Fishing reports
19273 reports across all 50 states — current conditions and what's biting.
Lake Erie walleye hot on trolling spreads across the Western Basin
Water at NOAA buoy 45005 is logging 70°F across the Western Basin as of June 14 — firmly in the productive summer walleye range. Michigan Sportsman Forum chatter, corroborated by regional walleye coverage from Fishing the Midwest, describes an electric trolling bite: one recent outing detailed there finished 18 fish on 22 strikes in under an hour running a spread of #0 Dipsy Divers set on 3 at 45 feet and jet 20s pushed 75 feet back — a setup consistent with the Western Basin's walleye program. That kind of output through 2-to-3-foot chop points to fish stacked on mid-basin structure rather than scattered. Fishing the Midwest notes that weedline transitions add a useful secondary pattern when open-water trolling pressure builds. The Maumee River tributary (USGS gauge 04193500) is flowing at 1,110 cfs and 77°F — moderate, stable inflow that typically keeps Western Basin clarity manageable for trollers. Today's new moon phase may extend the low-light feeding window at both ends of the day.
Arizona Tailwater Trout in Prime Form While Drought Shadows Desert River Bass Season
At 60°F and 7,020 cfs this morning per USGS gauge 09380000, the Colorado River is running in solid early-summer shape — a water temperature that sits comfortably below the stress threshold Field & Stream's trout guide identifies as problematic for most trout species. That puts nymph and dry-fly fishing on the tailwater in a viable window, particularly during morning hours before desert heat builds. The new moon today sharpens the timing edge: low-light periods at dawn and dusk historically trigger more aggressive surface feeding across species. Regional drought news from Wired 2 Fish adds sobering context — Arizona's San Carlos Lake has suffered a complete fish kill of its largemouth bass, crappie, and flathead catfish population following drought-driven reservoir drawdowns, a stark reminder of how quickly desert-state fisheries can unravel. The Colorado's dam-regulated releases are buffering the tailwater from those pressures for now, and early-summer bass patterns are beginning to emerge along the Salt River corridor.
Hill Country lakes prime for summer bass as June new moon opens the dawn bite
With the Colorado River gauging 454 cfs at Austin (USGS gauge 08158000) and nearby Hill Country reservoirs sitting roughly eight feet above their year-ago levels per My Canyon Lake Fishing, mid-June conditions across Lake Travis, LBJ, and Buchanan point to a classic early-summer transition. Note that TPWD has paused its weekly fishing reports pending a format change (My Canyon Lake Fishing), leaving anglers to lean on regional sources for current intel. Wired 2 Fish notes that summer bass split between pre-dawn topwater on shallow flats and a pull to deep offshore structure once the sun climbs, making timing the primary variable right now. Tactical Bassin spotlights swing-head jigs and wobble heads as the early-summer go-to technique, with deep-diving crankbaits covering the midday offshore bite. Tonight's new moon sets up the darkest sky of the month, a window that typically extends low-light feeding activity for bass and white bass into the first couple hours after sunrise.
Black bass season arrives as Hudson warms and stripers push through the Valley
USGS gauge 01357500 at the upper Hudson logged 76°F at 6 a.m. on June 14, setting up prime conditions for black bass just ahead of New York's inland season opener. The NY DEC's June 12 Fishing Line reports 'the fish bite is picking up with the warmer summer weather arriving just in time for the' bass season. On The Water's June 12 striper migration map places the coastal push 'widespread from New Jersey to Maine,' with new moon tides this weekend expected to move stripers and bait deeper into the Hudson corridor. Finger Lakes anglers can expect typical early-summer walleye and smallmouth action as water temperatures climb. The upper Hudson is running at 1,400 cfs at Waterford; the Green Island gauge (01358000) reads 6,340 cfs. Trout anglers should note: at 76°F, water temps are at or above the stress threshold for salmonids — morning-only sessions and quick catch-and-release are recommended through this warm stretch.
Bass and pickerel in stride as South Jersey streams settle into summer lows
USGS gauge 01408000 recorded just 19.6 cfs Sunday morning, placing Delaware River tributaries and Pine Barrens streams firmly in summer low-flow territory. No water temperature was logged at the gauge, but mid-June conditions in South Jersey typically push stream temps into the upper 60s, shifting the bite away from trout and toward smallmouth bass, largemouth, and chain pickerel. NJ Fish & Wildlife News spotlights Silver Lake and Franklin Pond Creek at Hamburg Mountain WMA in Sussex County as actively stocked trout alternatives at cooler elevations, worth the drive if trout are your target. Seasonal WMA closures are in effect across five management areas through September 7 per NJ Fish & Wildlife News, so confirm access before you head out. The new moon on June 14 opens a favorable low-light feeding window for bass through midweek. Direct freshwater angler reports from the Delaware River corridor or Pine Barrens are sparse this cycle, but the seasonal calendar favors an active early-summer pattern.
