Fishing reports
19273 reports across all 50 states — current conditions and what's biting.
Chinook and Coho Primed as Lake Michigan Enters Summer Mode Near Chicago
The WI DNR Lake Michigan Fishing Report documented a banner 2024 on the lake, recording over 210,000 coho salmon harvested, a new all-time record, and more than 160,000 Chinook, the highest Chinook count since 2012. Strong alewife year classes were credited for the exceptional stocked-fish survival rates, and that productive forage base continues to support the 2025 and 2026 classes now settling into their summer range near Chicago. No buoy readings were available at press time for the southern nearshore zone, so confirm current conditions through Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant's nearshore Lake Michigan buoys before heading out. On the smallmouth front, Tactical Bassin recently filmed a Great Lakes outing on a breezy day and found that pairing a Spark Shad with a Dark Sleeper swimbait produced quality fish in tough chop, a confidence one-two punch worth keeping rigged as June southwest winds build on the Chicago waterfront.
White River tailwaters open prime wading window as June heat builds
The USGS gauge at White River site 07060710 recorded 9.1 cfs and 82°F on June 12 — a downstream reading that signals substantial warming well below the Bull Shoals and Norfork dam releases. Water immediately below both dams stays cold year-round thanks to hypolimnetic dam discharges, and those cold-water corridors are where trout action concentrates through summer. At 9.1 cfs, generators are essentially off, delivering textbook wading conditions: clear, low flows that reward anglers who present with precision and fine tippet. Field & Stream's current temperature guide for trout notes that fish face serious physiological stress above 68°F, making early-morning timing and swift, in-water releases critical for anyone fishing the warmer downstream reaches. MidCurrent's recent coverage of tailrace midge patterns — sparse midge-style flies that excel in clear, pressured tailwater — aligns directly with the gin-clear conditions expected this week. No White River charter or regional shop reports were directly available this period, so this report relies on gauge data and seasonal inference.
Summer bass patterns lock in at Lanier and Allatoona as Free Fishing Day arrives
The Chattahoochee tailwater below Buford Dam is reading 49°F (USGS gauge 02334430) — cold hypolimnetic releases from the deep reservoir that create a productive trout reach downstream while Lanier and Allatoona's main bodies climb through the mid-70s this month. National Fishing and Boating Week runs through June 14, with June 13 a Free Fishing Day statewide: no license required on public waters, per the Georgia Wildlife Blog — an ideal window to bring someone new to the lake. Summer bass patterns are clicking into place across both reservoirs. Wired 2 Fish notes that largemouth push shallow at first light to chase bait near the surface, then slide offshore to deep structure as the sun climbs. Tactical Bassin highlights the swing-head jig paired with a shaky-head worm as the June two-bait combination most productive on offshore fish. No direct charter or tackle-shop reports from Lanier or Allatoona were available this cycle; verify specific hot spots locally before committing to long runs.
Mackerel push building as bluefish to 30 inches crash Cape Lookout surf
Spanish mackerel have arrived in force along the central NC coast. Per Fisherman's Post (NC), Morgan of The Reel Outdoors at Swansboro/Emerald Isle reports mackerel pushing in "good numbers" into nearshore areas and along the beachfront, with the bluefish bite remaining strong by the same account. Rich of Chasin' Tails at Morehead/Atlantic Beach confirms the mackerel showing, alongside bonito, for surf and pier anglers. The headline from the Outer Banks: Tom of Hatteras Jack at Hatteras/Ocracoke, also via Fisherman's Post (NC), reports bluefish to 30-plus inches hammering casting metals and cut baits in the surf. Sea mullet have been fishing steady along that same stretch. Inshore around the Sound, red drum are scattered but holding in deeper holes. Pulling spoons and casting metals along the beachfront is the dominant tactic connecting anglers to both mackerel and blues right now. No live buoy readings are available for this report cycle.
Chincoteague Turns to Red Drum and Flounder as Stripers Push North
The June 12 striper migration map from On The Water shows bass running widespread from New Jersey to Maine and shifting toward summer haunts, suggesting the main spring push has largely cleared Chincoteague and the Eastern Shore. On The Water notes that new moon and building tides this weekend "should continue to move bass and bait," leaving a window for trailing stripers on moving water at inlet mouths and channel edges. No buoy readings were available for direct water-temperature confirmation this cycle. Mid-June on the Eastern Shore marks the historical pivot from striper season to summer species: red drum begin appearing in surf troughs and back-bay grass flats, summer flounder distribute through inlet structure and channel edges, and cobia start their northward push along the Delmarva coast. No Virginia-specific charter or shop reports appeared in current feeds — treat species outlooks as seasonal patterns until local reports confirm the bite.
