Fishing reports
19273 reports across all 50 states — current conditions and what's biting.
Stripers, Sea Bass, and Bluefin All Firing Along the Jersey Shore
Blue Chip Sportfishing is reporting sea bass fishing as red hot, nearly limiting out on every trip, while the spring striper surf bite rolls strong into early June. OTW Northern New Jersey's June 4 report puts quality sea bass on the offshore reefs, fluke up to 8 pounds in the rivers, and a healthy surf mix of bluefish, black drum, and stripers all chewing. Grumpys Tackle notes a larger class of striped bass has pushed into the suds, with clams and bunker producing the most consistent results. Down at Long Beach Island, Fishermans HQ LBI reports that the post-full-moon (June 1) window often delivers some of the best quality-fish action of the entire spring run — size over numbers, with bigger bass historically showing in the first and second weeks of June. Adding offshore excitement, a massive squid invasion off the Jersey coast has pulled bluefin tuna within 20 to 30 miles of the beach, per Fishermans HQ LBI, putting pelagic action within reach of local sportfishing boats.
Savannah chain bream on fire; bass settling into early-summer ledge patterns
A new Savannah River record bluegill — 1 lb 10.1 oz, caught June 6 on a white Beetle Spin with cricket — signals panfish are locked onto beds across the chain, per GA Sportsman / Georgia Outdoor News. Largemouth bass have finished the spawn and are transitioning to early-summer offshore structure. USGS gauge 02192000 shows the Savannah system running at 1,250 cfs this morning — a moderate, fishable flow that keeps water clarity workable on both Hartwell and Russell. Tactical Bassin highlights the swing-jig wobble head paired with a shaky head worm as the June one-two punch for staging bass; deep-diving crankbaits in the 6-to-10-foot range cover the flat-to-ledge transitions both reservoirs are known for. Georgia Wildlife Blog reports big bass have been responding to post-rain conditions statewide — an April angler in Morgan County landed an 8-lb 11-oz largemouth on a spinner bait just after a storm passed.
Bass and catfish prime as summer settles onto Louisiana's big rivers
Water temperatures of 79°F and a flow of 602,000 cfs at USGS gauge 07374000 confirm that summer conditions are locked in across Louisiana's lower river corridor. Upstream on the broader Mississippi system, MLF News reports that bass have been actively biting — anglers competing on the Columbus Pool found fish along flooded bank cover, docks, and offshore summertime haunts — but sorting through schoolers to find quality kickers was the tougher assignment. That early-summer pattern should carry through Louisiana's reaches of both rivers: numbers are findable, but bigger fish will reward those who target main-channel breaks, current seams behind wing dams, and tributary mouths where baitfish concentrate. Catfish typically capitalize on strong-current conditions like this, with cut shad and live bait working best in deep eddy pockets after dark. The waning crescent moon this week means minimal nighttime light, historically a plus for catfish and crappie after sundown. Monitor river levels closely before launching given the substantial flow.
Salmon and smallmouth heat up as summer arrives on Indiana's Lake Michigan shore
Per the WI DNR Lake Michigan Fishing Report, 2024 saw over 210,000 coho salmon harvested across the lake (a modern record), alongside more than 160,000 Chinook, the highest total since 2012, with strengthened alewife year-classes driving improved stocking survival. No NOAA buoy readings are available for the Indiana shoreline this week, but IL/IN Sea Grant maintains three nearshore Lake Michigan buoys with live temperature and wave data worth checking before you launch. On the Indiana shoreline, mid-June marks the seasonal pivot: spring steelhead runs from tributary rivers are tapering off, Chinook trolling is shifting into gear offshore, and nearshore smallmouth bass action on breakwalls and riprap is picking up as surface temps climb through the 50s. Fishing the Midwest notes that early-summer success comes to anglers who stay mobile and work structure edges rather than anchoring to a single presentation.
Smokies Trout Shift to Dawn Windows as June Warmth Sets In
USGS gauge 03512000 recorded 66°F and 257 cfs on the Little Tennessee River this morning — readings that push rainbow and brown trout decisively toward low-light feeding windows and shaded, oxygenated runs. At 66°F, trout remain catchable but thermal stress builds fast on warm afternoons; early-morning outings are the play right now. No local Smokies shop or guide reports came through this intel cycle — regional feeds leaned coastal and Midwestern this week. Drawing from general seasonal knowledge, mid-June in the Southern Appalachians marks the onset of prime terrestrial fishing, with ants, beetles, and inchworm imitations typically accounting for consistent surface takes from now through September. Hatch Magazine's recent guide to fishing trout through warming and drought conditions reinforces the value of targeting deeper pools and shaded undercuts during afternoon hours. Brook trout in higher-elevation headwater streams should be holding in cooler pockets and feeding more freely than their low-elevation counterparts.
