Fishing reports
19273 reports across all 50 states — current conditions and what's biting.
Highland Lakes slip into summer mode as bass push deep with June heat
With the Colorado River at Austin logging 1,000 cfs (USGS gauge 08158000) on June 13, flows through the Highland Lakes chain are steady as the Hill Country moves into its summer fishing pattern. Worth noting: Texas Parks & Wildlife has temporarily suspended its weekly fishing reports while a new format is finalized, per My Canyon Lake Fishing, putting extra weight on local intel this season. Regional reservoir levels are running healthier than last year; Canyon Lake, a comparable Hill Country impoundment, sat at 886.46 feet, roughly eight feet above its level at this time in 2025, and was drawing positive conditions assessments according to My Canyon Lake Fishing. On the species front, Wired 2 Fish's summer bass guide confirms what Travis and LBJ regulars already know: largemouth that staged shallow during the spawn have shifted to offshore structure once the sun climbs. The new moon (June 14) opens a prime low-light window for topwater and crankbaits at dawn and dusk, with overnight catfish runs a natural add-on for anglers willing to stay late.
Stripers Moving the Hudson as Black Bass Season Countdown Begins
Water temps on the Hudson River have reached 79°F (USGS gauge 01357500) as of June 13, confirming summer conditions have settled across the Hudson Valley. On The Water's June 12 Striper Migration Map reports the push remains widespread from New Jersey to Maine, with new moon tides this weekend expected to continue moving bass and bait toward summer haunts, a prime window for tidal Hudson anglers. Inland, NY DEC's The Fishing Line (June 12) notes the fish bite is picking up with the arrival of warmer weather, and black bass season is just days away. For trout anglers, 79°F water pushes well into stress territory; Field & Stream's trout temperature guide warns that feeding windows narrow sharply above 68°F. Target trout only in the predawn hours on higher-elevation Finger Lakes tributaries, and shift focus toward bass and walleye as water temperatures climb through the day.
Columbia and Rogue shift to summer mode as warmwater bite builds
USGS gauge 14211720 is reading 67°F on the Columbia system as of Saturday afternoon, signaling that the Pacific Northwest's summer fishing transition is underway on both the Columbia and Rogue. At that temperature, smallmouth bass and walleye are entering their most productive windows of the year, while trout face real midday thermal stress. Field & Stream's current water-temperature guide for trout flags this range as approaching the stress threshold for salmonids, reinforcing the case for dawn-and-dusk-only sessions on Rogue trout water. The broader western drought picture painted by Hatch Magazine and Wired 2 Fish adds useful context: rivers across the Pacific slope are warming earlier than in wetter years, and that trend appears to be showing up here. IFish.net Forum activity from Oregon anglers is present this cycle but limited to gear-loss posts along the Columbia corridor and coast rivers — no confirmed catch-count reports from either system this week. The new moon tonight historically keeps nights dark and can concentrate predatory fish on structure at first light.
Sea Bass Limits and Surf Stripers Peak as New Moon Tides Hit the Jersey Shore
Per OTW Northern New Jersey's June 11 report, stripers are taking clams in the surf, sea bass are steady on the reefs, and fluke are slowly building momentum as warmer water and abundant bait fill the inshore zone. Blue Chip Sportfishing is calling the sea bass action "red hot" and reports limiting out on nearly every trip. Grumpys Tackle confirms a larger class of striped bass has moved into the surf, with clams and bunker chunks producing the best results along the beach. Offshore, Fishermans HQ LBI reports bluefin tuna have followed a massive squid push close to the Jersey coast, with fish reachable on 20-30 mile runs from Long Beach Island. Today's new moon coincides with the height of the spring striper push. On The Water notes the big tides this weekend should continue moving bass and bait toward their summer haunts. No buoy data was available to confirm current water temperatures.
Fish early or find cold water as Smokies streams heat up in June
Water temperature at USGS gauge 03512000 on the Little Tennessee River registered 76°F on the evening of June 13 — well into thermal-stress territory for trout. At readings above 68°F trout begin to experience physiological stress, and 76°F pushes fish toward the coldest available refuge: shaded pocket water, spring holes, tributary mouths, and any seam where cold inflows cut through the main stem. Field & Stream's temperature guide for trout fishing specifically highlights these conditions as when angler behavior matters most, noting hoot owl-style restrictions are often triggered to protect fish during peak heat. Flow at 219 cfs offers wadeable conditions, but limited cold-water volume in the main channel means trout are concentrated in the coolest pockets. Fish the earliest possible window — aim to be on the water at first light and off by mid-morning before temps peak. Voluntary catch-and-release during afternoon hours is strongly encouraged for fish welfare.
