Fishing reports
19273 reports across all 50 states — current conditions and what's biting.
Elevated flows slow Eufaula bass; Texoma stripers enter prime summer window
A Major League Fishing Toyota Series event on the Arkansas River near Muskogee wrapped Day 2 on June 12 with "lots of incoming water and tough fishing" reshuffling the pro leaderboard, per MLF News — a direct signal that elevated flows are affecting the broader Lake Eufaula system right now. USGS gauge 07331600 confirms 7,000 cfs of inflow as of Friday evening. Several tournament pros made long runs to adjacent Kerr Reservoir to escape stained water, per MLF News — a tactic worth copying for anglers targeting largemouth on Eufaula this weekend. On Lake Texoma, the landlocked striper fishery enters one of its stronger early-summer windows: the waning crescent moon creates low-light feeding periods at dawn and dusk that typically produce topwater action on shad-chasing fish. Bass holding shallow post-spawn have been transitioning to main-lake structure and creek channel drops across both impoundments.
Stripers and Squid Stack Up Around Buzzards Bay as New Moon Tides Peak
The striper migration is running widespread from New Jersey to Maine as of June 12, per On The Water's weekly migration map, with the just-passed new moon and maximum tidal swings pushing bass and bait toward their summer haunts, a corridor that runs directly through Buzzards Bay and Vineyard Sound. On The Water also reported last week that thousands of squid were beaching themselves on Cape Cod shores while chasing baitfish, signaling dense forage stacked inshore right now and stripers likely close behind. OTW Surfcasting's 2026 Cape Cod Canal Cheat Sheet highlights the Canal, where Buzzards Bay and Cape Cod Bay exchange water, as a prime intercept point for bass riding those ripping tidal currents. Massachusetts shore-based shark regulations are in full effect, with a white shark confirmed catch-and-release off Nantucket this week per On The Water. No live NOAA buoy readings were available for this report; conditions reflect current angler-intel synthesis only.
Striper migration reaches Maine rivers as new moon tides peak
On The Water's June 12 striper migration map reports the run is now 'widespread from New Jersey to Maine,' with new moon tides continuing to move bass and bait toward summer haunts. USGS gauge 01046500 on the Kennebec shows the drainage running at 2,040 cfs as of Friday evening — a moderate, fishable level that keeps current seams defined without blowing out structure. No water temperature is available from our gauge this cycle, but mid-June in these drainages typically places mainstem temps in the upper 50s to low 60s. The just-past new moon still carries enough tidal push in the lower Kennebec and Penobscot to concentrate bait in transition zones through the weekend. Inland on the mid-river reaches, smallmouth bass are entering one of their most reliable early-summer feeding windows. Brook trout have likely retreated to colder headwater tributaries as daytime temperatures rise.
Bass season heats up across the Columbia Basin as Eastern WA summer kicks off
Bass season is rolling across Eastern Washington's Columbia Basin, with Outdoor Hub reporting a packed summer 2026 tournament calendar at Moses Lake, Potholes Reservoir, and Banks Lake running now through August — a strong indicator that largemouth and smallmouth are active and the season is in full swing. The Yakima River (USGS gauge 12484500) was logged at 2,720 cfs on June 12, a moderately elevated late-runoff flow as Cascade snowmelt continues to taper. Water temperatures were not captured at the gauge at time of reporting. Wired 2 Fish flagged prolonged western drought as a growing threat to reservoir fisheries across the West, making it worth checking local water levels before launching at any impoundment. The waning crescent moon through the weekend favors low-light bites at dawn and dusk. WA WDFW Fishing Reports tracks active stocking schedules statewide for anglers planning a mid-week trout outing.
Keys Snapper Bite Peaks on Spawn Cycle as Offshore Summer Season Opens
ALL IN Key West reports mutton snapper fishing at "an all-time high" following the recent full moon, with captains describing the spawn-driven chew as lights-out across the board. Yellowtail snappers are running equally hard per the same source, practically jumping in the boat on standard chum-and-drop setups. A Gulf-side run by the same charter fleet confirmed a broad offshore mixed bag — groupers, cobia, barracudas, and kingfish all showing up on the same drift. June marks the heart of the Keys' summer season, and the current charter intel bears that out fully. No NOAA buoy data was available this cycle, so precise water temperature readings are unavailable; check with local captains before departure. Offshore mahi trips should target active weed lines and color changes, a classic summer production pattern for this stretch of blue water. Flats anglers working permit, bonefish, and tarpon will find this period typically among the strongest of the year.
