Fishing reports
19273 reports across all 50 states — current conditions and what's biting.
Lake Superior lakers and UP trout streams prime up for summer
Wired 2 Fish reported in early June that a 45.5-inch lake trout was caught and released from Lake Superior in early May — a new Minnesota catch-and-release record that signals big lakers are actively feeding along the Lake Superior corridor heading into summer. USGS gauge 04059500 shows a UP Michigan stream running at 297 cfs, pointing to moderate post-runoff flows that typically make for productive wading and dry-fly work on UP freestone trout water in mid-June. Water temperature data was unavailable from the gauge this cycle. WI DNR Lake Superior Fishing has been documenting rapidly growing angler interest in lake whitefish around the Chequamegon Bay area, with public surveys and management meetings tracking the expanding fishery. Tactical Bassin's recent Great Lakes footage confirms smallmouth bass are responding well to swimbait presentations in choppy, wind-blown conditions along rocky shorelines. Tonight's new moon should concentrate feeding activity into the first and last 90 minutes of daylight on both streams and open lake.
Big Cats and Offshore Bass Define Early Summer at Santee and Lake Murray
Field & Stream reports that a South Carolina man shattered the state flathead catfish record, hauling a 110-plus-pound fish from a 40-foot deep back eddy on a Santee rig. That technique was born on these very lakes, and its role in a trophy catch signals big catfish are actively feeding across SC river systems as summer peaks. The Saluda River into Lake Murray is running at 140 cfs per USGS gauge 02160390, pointing to low, stable summer inflow with no pressure on the main lake. Water temperature readings were unavailable at the gauge. With the new moon phase underway, overnight and early-morning catfish sessions should see heightened feeding through mid-week. Summer bass are pushing offshore, with Wired 2 Fish and Tactical Bassin (blog) recommending deep crankbaits and swing-head jigs for largemouth parked on ledges and offshore structure.
Susquehanna Smallmouth Prime as PA Rivers Warm Into Summer Pattern
Water at USGS gauge 01540500 is reading 78°F and flowing at 5,070 cfs — warm territory that is reshaping what is worth targeting across PA's Susquehanna and Allegheny drainages right now. Field & Stream's trout temperature guide flags the stress zone clearly: trout typically seek cold-water refuges above the mid-60s, and at 78°F, hoot owl-style restrictions are well within range on unshaded freestone sections. That shifts the focus firmly toward warmwater species. Smallmouth bass are the prime June target — Wired 2 Fish notes early summer as the window when bass rotate between shallow dawn topwater action and deeper structure holds during the heat of the day. Catfish thrive at these temperatures, and with tonight's new moon providing pitch-dark conditions, deep-hole channel and flathead action should peak after sundown. PA Sea Grant is also alerting anglers to watch for harmful algal blooms on warm, slower-moving river sections this time of year — check conditions before wading.
New moon fires up Central MA bass as flows drop to summer lows
USGS gauge 01105500 registers just 9.1 cfs and gauge 01111500 shows 30.6 cfs as of June 14, signaling that Central MA rivers are running low and settling into summer low-water mode. Water temperature readings are unavailable at both gauges this cycle. The new moon falls today, and On The Water's June 12 migration update notes the new moon is actively pushing bass and baitfish into summer positions across New England, a lunar cue that freshwater largemouth and smallmouth anglers should capitalize on with dawn and dusk sessions. Wired 2 Fish's summer bass lure breakdown highlights topwater and swimbaits during low-light periods, while Tactical Bassin's current content points to swing-head jigs and wobble heads worked along bottom structure once light penetrates the water column. Trout anglers should heed Field & Stream's temperature guide: when flows drop and summer heat arrives, early-morning windows near cold-water springs become critical to both catching fish and releasing them healthy.
Chesapeake Mouth Enters Mid-June Transition as Stripers Push North
The striper migration has moved well north of the Chesapeake mouth, with On The Water's June 12 migration map placing fish widespread from New Jersey to Maine. At the Bay mouth, that northward shift typically signals the close of the spring run and the opening of a more diverse summer lineup. This week's new moon is driving big tidal exchanges through the inlet corridor; On The Water noted those conditions should 'continue to move bass and bait toward summer haunts.' No buoy or gauge readings were available for this report cycle, so anglers should verify local conditions before launching. On The Water also highlights the Chesapeake as productive summer ground for topwater redfish and finesse flounder as water temperatures climb through June.