Sea Bass Red Hot on Reefs as Stripers Work the Sandy Hook Surf
Sea bass fishing has been the standout story on local reefs, with Blue Chip Sportfishing calling conditions "red hot" and reporting near-limit catches on recent trips. Capt Ron's out of Atlantic Highlands corroborates the bottom action, logging consistent ling alongside quality sea bass, though the bite has been day-dependent: some sessions have fish reading well on sonar but refusing to commit until the boat shifts to deeper offshore drops. OTW Northern New Jersey's June 11 report rounds out the picture: striped bass are taking clams in the surf, sea bass holds steady on the reefs, and the fluke bite is slowly gaining traction as warmer water and bait move in. On The Water's June 12 striper migration map notes that bass remain spread from New Jersey to Maine, with new moon tides this weekend expected to push fish and bait toward summer haunts. No NOAA buoy readings were available for water temperature at report time.
June bass patterns lock in on Alabama's Tennessee and Coosa systems
With the Coosa River running at 8,850 cfs per USGS gauge 02339500 and no temperature reading available, mid-June conditions on Alabama's river systems point firmly toward established summer bass patterns. Offshore structure is the story: Wired 2 Fish notes that once the sun climbs, bass slide from shallow morning feeding lanes to deep structure and cooler water, a pattern that defines the next several weeks. Over 200 collegiate teams competed at Pickwick Lake on the Tennessee River system for the ACA Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship, per Outdoor Hub, suggesting the fishery is actively producing. Tactical Bassin favors swing jigs and wobble heads for offshore summer bass, while Flukemaster points to frog lures for early shallow bites and football jigs once fish push deeper. Catfish anglers should find the moderate Coosa flows workable. Tonight's new moon can sharpen low-light feeding windows; early morning and late evening runs are worth prioritizing.
Delaware Bay Black Drum Season Peaks as Stripers and Blues Hold Strong
Black drum, stripers, and bluefish were chewing alongside fluke in New Jersey surf and bay waters as of OTW Northern New Jersey's June 4 report, and the bite has carried into mid-month. The June 11 update from OTW Northern New Jersey confirms stripers are still taking clams in the surf, with fluke slowly improving as warmer water pushes in. Grumpys Tackle's recent 'Drum, Bass, Blues' post reinforces that the NJ drum-and-bass pattern is holding, and Delaware Bay sits at the center of the regional black drum run, historically one of the strongest drum fisheries along the mid-Atlantic coast through mid-June. On The Water's June 12 striper migration map notes the new moon and big tides 'should continue to move bass and bait toward summer haunts,' a forecast that applies directly to the bay's fast-moving tidal corridors. No NOAA buoy data is available today for confirmed water temperature. Clam baits remain the go-to for surf stripers per the latest NJ intel.
Finger Lakes smallmouth firing up as early summer pattern locks in
USGS gauge 04232050 reads 68°F and 7.45 cfs in Finger Lakes tributaries, a combination that signals a firmly established early-summer pattern on Cayuga, Seneca, and Skaneateles. Smallmouth bass are squarely in their prime feeding window. Rocky points, wind-driven shorelines, and mid-lake shoals are the structure to target through the morning hours. Tactical Bassin's recent Great Lakes sessions highlight finesse swimbaits and swing-head jigs as a productive one-two punch for summer smallmouth, a presentation that translates well to the Finger Lakes' expansive basins. Lake trout, which prefer water in the mid-50s, are almost certainly staged deep below the thermocline at 68°F surface temps. With tonight's new moon eliminating ambient nighttime light, low-light feeding windows at dawn and dusk should be pronounced for both bass and walleye. Low tributary flow means inlets are running thin; the main lake basins are the better option right now.
June Bass Bite Builds as Delaware River and Pine Barrens Hit Summer Lows
The Toms River registered 19.6 cfs at USGS gauge 01408000 on June 13 — well below typical early-summer volumes — signaling low-flow conditions across Pine Barrens drainages. Water temperature was unavailable at this station. NJ Fish & Wildlife News spotlighted Hamburg Mountain WMA in Sussex County this week as an accessible freshwater option: Silver Lake provides a car-top boat ramp with stocked trout and warm-water species, while Franklin Pond Creek offers stocked trout with year-round habitat. With the new moon falling on June 13, freshwater bass anglers on both the Delaware River and Pine Barrens ponds should find favorable low-light feeding conditions over the next several days. Post-spawn largemouth and smallmouth bass are transitioning into summer feeding patterns this week, and the combination of low, clear flows and concentrated baitfish in deeper structure makes targeted presentations — early-morning topwater and soft plastics in shaded undercuts — the approach to focus on right now.