New Moon Tides Fuel the LIS Striper Bite as Migration Runs Shore to Shore
The June 12 striper migration map from On The Water puts the bass run widespread from New Jersey to Maine, and Long Island Sound sits squarely in that corridor. On The Water reports that the approaching new moon and building spring tides this weekend "should continue to move bass and bait toward summer haunts," timing that makes mid-June a prime window on the Sound. Saltwater Edge Blog (RI) noted that late May's full moon produced "incredible fishing," with bass still pushing north and fresh fish arriving from the south to fill the void. Adding to the picture, squid have been active enough near Cape Cod to beach themselves chasing baitfish, per On The Water, signaling that the forage base driving the Sound's early-summer bite is well established. No NOAA buoy or USGS gauge readings were available for CT waters at press time; check local reports and current tide charts before heading out.
June Tarpon Surge and Big Snook Stack Up Along Sarasota's Coast
Capt. Rick Grassett at CB's Saltwater Outfitters forecasts June as one of the strongest tarpon months of the year for Sarasota, with beach travel lanes holding silver kings in growing schools. Live crabs, baitfish, and DOA Baitbusters are the presentations to reach for at first light along the Gulf-facing beaches. The snook bite is equally impressive: Capt. Brandon Naeve out of CB's Outfitters recently set a boat record with a 34-pound 4-ounce snook at Boca Grande, signaling that big pre-spawn fish are stacking in prime areas. Inside Sarasota Bay, Capt. Chuck Cress reports consistent upper-slot redfish on oyster bars, with trout rounding out the mixed-bag action. Bull sharks, blacktips, and lemon sharks are running strong in Sarasota Bay and nearshore Gulf waters per Capt. Naeve, peaking as they typically do from late spring through fall. No NOAA buoy readings were available for this update; check local forecast before launching.
Great Lakes Smallmouth Running Hot as Michigan's June Season Opens
Tactical Bassin reports strong smallmouth bass action across Great Lakes big water, with anglers scoring fish — including two trophy smallmouth — even in challenging windy conditions, using a Dark Sleeper and Spark Shad swimbait combination the blog calls a 'phenomenal 1-2 punch.' On the river side, the Grand River (USGS gauge 04119000) was clocking 3,230 cfs as of June 12, an elevated reading that pushes the best river action toward slack-water eddies and current seams rather than open riffles and gravel bars. Fishing the Midwest confirms the 2026 open-water season is 'in full swing,' with weedline presentations producing across multiple species as aquatic vegetation reaches full summer height. Lake trout remain worth targeting in the deep basins; Wired 2 Fish's coverage of a 45.5-inch Lake Superior trophy from early May signals that trophy-class Great Lakes lakers are actively feeding. Waning Crescent moon this weekend favors early-morning and low-light sessions.
Reds and Trout Lead Georgia's Atlantic Coast Summer Inshore Run
Redfish and seatrout are the primary targets as Georgia's coastal marshes enter peak summer form this week. The Georgia Wildlife Blog — Fishing highlights June 13 as a Free Fishing Day during National Fishing and Boating Week (through June 14), when Georgia residents can fish public waters without a license. No NOAA buoy or USGS gauge data was available for this cycle, but mid-June along the Georgia Bight historically delivers some of the season's best inshore action. Sport Fishing Mag's current salt marsh guide reinforces that redfish are the dominant inshore species from the Carolinas to the Gulf, holding tight to oyster bar edges, creek mouths, and grass flat margins. With summer heat building through the weekend, early morning and late afternoon windows will produce the most consistent bites. Coastal Angler Magazine notes king mackerel within reach nearshore for anglers working live bait on lighter tackle, adding an accessible offshore option to the weekend's menu.
Minnesota walleyes, bass, and lake trout enter prime early-summer window
The MN DNR Lake Superior Summer Fishing report for June 11 describes foggy, rainy, and cool conditions on the North Shore, with surface temps running 46–55°F and angling activity limited by weather. Inland, USGS gauges show the Mississippi River at St. Paul running at 12,900 cfs and the Rum River near St. Francis at 5,250 cfs — both elevated, likely from recent precipitation. Despite the weather pressure, lake trout fishing remains productive on Superior, with anglers trolling bright spoons and stick baits in the top 10 feet or targeting the thermal break deeper down, per the DNR. For North Woods and Twin Cities inland lakes, Fishing the Midwest highlights weedline fishing as the key early-summer pattern now coming into focus — walleye, pike, and bass all tracking inside and outside vegetation edges as aquatic weeds fill in. AnglingBuzz points to Leech Lake as one of Minnesota's top destinations for this time of year, and Jason Mitchell Outdoors has been covering both walleye and shallow smallmouth patterns through the late-spring transition.