Offshore jigging and dawn topwater as SML and Buggs Island enter summer mode
With the USGS gauge (site 02075045) logging 461 cfs as of June 12, flows in the Roanoke River watershed are running at a moderate early-summer level. No water temperature reading was available from the gauge this cycle, but mid-June in Virginia typically pushes reservoir surface temps into the upper 70s to low 80s, conditions that move striped bass and largemouth off the shallows during daylight hours. No lake-specific tackle-shop or captain reports came through this week's intel feeds for Smith Mountain Lake or Buggs Island, so we're drawing on regional bass-fishing patterns. Tactical Bassin's June roundup makes the case for a wobble-head jig paired with a shaky head worm for offshore fish, and Wired 2 Fish's summer bass guide emphasizes adapting to early-morning surface windows before the sun climbs high. With the waning crescent moon reducing overnight light, expect less nocturnal feeding churn heading into the weekend.
Tarpon Migration Peaks on FL Gulf Coast as Permit Bite Heats Up
Naples Offshore Fishing Charters reports the tarpon migration is fully underway along the Gulf Coast, with captains intercepting solid fish as they push through the Naples area. Mornings have been dedicated to jumping tarpon before crews pivot to sight-fishing large permit in the afternoons — a combination the charter calls a spectacular day on the water. King mackerel have been steady on plugs and flies, while cobia and amberjacks are adding variety to a dynamic offshore bite, per Naples Offshore. Inshore, Salt Strong highlights this as prime season for snook, seatrout, and redfish in the surf and along structure, with short but productive feeding windows as early-summer conditions take hold. No current buoy readings are available for the Gulf Coast. With a waning crescent moon this weekend, plan around dawn and dusk windows when low-light conditions tend to trigger the most aggressive surface feeding.
Saginaw Bay Walleye and Great Lakes Smallmouth Active as June Peaks
Tactical Bassin reports Great Lakes smallmouth are responding well right now, with Dark Sleeper and Spark Shad swimbaits producing quality fish, including trophy-class catches, on wind-blown big-water days. No water temperature or flow readings are available from USGS gauge 04157000 or Lake Huron buoys in this cycle, and the MI DNR Weekly Fishing Report's detailed conditions page was not fully accessible; check that site directly for zone-specific updates before heading out. Despite the data gap, mid-June historically marks one of the better feeding windows on Saginaw Bay, with post-spawn walleye recovered and actively working flat edges and rocky transitions. Fishing the Midwest confirms the 2026 open-water season is in full swing across the Great Lakes region, with weedline tactics drawing consistent bites. The waning crescent moon reduces overnight light pressure, typically concentrating more aggressive early-morning feeding windows. Perch and pike are seasonally active in shallower bay areas as weed growth fills in.
Puget Sound Kings and Pacific Halibut in Season as Washington Boating Opens
Washington Sea Grant confirmed this week that the Pacific Northwest boating season is officially underway, with activity building across the Salish Sea. WA WDFW is actively monitoring catch through angler interviews at access sites statewide, though no specific creel data was available in this report cycle. No current buoy or gauge readings are in hand, so conditions here are drawn from mid-June seasonal norms. Resident Chinook (king) salmon typically reach their late-spring peak in Puget Sound this month, concentrated near deepwater points, ferry corridors, and nearshore drop-offs. On the Pacific coast, summer halibut access continues in open IPHC management areas — verify current WA WDFW area rules and quotas before launching. WA Sea Grant's citizen-science Molt Blitz data signals Dungeness crab are actively molting across the Salish Sea, a normal mid-June pattern that typically precedes improved crab quality once shells harden. The waning crescent moon phase this weekend favors early-morning low-light bites on both sides of the Olympic Peninsula.
Illinois River Runs Big as Summer Bass Season Kicks Into Gear
The USGS gauge at Meredosia (site 05586100) logged the Illinois River at 35,600 cfs on June 12, running well above typical early-summer levels. High water pushes largemouth bass and catfish out of the main channel and into backwaters, oxbow lakes, and slack pockets behind wing dams. Fishing the Midwest advises working the weedline aggressively when elevated flows push fish off main-river structure, noting that anglers willing to adapt technique will outpace those locked into one pattern. Meanwhile, on Lake Michigan, Tactical Bassin reports Great Lakes smallmouth putting up a strong showing even on a windy day — the Dark Sleeper and Spark Shad proved a productive combination for landing quality fish, including trophy-class specimens. Water temperature data is unavailable from the USGS gauge this week, so scouting shallower, sun-warmed backwaters first is a sound strategy. The waning crescent moon phase means darker pre-dawn conditions through the weekend — a favorable window for topwater action on bass before full sunlight.