Lake Champlain smallmouth firing post-spawn as salmon seek the depths
Water at USGS gauge 04294500 registered 71°F on the evening of June 13 — a temperature that puts smallmouth bass firmly in their post-spawn feeding surge while pushing landlocked salmon toward deeper, cooler water. For smallmouth, this mid-June window is typically among the most productive of the year. Tactical Bassin (blog) reports strong Great Lakes smallmouth action this week on finesse swimbaits (Spark Shad) and heavier slow-rolling presentations (Dark Sleeper) in windy conditions — a tactic that maps well to Champlain's boulder-strewn points and wave-swept flats. Wired 2 Fish notes that summer bass now follow a two-phase daily pattern: active in the shallows at first light, then sliding to deeper structure as the sun climbs. Tonight's New Moon darkens the overnight window and concentrates the productive bite near dawn and dusk. Landlocked salmon, which stress above 65°F, are likely holding well off the surface and will require deep presentations to find.
Colorado trout prime window as runoff clears: green drakes and hatches incoming
USGS gauge 09095500 on the Colorado River recorded 2,770 cfs and 69°F on the afternoon of June 13, a reading that tells two stories at once. On the positive side, Crystal Fly Shop (CO) confirms conditions are "on the back end of runoff now with great water conditions and happy fish," calling the next few weeks "sensational" before summer heat tapers the bite. Green drakes, golden stones, PMDs, and caddis are all imminent, with large attractor dry flies already working on higher-water stretches. The concern: 69°F edges into heat-stress territory for trout. Cutthroat Anglers (CO) frames 2026's historically low snowpack as a tactical opportunity. Fish are "grouped up and ready to bite" for anglers willing to go lighter, fish earlier, and seek shaded runs. Plan morning sessions, ease off during midday, and return for the evening window.
Columbia River in summer transition as spring Chinook season winds down
The USGS gauge at site 14105700 logged 156,000 cfs and 63°F on June 13, above-average spring flows that are shaping access and holding-water quality across the Columbia mainstem. At 63°F, water temperatures are on the warmer edge for migrating spring Chinook, which can push fish to move faster through lower-river sections rather than holding in traditional lies. No specific charter-captain or tackle-shop reports for this stretch appear in this week's intel feeds, so conditions here draw on gauge readings and seasonal patterns rather than direct on-water testimony. Spring Chinook, the Columbia's marquee early-season run, typically taper through mid-June as hatchery returns plateau and river temps climb. Summer Chinook begin filtering in from the estuary in late June. White sturgeon offer consistent action through the season and represent the most reliable June alternative when salmon retention windows tighten. Check ODFW regulations carefully before keeping anything: retention rules and sturgeon slot limits shift frequently as in-season counts arrive.
Puget Sound & Pacific Enter Early-Summer Salmon and Halibut Window
WA Sea Grant's announcement of the Third Annual Salish Sea-wide Molt Blitz on June 26 is a useful seasonal marker: Dungeness crab are actively molting across the Salish Sea as summer temperatures take hold. No real-time buoy or gauge data arrived in this report cycle, and no charter or tackle-shop reports were captured for Puget Sound or the Pacific coast, so specific catch numbers are not available. WA WDFW Fishing Reports tracks creel data statewide, and anglers should check that resource for the latest access-site interviews and hatchery stocking updates before planning a trip. Seasonally, mid-June is typically when summer Chinook build through the Sound's narrows and river mouths, when outer-coast Pacific halibut season is underway, and when bottom species like rockfish and lingcod hold on nearshore structure. New moon tides on June 13 can compress tidal movement, worth factoring into any Puget Sound salmon or crab plan.