Savannah River scores record bluegill as summer bite heats up
A new Savannah River bluegill record sets the tone for mid-June freshwater action across Georgia. Springfield angler Seth Seckinger landed a 1-lb., 10.1-oz. bluegill on June 6 — fishing a white Beetle Spin tipped with a cricket — and had it certified on scales at Richmond Fish Hatchery, per GA Sportsman / Georgia Outdoor News. The same June 13 report notes Captain Travis Harper has been putting clients on nice trout, while lakes and ponds are delivering the strongest overall results this week. The Savannah River at Clyo was holding steady at 3.9 feet as of June 11; USGS gauge 02197000 recorded 4,240 cfs early Sunday morning — elevated but within fishable range. Rivers across the region are described as high but trending down, which should improve access and clarity as the week progresses. Georgia Wildlife Blog — Fishing notes that National Fishing and Boating Week runs through today, with June 13 a statewide Free Fishing Day.
Rangeley landlocked salmon and brook trout prime as June new-moon window opens
Flow on the Androscoggin headwaters is running at 59.9 cfs as of early Sunday morning per USGS gauge 01054200 — lean for mid-June and pointing toward elevated water clarity in the river sections. No water temperature reading is available from the gauge, but mid-June in the Rangeley Lakes watershed typically puts water in the low-to-mid 50s°F, near the sweet spot for landlocked Atlantic salmon and brook trout. Mainely Fly Fishing's early-season 2026 report noted ice-out on area ponds April 4th, a normal cadence that places the season on a conventional schedule heading into summer. With the new moon tonight, low-light feeding windows at dawn and dusk are the primary tactical advantage for the days ahead. MidCurrent's current tying coverage highlights patterns spanning the full water column from surface film to open water as hatches begin firing across northeastern freshwater fisheries — the kind of caddis and mayfly evening action the Rangeley chain is well-known for through mid-June.
Summer heat pushes Toledo Bend bass deep as new moon sets feeding windows
USGS gauge 08025500 on the Sabine River recorded just 6.84 cfs on June 13, one of the lowest inflows of the season into the Toledo Bend system and a signal of prolonged dry conditions across the upper drainage. No water temperature was available from the gauge, but mid-June at this latitude typically pushes surface temps well into the upper 80s by midday, compressing largemouth and striped bass into cooler, deeper structure. Wired 2 Fish notes this week that summer bass shift offshore once the sun climbs, with deep structure holding the better fish through the heat of the day. Tactical Bassin reinforces the wobble-head jig and shaky-head worm combo as the go-to offshore approach right now. The new moon on June 14 sets up stronger lunar feeding windows in the days ahead. LakeForkGuy's recent catfishing content highlights consistent jug-line action in summer reservoir settings. Direct Toledo Bend-specific captain or shop reports were not available in this feed cycle.
Bass Entering Peak Summer Pattern at Quabbin and Wachusett
The Swift River tailwater at USGS gauge 01174500 recorded 13.2 cfs on the morning of June 14, reflecting the low-flow summer baseline typical of this central Massachusetts drainage. No water temperatures are available from gauges this cycle, but mid-June calendar timing puts reservoir surface layers in warmup mode, with bass increasingly active and trout retreating to cooler depths. No charter, tackle shop, or agency reports for either reservoir appear in this update; conditions are inferred from seasonal patterns and available gauge data. Field & Stream's current temperature guide for trout underscores the key dynamic: once surface temps push past the low 60s, coldwater fish seek the thermocline while bass fishing enters one of its best stretches of the year. The new moon this weekend sharpens low-light feeding windows, with dawn and dusk as the primary timing targets for bass working shallow rocky structure on both reservoirs. Check local conditions before heading out.
PA Limestone Browns Approach the Summer Hatch Transition
USGS gauge 01546500 logged 78 cfs on Bald Eagle Creek at Milesburg early Sunday morning, providing the nearest flow benchmark for the Spring Creek and Penns Creek corridor. No water temperature reading was available from the gauge this cycle. Direct on-water angler intel specific to these waters was not available in current feeds this reporting period; no shops or guides filed reports for Spring Creek or Penns Creek. Drawing on broader fly-fishing coverage, Flylords Mag recently published a detailed guide to fishing PMD hatches that applies directly to pressured limestone spring creek conditions: the pale morning dun remains a reliable pattern on these waters through early summer. MidCurrent's current tying coverage highlights midge-style patterns designed for 'clear, pressured water of stillwaters and tailraces,' a presentation approach that translates well to the technical, low-and-clear character that defines late June on limestone systems. Tonight's new moon sets up the most favorable low-light feeding windows of the month.