New Moon Tides Push Stripers Into Delaware Bay Summer Pattern
Water in Delaware Bay is sitting at 68°F per NOAA buoy 44009, squarely in the textbook mid-June range, and the striper migration is running right on cue. On The Water's June 12 migration map confirms the push remains widespread from New Jersey to Maine, with the new moon and big tidal exchanges expected to keep driving bass and bait toward their summer haunts. That timing aligns perfectly with this weekend's new moon phase. On the regulatory front, Delaware Surf Fishing flagged a 20-24" slot size limit for stripers that typically takes effect around July 1: fish the current window but verify the latest DNREC regs before keeping anything. Winds are light around 7 mph, making for comfortable conditions on the bay. Weakfish, summer flounder, and bluefish round out the summer roster. No direct reports have them running hot, but seasonal conditions favor all three as bay water continues to build toward peak summer range.
Stripers and Squid Fire as New Moon Arrives on the NH Seacoast
The June 12 striper migration map from On The Water shows bass spread widely from New Jersey to Maine, with new moon big tides this weekend expected to push fish and bait toward summer structure. OTW Saltwater reports that Maine's marine resources commissioner has written an open letter to Saco River striper anglers, a clear signal that fish are in force just north of the NH border. Saltwater Edge Blog out of Rhode Island notes that both striper and squid fishing have been fantastic through the new moon window, with cool water temperatures keeping both bites active simultaneously. NOAA buoy data was not available for this update, so confirmed sea surface temperatures are not on hand; the regional picture remains bullish. Target the strong tidal flows the new moon is generating and plan your windows around dawn, dusk, and peak current.
Kennebec & Penobscot Smallmouth Hit Peak Post-Spawn Feeding Window
USGS gauge 01046500 recorded 1,940 cfs on the Kennebec Sunday morning — a moderate, wadeable flow that keeps river access in good shape heading into a New Moon weekend. Water temperature data wasn't captured in this cycle, but mid-June in Maine typically places river temps in the low 60s, squarely in smallmouth bass's prime post-spawn feeding range. Direct tackle-shop or charter reports for the Kennebec and Penobscot drainage didn't come through in this week's feed; conditions here draw on regional New England freshwater context and seasonal patterns. The Fisherman's New England Freshwater coverage confirms smallmouth action building across the region as June progresses, with fish responding to crayfish imitations and soft plastics. The New Moon on June 14 opens a productive low-light feeding window — expect dawn and dusk peaks on pools and boulder structure. Landlocked salmon on the Penobscot, the drainage's signature cold-water species, are likely transitioning toward deeper water as surface temps climb through mid-month.
White River tailwaters under summer pressure — fish the early window and chase generation pulses
USGS gauge 07060710 recorded 71°F and an exceptionally low 25.7 cfs on the White River early Sunday morning, conditions that push trout toward thermal stress and demand a strategic approach. Field & Stream's temperature guide flags 68–70°F as the onset of physiological stress for trout and notes that catch-and-release mortality rises sharply above that threshold — at 71°F, prolonged fights and midday sessions put fish at genuine risk. The bare 25.7 cfs flow signals minimal dam generation from Bull Shoals or Norfork; without a release, the river drops fast, water turns gin-clear, and trout stack into the deepest available pools and the tailrace directly below the structures where cold hypolimnetic discharges keep temperatures significantly more manageable. No White River charter or shop reports appeared in this cycle's feeds. Plan your session around the first two hours of light, size down your presentations, and check state fishing regulations before heading out — heat-related access restrictions are common on Ozark tailwaters when temperatures climb into this range.
Croaker and Black Drum Heat Up as Chesapeake Waters Ease into Summer
Per The Fisherman's DE/MD/Chesapeake correspondent Eric Burnley, kings, croaker, and spot are showing close to shore as temperatures inch upward — though Burnley notes the water 'is still on the cold side for late spring.' Smith's Bait Shop reports that croaker and weakfish (sea trout) have settled on the Coral Beds off Slaughter Beach, with bloodworms and peeler crab drawing the best strikes for both species, and black drum holding the same zone and taking clams or peeler on evening tides. In the tidal creeks, Captain Bone's reports white perch, catfish, and the occasional striped bass coming to bloodworms, Fishbites, and cut bait. Warm weather is expected to continue, which should lift water temps and accelerate the transition into a summer bite pattern. This weekend's new moon brings bigger tidal exchanges — historically a reliable trigger for drum and weakfish movement along the lower Bay corridor.