Lake Erie Smallmouth Heat Up as Early Summer Patterns Lock In
Great Lakes smallmouth bass are showing well heading into mid-June, with Tactical Bassin reporting quality fish on swimbaits in windy, big-water conditions — a setup Lake Erie's open shoreline and rocky structure delivers regularly. The new moon on June 13 adds a favorable feeding window across species. Conneaut Creek (USGS gauge 04213000) is running at a moderate 122 cfs as of midday June 13, keeping tributary mouths fishable along the PA–Ohio border stretch. No water temperature reading was available for this report cycle. PA Sea Grant has flagged harmful algal blooms as a growing threat to Pennsylvania and Great Lakes waterways heading into summer — check state advisories before launching at Presque Isle Bay. Walleye, the region's signature target, typically push into deeper structure as the thermocline firms up through June, making vertical jigging over 20–35 feet the standard adaptation. No direct charter or shop reports from the immediate Presque Isle area were available for this update; species assessments reflect seasonal patterns typical for Lake Erie in mid-June.
Big bluefish and Spanish mackerel rolling through the Outer Banks
Tom at Hatteras Jack reports oversized bluefish — some pushing past 30 inches — active in the Hatteras and Ocracoke surf, hitting both casting metals and cut bait, per Fisherman's Post (NC). That's the standout story for the Outer Banks right now. Spanish mackerel are also arriving on schedule: reports from Swansboro and Emerald Isle show the fish moving in strong numbers nearshore and along the beachfront, with Morehead/Atlantic Beach anglers already catching them from the surf and piers. Sea mullet fishing at Hatteras has been described as steady. Offshore, gaffer mahi were showing out of Beaufort Inlet by late May per Fisherman's Post — Carolinas saltwater, a pattern that typically strengthens through June. Inshore, red drum are present but scattered — Rich at Chasin' Tails notes fish have moved to deeper holes at Morehead. No buoy data is available today, so confirm local sea conditions before heading out.
Stripers On the Move Through Delaware Bay as New Moon Tides Build
The June 12 striper migration map from On The Water confirms bass are spread from New Jersey to Maine, with new moon tides this weekend expected to push fish and bait toward summer haunts — placing Delaware Bay squarely in the active migration corridor. No local buoy or gauge readings were available for this cycle, so water temperature isn't quoted. Delaware Surf Fishing flagged ongoing closures at Cape Henlopen Fishing Pier: nearly 200 feet of the end section is fenced off, limiting access at that structure for surf anglers planning a shore session. Delaware Surf Fishing also notes that Delaware has historically run a 20-24 inch slot limit for striped bass beginning July 1 — verify current DNREC regulations before harvesting. No charter or tackle-shop reports specific to Delaware Bay were available this week. Summer flounder and bluefish round out the typical mid-June target list in the bay.
Striper Migration Reaches NH Waters as New Moon Tides Build
The striper migration is running the full Northeast coast as of June 12, with On The Water's weekly migration map confirming bass widespread from New Jersey to Maine. That puts the NH Gulf of Maine coast directly in the summer push. The new moon coinciding with this weekend's strongest tidal exchanges should accelerate bass movement into estuary mouths, rocky points, and rip lines along NH's short but productive coastline. OTW Saltwater reports that Maine's DMR Commissioner issued an open letter this month urging responsible striper handling at the Saco River, a sign of concentrated fish activity right on the NH border. No NOAA buoy temperature data was available for this report, but Gulf of Maine nearshore temps in mid-June typically sit in the low-to-mid 50s, a range that keeps stripers actively feeding. Anglers chasing bluefish and mackerel should find typical June conditions as these species move through.
Blue marlin season builds across Hawaiian offshore grounds in June
Hawaii Fishing News, the state's official keeper of sportfish records, maintains the moon and tide calendars Hawaii anglers rely on each month — and with today marking a new moon, timing conditions are aligning for what locals know as a productive offshore window. No live buoy readings or charter intel appear in today's data feeds, so specific temperature and bite reports are not available for this update. That said, mid-June is a recognized transition point across the Hawaiian chain: blue marlin activity typically accelerates toward peak season, mahi-mahi linger on weed lines and color breaks, and ahi schools hold in deeper blue water offshore. Ono (wahoo) can surprise on high-speed trolling passes. The new moon phase often triggers tighter feeding windows near dawn and dusk for offshore pelagics. Nearshore, papio and ulua remain consistent structure targets around rocky points and channel edges. Anglers are encouraged to consult the Hawaii Fishing News moon and tide calendar and verify conditions with local sportfishing operations before heading out.