Lake Michigan salmon season peaks as smallmouth push the Grand River mouth
The Grand River is running at a moderate 3,460 cfs (USGS gauge 04119000, recorded June 13), pushing a visible plume into Lake Michigan at the Grand Haven river mouth — a classic attractor zone for baitfish and the predators that shadow them. No water temperature reading was available from the gauge. For offshore context, the WI DNR Lake Michigan Fishing Report documented a standout 2024 salmon season with record coho harvests exceeding 210,000 fish and Chinook counts near 160,000, the strongest since 2012, a performance the DNR attributed to robust alewife year classes boosting stocked-fish survival. Those population dynamics carry forward into the 2026 trolling season. Closer to shore, Tactical Bassin's Great Lakes content highlights active smallmouth bass action in mixed-wind conditions, with swimbaits — specifically the Dark Sleeper and Spark Shad — producing quality fish on open-water structure. The new moon on June 14 sharpens evening feeding windows. Anglers should verify current bite conditions locally, as MI-specific shop or charter intel was not available in this reporting cycle.
New Moon Tides Drive Stripers Through Buzzards Bay as Squid Swarm Cape Cod
Squid are beaching themselves on Cape Cod in large numbers while chasing baitfish inshore, per OTW Saltwater — a real-time bait pulse that typically draws striped bass and bluefish close behind. The timing aligns with On The Water's June 12 striper migration map, which shows bass now widespread from New Jersey to Maine and forecasts that new moon tides this weekend will push fish and bait toward summer haunts. The Cape Cod Canal, which funnels tidal exchange directly between Cape Cod Bay and Buzzards Bay, is primed: OTW Surfcasting's 2026 Canal cheat sheet calls the ripping currents there "unlike anywhere else along the East Coast." No NOAA buoy water temperature data is available at report time. Massachusetts anglers should note that shore-based shark regulations are in full effect — On The Water confirmed a white shark catch-and-release off Nantucket this week, an early-season reminder that big predators are already in local waters.
Columbia Basin Bass in Full Swing at Moses Lake, Potholes, and Banks Lake
Bass season is firmly in gear across Eastern Washington's Columbia Basin, with Outdoor Hub reporting a packed summer tournament calendar running through August at Moses Lake, Potholes Reservoir, and Banks Lake. Events span Inland Empire Bass Club competitions and WDFW-supported open draws, drawing tournament competitors and recreational anglers alike as water temperatures climb. Meanwhile, the Yakima River is running at 2,950 cfs per USGS gauge 12484500 near Ellensburg, carrying elevated late-snowmelt flows that are making wading conditions difficult for trout anglers. No water temperature reading is available at this gauge. Field & Stream's mid-June trout guide notes how quickly summer heat can stress fish; anglers targeting rainbows on the Yakima should watch for any state hoot-owl advisories and plan early-morning sessions. The New Moon today opens improved low-light bite windows for bass across the Columbia Basin reservoirs.
Mutton Snapper Spawn and Gulf-Side Action Fire Up the Florida Keys
ALL IN Key West captains report mutton snappers are "chewing like crazy" through the summer spawn cycle, with yellowtails "practically jumping in the boat" along the reef edges. May, June, and July are what the Key West fleet calls "lights out" for variety — a recent Gulf-side outing produced grouper, cobia, barracuda, and kingfish before the day was half over. No NOAA buoy readings are available for this report cycle, so confirm surface temperatures locally before heading out. Today's new moon typically marks a brief lull between major spawn aggregation events on the reef; live bait presentations over hard-bottom structure and near-reef edges continue to produce. Flats anglers are sitting in the peak window for tarpon, with the oceanside channels and backcountry passes holding migratory silver kings through mid-June. Mahi-mahi remain a consistent offshore target over weed lines and floating debris in blue water.