Sea Bass Red Hot Off Sandy Hook as Stripers, Fluke, and Blues Fill the Bay
Capt Ron's Atlantic Highlands, operating in the waters inside Raritan Bay and off Sandy Hook, has been posting consistent sea bass keeper action this week, with ling filling out coolers on deeper runs and a few winter flounder showing as a bonus. Blue Chip Sportfishing confirms the bite is red hot, reporting limits on nearly every charter. In the surf, Grumpys Tackle notes a larger class of striped bass has moved into the line, with clams and bunker chunks remaining the top producers. OTW Northern New Jersey's June 4 report captures the full spread: quality sea bass on the reefs, fluke up to 8 pounds in the tidal rivers, and bluefish, black drum, stripers, and fluke chewing in the surf. The waning crescent moon this week keeps tidal exchanges moderate, with feeding windows expected to tighten and strengthen as the new moon approaches.
Olympic Peninsula rivers in early summer shape as chinook season builds
The Hoh River is running at 1,250 cfs and the Queets River at 697 cfs as of pre-dawn June 11 (USGS gauge 12041200 and USGS gauge 12035000), moderate early-summer flows driven by ongoing Olympic Mountain snowmelt. Water temperatures were unavailable from both gauges this morning. WA WDFW Fishing Reports monitors Olympic Peninsula rivers through creel surveys, but no site-specific bite data was available in today's feed. Based on seasonal patterns typical for this region, early June marks the opening window for summer chinook staging in lower river tidewater reaches, while resident cutthroat trout hold throughout the system and summer steelhead are present in select rivers. Both rivers appear fishable at current levels for bank and drift-boat anglers, though flow conditions should be verified close to launch time. Check WDFW regulations carefully before heading out. Olympic Peninsula chinook and steelhead fisheries carry tight in-season rules that vary by river. A waning crescent moon keeps early-morning hours dark, typically a favorable window for fresh-run salmon moving upriver.
Amberjack and Kings Headline Panhandle Offshore Season as Summer Peaks
Sport Fishing Mag this week highlights Gulf amberjack hammering topwater lures over deep-water wrecks — a tactic directly applicable for Panhandle anglers working the reef and platform structure off Destin and Pensacola. No buoy or gauge readings were available for this report, so conditions must be read from regional intel and seasonal norms, but early June historically delivers some of the most productive offshore windows of the year in the northern Gulf. Coastal Angler Magazine flags king mackerel as a practical, budget-friendly offshore target right now, with live bait the reliable go-to for kings staging near nearshore rigs and ledges. Salt Strong's June 5–7 regional game plan included the Florida Panhandle among active Gulf Coast zones. Inshore, summer patterns are solidifying — redfish and speckled trout tend to cluster near grass flats and structure during low-light periods, while flounder favor deeper channel drop-offs. Check local tide tables and the forecast before launching; no environmental readings were recorded for this update.
Spanish Mackerel Push Inshore as Sheepshead Stage on Structure
Spanish mackerel are moving in 'good numbers into the nearshore areas and along the beachfront,' per Morgan of The Reel Outdoors as reported by Fisherman's Post — Carolinas saltwater for the Swansboro/Emerald Isle stretch — a trend that typically tracks southward along the full Carolina coast including Charleston Harbor. The bluefish bite is described as 'really good' across the same coastal stretch. Lewis of Island Tackle and Hardware, per the same source, notes the first push of smaller sheepshead has begun staging on hard structure in nearby Cape Fear waters, a pattern that signals a similar build around Charleston Harbor jetties and dock pilings. Red drum are scattered inshore, favoring deeper holes as mid-June water temperatures climb. Offshore, gaffer mahi have been documented along the northern Carolina coast per Fisherman's Post — Carolinas saltwater's June Tidelines column, with the seasonal pelagic push typical for South Carolina waters this time of year as well. No real-time buoy or gauge data was available for this report; verify conditions locally before heading out.
