Fishing reports
19273 reports across all 50 states — current conditions and what's biting.
Warm backwaters holding catfish and bass as Mississippi runs high this June
USGS gauge 07374000 clocked the Mississippi at 582,000 cfs and 80°F on June 12 — a high-flow summer reading that is pushing feeding fish away from main-channel currents and into backwater refuges across the Atchafalaya basin. Catfish are the headline right now: warm water accelerates metabolism and big-river currents stack baitfish along wing dams, inside bends, and tributary mouths where blues and channels are actively feeding. Field & Stream's recent coverage of a 110-pound-plus flathead taken on a Santee rig in a 40-foot back eddy on a comparable southern river system illustrates how productive large-river catfishing can be in these conditions. For bass, Wired 2 Fish's current summer coverage stresses moving to offshore structure and ambush edges as surface temps climb — the Atchafalaya's timber-filled backwaters and oxbows fit that prescription well. MLF News reports nearly identical high-flow, high-heat challenges this week at the Arkansas River tournament, where top pros are running deep into backwaters to find keepers.
Indiana's Lake Michigan Shore Shifts Into Summer Salmon and Smallmouth Season
The WI DNR Lake Michigan Fishing Report sets a strong regional backdrop for summer 2026: last year's harvest included record coho numbers topping 210,000 fish lake-wide, plus more than 160,000 Chinook salmon, the most since 2012. Both totals are attributed to robust alewife year classes that boosted stocked fish survival across the entire lake system, a tailwind that carries into Indiana's waters this season. No buoy readings were available for the Indiana shoreline this cycle, so specific water temperatures are unconfirmed. Mid-June typically marks the point when nearshore surface temps climb sharply and salmon begin staging in deeper, cooler offshore columns. Tactical Bassin reports that Great Lakes smallmouth are feeding well right now in windy, choppy conditions, with swimbaits including the Dark Sleeper and Spark Shad producing quality fish. IL/IN Sea Grant's southern Lake Michigan buoy network was freshly redeployed this spring and should provide real-time conditions as the season progresses.
Smokies Streams Running Warm: Early-Morning Window Key for Summer Trout
Water temps at USGS gauge 03512000 hit 74°F on June 12 — well above the stress threshold for Smokies trout. Per Field & Stream's trout temperature guide, fish face significant physiological strain above 67°F, and the hoot owl window (fishing before midday heat sets in) becomes critical for both success and fish welfare. Flows of 241 cfs reflect typical summer conditions for the Little Tennessee drainage, with comfortable wading access. No direct shop or charter reports from the Smokies appeared in this week's intel, but gauged conditions tell a clear story: rainbows and browns are seeking thermal refuge in the deepest pools, spring-fed tributaries, and higher-elevation reaches. Brook trout, holding in the coldest headwater streams above 3,500 feet, may offer the best June option right now. Fish early — before 9-10 a.m. — with small nymphs in shaded slots. Check state regulations for any active thermal closures before heading out.
Sea Bass Sizzle on NJ Reefs as Stripers and Squid Stack Up Nearshore
Capt. Ron's Atlantic Highlands is logging steady sea bass and ling on deeper drops this week, with winter flounder appearing as bycatch on the same rigs, a welcome sign that Raritan Bay's bottom bite is holding. That reef action is echoed fleet-wide: The Fisherman's Northern NJ roundup reports the Skylarker, Golden Eagle, and Miss Belmar Princess all recording improving sea bass numbers, with jig-fishing anglers outpacing bait fishermen on the best catches. In the surf, OTW Northern New Jersey's June 11 report confirms stripers are actively taking clams, while The Fisherman NJ/DE Surf column pegs current water temps in the 61-64°F range, enough to bring chopper bluefish in the 2-4 pound class and early-season fluke into the nearshore wash. A squid push is the season's wild card: Miss Belmar Princess is launching evening squid trips, and multiple inlet-area reports note squid tapping plugs after dark. Bait is loaded, temps are rising, and the bite is broadening.