Tailwater trout thrive below Buford Dam while summer bass go deep on Lanier
Cold tailwater discharge from Buford Dam (USGS gauge 02334430 reading 49°F at 4,030 cfs as of pre-dawn June 14) is creating prime trout conditions on the Chattahoochee River tailrace below Lake Lanier. That 49°F bottom-draw release also signals rapid thermal stratification inside Lanier itself, pushing largemouth and spotted bass off their post-spawn staging flats and onto offshore structure. The Georgia Wildlife Blog's June 12 report confirms National Fishing and Boating Week runs through this Sunday, with June 13 a Free Fishing Day for Georgia residents. GA Sportsman / Georgia Outdoor News' June 13 Southern Waters wrap-up notes that lakes and ponds have produced "some of the best reports" across Georgia this week. Wired 2 Fish's summer bass breakdown points to crankbaits and deeper presentations as the go-to once bass abandon shallow spawning areas. The new moon tonight sharpens dawn feeding windows; plan early starts at both Lanier and Allatoona.
Channel Cats and Walleye Find Summer Stride on the Missouri and Red
USGS gauge 05054000 logged the Red River at Fargo running 1,580 cfs and 72°F as of June 13: full summer mode for North Dakota's river systems. At these temperatures, walleye typically retreat from the shallows toward deeper current seams, wing dams, and main-channel breaks during peak daylight hours. Jason Mitchell Outdoors (YT) has been covering Upper Midwest walleye patterns this season, highlighting bottom-bouncer and spinner rigs for working current edges, a setup that translates well to the Missouri River's varied structure. Channel catfish thrive in water above 70°F, making deep pools and tailwaters particularly productive right now. Fishing the Midwest notes that rivers can sustain strong action all summer, rewarding anglers who stay versatile across species and depth zones. With flow moderate and fishable on the Red, expect solid opportunities early morning and evening, when walleye push shallower to feed in lower light.
Puget Sound Enters Mid-June Salmon Window as Boating Season Peaks
Washington Sea Grant confirmed this week that Washington's boating season is officially underway, with Puget Sound and Pacific coast waters seeing increasing recreational traffic. Specific bite reports are sparse in this cycle: no NOAA buoy readings or charter updates came through in time for press, but WA WDFW Fishing Reports notes the department runs regular creel surveys at access sites statewide, and on-the-water numbers should surface through their portal as weekend traffic builds. Mid-June is historically one of the more active windows for Chinook salmon through the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Central Sound, with marine halibut season running concurrently. Washington Sea Grant is also flagging the third annual Salish Sea-wide Molt Blitz for June 26, a citizen-science crab-molt survey signaling that Dungeness are actively cycling through summer growth phases. Crab anglers should watch local WDFW closure dates and plan accordingly.
Lake Erie Smallmouth Running Strong as Walleye Night Bite Builds
With USGS gauge 04213000 running at a modest 96 cfs as of June 13, Lake Erie tributaries near Presque Isle are stable and carrying clear conditions into mid-June. Tactical Bassin recently documented productive Great Lakes smallmouth sessions in wind-blown conditions, calling the Dark Sleeper paired with a Spark Shad swimbait a top one-two punch when waves push baitfish against rocky shorelines. The new moon on June 14 typically concentrates feeding activity and tightens fish onto structure, making low-light windows especially worth targeting along the PA shoreline. PA Sea Grant has flagged harmful algal blooms as a growing summer hazard across Pennsylvania waterways and the Great Lakes; check local advisories before launching into sheltered bays or tributary mouths. No buoy surface-temperature data was available for this report cycle. Walleye and yellow perch are tracking typical mid-June Lake Erie patterns, with the primary walleye bite transitioning toward nighttime hours.
Big bluefish and Spanish mackerel heating up the Hatteras surf in June
Tom at Hatteras Jack reports bigger bluefish, some pushing 30 inches and beyond, crashing casting metals and cut baits in the Hatteras surf, making it one of the more reliable bites on the Outer Banks right now. Sea mullet fishing has remained steady in the same zone, per Fisherman's Post (NC). Just up the coast, Rich of Chasin' Tails at Morehead/Atlantic Beach notes surf and pier anglers scoring well on bluefish, Spanish mackerel, and bonito, with red drum scattered inshore and holding in deeper holes. At Swansboro and Emerald Isle, Morgan of The Reel Outdoors confirms Spanish mackerel pushing in good numbers along the beachfront and into nearshore areas, with the bluefish bite remaining strong. Offshore, Fisherman's Post Carolinas saltwater Tidelines noted gaffer mahi moving through Beaufort Inlet by late May, a clear signal the pelagic season is building along this stretch of coast.
