the responsible call until cooler autumn flows return.
June prime window arrives for smallmouth and salmon on Moosehead
The Penobscot River is flowing at 1,100 cfs as of June 14 (USGS gauge 01030500), a moderate early-summer level that signals the end of spring runoff and improves wading access in the shallower reaches of this corridor. No water temperature was captured in today's pull, but mid-June on Moosehead Lake typically brings surface temps into the upper-50s to low-60s°F range — a transitional window when landlocked Atlantic salmon and lake trout are still reachable before July heat pushes them deep. Smallmouth bass are entering their strongest post-spawn feeding window: Field & Stream's current water-temperature guide identifies this period as prime for aggressive structure fishing, and Wired 2 Fish flags early summer as the season to work rocky points and weedline edges with crankbaits and jig combos. Fishing the Midwest calls the weedline the summer's most productive freshwater pattern — a tactic that translates directly to Moosehead's extensive rocky shorelines and emerging vegetation edges. Tonight's new moon means dark skies at dawn and dusk for the next several mornings.
Louisiana Gulf rigs and marsh flats primed as summer offshore season peaks
Louisiana Sportsman reports that the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries issued an emergency declaration modifying the gag grouper season to run September 1 through October 1, a regulatory development worth noting for anyone with an offshore trip on the calendar. Meanwhile, Sport Fishing Mag's current guide to northern Gulf rig fishing underscores the offshore opportunity right now: amberjack are crushing topwater lures worked quickly over deep-water platforms, and multiple depth windows are producing snapper and other bottom species. Inshore, Sport Fishing Mag identifies the salt marsh as the most consistently productive summer habitat along the Gulf Coast, with redfish keying on oyster bars, muddy creeks, and scattered grass structure. No NOAA buoy or USGS gauge data is available for this reporting cycle, so anglers should confirm current water temps and conditions locally before launching. Today's new moon will drive stronger tidal exchanges; plan inshore runs to coincide with moving water for the best bite windows.
Salmon trolling and lakefront smallmouth heat up in mid-June
Lake Michigan's Chicago waters reach a seasonal turning point in mid-June, though no live buoy readings were available at press time. The clearest season benchmark comes from the WI DNR Lake Michigan Fishing Report, which documented a standout 2024 campaign: record coho harvests topping 210,000 fish and Chinook catches exceeding 160,000 (best since 2012), with strong alewife forage credited for elevated stocked-salmon survival. That carryover bodes well for this summer's offshore trolling runs. On the nearshore front, Tactical Bassin recently covered Great Lakes smallmouth action in windy open-water conditions, noting the Dark Sleeper and Spark Shad as a productive power-and-finesse pairing when wave chop builds. With tonight's new moon triggering increased feeding activity across species, dawn and dusk runs this week offer the best timing windows. No charter-captain or tackle-shop reports specific to Chicago were available in this cycle. Anglers should check with local operators or the IL/IN Sea Grant buoy network for current temperature and wave data before launching.
Spanish Mackerel and Bluefish Surge into Cape Lookout Nearshore Waters
Spanish mackerel are showing in force along the central NC coast, with Morgan of The Reel Outdoors at Swansboro/Emerald Isle reporting good numbers pushing into nearshore areas and along the beachfront, according to Fisherman's Post (NC). Tex's Tackle at Wrightsville Beach echoes the trend, with mackerel responding well to spoons pulled off the beach. Bluefish action is strong across the region: Tom of Hatteras Jack notes bigger blues to 30-plus inches in the Hatteras and Ocracoke surf, taking casting metals and cut baits. Rich of Chasin' Tails at Morehead/Atlantic Beach adds bonito to the mix for surf and pier anglers. Inshore, red drum are present but scattered, holding in deeper holes around structure. Sea mullet fishing has been steady in the Hatteras surf. No buoy or gauge data is available for this period, so verify current water conditions locally before heading out.
Summer two-phase bite locks in at Smith Mountain Lake and Buggs Island
The local USGS gauge (02075045) recorded 447 cfs on June 14, indicating stable, moderately low inflow at the Buggs Island reservoir system with no significant level changes anticipated. No direct local intel from tackle shops or charter captains surfaced this cycle. Wired 2 Fish's current summer bass guide and Tactical Bassin's crankbait and swing-jig breakdowns both describe a two-phase summer pattern in full effect: fish feed aggressively on shallow structure at first light, then slide to offshore humps and deeper structure edges once the sun climbs. Landlocked striped bass at both SML and Buggs Island typically follow the thermocline at this time of year, stacking on mid-lake structure as surface temps push into the upper 70s. The new moon today is a natural trigger for topwater activity in low-light windows at dawn and dusk. No water temperature was recorded at the gauge this cycle, so anglers should check conditions on arrival.