Amberjack Pound Topwater at Gulf Rigs as Panhandle Summer Peaks
Sport Fishing Mag's feature on Gulf amberjack confirms explosive topwater action at deep-water wrecks and rigs across the northern Gulf — anglers working stickbaits aggressively over structure are watching fish charge from depth for violent surface strikes. Salt Strong's June 12–14 Florida Panhandle game plan tags the region as active, with inshore trout and redfish accessible along the surf zone and grass flats as summer water temperatures build. Offshore, Sport Fishing Mag's northern Gulf rig guide notes that the platform corridor from Mobile Bay to the Texas Coast represents "the continent's most diverse and abundant fishing opportunity," and the Panhandle's structure-rich waters fit that description well. No current NOAA buoy readings are available for water temperature, but the waning crescent moon this week provides darker pre-dawn windows — typically productive for both inshore and nearshore species. Federal red snapper season traditionally peaks in June; confirm current NOAA SERO dates before making the offshore run.
Spanish Mackerel Running Nearshore as Charleston Harbor's June Bite Takes Shape
Per Fisherman's Post — Carolinas saltwater's June 2026 dispatches, Spanish mackerel are moving in 'in good numbers' along nearshore areas and beachfront across the Carolina coast, with the bluefish bite described as 'really good' running alongside them. Both species typically push south to Charleston Harbor waters by mid-June as baitfish stack along nearshore structure and beach troughs. Inshore, the same Carolinas reports note red drum scattered in deeper tidal holes, a pattern consistent with what Charleston anglers typically find this time of year in the harbor's creek bends and cut banks. The first push of smaller sheepshead has been staging on hard structure just north of the SC border, per Fisherman's Post, and similar moves onto Charleston's bridge pilings, jetties, and dock structure are likely underway. No NOAA buoy data is currently available for this area, so water temperature readings are absent; check local tide tables and marine forecasts before departure.
UP trout streams settle into June as Lake Superior lakers stay active
Stream flows on the Ontonagon River (USGS gauge 04059500) are running at a moderate 171 cfs as of June 12, pointing to wadeable conditions and improving clarity on UP trout streams as the season transitions away from spring runoff. Direct angler intel specific to this region is limited this week, but Wired 2 Fish recently spotlighted a 45.5-inch lake trout pulled from Lake Superior's Minnesota waters in early May, suggesting Superior lakers were actively feeding in shallow to mid-depth zones just weeks ago heading into this stretch. On the Great Lakes smallmouth front, Tactical Bassin reports productive action even on gusty days, with swimbait rigs (notably the Dark Sleeper and Spark Shad) moving fish along wind-swept rocky shorelines. With water temperature unavailable at the gauge this week, anglers should probe spring-seep areas and shaded pools on stream trips, while Lake Superior trollers can anticipate typical mid-June conditions as the lake surface edges gradually warmer.
Lake Champlain smallmouth peak as Connecticut River settles into low summer flows
USGS gauge 01135300 is reading 48.1 cfs as of June 12 — moderate-low flow that marks the end of Vermont's spring runoff season and the shift into summer patterns. No water temperature is available at the gauge today, but with June warmth pressing in across the region, Field & Stream's seasonal trout temperature guide is a timely reminder: rising water temps and slimmed-down flows are exactly the conditions that trigger stress-related fishing closures on trout streams. Fish the cool, early-morning window on the Connecticut River and release quickly. For bass anglers, conditions are more favorable: Tactical Bassin (blog) notes that post-spawn smallmouth are actively targeting offshore structure in early June, with the swing-head jig paired with a shaky head worm their recommended one-two punch. A second Tactical Bassin piece covering Great Lakes smallmouth in wind-driven open-water conditions highlights power swimbaits as a productive complement — a technique that maps well onto Lake Champlain's expansive rocky structure. Waning crescent moon favors dawn and dusk feeding windows through the weekend.
Post-runoff window opens on the Colorado River with green drakes on deck
The USGS gauge (09095500) placed the Colorado River at 2,870 cfs and 66°F midday June 12 — readings that align with what Crystal Fly Shop (CO) describes as the 'back end of runoff' in the Glenwood Springs-to-Rifle corridor, where similar flows are yielding 'currently great water conditions and happy fish.' Crystal Fly Shop urges anglers to act now, before summer heat tightens the window: green drakes are 'right on the horizon in the next two weeks,' with golden stones, PMDs, and caddis also queued up. Large attractor nymphs are producing in the slightly elevated, clearing water. At 66°F, temperatures are brushing the upper comfort threshold for trout — early-morning sessions and short fight times are smart practice. Cutthroat Anglers (CO) notes this is a historically low-snowpack year, compressing the prime window; per guide Matt Campanella, concentrated fish in low water 'are active and ready to bite for the angler willing to hike a little further or cast a little lighter.'