Wabash running high as Lake Michigan smallmouth fire for mid-June
USGS gauge 03335500 has the Wabash River at Covington logging 12,500 cfs as of June 12 — a notably elevated flow for mid-June that is pushing bass, catfish, and white bass into eddy lines, tributary mouths, and slack-water seams rather than open flats. On the Lake Michigan front, Tactical Bassin documents anglers working Great Lakes smallmouth through tough wind conditions this week, with Dark Sleeper and Spark Shad swimbait combinations producing trophy-class fish in the chop. Fishing the Midwest confirms the 2026 open-water season is in full swing and highlights summer river fishing — especially on larger rivers with current breaks — as a prime opportunity right now. No water temperature data is available from the Wabash gauge at this time. The Wabash rewards patience and eddy-hunting this week while Lake Michigan's Indiana shoreline offers more predictable smallmouth action along rocky piers and breakwalls.
Smallmouth Season Hits Full Stride on the Potomac and Shenandoah
The Potomac River is running at 4,550 cfs as of the evening of June 12 per USGS gauge 01646500 — moderate summer volume that channels fish toward current breaks, submerged structure, and bank eddies. Specific boots-on-the-ground intel for the Potomac and Shenandoah is thin in this cycle's feeds, but mid-June traditionally opens the strongest smallmouth window on both rivers, with post-spawn fish recovered and feeding hard on crawfish and baitfish in riffles and rocky runs. Tactical Bassin notes that swing-head jigs paired with soft plastics are a high-percentage pattern on river bass in early summer — a technique that translates directly to Shenandoah current seams and Potomac mid-river structure. For tidal-Potomac anglers, On The Water's June 12 striper migration map flags that the recent new moon is pushing stripers and bait toward summer haunts across the mid-Atlantic. No water temperature is available from the current gauge; probe temps on-site before targeting Shenandoah trout.
Stripers Running Maine's Coast as New Moon Tides Push Bait to Summer Haunts
Per On The Water's June 12 striper migration map, the bass push remains widespread from New Jersey all the way up to Maine, a broad front that has been building through early June. New moon tides this weekend are expected to keep stripers and bait moving toward summer grounds, per the same report. On the Maine-specific front, OTW Saltwater noted that Maine DMR Commissioner Carl Wilson addressed Saco River striper anglers directly on June 8, urging better handling practices, a signal of just how actively the bite has been drawing crowds to that stretch. No NOAA buoy data is available for this update, so exact water temperatures are not confirmed; check locally before launching. The waning crescent approaching new moon is setting up strong tidal current exchanges that typically concentrate fish on rip lines and current edges along the Maine coast. Timing outings around tide peaks, particularly at dawn, should be the priority this weekend.
Stripers Spread Through Cape Cod Bay as Squid Drive Bait to Shore
Thousands of squid are chasing baitfish hard enough to beach themselves on Cape Cod right now — On The Water reported this week on footage showing the frenzy unfolding in Provincetown, a bait-density signal that helps explain the striper activity throughout the Bay. On The Water's June 12 striper migration map confirms bass are distributed widely from New Jersey to Maine, with new moon tides this weekend expected to push fish and forage toward summer staging grounds. The Cape Cod Canal — where Cape Cod Bay exchanges water with Buzzards Bay — is a natural chokepoint worth prioritizing, with OTW Surfcasting's 2026 Canal Cheat Sheet noting that ripping currents create the most consistent presentation windows. Shore-based shark regulations are now in full effect after a white shark was catch-and-released off Nantucket, per On The Water; Massachusetts is reminding anglers to handle any encounters appropriately. Current and bait movement are the primary drivers in the Bay right now.
