Fishing reports
19273 reports across all 50 states — current conditions and what's biting.
Gulf rigs and salt marshes anchor the MS Sound summer bite
Direct on-water reports from Mississippi Sound are sparse in this week's available feeds, but regional sources sketch a mid-June picture consistent with peak summer structure fishing. Sport Fishing Mag highlights Northern Gulf of America oil and gas platforms as the continent's most diverse fishing destination — prime offshore targets for MS Sound anglers after amberjack, red snapper, and grouper. The publication separately notes Gulf amberjack are aggressively hammering topwater lures worked fast over deep-water wrecks and rigs, making this an actionable pattern right now for anyone running south. Inshore, Sport Fishing Mag's salt marsh guide points to redfish as the anchor species along oyster bars, muddy creek systems, and swaying grass flats — habitat Mississippi's coastal zone delivers in abundance. MS DMR's advisory commission meets June 16 in D'Iberville to address marine resource management matters. No buoy or gauge data arrived in this cycle; check NOAA for current water temps and conditions before heading out.
Walleye Moving to Summer Patterns on Lake of the Woods
The Rainy River at International Falls logged 63°F water and 22,400 cfs on June 12 (USGS gauge 05133500), signaling ideal early-summer conditions for walleye transitioning off post-spawn recovery and onto active feeding structures throughout Lake of the Woods. AnglingBuzz has been emphasizing jig-and-crawler combos as the go-to setup for this phase of the season, while Jason Mitchell Outdoors recently spotlighted bottom-bouncer-and-spinner rigs for open-water walleye across similar upper-Midwest systems. The elevated Rainy River flow is concentrating baitfish in current seams near tributary mouths and downstream structure, making those areas priority stops for sauger as well. A waning crescent moon keeps overnight light levels low this week, historically setting up a sharp dawn and dusk feeding window on walleye — plan accordingly. No LOTW-specific charter or tackle-shop reports were available in this cycle; conditions draw on gauge data and broader regional walleye intel.
Bass pushing offshore as summer heat and elevated flows arrive at Eufaula
Day 1 of the MLF Toyota Series Southwestern Division event on the Arkansas River at Muskogee ended June 11 with leader Joshua Teply posting 14 pounds, 15 ounces — a modest haul that MLF News attributed to the combination of summertime temperatures and high-flow conditions making for tough fishing. That same pressure pattern extends to adjacent Lake Eufaula and the Red River corridor. USGS gauge 07247500 is logging 3,230 cfs as of June 12, indicating elevated water that tends to scatter fish off predictable structure. No water temperature is available from the gauge this cycle. The summer playbook applies: offshore ledges, deep channel bends, and creek-channel intersections are the priority targets. Per Wired 2 Fish, bass slide offshore to deep structure once the sun climbs, and Tactical Bassin recommends swing-head jigs and wobble heads as standout presentations for this phase.
Bass and walleye shift into early-summer patterns on Mosquito and Pymatuning
The Mahoning River gauge (USGS 03110000) was running at 97.6 cfs at midday on June 12, a stable summer flow suggesting Mosquito Lake's inlet is not pushing turbid water into the reservoir. No gauge temperature reading is available, so anglers should probe surface temps on arrival, though mid-June in northeastern Ohio typically produces readings in the upper 60s to low 70s F. Tactical Bassin (blog) has been highlighting early-summer bass transitions this week, noting that largemouth and smallmouth slide offshore to deeper structure once the sun climbs, with shallow flats remaining most productive in the early-morning window. Swing-head jigs and crankbaits are featured techniques for this pattern. Walleye, the flagship draw at Pymatuning in particular, are entering their summer feeding rhythm by mid-June, and the waning crescent moon favors low-light feeding windows at dawn and dusk. No charter or shop reports specific to these two reservoirs appeared in this week's regional intel feeds.
Lake Superior Lake Trout Firing as Wisconsin River Hits Summer Form
Lake Superior is producing strong lake trout action this mid-June. Wired 2 Fish reported a 45.5-inch catch-and-release laker from Superior's Minnesota waters in early May — a state record — signaling big trout are actively roaming offshore structure as the lake transitions to its summer regime. On the Wisconsin River, USGS gauge 05391000 near Merrill reads a moderate 1,100 cfs as of June 12, a settled flow that concentrates walleye and smallmouth on current-break structure. No water temperature is available from the gauge today. Tactical Bassin reports Great Lakes smallmouth responding well to finesse swimbaits on windy days, citing the Dark Sleeper and Spark Shad as a productive pairing. MidCurrent highlights a pine squirrel jig streamer from Root River Rod Co as a standout pattern on Driftless-area tributary streams of southwestern Wisconsin. The waning crescent moon this weekend favors dawn and dusk windows across all species.