Erie Smallmouth and Walleye Enter Prime Early-Summer Window Along Presque Isle
Tactical Bassin's recent Great Lakes smallmouth outing captures what Lake Erie anglers should be finding right now: aggressive smallmouth willing to chase through windy chop when you match power and finesse presentations. The Dark Sleeper paired with a Spark Shad produced trophy-class fish on that session. Along Pennsylvania's Erie shoreline and inside Presque Isle Bay, June marks the post-spawn transition to full summer feeding for both smallmouth and walleye — typically one of the most consistent bite windows of the year. USGS gauge 04213000 on Cattaraugus Creek, draining into Lake Erie near the PA-NY border, reads 135 cfs, a moderate and fishable flow. PA Sea Grant is flagging harmful algal bloom awareness for Pennsylvania waterways heading into summer heat; watch for discolored or foul-smelling water before launching in the bay. Weedlines inside Presque Isle Bay should be organizing largemouth as aquatic vegetation fills in, and walleye will increasingly favor deeper main-lake structure and after-dark feeding windows.
Champlain smallmouth in summer mode as landlocked salmon dive for cooler water
Water at USGS gauge 04294500 on Lake Champlain clocked 73°F Thursday evening, landing smallmouth bass squarely in their prime summer feeding range. Bronzebacks are holding on rocky points, weed edges, and current-swept structure — the classic mid-June Champlain setup. Tactical Bassin recently documented Great Lakes smallmouth responding well to finesse swimbaits and swing-head jigs in warm, wind-churned conditions, a technique template that translates directly to Champlain's hard-bottom shallows at first light. Meanwhile, 73°F signals trouble for landlocked salmon: these cold-water fish are pushed well below the thermocline and nearly unreachable with surface or mid-column presentations. Wired 2 Fish's summer bass overview reinforces the pattern — bass go shallow pre-dawn, then slide offshore to deeper structure once the sun climbs. Plan accordingly: target smallmouth in less than 15 feet at dawn, then drop deeper or switch focus entirely as the day heats up.
Big bluefish and Spanish mackerel rolling through the Outer Banks surf
Tom of Hatteras Jack reports that bigger bluefish pushing 30-plus inches are hitting casting metals and cut baits along the Hatteras/Ocracoke surf, with sea mullet adding steady action on the same beaches, per Fisherman's Post (NC). The pattern extends across the NC coast: Spanish mackerel have moved in good numbers into nearshore zones from Swansboro/Emerald Isle south to Wrightsville Beach, commonly falling to spoons pulled along the beachfront. At Morehead/Atlantic Beach, Rich of Chasin' Tails confirms surf and pier anglers are doing well on bluefish, Spanish mackerel, and bonito, per Fisherman's Post (NC). Inshore red drum are present but scattered, with deeper holes and structure holding fish. No live buoy data is available this cycle for confirmed water temperatures. The waning crescent moon this week produces modest tidal swings; plan early-morning surf sessions around the moving tide for the best bite windows.
Olympic Peninsula Rivers in Position as Summer Chinook Season Opens
USGS gauge 12041200 logs 993 cfs on June 12 — moderate, late-spring flow well below the spring runoff peak — while USGS gauge 12035000 shows a second Olympic Peninsula drainage at 614 cfs. No water temperature data accompanied either reading. WA WDFW Fishing Reports lists active statewide creel monitoring but provided no Olympic Peninsula-specific salmon field reports for this week. Absent direct angler intel from the Peninsula, conditions are read from gauge levels and seasonal patterns: flows in the 600–1,000 cfs range typically mean defined holding pools and gradually improving clarity through mid-June. June marks the traditional start of summer chinook opportunity on major Peninsula drainages, with hatchery summer steelhead also beginning their upstream entry around this time. Anglers should verify current WDFW emergency rules before targeting chinook — quota-based closures can be called with short notice on these rivers.