Largemouth bass prime on CT inland waters as summer patterns lock in
USGS gauge 01184000 logged 76°F on Friday evening, confirming that CT inland water temperatures have officially entered the prime bass window for mid-June. At that reading, largemouth are in their element, feeding actively at dawn and dusk, retreating to deeper structure and shade cover through the heat of the day. Field & Stream's temperature guide for trout is a timely read this week: at 76°F, rainbow and brown trout move into thermal stress territory, and conservation-minded anglers should focus on bass and panfish rather than targeting trout during afternoon hours. River flow at gauge 01184000 is elevated at 11,100 cfs, while gauge 01193500 is reading a modest 46.9 cfs with no water temperature reported. Tactical Bassin's current tip on swing-head jigs and crankbaits for early-summer bass fits these conditions well: work weed edges at first light, then transition to deeper structure and shade as temperatures climb through midday.
Smallmouth Ready to Run as Togue Seek Deep on Moosehead
The upper Penobscot is running at a steady 869 cfs as of the evening of June 12 (USGS gauge 01030500), a moderate flow that keeps most waded stretches approachable. No water temperature was recorded at the gauge, but mid-June surface temps in the Moosehead basin typically approach the upper 50s to low 60s — a range Field & Stream's current trout-temperature guide flags as prime pressure time for salmonid depth behavior, pushing lake trout (togue) off shallow post-ice-out shoals and toward deeper, cooler structure. No direct reports from local guides or tackle shops were available, but the seasonal picture is clear. Landlocked salmon and brook trout remain viable in cold-water confluences and shaded pools. The better story right now may be smallmouth bass: mid-June post-spawn fish on Moosehead's rocky points and boulder fields are historically aggressive feeders, and warming shallows are setting that bite up well.
Gulf Rig Amberjack and Marsh Redfish Both Firing Along Louisiana Coast
Louisiana Sportsman reports that the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has issued an emergency declaration modifying the state's gag grouper season, with the recreational opener now set for September 1 through October 1, giving offshore anglers a firm date to plan around. While grouper remains closed for now, mid-June fishing across the Gulf Coast and Delta is delivering on two reliable fronts. Sport Fishing Mag highlights that oil-platform rigs from Mobile Bay to the Texas Coast are producing strong amberjack action, with topwater lures worked aggressively over deep structure drawing explosive strikes. Inshore, the marsh and backwater system continues to hold redfish, and Salt Strong (YT) is pointing to a rigging adjustment, specifically heavier weights to anchor baits in the strengthening summer current, as the key to improving results right now. No buoy or gauge data is available for this report; check NOAA or your local marina for current water temperatures before launching.
Stripers Running Bay-Wide as New Moon Tides Build
On The Water's June 12 striper migration map confirms bass are spread widely from New Jersey to Maine, with new-moon tides pushing fish and bait into summer feeding stations. Narragansett Bay sits squarely in this corridor. Saltwater Edge Blog (RI) documented a strong late-May window fueled by a full moon and cold front, with fish from the south continuing to replenish northbound migrants, a pattern that typically carries well into mid-June. No NOAA buoy readings were available for this report, so surface water temperatures remain unconfirmed. Squid are also making headlines: On The Water recently covered massive squid schools chasing baitfish along Cape Cod and beaching themselves in the process, a signal that active forage is moving up the coast. Anglers planning to fish the Bay this weekend should prioritize tidal rips and structure around the new moon window.
Yellowstone cutthroat active as June temps hit prime range and hatches build
USGS gauge 06192500 recorded 57°F and 7,840 cfs on the Yellowstone drainage on June 12, placing water temperature squarely in the trout feeding zone while snowmelt keeps flows running large. A Flylab (Substack) essay recalls Yellowstone cutthroat 'rising freely' on the Lamar River inside Yellowstone Park — a portrait of what this fishery delivers when temperatures cooperate, and a preview of what's in reach as flows moderate. Field & Stream's trout temperature guide confirms 57°F puts fish in their comfort zone with minimal thermal stress. The tactical challenge right now is volume: at this flow, broad riffles are off limits for wading. Thread into soft eddies, inside bends, and sheltered side channels instead. Heavy nymph rigs and tight-line techniques dominate until levels drop. The hatch calendar is building — MidCurrent's current tying content flags hatches 'beginning to fire' across western freestone rivers, and Flylords Mag's PMD primer signals Pale Morning Duns approaching peak timing for this latitude and elevation.