New River smallmouth and Ohio catfish moving into early-summer stride
USGS gauge 03051000 puts the New River at 649 cfs as of midday June 12, a moderate, wadeable level that keeps most access points fishable and boat lanes open. Water temperature data wasn't returned by the gauge this cycle, but mid-June on the New River typically brings surface temps into the upper 60s to low 70s, the heart of the smallmouth feeding window before peak summer heat sets in. No WV-specific shop or charter intel is in this week's feeds, so we're drawing on national early-summer bass coverage: Tactical Bassin highlights the swing-head jig paired with a shaky-head worm as a go-to combination for bass transitioning to offshore structure, while Wired 2 Fish notes that bass push shallow at dawn before dropping to deeper current breaks once the sun climbs. The waning crescent moon favors mid-morning bite windows this weekend. Ohio River catfish are entering their seasonally productive summer phase.
Summer Shift Locks In: Early Mornings Your Best Window on Texoma and Eufaula
The nearby Toyota Series tournament on the Arkansas River at Muskogee delivered a candid regional readout this week — per MLF News, Day 1 conditions were described as 'tough as you'd expect a river event to be when summertime temperatures and high-flow conditions collide,' with leader Joshua Teply managing 14 pounds, 15 ounces to top the field. That signal translates directly to Lake Texoma and Lake Eufaula: bass have locked into a classic two-shift summer pattern, feeding shallow at first light before retreating to deeper structure and offshore cover once the sun climbs. Wired 2 Fish notes that water temperature, oxygen levels, and baitfish movement are the three key variables driving summer positioning, with topwater and frog presentations productive during low-light windows and crankbaits or jigs taking over mid-morning. USGS gauge 07331600 shows 584 cfs. A waning crescent moon this week dampens nocturnal feeding, making the dawn window especially critical for anglers targeting the shallows.
Stripers Running Strong Ahead of Buzzards Bay New Moon Weekend
On The Water's June 12 striper migration map shows bass now widespread from New Jersey to Maine, with the approaching new moon and building tides projected to push stripers and bait toward summer staging grounds throughout Buzzards Bay and Vineyard Sound. A striking sign of active bait: thousands of squid beached themselves on Cape Cod last week while chasing baitfish, per On The Water, signaling a strong squid presence in the region that typically draws stripers to the rips. Saltwater Edge Blog noted in late May that big bass were 'crushing big baits all over the state,' and that momentum appears to be carrying into mid-June. Massachusetts has confirmed white sharks in local waters this week. A white shark was caught and released off Nantucket per On The Water, and shore-based shark regulations are now in full effect statewide. No buoy data was available at report time; verify water temperatures locally before heading out.
Stripers Pushing into Maine Rivers as June Migration Peaks
On The Water's June 12 striper migration map places bass widespread from New Jersey to Maine, with an approaching new moon and big tides this weekend expected to push fish and baitfish toward their summer haunts. On the freshwater side, USGS gauge 01046500 shows the region running at 1,940 cfs — moderate for mid-June, well off the spring high-water mark and settling toward fishable summer flows. Water temperature wasn't captured in today's gauge reading; mid-June on the Kennebec and Penobscot typically runs in the upper 50s to low 60s°F, a range that keeps smallmouth bass active on current seams and eddy pools as flows continue to ease. Brook trout are beginning to retreat toward cold tributary mouths as mainstem temperatures climb. Landlocked salmon in the Penobscot drainage are generally past their spring peak by this point in the season. The waning crescent moon brings darker nights through the weekend — prime timing for nocturnal striper movement into the tidal reaches. Check Maine IF&W regulations before keeping any fish.
Columbia Basin bass season heats up as Eastern WA tournament circuit opens
The Columbia Basin is loaded with bass tournament action this summer, with events scheduled at Moses Lake, Potholes Reservoir, and Banks Lake running through August, per Outdoor Hub citing the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Inland Empire Bass Club. The USGS gauge on the Yakima River (site 12484500) is registering 2,650 cfs as of June 12 — a moderate late-spring flow that typically precedes the slower summer taper when wading windows open up. Broader western drought conditions flagged by Wired 2 Fish are worth monitoring; prolonged dry spells have triggered fish kills at reservoirs across the West this season. Field & Stream's trout temperature guide highlights that early-summer stress windows are approaching, making dawn and dusk sessions increasingly critical for Yakima trout anglers. With the waning crescent moon dampening surface activity overnight, mid-morning bites on the Columbia Basin impoundments should be the focus heading into the weekend.