Cow Stripers Dominate Long Island Sound as New Moon Tides Peak
Multiple Connecticut tackle shops and charter captains are calling the striper bite on Long Island Sound as strong as it's been in years. Fisherman's World, per The Fisherman — Connecticut, reports quality bass showing "no signs of slowing," spread from coastal beaches to deep-water structure at spots including 28C, Cable and Anchor, Green's Ledge, 11B, and the OB Buoy. Bobby J's says the coming weeks will "offer the best action of the season," with 20- to 30-pound class bass responding to flutter spoons, soft plastics, and glide baits on deep ledges. Captain TJ Karbowski of Rock and Roll Charters is sorting boat limits of slot fish and true cows alike, with bunker, squid, and butterfish scattered throughout the water column. Captain Morgan's Bait and Tackle reports over-40-inch stripers hooked at The Race and from shore. Bluefish and sea bass are beginning to mix in, and a historic squid push running from Fishers Island westward is keeping bait thick throughout the Sound.
June Tarpon Schools Swell Along Sarasota's Beach Corridors While Sharks Rule the Bay
Capt. Rick Grassett's June 2026 forecast from CB's Saltwater Outfitters (Sarasota) calls this the prime window for tarpon along the Tampa Bay and Sarasota corridor, with schools growing in size and staging along beach travel lanes before pushing offshore to spawn near lunar phases. Today's New Moon makes that timing urgent: Grassett specifically notes tarpon head offshore to spawn near both new and full moons, so dawn sessions along beach travel lanes with live crabs, baitfish, or DOA Baitbusters are the immediate play. Capt. Brandon Naeve (CB's Saltwater Outfitters) confirms shark activity in Sarasota Bay is at its seasonal peak, with Bull Sharks, Blacktips, and Lemon Sharks regularly showing inshore and in nearshore Gulf waters through the fall. Capt. Chuck Cress (CB's) recently landed multiple upper-slot Redfish in the 20–25 inch range at an oyster bar in upper Sarasota Bay, with Trout mixing in on the same bite. Snook are present and staging for spawn — typically closed for harvest on the Gulf side in June, so check current state regulations before keeping any fish.
Great Lakes Smallmouth Firing on Wind-Blown Structure as June Deepens
Tactical Bassin reports Great Lakes smallmouth putting up a quality bite even in challenging wind conditions, with a Dark Sleeper and Spark Shad rotation producing full bags and trophy-class fish on open-water structure. The Grand River is flowing at 3,730 cfs at USGS gauge 04119000 as of early morning June 14, sitting at moderate late-spring levels ahead of typical summer drawdown. No water temperature readings came through from buoys or gauges this period; check locally before targeting thermally sensitive species. New moon arrives today, marking the start of a favorable solunar window for the week. Expect feeding activity to concentrate into sharper dawn and dusk bursts rather than extended midday sessions across both river and nearshore lake environments. The MI DNR Weekly Fishing Report for the week of June 10 covers conditions across all Michigan regions, including Southeast, Southwest, Northeast, and Northwest Lower Peninsula, Upper Peninsula, and open Great Lakes, and remains the authoritative resource for species-specific, area-by-area planning.
Smallmouth firing on Lake Michigan as Wabash runs full and fast
The Wabash at USGS gauge 03335500 was clocking 8,770 cfs Sunday morning — above a typical mid-June baseline, likely reflecting recent upstream rainfall that has pushed current and colored the water through the mid-river corridor. For river anglers, that means fish are pinned tight against current breaks, riprap banks, and submerged timber rather than holding on open flats. Over on Indiana's Lake Michigan shoreline, Tactical Bassin documented productive Great Lakes smallmouth sessions this week despite breezy conditions, with anglers building strong bags using a Dark Sleeper and Spark Shad pairing — a power-finesse combination that handled both the waves and the fish. Fishing the Midwest notes that rivers across the region are entering their prime summer window, with catfish, bass, and walleye all worth targeting in protected eddies. Today's new moon is working in anglers' favor: the low-light feeding window overnight should have channel and flathead catfish moving actively through the Wabash's current seams.