Early June opens UP Michigan's trout streams as Lake Superior season builds
USGS gauge 04059500 showed the Ontonagon River running at 173 cfs on the morning of June 11 — a manageable early-summer flow that keeps wading and drift fishing accessible on UP Michigan streams. Water temperature data was unavailable from the gauge this reading, though mid-June typically marks the tail end of peak brook trout fishing before stream temps climb. The Michigan DNR is set to brief its Eastern UP Citizens' Advisory Council on fisheries conditions at a June 18 public meeting in St. Ignace, per Outdoor Hub — worth watching for an official conditions snapshot. On the Lake Superior side, Great Lakes Now documented active deepwater lake trout during a June 7 ROV expedition to the lake's deepest point, and WI DNR Lake Superior Fishing has been tracking growing angler interest in the Chequamegon Bay lake whitefish fishery on the Wisconsin shore. Direct UP Michigan on-the-water intel from tackle shops or charter captains is not available in this week's feeds — conditions below reflect seasonal patterns and available gauge data.
Colorado River tailwater trout in top form as early summer flows hold
USGS gauge 09380000 clocked the Colorado River at 57°F and 7,600 cfs at Lees Ferry on the morning of June 11, water temperatures that sit squarely in the prime range for the tailwater rainbow trout fishery below Glen Canyon Dam. None of this week's regional intel feeds carried specific Lees Ferry or Salt River reports, so this update relies on the gauge data and general seasonal patterns for the region. At 57°F, dam-controlled releases keep this stretch in ideal trout territory year-round, and early June is historically one of the more consistent windows before summer boat traffic peaks. Flows at 7,600 cfs are moderate to slightly elevated; wading requires care on nearshore ledges and channel edges. For the Salt River reservoirs, Tactical Bassin notes that early June is when bass complete their transition off shallow spawning areas toward deeper offshore structure, making wobble-head jigs and crankbaits the productive approach on comparable impoundments.
Bass and walleye enter the early-summer window on Champlain and the Connecticut
A Connecticut River tributary gauge (USGS 01135300) registered 109 cfs at 6:30 this morning, a moderate low-water reading consistent with the post-runoff transition into early-summer conditions on Vermont's inland waterways. No local tackle-shop or charter reports surfaced for Lake Champlain or the Connecticut River corridor this week, so specific bite conditions are not confirmed from on-the-water sources this cycle. Tactical Bassin and Field & Stream both point to wobble-head jigs and crankbaits as the leading early-summer bass presentations on river and lake systems, techniques that translate well to Champlain's rocky structure and the Connecticut's mid-river seams. Trout in smaller tributaries remain fishable but face warming afternoon water, making early-morning sessions the better choice. MidCurrent's spring coverage of the Battenkill restoration community in Arlington, Vermont underlines how actively stewarded the state's coldwater fisheries are. Confirm current VT Fish and Wildlife regulations before harvesting any species.
Colorado River exits runoff early, prime trout window open now
Crystal Fly Shop's Colorado River report confirms the river is on the back end of runoff with 'great water conditions and happy fish' from Glenwood Springs down to Rifle. USGS gauge 09095500 logged 2,960 cfs and 62 degrees F at 4:45 a.m. this morning, consistent with a river clearing after peak snowmelt. Crystal Fly Shop calls the fishing window open now, urging anglers to get out before summer heat narrows the bite: green drakes are expected to fire within two weeks, with golden stones, PMDs, and caddis building alongside. Large attractor patterns are producing at current flows. Cutthroat Anglers echoes the urgency, noting that 2026's historically low Colorado snowpack pushed the runoff schedule earlier than normal; fish have been active and grouped all spring for anglers willing to adjust their approach. On the nearby Frying Pan tailwater, Crystal Fly Shop reports daily BWO hatches with PMDs emerging in the afternoons, all on 6X fluorocarbon.
Sacramento-Delta largemouth in top form as summer patterns take hold
USGS gauge 11447650 recorded 72°F and 7,500 cfs on the Sacramento River in the pre-dawn hours of June 11, confirming the Delta has entered its warm-water summer phase. Largemouth bass are the primary target right now, with Tactical Bassin pointing to swing-head jigs and wobble heads fished along bottom transitions as the standout early-summer combination; pairing them with a shaky head worm is particularly effective when bass are positioned offshore in open water. Crankbaits, from shallow to mid-depth divers, are also cited by Tactical Bassin as strong seasonal producers once fish spread to summer haunts along channel edges and dock structure. Striped bass remain available in the Delta but are retreating to deeper, cooler channels as surface temps push into the low 70s; first and last light are the productive windows. Catfish are a consistent warm-weather option after dark. No Delta-specific charter or tackle-shop reports were available in this cycle; conditions and technique notes draw from gauge data and broader summer bass intel.