Tarpon Migration Peaks on the FL Gulf as Permit and Kingfish Round Out the Bite
Naples Offshore Fishing Charters confirms the tarpon migration is fully underway along the Southwest Florida Gulf Coast, with captains intercepting quality fish on morning runs before switching to sight fishing large permit on flats in the afternoons. The Naples fleet also reports steady kingfish action on plugs and flies, with cobia and amberjacks completing a strong offshore mix that the captains call one of the most dynamic fishing periods of the year. Up in the Panhandle, a June 13 crew ran 60 to 70 miles SSW out of Pensacola in favorable conditions and returned with a solid haul (Pensacola Fishing Forum), consistent with the region-wide picture of productive Gulf offshore waters. Inshore, Salt Strong's June 12 to 14 Gulf Coast Game Plan points to redfish, snook, and trout holding in salt marsh structure and surf zones. A New Moon today brings spring tides and low-light feeding windows, making dawn starts and first-light tide changes the prime scheduling anchor for the weekend.
Lake Huron smallmouth hot on swimbaits as Saginaw Bay walleye push to structure
No live telemetry came back from USGS gauge 04157000 this cycle, leaving Lake Huron and Saginaw Bay without a verified water temperature or flow reading. The sharpest regional signal in the feeds comes from Tactical Bassin, which filmed a Great Lakes smallmouth session on a blustery, big-water day and found consistent fish on a two-swimbait rotation: the Dark Sleeper for power bites and the Spark Shad as a finesse follow-up, including multiple trophy-class smallmouth despite heavy chop. The MI DNR Weekly Fishing Report portal returned a browser-compatibility error this week and could not be read. On the seasonal front, mid-June typically marks the pivot for Saginaw Bay walleye from post-spawn dispersal into established summer structure, with fish migrating toward deeper weedlines and mid-depth flats. Fishing the Midwest notes the open-water season is in full swing, with weedline edges a reliable mid-season address for multiple species. Today's new moon historically compresses the best feeding activity into low-light margins.
Smallmouth Rolling on Lake Michigan; High Flows Concentrate Illinois River Fish
The USGS gauge at the Illinois River (site 05586100) clocked 41,000 cfs on June 14, a notably elevated reading that pushes fish out of the main channel and into slower tributary arms, backwater lakes, and current-break eddies. No water temperature was recorded on this run. On Lake Michigan, Tactical Bassin recently ran a smallmouth outing in breezy, wave-churned conditions and found the Dark Sleeper and Spark Shad to be a reliable one-two punch, with the Spark Shad drawing reaction bites and the Dark Sleeper's heavier profile triggering bigger marks once the school fired up. Fishing the Midwest emphasizes working weedlines this time of year rather than open flats, noting that anglers who adapt technique to species consistently outproduce those locked into a single pattern. Channel catfish on the Illinois River typically hit their summer feeding peak in mid-June, and high-water slack structure is where that bite concentrates right now.
Olympic Peninsula Salmon Rivers Enter Early Summer Window as Flows Stabilize
USGS gauge 12041200 recorded 1,040 cfs and gauge 12035000 logged 591 cfs on Olympic Peninsula river systems Sunday morning, readings consistent with a post-snowmelt decline that historically coincides with the first meaningful push of summer Chinook into Peninsula drainages. Water temperature data was unavailable from either gauge this week. Specific bite reports from shops, charters, or state agency creel surveys were absent from this week's intel feeds — WA WDFW Fishing Reports maintains active angler-interview monitoring on Peninsula systems, but no detailed catch data was available at press time. Conditions are seasonally appropriate for sea-run cutthroat staging in tidal reaches and for early summer steelhead beginning to show in lower mainstem reaches. The new moon today can trigger baitfish movement and fish activity at river mouths. Verify current season status and retention rules with WDFW before targeting any salmon species — regulations on these systems change annually and sometimes within-season.
Big bluefish rule the Outer Banks surf as mahi push offshore
Hatteras and Ocracoke are delivering some of the best surf action of the season right now. Tom at Hatteras Jack reports bigger bluefish to 30-plus inches hitting both casting metals and cut baits along the beachfront, and fish at that size are a welcome sight in the June surf. Sea mullet fishing has been steady on the same stretch, offering a reliable option for anglers working the wash. Reports from Morehead/Atlantic Beach via Rich at Chasin' Tails echo the pattern: surf and pier anglers connecting on bluefish, spanish mackerel, and bonito. Spanish mackerel are pushing into the nearshore zone in good numbers from Swansboro north, with spoons off the beach the standout tactic per Morgan at The Reel Outdoors. Offshore, gaffer mahi have been one of the more reliable options out of Beaufort Inlet this season per Fisherman's Post (Carolinas saltwater), adding a strong pelagic dimension to an already productive June window.
Columbia Basin bass season rolls as summer steelhead gear up on WA rivers
USGS gauge 14113000 registered 975 cfs and 57°F on the Columbia system at dawn Sunday — conditions that put both coldwater and warmwater fishing firmly in range. The sharpest signal this week comes from Outdoor Hub, which reports that bass season is rolling across Washington state, with a full summer tournament lineup planned at Moses Lake, Potholes Reservoir, and Banks Lake through August. Smallmouth and largemouth are the draw at those Columbia Basin impoundments, and the new moon tonight sets up low-light feeding windows at dawn and dusk worth planning around. Field & Stream's trout temperature guide places 57°F squarely in the comfort zone for rainbow trout and steelhead — well below the stress thresholds that trigger hoot owl-style restrictions — so coldwater rivers and tailwaters are in good shape. Summer steelhead typically begin building numbers in Columbia mainstem reaches by mid-June, and moderate, clear-running flows at this level are exactly the conditions that make them catchable.