Pre-Spawn Trophy Snook Peak as Summer Bite Opens on the Treasure Coast
Snook Nook out of Stuart calls June one of the best months of the year for Treasure Coast snook fishing, with 40-inch-plus breeder fish pushing toward inlets and passes ahead of the annual spawn. Per Snook Nook's June report, the season closed June 1 and runs through August 31 in this region, so all fish must be released; handle breeders carefully and minimize air exposure. The new moon on June 13 sets up favorable low-light conditions this weekend, particularly around dock lights and bridge pilings after dark. Offshore, CCA Florida reports a significant regulatory setback: a federal court issued a preliminary injunction blocking Florida's Atlantic coast EFP red snapper pilot season just hours before it was set to open. For inshore variety, Salt Strong's June 12 to 14 Florida Atlantic Coast weekend game plan highlights early-morning surf sessions as short but productive windows for snook and seatrout.
Gulf of Alaska Halibut and King Salmon Enter Peak June Window
No buoy readings or on-the-water reports reached us for the Gulf of Alaska this cycle, so specific sea-surface temperatures and bite accounts are unavailable this update. That said, mid-June historically marks the heart of the Gulf's two flagship saltwater pursuits: Pacific halibut and king salmon (Chinook). Halibut fleets across Gulf ports typically find some of their strongest bottomfishing of the year through this stretch, working ledges from 100 to 350 feet. King salmon fishing varies sharply by drainage and is subject to in-season emergency orders; verify current retention rules locally before making the run. AK Sea Grant's 2026 research portfolio spans Alaska's coastal systems, though none of the current releases address Gulf sport-fishing conditions directly. With a new moon on June 13, tidal exchanges are near maximum range, a timing factor many Gulf halibut captains build their anchor sets around over structure-heavy grounds.
Spanish Mackerel Lead the Charge as June Heats Up Charleston's Coast
Fisherman's Post — Carolinas saltwater's June 2026 round-up shows spanish mackerel pushing into nearshore areas and along the beachfront in good numbers across the Carolinas coast, with the bluefish bite running strong alongside them. Inshore, red drum are scattered but present, tucking into deeper holes around hard structure. The same publication's Carolina Beach report notes smaller sheepshead staging on hard structure, a pattern that traditionally extends south to Charleston Harbor's jetties and bridge pilings. Salt marsh edges and oyster-bar points remain the reliable mid-June setup for reds on moving water. No buoy readings are available for Charleston Harbor this cycle, so local water temperature is unconfirmed; however, this weekend's new moon creates stronger tidal amplitude through harbor passes, a proven window to find inshore predators stacked on current seams. Plan around the first two hours of the outgoing for best inshore results.
Delta largemouth and stripers find structure as Sacramento flows run high
USGS gauge 11455420 put Sacramento inflow into the Delta at 112,000 cfs this morning, well above the 40,000 to 60,000 cfs range typical for mid-June once snowpack melt begins to taper. High flows push cooler, stained water through the main ship channel and lateral sloughs, which tends to concentrate largemouth bass tight to dock pilings, rip-rap, and tule edges rather than open-water flats. No Delta-specific charter or shop reports appeared in our feeds this cycle, so on-the-water conditions here are inferred from gauge data and seasonal pattern. New Moon this weekend amplifies tidal push and pull through the sloughs, and dawn and dusk low-light windows are typically the most productive for both largemouth and striped bass under these conditions. Channel catfish stack reliably in deep eddies during elevated-flow periods, making them a dependable target even when bass are tight-lipped. Wired 2 Fish notes drought stress is hitting reservoir fisheries across other parts of the West, underscoring how much Delta anglers benefit from the current water volume.
Blue catfish on the feed as Texas lakes hit summer temps
Water temperatures have reached 88°F on Texas freshwater (USGS gauge 08211200), and North Texas Catfish Guide reports that Eagle Mountain Lake near Fort Worth is positioned for some of the best fishing of the year. The lake is nearly full, with fresh inflows pushing fish into an active feeding mode. The guide notes: fish are moving, fish are feeding, and once you locate them the action happens fast. Blue catfish are the primary target in June, with the guide calling this window one of the best opportunities of the year. Channel catfish and white bass round out the Eagle Mountain mix based on the guide's historical June pattern. On the cichlid front, Lone Star Outdoor News reports that anglers statewide are pivoting to Rio Grande cichlids now that trout season has wrapped. Bass anglers face a textbook summer split: early topwater action before the sun climbs, then a transition to deep structure once temps spike. Tonight's New Moon offers an extended low-light feeding window worth planning around.