Smallmouth and catfish peak as summer settles on VA rivers
The Potomac at Little Falls (USGS gauge 01646500) is running at 3,570 cfs as of Sunday morning — a moderate flow that keeps most wading and boat-fishing access points open while adding productive push to drift presentations. Water temperature readings are unavailable from our gauge this cycle, but mid-June typically places Potomac and Shenandoah surface temps in the low-to-mid 70s°F, the sweet spot for smallmouth bass and the onset of thermal stress for resident trout. On The Water's June 12 striper migration update noted the new moon arriving this weekend is "moving bass and bait toward summer haunts" across the mid-Atlantic, a lunar trigger that applies equally to Potomac smallmouth and channel catfish on dawn and dusk windows. Direct on-the-water reports from the Shenandoah and upper Potomac are thin this cycle, so the species outlook below is grounded in gauge data, the new moon timing, and established mid-June patterns for this river system.
Squid invasion lights up the Cape Cod Canal: stripers to 49 inches
An extraordinary squid invasion is the defining story for Cape Cod Bay this week. On The Water reported that the Center for Coastal Studies in Provincetown captured video of squid chasing baitfish ashore in massive numbers, a scene playing out all along the Canal and outer beaches. The Fisherman (Northeast) called the June 11 squid run without equal for the coastline, with millions of squid pulling stripers to 49 inches into the Canal in huge numbers. Charley Soares and Red Top Sporting Goods, both reporting through The Fisherman Cape Cod and Islands coverage, described long stretches of rocks and sand littered with beached squid, with fish of all sizes in the mix. Striper fishing is legitimately hot: Belsan's Bait, via The Fisherman South Shore MA to ME, noted a local catch-and-release tournament produced bass to 47 inches, with eel-like soft plastics and live eels leading the way. Charter captains out of Westport are posting full limits on black sea bass. Bluefish are mixing in at the Canal as well.
Stripers and Squid Both Hot as New Moon Tides Hit Narragansett Bay
Saltwater Edge Blog (RI) reports that both striped bass and squid fishing have been "fantastic" heading into the June new moon, with neither bite showing signs of slowing. Rhode Island water temperatures have been running cooler than typical for mid-June — a condition Saltwater Edge describes as favorable for keeping the striper bite strong and squid concentrated in the bay. The new moon falls today (June 14), and On The Water's June 12 striper migration map confirms bass are spread widely from New Jersey to Maine, with new moon tides expected to push bait and fish into summer haunts. For Narragansett Bay, this is a high-percentage window: squid are actively feeding and bass are responding to big tidal exchanges along rip edges and current seams. No NOAA buoy readings were available at publication; verify tides and wind locally before launching.
Chincoteague Shifts to Summer Fishery as Striper Migration Clears North
On The Water's June 12 striper migration map places the main coastal push from New Jersey to Maine, confirming that Virginia's Eastern Shore has handed off the spring run and entered its summer fishery window. Without NOAA buoy data available for this report cycle, precise water temperature cannot be confirmed, but mid-June conditions at Chincoteague typically push into the upper 60s to low 70s on the Atlantic side. The new moon today, June 14, coincides with the strongest spring tides of the month, concentrating bait through Chincoteague Inlet and the seaside channels. Summer flounder are the workhorse species this time of year, working channel edges and drop-offs. Red drum are typical for the seaside marshes. Cobia generally begin appearing along the beachfront and nearshore structure through June. Check current state regulations before harvesting any species.
Sacramento-Delta summer bite shifts to structure as new moon tides arrive
The Sacramento River at USGS gauge 11447650 recorded 73 degrees and 4,440 cfs before dawn Sunday, a reading that confirms the Delta has moved fully into its summer fishing mode. At these temperatures, largemouth bass and landlocked striped bass have shifted off shallow flats onto deeper tidal channels, dock pilings, bridge shadows, and submerged structure. Wired 2 Fish notes that summer bass become "super picky" in warm water, responding best to early topwater before retreating to offshore depth once the sun climbs. Tactical Bassin recommends a wobble-head jig paired with a shaky-head worm as a reliable one-two punch for bass staged on summer structure. New Moon timing this weekend creates stronger tidal exchanges through the Delta's network of sloughs and channels, and those current surges, especially at first light and near sunset, are the windows to plan around for stripers and catfish working current edges.