Stripers Running Hot at Montauk as South Shore Fluke Builds Momentum
Per On The Water's June 11 Long Island report, striper fishing off the North Fork and Montauk has been excellent as migratory fish continue pressing east and north. That's the headline story this week. The South Shore fluke bite is also slowly gaining traction. On June 4, On The Water noted the striper bite firing from the Eastern Sound all the way to Montauk, with bluefish described as spotty across the island. The June 12 Striper Migration Map from On The Water confirms the push remains widespread from New Jersey to Maine, with new moon tides this weekend expected to keep moving bass and bait toward summer grounds. Saltwater Edge Blog noted in late May that big bass were crushing big baits through the region as fresh fish from the south replaced northward migrants, a pattern that aligns with what Long Island anglers are seeing right now.
Tennessee and Coosa bass lock into summer patterns as mid-June heat builds
The ACA Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops drew more than 200 teams to Pickwick Lake on the Tennessee River this week, a direct indicator that the Tennessee system is fully into its summer prime. Per Outdoor Hub, the event is one of the premier collegiate fishing competitions in the country, and Pickwick's selection confirms the lake's June productivity. On the Coosa system, USGS gauge 02339500 recorded 10,900 cfs on June 12, reflecting moderate-to-elevated summer flow; no water temperature reading was available from this gauge. Across comparable river-bass fisheries, MLF News reported from the Arkansas River that summer temperatures combined with elevated flows were defining the pattern this week. Wired 2 Fish's summer bass coverage notes fish split between pre-dawn topwater windows and deeper offshore structure once the sun climbs, a transition that typically defines mid-June fishing across Alabama's river-impoundment systems.
California Delta bass season in full swing as strong tidal flows shape June patterns
USGS gauge 11455420 recorded a notable reverse flow of -14,600 cfs in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta as of the morning of June 12, signaling a strong flood-tide push moving water upstream through the channels. Negative readings on Delta gauges indicate tidal reversal, and experienced Delta hands know these flood pushes concentrate baitfish near channel confluences and inside bends, pulling striped bass and largemouth into feeding windows. No direct water temperature reading was available from the gauge this morning. Direct Delta-specific angler intel was limited in this reporting cycle, so conditions below reflect the gauge data combined with typical mid-June seasonal patterns for this fishery. Tactical Bassin notes that summer bass are responsive to offshore structure baits as water warms, with swing-head jigs and crankbaits covering the water column effectively from shallow to deep. Anglers targeting the Delta this weekend should time their sessions around the tidal swing for best results.
Salmon Bite Heats Up on Lake Ontario as Charter Fleet Works Deep
Strike Zone Charters on Lake Ontario is calling it directly: salmon are here, and the bite has been strong this past week, with brown trout and lake trout rounding out catches. The charter is working 100 to 160 feet of water, with preferred depths shifting day to day as wind repositions the thermocline. Mag Dipsey Divers are producing when the temperature break runs deep, with green, white, and chartreuse e-chips leading the bite. On the tributary side, USGS gauge 04250750 shows the Oswego system running at 59.6 cfs as of June 12 — low, clear flows that favor open-water lake fishing over wading the Salmon River or Oswego tributaries. This week, the action is clearly on the big lake, not the rivers. The waning crescent moon sets up low-light bite windows at dawn and dusk worth building a day around.
Early summer bass season underway on Okeechobee and the St. Johns
The USGS gauge at site 02232000 on the St. Johns recorded 183 cfs as of June 12, signaling early wet-season transition as Florida's rainy season begins. No surface temperature data was available from sensors in this reporting cycle; mid-June norms for central Florida typically place water temps in the low-to-mid 80s°F, compressing productive bass-feeding windows to dawn and dusk. Wired 2 Fish notes that summer largemouth stage shallow before sunrise to chase surface bait, then slide to deeper structure once the sun climbs. Tactical Bassin's June bass breakdown recommends a wobble head jig paired with a shaky head worm for targeting offshore fish on ledges and grass edges. Captain Rick Murphy's Florida Insider is actively covering statewide fishing conditions this week. Black crappie typically slow significantly in midsummer heat, while bluegill remain active around grass mats and are worth targeting through early morning.