Delta bass and stripers prime as new moon amplifies tidal surge
USGS gauge 11455420 recorded a strong reverse flow of -57,800 cfs on June 13, signaling an aggressive tidal flood push through the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta — a pattern amplified by this weekend's new moon. No Delta-specific field reports were captured in this cycle's intel pull; NorCal Fish Reports covers the region as an active beat but no current field notes were available. Drawing on typical June conditions, striped bass are generally in their post-spawn scatter phase, with fish feeding on baitfish concentrated along channel edges and tidal current seams. The new moon's enhanced tidal swings create predictable feeding windows at peak flood and ebb transitions. Largemouth bass typically move to tule margins and shaded structure during summer mornings before heat builds mid-day. Water temperature was unavailable from the gauge this cycle. Anglers should check local conditions and verify current regulations before heading out, as tidal windows and water clarity fluctuate considerably during new moon periods.
New moon favors Western Basin walleye as summer heat takes hold
USGS gauge 04193500 on the Maumee River recorded 1,290 cfs at 80°F as of the evening of June 13 — a warm tributary reading that signals the Western Basin is fully into its summer transition. With nearshore zones trending warm, walleye are characteristically pulling off the shallows and suspending along mid-depth ledges and reef structure during daylight hours. Fishing the Midwest highlights that versatile anglers who adapt — working weedlines and adjusting depths as conditions shift — stay on walleye when early-summer daytime patterns slow. Tonight's new moon sets up a prime low-light feeding window; walleye are known to ramp up activity after dark when light penetration is minimal. No Western Basin charter or tackle-shop reports are in today's feed, so we're working from gauge data and seasonal patterns rather than specific bite accounts from Sandusky Bay or the island chain. Plan trips around low-light windows for the best odds this weekend.
Allegheny tailwaters running high as summer bass and catfish patterns emerge
USGS gauge 03036500 clocked the Allegheny at 7,510 cfs on the evening of June 13, running well above a typical mid-June summer baseline and likely reflecting recent upstream precipitation. No water temperature was recorded at the gauge this cycle. Fishing the Midwest notes that productive summer river anglers target current edges, back eddies, and slower inside bends, which are precisely the holding water where bass and walleye concentrate when flows run heavy. Tactical Bassin points to swing-head jigs and bottom-contact soft plastics as reliable summer river-bass producers, and those techniques translate directly to Allegheny smallmouth holding tight to submerged rock. The New Moon on June 14 sets up strong low-light feeding windows at dawn and dusk through the weekend. Catfish, typically at their most active in June's warming water, should be prime targets after dark. Specific captain or tackle-shop reports for the Pittsburgh tailwaters were not available in feeds this week; conditions here reflect gauge data and established regional summer patterns.
Columbia Basin bass fire up as mid-June steelhead push begins
USGS gauge 14113000 logged 64°F and 975 cfs on June 13, placing the Columbia system squarely in early-summer mode. Smallmouth bass are the headline story right now: Outdoor Hub's Washington tournament calendar confirms bass season is rolling across the Columbia Basin, with events already scheduled at Moses Lake, Potholes Reservoir, and Banks Lake through August — a strong indicator that anglers are actively finding fish. For trout, that 64°F reading sits at the upper edge of comfortable territory. Field & Stream's temperature guide for trout fishing notes that stress builds meaningfully past 65°F, making early-morning sessions in shaded, spring-fed reaches the smart play. Summer steelhead typically begin entering Columbia tributaries in mid-June, though no direct catch reports were available this cycle to confirm exact timing. Check WA WDFW's creel and stocking reports for current access conditions. With a new moon this weekend, low-light windows at dawn and dusk should produce the best bite across all species.
Colorado tailwater trout on point; Salt River bass shifting to summer depth
USGS gauge 09380000 clocked the Colorado River at 8,170 cfs and 60 degrees F on June 13, a temperature reading that lands squarely in the prime feeding range for rainbow trout on the Lees Ferry tailwater. Elevated flows at this level tend to push fish off main current and into slower seams, canyon-wall eddies, and sheltered pockets off structure. No shop or charter reports from this stretch appear in this week's intel feeds, but the gauge tells a useful story on its own. Worth watching for the broader region: Wired 2 Fish reported a complete fish kill at Arizona's San Carlos Lake, driven by drought conditions and dam releases, a sobering illustration of what low-reservoir stress can do to warmwater fisheries statewide. On the Salt River lakes, mid-June typically signals the start of full summer patterns, with largemouth bass transitioning from post-spawn shallows to deeper structure, and early morning topwater windows narrowing as ambient temperatures climb through the day, per summer bass guidance from Wired 2 Fish.