El Nino Warmth Eyes Central Coast as Halibut and Rockfish Hold Court
Western Outdoor News — Saltwater is calling El Niño conditions the defining offshore storyline for this summer, with charters already positioning for tuna, yellowtail, and dorado as warmer water builds north from Baja. That same thermal pulse is the leading indicator for the Central Coast through mid-July. No buoy readings are available in today's pull, so exact surface temps are unconfirmed — check local charter boards for current readings before planning an offshore run. The seasonal setup is otherwise favorable: June typically brings stabilizing upwelling windows and dense kelp canopy that holds baitfish and calico bass. Inshore, halibut should be working sandy breaks and estuary-adjacent flats as water continues to warm. Rockfish remain the dependable anchor on any bottom trip. White seabass — a prize of early-summer kelp — are worth targeting at first light around dense canopy, though no captain reports specific to this stretch of coast are available to confirm current concentrations.
Chinook and Halibut on the Menu as Puget Sound Hits Mid-June Stride
Washington Sea Grant is rallying volunteers for the third annual Salish Sea-wide Molt Blitz on June 26, a citizen-science event that doubles as a reminder that Dungeness crab are in their active summer growth phase throughout Puget Sound. No NOAA buoy readings or on-the-water captain reports reached this update's data feed, so specific current conditions are unavailable; consult WA WDFW's creel and catch reports for the freshest access-site interviews. That said, mid-June is a productive window across the region. Chinook salmon move through Puget Sound passes in earnest this month, and Pacific halibut season on the Pacific coast side is typically in full swing. Today's New Moon sets up strong spring tides; the transitions between flood and ebb tend to concentrate baitfish schools and draw predators to current seams. Lingcod season is open and fish are typically holding over rocky structure. Anglers planning weekend runs should verify current emergency closures via WDFW before heading out.
Lake Erie smallmouth fire up as summer patterns settle in
Tactical Bassin reports that Great Lakes smallmouth are producing well under windy, big-water conditions this week, with anglers scoring big bags including trophy fish on a Dark Sleeper and Spark Shad two-bait system. That activity extends to Lake Erie's Pennsylvania shoreline and Presque Isle Bay, where mid-June finds post-spawn smallmouth staging on rocky reefs and gravel points. USGS gauge 04213000 is reading 83.2 cfs — a moderate tributary flow consistent with early summer, though no water temperature data is currently available for this cycle. Today's New Moon creates prime low-light feeding windows at dawn and dusk. Fishing the Midwest highlights weedline edges as a key pattern across the region right now, which tracks well for Presque Isle Bay's largemouth and yellow perch in sheltered shallows. PA Sea Grant's upcoming June 25 Harmful Algal Bloom webinar with the Pennsylvania DEP is a timely reminder to monitor bay water quality as summer heat builds.
Big bluefish hit Hatteras surf, Spanish mackerel flood NC nearshore
Tom, of Hatteras Jack, per Fisherman's Post (NC), reports surf anglers along Hatteras and Ocracoke are connecting with bigger bluefish, fish running past 30 inches, on casting metals and cut baits. Sea mullet fishing has been steady in the same zone. That bluefish bite extends up the coast: reports from Morehead/Atlantic Beach and Swansboro via Fisherman's Post (NC) show pier and surf anglers doing consistently well, with Rich at Chasin' Tails noting red drum scattered inshore and holding in deeper holes. Spanish mackerel are the other standout. Morgan at The Reel Outdoors in Swansboro and Tex's Tackle at Wrightsville Beach both confirm mackerel moving into nearshore areas and along the beachfront in good numbers, with spoons being the go-to approach. Offshore, the Tidelines column in Fisherman's Post noted gaffer mahi as a reliable option out of Beaufort Inlet as of late May. New Moon tides this weekend amplify current flow through the inlets and should concentrate bait along the beachfront.
High Allegheny Flow Pushes Pittsburgh Tailwater Fish to Slack-Water Cover
USGS gauge 03036500 on the Allegheny River recorded 6,850 cfs at 3 a.m. on June 14, indicating elevated, likely off-color conditions through the Pittsburgh tailwaters. Water temperature data was unavailable this cycle, and specific on-the-water angler intel for this stretch was sparse in today's feed. The PA Fish and Boat Commission's Biologist Reports is the regional authority to check for fresh district updates. The flow reading points toward tough main-channel fishing: smallmouth bass will have pushed into deep eddies behind bridge pilings and wing dams, while walleye and sauger can remain productive along current seams even in discolored water. Fishing the Midwest notes rivers as underrated summer action destinations and highlights the value of working structure methodically, advice that applies directly here. Channel catfish are classically aggressive when water rises. The new moon tonight extends low-light feeding activity into the earliest morning hours and last light.