Stripers Firing from Eastern Sound to Montauk in Early June
Per On The Water's June 4 report, the striper bite is firing from the Eastern Sound to Montauk, with fluke fishing showing signs of improvement around NYC and bluefish action remaining spotty across the island. That momentum has been building for weeks: On The Water's May 21 dispatch flagged a strong push of big bass and bunker into Western Long Island Sound, with the North Fork and Montauk heating up noticeably. The Saltwater Edge Blog (RI) observed in late May that as some bass push north, more fish from the south continue to fill the void — a classic early-summer rotation that keeps Long Island waters well-supplied through June. As of June 9, OTW Saltwater's striper migration report confirms bunker, mackerel, sea herring, and sand eels are fueling improving action northward through southern New England. No buoy readings are available to confirm current water temperature, but the pattern across multiple sources is consistent: this is a productive early-June striper window for Long Island anglers.
Summer bass patterns setting up on Alabama's Tennessee and Coosa Rivers
With USGS gauge 02339500 reading 1,130 cfs as of June 11, river flows are at a moderate summer level — manageable for both bank and boat anglers targeting transition edges and offshore structure. Water temperature was not available in our gauge pull; verify locally before planning a session. Post-spawn patterns are the story heading into mid-June. Wired 2 Fish notes that post-spawn smallmouth tend to "roam more, feed inconsistently, and transition quickly back between where they spawn, rock structures, and offshore feeding zones" — the kind of movement that rewards anglers who cover water. Tactical Bassin puts the swing-head jig and wobble-head combination at the top of the early summer playbook, calling it "more than early Summer bass can resist" when worked along the bottom on offshore targets. Largemouth are tracking toward typical summer haunts: shaded docks, deep creek-channel edges, and bridge pilings. Catfish remain a dependable target through the heat.
Delta bass and stripers build toward summer as tidal exchange runs strong
USGS gauge 11455420 logged a reverse flow of -101,000 cfs on June 10, indicating a strong tidal ebb pushing through the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. This type of tidal movement typically stacks baitfish at channel junctions and concentrates striped bass and largemouth along current seams. Water temperature readings were unavailable from this gauge. NorCal Fish Reports covers the Delta in their weekly regional roundup, though detailed on-the-water catches were not available in the latest feed. Turning to early-summer technique, Tactical Bassin notes that offshore structure becomes the key address once bass clear the spawn, with swing-head jigs and wobble heads drawing strikes as fish hold on deeper transition zones. Waning crescent moon conditions through mid-June compress active feeding into low-light windows at first light and the final hour before dark, making topwater near tule edges and hard riprap walls along the levees the prime early-morning setup.
Lake Ontario salmon running strong as offshore summer bite builds
Strike Zone Charters reports salmon fishing on Lake Ontario has been 'very good this past week,' with brown trout and lake trout mixing into the bite. The productive zone is 100-160 feet of water. Mag Dipsey Divers are doing the heavy lifting, and green, white, and chartreuse e-chips are accounting for most fish when temperature breaks push them deeper. Depths shift day to day as wind reorganizes the thermal structure, so staying mobile and adjusting regularly pays off. Inshore, USGS gauge 04250750 shows flows at 67.8 cfs, indicating low, clear conditions in the tributary system, typical for the Salmon River corridor as spring runoff subsides heading into summer. No water temperature data is available from monitoring stations this cycle. For tributary anglers, low clear flows call for longer leaders, finer presentations, and a focus on shaded pools and deeper runs during midday hours.
White Seabass and Halibut in Seasonal Form as El Niño Summer Builds
Western Outdoor News — Saltwater is calling this an El Niño summer for the California coast, with charter captains out of Point Loma already booking tuna, yellowtail, and dorado runs as warm water pushes north. For Central Coast anglers, that forecast carries real implications: in strong warm-water years, yellowtail and occasionally bluefin push well into Central Coast waters by late June. No NOAA buoy readings were available in today's data pull, and no charter or tackle-shop reports specific to Central Coast landings arrived in today's intel feeds. Based on seasonal patterns, the region's June mainstays — nearshore rockfish, sandy-flat halibut, and white seabass threading the kelp — are typically in active form. The waning crescent moon this week reduces tidal amplitude and dims nighttime light, conditions that generally favor ambush feeders near structure at dawn and dusk. Contact local landings directly for the latest on-water conditions before heading out.