Mutton Snapper Spawn Peaks as Keys Summer Offshore Season Ignites
ALL IN Key West charter reports mutton snappers in full spawn mode, with fish described as 'chewing like crazy' in the days surrounding the recent full moon. Now tracking into the waning crescent phase, the post-peak window keeps snapper schools tight to structure and feeding. Yellowtail snappers are running equally hot on reef edges, described as 'practically jumping in the boat' per ALL IN Key West. Gulf-side trips are logging impressive mixed bags — the same charter documented grouper, snapper, cobia, barracuda, and kingfish in a single session, with live bait outperforming across the board. Offshore, mahi-mahi and sailfish are part of the summer spread, and ALL IN Key West calls May through July 'absolutely lights out' for the Keys fishery overall. Deep wreck fishing in the 200-foot range is also producing quality muttons. No environmental sensor data is available this reporting cycle; check local tide charts and marine forecasts before heading out.
Stripers Running Long Island Sound as New Moon Tides Push Bait to Summer Haunts
Per On The Water's June 12 striper migration map, bass are spread widely from New Jersey to Maine, and the approaching new moon this weekend is expected to keep fish and bait moving toward summer grounds — Long Island Sound sits squarely in that migration corridor. The 2026 Striper Cup is already underway, per OTW Surfcasting, a reliable signal that season-defining bass are within range of Connecticut shoreline structure. On The Water also flagged thousands of squid beaching themselves near Cape Cod while chasing baitfish this week — that kind of bait-pressure pattern often precedes aggressive striper feeding as it tracks west through the Sound. No NOAA buoy data was available at report time, so specific water temperatures are unconfirmed; typical mid-June LIS readings historically sit in the low-to-mid 60s°F. Fluke are in season and bluefish are beginning to mix in as surface temps climb. Check current state regulations before targeting any species, as seasonal frameworks can shift.
Tarpon Schools Build Along Tampa Bay Beaches as June Spawning Run Peaks
Capt. Rick Grassett's June 2026 forecast from CB's Saltwater Outfitters puts tarpon front and center, with schools building in size and numbers as fish stage for offshore spawning runs near new and full moons. Working beach travel lanes at first light with live crabs, baitfish, or DOA Baitbusters is the go-to approach for consistent shots at rolling fish. Redfish remain reliable in upper Sarasota Bay: Capt. Chuck Cress reported upper-slot reds on oyster bar structure last week, with trout and bluefish rounding out the flats session. Shark action in Sarasota Bay and nearshore Gulf waters is running strong per Capt. Brandon Naeve, with bull sharks, blacktips, and lemon sharks all active through summer. Salt Strong's June 12-14 Weekend Game Plan flags Florida Gulf Coast surf as productive for trout and snook during early-morning tide windows. No NOAA buoy readings are currently available for this window; check local conditions before heading out.
Smallmouth Hot on Great Lakes as Saginaw Bay Walleye Tour Opens
Tactical Bassin reports Great Lakes smallmouth bass producing quality fish, including trophy specimens, on mid-June big-water sessions, with a Dark Sleeper and Spark Shad one-two punch proving highly effective even in challenging wind conditions. The Grand River is running at 3,250 cfs as of June 12 (USGS gauge 04119000), a moderately elevated level that spreads fish across the river corridor rather than concentrating them on tight structure. No water temperature reading is available this week. On Saginaw Bay, Michigan Sportsman Forum anglers are discussing the Michigan Walleye Tour hitting the bay this weekend, projecting a 50-pound two-day winning weight as a benchmark for a solid bite. AnglingBuzz and Jason Mitchell Outdoors are both dialing in Great Lakes walleye tactics for the region, with bottom bouncers paired with spinners and jig-and-crawler rigs getting the most attention. Waning crescent moon conditions favor early-morning low-light windows for both walleye and smallmouth heading into the weekend.
Redfish and Seatrout Active Across Georgia's June Salt Marshes
Sport Fishing Mag's salt marsh inshore guide puts redfish front and center "from the Gulf to the Carolinas," and Georgia's barrier island estuary system is squarely in that zone this week. No NOAA buoy readings are available for this cycle, but mid-June on the Georgia coast typically means warming nearshore waters and active fish in the tidal creek systems threading the Golden Isles. Salt Strong's summer surf feature confirms that speckled trout are feeding along the southeastern coastline during early morning windows as waters heat up. The Georgia Wildlife Blog notes National Fishing and Boating Week ran June 6-14, a stretch that annually draws new faces to the water and coincides with some of the strongest early-summer inshore action of the year. GA Sea Grant researchers working out of Brunswick and Savannah are studying estuarine food web dynamics this summer, a sign of how productive these coastal marshes become at this point in the season. The waning crescent moon sets lower tidal amplitude, which typically concentrates bait and predators on current-swept points and oyster bars.