Early kings moving on the Kenai as June snowmelt pushes flows
USGS gauge 15266300 clocked 49°F and 5,850 cfs on the Kenai drainage the morning of June 12, placing conditions squarely in active-feeding territory for salmonids. Field & Stream's water-temperature guide for trout confirms that the upper-40s range keeps fish well below the thermal stress threshold where hoot-owl restrictions become a concern. No specific charter, tackle-shop, or regional agency fishing reports for Alaska's Kenai or interior rivers arrived in today's intel feed, so conditions here are grounded in gauge data and established mid-June seasonal patterns rather than fresh on-water testimony. King salmon sport fishing is typically open on the Kenai in June, and anglers should confirm current emergency orders and daily bag limits with state fish and game before launching. Interior river grayling are traditionally entering their summer prime this week, with Alaska's near-continuous daylight extending feeding windows well into the evening hours.
Pittsburgh tailwaters running high as early-summer bass and walleye season opens
USGS gauge 03036500 recorded 7,650 cfs on June 12 — elevated flows that put the Allegheny and Pittsburgh tailwater corridor in above-normal territory heading into the weekend. No water temperature reading was available this cycle, though mid-June conditions in western Pennsylvania typically push river temps into the upper 60s to low 70s°F range. No direct field reports from Pittsburgh-area captains or shops landed in this cycle's intel feeds, so current conditions are grounded in seasonal norms and regional technique guidance. Wired 2 Fish's early-summer bass breakdown recommends tracking fish offshore to deeper structure as surface temps climb, and Tactical Bassin highlights swing-head jigs and shaky-head worms as go-to patterns for bass holding in current seams and eddy pockets. With a waning crescent moon setting up dark nights through the weekend, walleye and sauger in the lock-and-dam pools are worth targeting after sunset — historically one of the better windows in the river calendar.
State Record Flathead Signals Prime Deep-Eddy Season for SC Catfish
Field & Stream reports a new South Carolina state flathead catfish record: Patrol Sergeant Joseph Driggers of Mars Bluff landed a 110-plus pound fish on the Pee Dee River, crushing the previous 2018 record by nearly 30 pounds. Driggers was working a Santee rig through a 40-foot deep back eddy, targeting log jams in lower Florence County — exactly the type of deep, slow-current structure that produces big cats on Santee Cooper and Lake Murray once summer heat sets in. USGS gauge 02160390 shows the Broad River at 181 cfs, a moderate-to-low reading consistent with clear, warm conditions in the watershed. No local water temperature reading is available today. Bass anglers are already in full summer mode: Wired 2 Fish notes that fish are shallow at dawn chasing surface bait before sliding to deep structure once the sun climbs. The Waning Crescent moon typically means narrower prime-time feeding windows.
Susquehanna smallmouth go deep as catfish season peaks in summer heat
Water temperature on the Susquehanna reached 81°F at USGS gauge 01540500 this afternoon — a reading that effectively ends ethical trout fishing for the near term and pushes smallmouth bass into deeper, cooler refuge. Field & Stream's June temperature guide makes clear that the mid-to-upper 60s mark the stress ceiling for trout; at 81°F, the river is firmly in warm-water territory. The good news: catfish are exactly where they want to be. Channel and flathead catfish on PA rivers typically peak through mid-June into August, and this warmth accelerates that timeline. Smallmouth bass, the Susquehanna's calling card, will be most catchable in the early-morning window before surface temps climb — Wired 2 Fish notes that summer bass slide offshore to deep structure once the sun gets high. Flow at 5,220 cfs is within a normal summer range and not a limiting factor. PA Sea Grant has a harmful algal bloom awareness webinar scheduled for June 25, a timely reminder to monitor water quality as temperatures hold elevated.
Summer bass patterns lock in across Tennessee and Cumberland waters
Active tournament results on the Tennessee River system confirm summer bass patterns are fully in play. The 2026 Turtlebox Bassmaster Open at Kentucky Lake/Lake Barkley wrapped recently, per B.A.S.S. News, while over 200 teams compete at Pickwick Lake for the ACA Collegiate Bass Fishing Championship this week, per Outdoor Hub. Both Tennessee River impoundments signal healthy bass populations through competitive season. On the Cumberland, USGS gauge 03434500 is running at 277 cfs as of June 12, reflecting low, clear summer conditions that typically push bass off shallow flats and onto deeper channel structure. Wired 2 Fish's summer bass guide notes that fish move from dawn topwater windows to offshore structure as midday heat builds, a pattern likely mirrored across both systems. Field & Stream's seasonal trout temperature guide is a timely reminder that tailwater trout fisheries in Tennessee can see heat-stress advisories in June, so confirm local regulations before targeting coldwater species.