Delta largemouth firing on summer rhythms as June warmth builds
USGS gauge 11447650 on the Sacramento River clocked 73°F and 11,500 cfs on June 12 — the Delta is running warm and moderate, pointing toward active largemouth and catfish conditions. At these temperatures, largemouth bass are prime targets: Wired 2 Fish notes that summer bass split between shallow topwater feeding at dawn and deeper structural positioning once the sun climbs, and Tactical Bassin (blog) calls the swing-head jig and wobble head a standout "one-two punch" for June offshore bass. Striped bass are likely holding in the deeper tidal channels and sloughs where cooler water provides thermal relief. Channel catfish thrive in the 70–75°F range and should be actively foraging across the system. The waning crescent moon this weekend reduces tidal lunar pull. No Delta-specific tackle shop or charter reports were available in this cycle's feeds; conditions assessments draw on gauge data and regional seasonal patterns.
Western Basin Walleye Moving Offshore as Mid-June Warmth Sets In
The USGS gauge on the Maumee River logged 82°F on June 12 at 1,400 cfs, warmer-than-typical tributary flow that signals Lake Erie Western Basin walleye have largely finished their post-spawn nearshore hold and are pushing into the basin's deeper, cooler mid-lake structure. No charter or tackle-shop reports were available for this cycle; this report draws on gauge data and general mid-June patterns for the fishery. Fishing the Midwest notes the 2026 open-water season is in full swing across the region and recommends that versatile anglers adjust depth and presentation as summer heat builds. On Great Lakes waters, Tactical Bassin documented productive action targeting Great Lakes species with swimbaits and finesse presentations on breezy days, a useful reminder that wind-driven current can concentrate baitfish along Western Basin reef edges. The waning crescent moon this week favors extended low-light feeding windows at dawn and dusk, typically the most productive windows for walleye this time of year.
Patapsco Running Low as Summer Bass Season Builds
USGS gauge 01589000 logged the Patapsco River at 60.5 cfs on June 12, characteristic summer-low territory that concentrates fish into deeper pools and shaded structure. In clear, low-flow conditions like these, smallmouth bass stack along rock ledges and woody debris, best approached with finesse presentations during the early-morning window before heat sets in. On The Water's June 12 striper migration update reports the coastal run "remains widespread from New Jersey to Maine," with new-moon tides this weekend expected to push remaining fish toward their summer grounds, signaling that the annual spring push through Bay tributaries including the Potomac has largely wound down. On The Water also notes that researchers from William & Mary's Batten School and VIMS are currently electrofishing Chesapeake Bay tributaries to track striper movements this season. For freshwater anglers on the Patapsco and upper Potomac, the summer bass-and-catfish window is now the primary focus, with early-morning timing and structure-oriented presentations the essential adjustments.
Delaware Bay Stripers Active as New Moon Tides Build This Weekend
On The Water's June 12 Striper Migration Map confirms striped bass remain widespread from New Jersey to Maine, placing Delaware Bay squarely in an active corridor. The incoming new moon this weekend is expected to produce the month's strongest tidal swings, which On The Water notes should continue pushing bass and bait toward summer haunts. Anglers fishing the bay should key on current seams, channel edges, and drop-offs during peak tidal flows. Worth noting for surf casters: Delaware Surf Fishing reports that Cape Henlopen Fishing Pier has seen fresh closures, with nearly 200 feet of the pier's end now sectioned off, limiting access. No buoy data was available for this cycle, so precise water temperature readings are absent. The waning crescent phase is building toward new moon, typically one of the most productive feeding windows in a tidal bay system. Check local conditions and tides before launching.
NH coast stripers pushing to summer haunts as new moon tides build
The striper migration has reached a full northeast spread, with On The Water's June 12 migration map confirming bass widespread from New Jersey to Maine and moving toward summer haunts ahead of this weekend's new moon tides. Just north of the NH border, the Maine DMR Commissioner issued a public letter on June 8 calling on Saco River striper anglers to improve catch-and-release practices, a strong signal that fish are stacking in river systems along the NH/ME line. Squid were recently spotted beaching themselves on Cape Cod while chasing baitfish, per On The Water, a forage surge that typically precedes strong topwater action at inlets. With the moon entering new phase this weekend, tidal exchanges at estuary mouths and rocky points should intensify along the coast. No buoy readings were available for this cycle; check local NOAA buoys for current water temperature before heading out.