Columbia and Rogue summer steelhead arriving as smallmouth hit peak
USGS gauge 14211720 recorded 26,500 cfs and 66°F on the morning of June 14, marking the Columbia system's mid-June snowmelt flow. Water at 66°F sits at the upper comfort margin for salmonids. Field & Stream's temperature guide notes that trout face increasing physiological stress as readings approach the high 60s, making early-morning sessions essential on exposed mainstem reaches. Summer steelhead are entering their seasonal push on Columbia tributaries and the Rogue, best targeted in riffles and tailouts during low-light windows. Smallmouth bass are in prime season across the Columbia basin's rocky structure at these temperatures. Spring Chinook, which typically peaks by early June on Oregon's major rivers, is winding down as fish push into upper holding lies. Hatch Magazine flags drought-driven warming across Western river systems this season as a pattern pressing salmonids toward cooler, oxygenated water, worth keeping in mind on the Rogue's more exposed lower stretches.
Sea Bass Limits and Surf Stripers Headline Jersey Shore's New Moon Window
Sea bass are the standout story on the Jersey Shore right now. Blue Chip Sportfishing reports limiting out on nearly every trip, calling the action 'red hot.' On the striper front, OTW Northern New Jersey's June 11 report confirms stripers are taking clams in the surf, and Grumpy's Tackle notes a larger class of bass has moved into the beach zone. The spring run isn't done yet: Fishermans HQ LBI reported strong LBI surf fishing as recently as June 1, with the post-full-moon window historically delivering quality-size fish. Fluke are slowly building, with OTW Northern New Jersey noting warmer water and bait abundance setting the table for improved action. Offshore, bluefin tuna have arrived within striking range at 20 to 30 miles per Fishermans HQ LBI, riding the coattails of a massive squid invasion off the Jersey coast. Today's new moon means big tidal swings this weekend, and On The Water's June 12 migration map notes those tides should keep bass and bait pushing toward their summer haunts.
Smokies Trout Under Thermal Pressure — Dawn Sessions and Cold Pockets Now Key
At 68°F — recorded at USGS gauge 03512000 this morning — Smokies streams are sitting right at the upper edge of comfortable trout territory. Field & Stream's water-temperature guide for trout flags this range as the zone where rainbow trout begin showing heat stress and where 'hoot owl' fishing restrictions are often put in place on sensitive wild-trout waters. Native brook trout, the most temperature-sensitive of the three Smokies species, are likely compressed into the coldest headwater pockets. Flow is running at 215 cfs, offering accessible wading but little buffer against daytime warming. The new moon this weekend means genuinely dark mornings — that is exactly when to be on the water. First light through roughly 9 a.m. provides the best thermal window before mid-day heat builds, and evening sessions after 6 p.m. can also produce. Verify current state regulations before fishing designated wild-trout waters, as thermal closure rules may be in effect on sensitive streams.
Sandy Hook Stripers Active on Clams as New Moon Tides Build
Per OTW Northern New Jersey's June 11 report, striped bass are taking clams in the surf, sea bass are holding steady on the reefs, and the fluke bite is slowly improving as warmer water and bait concentrate along the Jersey coast. Capt Ron's Atlantic Highlands has been grinding through variable conditions on the reefs this week, landing consistent hauls of Sea Bass and Ling on most trips, though one session found fish stacking on the sonar that simply would not bite. Blue Chip Sportfishing reports limiting out on sea bass on nearly every trip and describes the striper action as "the best Striper Fishing possible." On The Water's June 12 migration map confirms stripers remain spread from New Jersey to Maine. Today's new moon delivers the strongest tidal exchange of the month, a traditionally productive window for surf stripers along Sandy Hook and Raritan Bay's outer beaches. No buoy temperature data was available at press time.
Stripers, Drum, and Blues Active in Delaware Bay as June New Moon Tides Build
The June new moon arrived today, delivering strong spring tides that typically push bait schools into Delaware Bay's channel edges and concentrate predators along current seams. Across coastal New Jersey, the broader fishing picture is encouraging. OTW Northern New Jersey's June 11 report notes striped bass are actively eating clams in the surf, sea bass remain steady on structure, and the fluke bite is slowly building as warmer water works inshore. Grumpys Tackle (NJ) highlighted black drum, bass, and bluefish all in the mix, with clams and bunker chunks producing the best results. Blue Chip Sportfishing (NJ) reports stripers on virtually every trip. On The Water's June 12 striper migration map confirms bass remain widespread from New Jersey to Maine, with new moon tides expected to push fish toward summer haunts. No real-time buoy or gauge data was available for Delaware Bay this period, so anglers should verify local conditions before heading out.