High Kansas River Flows Concentrate Catfish and Bass in Prime Summer Eddies
USGS gauge 06892350 logged 79°F water and 23,500 cfs on the Kansas River as of June 12 — well above the typical mid-June average and squarely within the prime thermal window for summer catfish. No local charter or shop reports for these specific rivers surfaced this week. Fishing the Midwest highlights summer river fishing as one of the strongest opportunities across the region, with fish stacking near current seams, backwater eddies, and weed edges where they can rest out of the main push. At 79°F, channel and flathead catfish are in their prime feeding range; elevated flows should push them into classic cut-bank ambush spots and slower side channels off the main current. For bass, Tactical Bassin's June breakdown recommends pairing a wobble-head jig with a shaky head worm for early-summer fish that have shifted off the shallows — a presentation that translates well to river fish holding tight to current breaks and structure.
Black bass season imminent as Hudson warms and summer bite builds
NY DEC's The Fishing Line (June 12th issue) flags the black bass season as "just around the corner," and conditions are lining up to match: USGS gauge 01357500 recorded the Hudson River at 79°F on June 12, squarely in summer territory. The fish bite is described as picking up with warmer weather arriving in time for the opener — a positive sign for anglers gearing up after the spring wait. The striper corridor is also active: On The Water's June 12 migration map places striped bass "widespread from New Jersey to Maine," with new moon tides this weekend continuing to push fish and bait toward summer haunts on the lower Hudson. The warm water cuts both ways for Finger Lakes anglers — trout face thermal stress at these temperatures, and early-morning sessions on cold tributaries or sheltered coves will outperform midday runs on mainstem water. Low-light windows at dawn and dusk are the play under the waning crescent.
Summer warmth opens the bass window as steelhead push into Oregon rivers
Water temps logged at 66°F on June 12 (USGS gauge 14211720) mark a meaningful seasonal turn on Oregon's freshwater systems — that reading sits in prime territory for Columbia River smallmouth bass, which thrive in the low-to-mid 60s. Mid-Columbia basin tournament circuits are already in full swing this summer, per Outdoor Hub, confirming warmwater species are the story right now. For salmonid anglers, 66°F is a number worth watching: Field & Stream's temperature guide flags the mid-60s as the threshold where trout begin showing physiological stress, and Hatch Magazine's drought-fishing roundup reinforces that warm, lower flows across Western rivers are pressing steelhead and trout into cooler tributary holds and deeper slots. Flow at 417 cfs reflects reduced early-summer conditions. IFish.net activity shows Oregon river anglers actively on the water this week. Summer steelhead are pushing into the Rogue and Columbia tributaries on schedule, but timing early-morning sessions will be key until temps moderate.
Walleye active on Northwoods weedlines as crappies flood the shallows
Crappies and panfish are stacked shallow and biting well around Minocqua: Rollie & Helen's Musky Shop reports the action has been excellent in early June 2026, with worms, Beavertails, and nightcrawlers all drawing strikes. Air temperatures have climbed into the 80s, warming the Northwoods lakes and pushing most species into active feeding mode per the shop's conditions report. Muskies have emerged from post-spawn recovery and are beginning to look for food, though still selective; the shop advises downsizing presentations and avoiding overwhelming them with large profiles during this transitional window. For walleye, the combination of warmed water and active forage across the lake system sets up a solid weedline and structure bite, though no specific catch reports for the species were available this cycle. No USGS gauge readings are currently active for the region. The waning crescent moon this weekend will concentrate walleye activity in the low-light windows at dawn and dusk.
BWCA walleye and smallmouth move into early-summer structure
Flow on USGS gauge 05129115 registered 490 cfs on June 12, indicating healthy water levels heading into the weekend window. With the open-water season fully underway across the Upper Midwest, per Fishing the Midwest, the Boundary Waters and Iron Range are entering the heart of the walleye-and-smallmouth summer transition. AnglingBuzz (YT) has been dialing in walleye presentations this week, spotlighting jig-and-crawler rigs as a consistent producer for fish holding on mid-depth structure. Jason Mitchell Outdoors (YT) is covering early-summer smallmouth approaches, with shallower rocky structure still worth probing. Minnesota's lake trout fishery is drawing extra attention after Wired 2 Fish reported a state catch-and-release record: a 45.5-inch laker from Lake Superior in early May, a reminder that lakers in BWCA interior chain lakes are entering a productive summer window. Water temperature data was unavailable this cycle; a waning crescent moon through the weekend typically tightens feeding to low-light windows at dawn and dusk.