Western MT cutthroat active as Flathead crests and PMD hatches build
Water at 55°F on the Flathead drainage (USGS gauge 12372000, June 12) parks westslope cutthroat and rainbow trout squarely in their productive feeding range heading into mid-June. The 23,100 cfs flow reading signals a strong snowmelt surge still loading into Flathead Lake, keeping the northern inflow turbid and colored — conditions that push wade-fishing pressure toward sheltered tributary mouths, back-eddies, and the cleaner reaches of the Bitterroot drainage to the south. Flylords Mag recently published a detailed walkthrough of the PMD emergence on Montana spring creeks, noting that mid-June is exactly when this hatch becomes the day's dominant event on clearer water. Field & Stream's trout temperature guide confirms fish are metabolically active and willing to move for a fly at 55°F. On Flathead Lake itself, mackinaw (lake trout) hold in deeper water and remain accessible via trolling while surface conditions settle.
Green River Tailwater Primed as June Temperatures Hit the Trout Sweet Spot
Water temps at 54°F, logged by USGS gauge 09234500 this morning, put the Green River tailwater squarely in the prime trout window. At 2,380 cfs, flows are running high below Flaming Gorge Dam, making most wade access challenging; drift boat anglers hold the clear advantage this week. Field & Stream's current temperature guide confirms the 50s as the productive feeding zone before midsummer heat pushes conditions toward catch-and-release care protocols. Up in the Uintas, high-country lakes are shedding the last of their ice-out chill: cutthroat and brook trout in these alpine waters are typically aggressive through June as they compensate for a long winter. MidCurrent's recent fly-tying coverage highlights midge and nymph profiles designed for "clear, pressured water of stillwaters and tailraces," a description that maps well to both fisheries this week. Check state regs for any flow-adjusted access restrictions before heading out.
Cutthroat and browns in play as June runoff transitions on Wind River and North Platte
Trout Unlimited recently spotlighted restoration work on a Wyoming native-fish tributary supporting Colorado River cutthroat and three other native species — a timely reminder of what the Wind River and upper North Platte drainages hold for anglers willing to time their visits right. No live data returned from USGS gauge 06259000 at report time, so precise flow and temperature readings are unavailable; check current conditions directly before heading out. The broader western picture warrants attention: Wired 2 Fish and Hatch Magazine are both tracking drought-driven stress on Rocky Mountain fisheries this season, with declining reservoir levels and rising water temperatures a recurring theme across the region. On the North Platte, brown trout are the marquee draw; the Wind River system adds cutthroat and rainbow in the upper reaches. In June, the gap between clearing snowmelt and peak summer heat is narrow — early morning nymphing through riffles and deeper runs is the reliable play, with attractor dries worth a try as afternoon hatches develop.
Desert bass go deep as summer drought tightens grip on the Salt River chain
The USGS gauge on the Salt River (site 09498500) logged 59.4 cfs this morning — low, stable flow consistent with Arizona's summer drought conditions. No water temperature reading was available from the gauge, but mid-June surface temps on Roosevelt and the lower Salt chain reservoirs typically climb into the upper 80s to low 90s°F. Wired 2 Fish reported this week that prolonged drought and falling water levels are driving fish kills across western reservoirs, with Arizona's San Carlos Lake losing its entire largemouth bass, crappie, and flathead catfish fishery. Roosevelt Lake is not cited in that report, but the regional drought stress is a live concern worth monitoring. The bass bite here follows a predictable summer arc: first-light topwater and shallow flats action, followed by a hard slide to deep structure once the sun rises. Per Wired 2 Fish's summer bass breakdown, adapting to that thermal stratification is the key to consistent June catches, with crankbaits and swing-head jigs from Tactical Bassin rounding out the deep-water toolkit.