Post-spawn largemouth settle into summer pattern on Okeechobee and the St. Johns
USGS gauge 02232000 is logging just 13.1 cfs on the St. Johns drainage, pointing to low, stable water levels heading into mid-June, a common condition as Florida's dry season gives way to the early rainy season. No direct angler reports from Okeechobee or the St. Johns surfaced in this reporting cycle, but Tactical Bassin's June bass coverage outlines a two-bait offshore pattern: a swinging jig paired with a shaky head worm that has been producing quality fish on summer structure. Field & Stream's summer bass guide reinforces the post-spawn push toward deeper cover, including offshore hydrilla mats, submerged points, and shell bars on big-water systems like Okeechobee. Expect morning and evening bites near grass edges as water temperatures climb through the day; by midday, bass typically seek shade and depth. Crappie action tends to soften in June's heat across Florida's inland lakes.
Kenai's first king salmon run under way as early-June flows hold steady
USGS gauge 15266300 measured the Kenai River at 53°F and 5,310 cfs on the evening of June 10, placing the river at a moderate early-summer level consistent with active snowmelt drainage. No Alaska-specific angler reports from charter captains, tackle shops, or state agencies appeared in this week's intel feeds, so the following draws on seasonal patterns typical for the Kenai and interior Alaska drainages. Early June traditionally marks the heart of the first Chinook (king salmon) run, with fish pushing through lower reaches toward spawning grounds in the upper drainage. Water temps at 53°F fall within the range that keeps kings actively pushing upriver rather than staging in deep cold lies. Sockeye are typically beginning to build in this window, though the main run usually peaks later in June into July. Resident rainbow trout and Dolly Varden remain distributed throughout the system. Check state regulations for current king salmon quotas before keeping any fish — the Kenai is closely managed each season.
Allegheny tailwaters running big as early-summer bass patterns emerge
The Allegheny River is carrying elevated flow this week, with USGS gauge 03036500 logging 6,790 cfs as of June 11, well above typical early-summer levels and likely reflecting recent upstream rainfall. No water temperature reading is available from the gauge at this time. High, fast water pushes smallmouth and walleye off open banks and into slack-water pockets, current seams behind bridge pilings, and deeper holes where fish can hold without burning energy. Tactical Bassin's June bass coverage recommends a wobble-head jig or swinging jig fished slowly along the bottom as the go-to early-summer presentation; these rigs produce when fish need an easy meal rather than a chase. Wired 2 Fish's recent look at post-spawn smallmouth confirms bronzebacks are transitioning regionally from spawn to summer structure, moving off beds toward deeper haunts and current breaks. Dawn and dusk windows figure to be most productive given this week's waning crescent moon.
Summer offshore bite shaping up at Santee Cooper and Lake Murray
USGS gauge 02160390 logged 277 cfs on the morning of June 11, pointing to low-to-moderate inflow into the Santee basin as summer heat takes hold across South Carolina's major reservoirs. No live water-temperature reading was available at the gauge, but mid-June typically pushes surface temps into the mid-to-upper 80s°F on both systems, compressing productive windows to first light and the final hour before dark. B.A.S.S. News noted that the Elite Series' Carolina Swing recently brought two events to South Carolina, confirming that bass are accessible and quality fish are in the system this season. For summer largemouth, Tactical Bassin highlights swing-head jigs and shaky-head worms worked on offshore structure as the most reliable June presentation, while Field & Stream's summer bass breakdown reinforces that low-light windows are where topwater action concentrates as midday heat builds. Landlocked striped bass at Santee Cooper should be tracking threadfin shad toward thermocline depth by this point in the calendar.
Western Basin Walleye Shift to Summer Depth as June Warms
The USGS monitoring station (04193500) recorded 82°F water temperature and 4,120 cfs flow on June 11, signaling warm tributary inflows pushing into the Western Basin as mid-June heat builds. Walleye have long since dispersed from their spring spawning runs and are holding on offshore reefs, main-lake basin edges, and deeper structure. Fishing the Midwest highlights slow trolling along weedline and structure transitions as the go-to summer walleye approach, with versatility across depths as fish settle into summer holding areas. The waning crescent moon this week concentrates the bite into a narrow low-light window — early morning runs over known reef systems are the priority. Yellow perch and white bass remain active secondary targets across the basin. No direct charter, tackle-shop, or state-agency reports for the Western Basin were captured this cycle; treat these conditions as seasonally informed and verify locally before heading out.