Stripers and Black Drum Heating Up the Delaware Bay NJ Shore
Per OTW Northern New Jersey's June 11 report, striped bass are actively taking clams in the surf across NJ waters, with sea bass steady on the offshore reefs and the fluke bite slowly improving as warmer water and bait build. On The Water's June 12 striper migration map confirms the run remains widespread from New Jersey to Maine, with the approaching new moon tides expected to push bass and bait toward summer grounds over the coming weekend. Grumpys Tackle (NJ) notes a larger class of striped bass has moved into NJ surf zones, with clams and bunker chunks producing the best action. Black drum, a Delaware Bay signature species through early summer, earned mention in OTW Northern New Jersey's June 4 report alongside bluefish, stripers, and fluke working the surf. Bluefish are showing throughout the region. No buoy data is available for the Bay at this time; check local conditions before launching.
Central MA Bass Moving Offshore as Rivers Drop to Summer Lows
River flows on the two USGS-monitored gauges in the region are running at early-summer lows — 11.9 cfs and 19.6 cfs as of June 12 — and no water temperature readings were recorded, signaling the full transition from spring runoff to the warm, clear water of mid-June. With post-spawn recovery underway across Central MA's lakes and ponds, bass are the primary story. Tactical Bassin reports that early summer is prime time for offshore structure fishing, with a swing jig and shaky head worm combination among the most consistent producers as largemouth push off the bank into deeper structure. Trout anglers should plan around early mornings: Field & Stream's seasonal temperature guide cautions that rising June water temps can push coldwater species toward stress thresholds quickly in low, slow rivers. Waning crescent moon and lean flows call for downsized presentations and a focus on dawn and dusk windows for the best action.
Chesapeake Mouth Gamefish Active as New-Moon Tides Build This Weekend
OTW Saltwater's mid-June Chesapeake Bay gamefish roundup calls out topwater redfish and finesse-fluke presentations as the top techniques for the Bay's most entertaining inshore targets right now. No buoy readings are available this cycle to pin exact water temperatures, so conditions are drawn from regional intel. On The Water's June 12 striper migration map confirms bass remain widespread from New Jersey to Maine, with new-moon tidal energy this weekend expected to push fish and bait toward summer staging grounds. That puts the Chesapeake mouth squarely in the transit corridor as fish move between estuarine and coastal zones. Tidal rips at the inlet tend to concentrate baitfish when lunar-driven exchange is at its peak, and the approaching new moon should deliver exactly that. Summer flounder are holding along channel edges typical of the lower Bay. VA Sea Grant's 'Seafood by the Seasons' guide is a useful reference for what is in season and legal to keep.
Low summer flows concentrate Pine Barrens bass as Delaware stripers push north
The USGS gauge 01408000 recorded a flow of 20.5 cfs on June 12, reflecting the low summer-baseflow conditions that typically define the Pine Barrens drainage by mid-June. No water temperature reading is available from the gauge, but conditions in South Jersey's cedar-stained waterways are warming toward the summer threshold that pushes largemouth bass and chain pickerel into shaded structure and deeper pockets. For Delaware River anglers, On The Water's June 12 striper migration map shows striped bass 'widespread from New Jersey to Maine,' suggesting the tidal lower Delaware still holds fish before the seasonal push concludes. NJ Fish and Wildlife has seasonal closures active at five WMAs through September 7, 2026, so verify access before heading out. No current tackle shop or charter reports are available specifically for Pine Barrens interior freshwater conditions; this report draws on gauge data and regional migration tracking.
Hill Country bass push offshore as summer heat settles over Travis and LBJ
The Colorado River is running 259 cfs at the Austin gauge (USGS 08158000) as of June 12 — a low-moderate summer baseflow reflecting typical seasonal conditions feeding into the Highland Lakes chain. Direct on-the-water reports from Travis, LBJ, and Buchanan are sparse this cycle, but the broader Texas picture points clearly to a classic early-summer transition. Wired 2 Fish describes the June bass dynamic precisely: fish are shallow in the early morning chasing surface bait, then slide offshore to deep structure once the sun climbs. Tactical Bassin echoes that, flagging swing-head jigs and crankbaits as the high-percentage tools for reaching bass on submerged ledges and offshore humps. Lone Star Outdoor News notes that Central Texas anglers are now pivoting away from rainbow trout — with stocking season closing out — and turning attention to warm-water species. On the Highland Lakes, that means largemouth, stripers, and catfish are the primary targets through the summer months.