Dream Stream spring migration ran strong; low-water tailwater tactics now in play
Colorado Trout Hunters report one of the best spring migrations of lake-run fish on the Dream Stream in recent memory, with trophy browns pushing from the upstream reservoir on a season that far exceeded expectations. Flow on the South Platte near South Platte reads 241 cfs (USGS gauge 06701900) as of this morning — steady reservoir-regulated water that remains fishable even as Colorado's historically poor 2026 snowpack limits natural runoff contributions across the state. Cutthroat Anglers (CO) has been direct about conditions: this winter was "historic for all the wrong reasons," and Western snowpacks came in at record lows. For tailwater anglers, that translates to low, clear, technical water where fish concentrate in defined feeding lanes and reward precise presentations. Midge patterns are the workhorse right now: AvidMax Blog highlights tube midge and foam-back emerger ties as go-to options for clear tailrace conditions, while Pat Dorsey's early-season reporting points to reliable midge hatches carrying through late morning on local watersheds.
MN Walleye and Bass Lock Into Early-Summer Weedline Patterns
Minnesota's MN DNR North Shore Fishing Report wrapped spring stream season on May 21 and opened summer boat creel, marking the statewide pivot to open-water lake fishing — and early June is delivering. Wired 2 Fish reported June 4 that 68-year-old Joe Bouta landed and released a 45.5-inch lake trout from Lake Superior's Minnesota waters, a new state catch-and-release record confirmed by the MN DNR. On inland lakes, AnglingBuzz spotlights Leech Lake as one of the premier walleye fisheries in the country, with jig-and-crawler rigs the dominant presentation for this transition period. Both Mississippi River gauges are running elevated — 13,400 cfs at St. Paul (USGS gauge 05331000) and 5,510 cfs near Anoka (USGS gauge 05288500) — pointing to some off-color water on metro river stretches. Fishing the Midwest's Bob Jensen notes the 2026 open-water season is in full swing and weedline edges are becoming the most reliable feature for walleye, bass, and pike across the region. No water temperatures are available from current gauge readings.
Snake and Salmon Rivers enter prime mid-June trout and steelhead window
The USGS gauge on the Snake River (site 13340000) recorded 10,300 cfs and 55°F water this morning — squarely in the feeding-temperature sweet spot for trout. Field & Stream's current trout-temperature guide flags the mid-60s as the onset of heat stress and hoot-owl restrictions on western rivers; at 55°F, that concern is still comfortably ahead. No Idaho-specific charter or tackle-shop intel arrived in this cycle's feeds, but mid-June marks a well-established seasonal inflection on the Snake and Salmon systems: peak snowmelt flows are typically tapering toward fishable summer levels, surface hatches are firing in earnest, and summer-run steelhead begin nosing into the Salmon River drainage. The Reno Fly Shop, reporting from comparable Rocky Mountain freestone water in early June, documented PMD, Green Drake, Yellow Sally, and caddis hatches firing simultaneously — a hatch profile that closely mirrors what Snake and Salmon tributaries produce at this latitude and flow stage. Smaller tributaries off both mainstem rivers offer the most accessible trout action while main-channel flows continue to settle.
Blue catfish gorging on Eagle Mountain Lake as June water levels peak
USGS gauge 08211200 is logging 88°F water and 59.7 cfs as of this morning; summer has fully arrived on Texas freshwater. The sharpest current signal comes from North Texas Catfish Guide, who reports Eagle Mountain Lake is nearly full from recent inflows: "Fish are moving, fish are feeding, and when you get on them, it happens fast." Blue and channel catfish are the prime targets right now, with fresh water pushing bait and predators alike into active feeding windows. For bass anglers, Wired 2 Fish and Tactical Bassin (blog) both point to a classic early-summer two-zone pattern: topwater at dawn on shallow flats, then a shift to offshore structure with crankbaits or a swing-head jig as the sun climbs. Lone Star Outdoor News also highlights Rio Grande cichlids as a growing target now that trout season winds down, accessible from wade-fishing river stretches. The waning crescent moon favors low-light bites at dusk and dawn.
Wabash Running High as Lake Michigan Smallmouth Fire Up for Summer
The Wabash River is logging 11,300 cfs at USGS gauge 03335500 as of June 12, running well above typical mid-June levels and signaling recent upstream precipitation. That volume pushes fish off main-channel flats and into slower eddies, tributary confluences, and bank structure. No water temperature reading is available from current gauge data. On Lake Michigan, Tactical Bassin recently documented a strong Great Lakes smallmouth session on a breezy afternoon, with the Dark Sleeper and Spark Shad swimbait combination drawing quality fish in wave-washed conditions. Fishing the Midwest reports the 2026 open-water season is in full swing, with weedline patterns becoming a productive early-summer approach across the Upper Midwest. For Wabash anglers, high-flow tactics — anchoring near current breaks, channel bends, and laydowns — are the play for catfish and bass until the river begins to recede and clear.