Blue Marlin and Ahi Season Hits Its Stride in Hawaiian Waters
Hawaii Fishing News, the state's official fish-record keeper and the go-to source for Hawaii's moon and tide calendars, logs a waning crescent for June 12, a low-light phase that typically coaxes early surface feeding from yellowfin tuna (ahi) before the sun is fully up. No live buoy data or charter reports reached this cycle's feed, so water temperatures and real-time bite conditions are unavailable; treat the assessments below as seasonal baselines and verify current reports with local marinas before heading out. June sits at the center of Hawaii's blue marlin (a'u) peak, when warm open-ocean conditions concentrate fish along deep blue-water edges and FADs. Mahi-mahi and wahoo (ono) fill in around debris lines and current seams. Trolling skirted lures across the 100-fathom ledge outside each major island remains the most dependable summer playbook for the offshore pelagic spread.
Snook Spawn Run Peaks on the Treasure Coast; Red Snapper Season in Limbo
Snook Nook's June report from Stuart confirms trophy-class snook are staging for their annual spawn along the Treasure Coast, with the shop calling this some of the best snook fishing of the year. The harvest season closed June 1st and runs through August 31st, but catch-and-release fishing for 40-inch-plus breeder fish is very much on the table. Handle those fish carefully and return them quickly. Offshore, red snapper hopes took a significant hit: per CCA Florida, a U.S. District Court issued a preliminary injunction blocking South Atlantic EFP pilot programs just hours before Florida's Atlantic red snapper recreational season was set to open, leaving that fishery in regulatory limbo. Inshore, Salt Strong's weekend game plan for the Florida Atlantic Coast points to snook and seatrout being accessible from the surf through the early-summer window. With a waning crescent moon keeping tidal swings moderate, structure and inlet edges are the move this weekend.
Gulf of Alaska kings and halibut peak as mid-June season hits stride
Mid-June places the Gulf of Alaska in one of its most reliably productive windows, with king (Chinook) salmon runs at or near peak intensity for most Gulf drainages and halibut distributed broadly across mid-depth shelf grounds. No NOAA buoy data or USGS gauge readings were available for this report cycle, and no current charter or tackle-shop dispatches appeared in the intel feeds — anglers should verify local conditions before departure. Typical patterns for this time of year put surface temps in the upper-40s to mid-50s°F along coastal shelves, supporting strong baitfish concentrations and active feeding. Halibut work depths of roughly 100–400 feet on soft-bottom grounds, while kings are accessible from nearshore tidal rips to offshore banks. Rockfish and lingcod fill out the standard target list on reef and rocky structure. No AK Sea Grant fishing-condition bulletins were captured this cycle, so all conditions here are grounded in general seasonal patterns for this region.
Sea Bass Limiting Out as Stripers and Squid Keep the Shore Fired Up
Blue Chip Sportfishing reports limiting out on sea bass on nearly every trip right now, and the Northern NJ fleet is backing that up — Golden Eagle and Skylarker captains both logged solid reef catches, with jig-savvy anglers picking the best numbers, per The Fisherman — Northern NJ. In the surf, Fishermans HQ LBI reports the spring striper run is still grinding into early June along Long Beach Island, with clam and bunker chunks doing the work. On The Water's June 12 striper migration map confirms bass remain widespread from NJ to Maine, with new moon tides this weekend expected to push fish toward summer grounds. The other headliner is a nearshore squid invasion: Fishermans HQ LBI notes massive concentrations just 20–30 miles offshore have drawn bluefin tuna within striking range. Grumpys Tackle echoes the squid story and reports bluefish are active in the mix. Fluke is the one soft spot — The Fisherman's NJ/DE Bay forecast calls it a tough back-bay bite for now, though the ocean side is slowly building.
Panfish peaking and bass going deep as summer sets in on Hartwell & Russell
A new record bluegill from the Savannah system signals sunfish are in peak form this week. Seth Seckinger landed a 1-lb., 10.1-oz. slab on June 6 using a white Beetle Spin tipped with cricket, according to GA Sportsman/Georgia Outdoor News, a strong indicator that panfish action on Hartwell and Russell is worth targeting right now. On the largemouth front, mid-June typically sees bass completing their post-spawn move to offshore structure, and Tactical Bassin's current summer guidance points to swing-head jigs and wobble heads worked along channel ledges as the go-to pattern when fish have gone deep. USGS gauge 02192000 shows the Savannah system running at 814 cfs, a moderate flow supporting reasonable water clarity. The Georgia Wildlife Blog's June 12 report highlights that National Fishing and Boating Week runs through June 14, with a Free Fishing Day on Saturday, June 13: no license required for Georgia residents fishing public waters.