Fishing reports
19273 reports across all 50 states — current conditions and what's biting.
Post-Spawn Bass in Play as Grand River Carries Strong June Flows
USGS gauge 04119000 shows the Grand River running at 3,560 cfs as of June 10, a moderately full flow for early summer. Statewide conditions are covered in the MI DNR Weekly Fishing Report (latest edition June 3), though bite specifics from this precise week aren't fully captured in the current intel window. Michigan's early-June pattern puts bass squarely in post-spawn transition mode: smallmouth are vacating rocky spawning shoals and scattering toward offshore structure, while largemouth are pulling off shallow beds and settling near weedlines. Per Wired 2 Fish, post-spawn smallmouth can be moody and inconsistent but respond well to moving baits on shallow flats at first light before dropping deeper mid-day. Tactical Bassin highlights crankbaits as a reliable summer bass trigger as water temperatures begin climbing in earnest. On the Grand River, current seams behind bridge pilings, rip-rap, and boulder eddies are holding both walleye and smallmouth at current flow levels.
Record Bluegill on the Savannah as Georgia Rivers Run High
A state-class bluegill from the Savannah River headlines this week in Georgia. On June 6, Seth Seckinger of Springfield landed a 1-lb, 10.1-oz bluegill on a white Beetle Spin tipped with a cricket, verified on certified scales at Richmond Fish Hatchery, per GA Sportsman / Georgia Outdoor News. The catch underscores healthy panfish activity even as river conditions complicate access elsewhere. Joshua Barber's Southern Waters Fishing Report (GA Sportsman, June 6) notes most rivers are running high and muddy after recent rains, with the Savannah at Clyo sitting at 6.3 feet and falling as of June 4. USGS gauge data confirms 4,780 cfs on the Savannah as of early June 10. The recommended pivot: lakes and ponds, which Barber's report calls the best producers this week. Tim Bonvechio landed a quality bass on a pumpkin-colored sinko at a private pond, and post-spawn bass are now transitioning toward early-summer patterns across the state.
Kansas River catfish prime as summer flows run warm and high
USGS gauge 06892350 logged 76°F water and 37,100 cfs on the Kansas River early this morning — elevated, off-color flows well above typical mid-June levels. High water pushes fish toward current breaks: wing dams, downstream sandbars, and deep outside bends are where catfish stack in slack water. Channel and flathead catfish should be in peak early-summer form at these temperatures, and both species respond well to cut shad or live bait fished tight to structure after dark. On the walleye front, Wired 2 Fish this week spotlighted the Kansas walleye stocking programs run by state fisheries biologists, noting that managed populations in river systems are now dispersing into summer holding lies — deeper seams with hard bottom are worth targeting once flows begin dropping. Tactical Bassin reports that post-spawn bass in June are keying on offshore structure, with a wobble-head jig and shaky head worm combination producing quality fish even on unfamiliar water.
CT Inland Bass Transition Offshore as Summer Patterns Set In
USGS gauge 01184000 recorded a 70°F water temperature at 9,930 cfs on the morning of June 10, marking a decisive shift toward early summer conditions on Connecticut's inland river systems. For bass anglers, this is an actionable window: post-spawn fish have largely recovered and are dispersing to offshore structure and deeper edges. Tactical Bassin's June report highlights a wobble-head jig and shaky head worm combination as a productive one-two punch for June bass targeting offshore holding areas, while Wired 2 Fish notes that post-spawn smallmouth are roaming deeper and transitioning to rocky structure — requiring a similar adjustment away from shallow spring haunts. Smaller inland tributaries are running lean — USGS gauge 01193500 recorded just 39.7 cfs, signaling low summer baseflow conditions that stress cold-water species. Trout are near their thermal limit at 70°F; anglers still targeting them should seek spring-fed headwaters and fish before 9 a.m. The waning crescent moon this week favors subsurface over topwater presentations.
Moosehead togue and landlocked salmon prime as Penobscot flow tapers to summer
USGS gauge 01030500 recorded the Penobscot at 1,100 cfs early this morning, a signal that spring runoff is winding down and the river is settling toward its quieter summer profile. That transition historically opens solid windows for wading anglers targeting wild brook trout and landlocked salmon in the upper tributaries. No in-water temperature data was available for this reporting cycle, leaving Moosehead Lake surface temps unconfirmed. Local intelligence specific to the Moosehead and upper Penobscot corridor, including charter captains, tackle shops, or targeted state agency reports, did not land in our feeds this period. Seasonal context fills the gap: early June typically keeps togue active in mid-depth water before Moosehead's surface fully warms, and the waning crescent moon can favor low-light dawn and dusk windows for salmon. Per Wired 2 Fish, post-spawn smallmouth in the lower, warmer Penobscot sections are transitioning between spawn areas, rocky structure, and offshore feeding zones, which is typical behavior for this stretch of the calendar.
Salmon season shifts to Chinook as June settles on Chicago's Lake Michigan
The WI DNR Lake Michigan Fishing Report documented a landmark 2024 season for the lake's salmon fishery: over 210,000 coho salmon harvested (a modern record) and more than 160,000 Chinook, the best tally since 2012. Agency biologists tied both figures directly to strong alewife year-classes that boosted stocked-fish survival to exceptional levels. Those populations carry weight into 2026, meaning Chicago-area anglers are fishing into a well-stocked system. No current buoy readings are available for the Chicago nearshore corridor this report cycle. IL/IN Sea Grant operates three Lake Michigan nearshore buoys and is in active deployment season, so checking their live data before launch is worthwhile. In the absence of real-time temperature readings, early June on the Chicago lakefront typically finds Chinook beginning to stage in deeper water offshore, coho still interceptable on near-surface gear during calm mornings, and post-spawn smallmouth bass feeding actively along rocky piers and breakwalls.
Rangeley Lakes salmon and brook trout primed for early-summer hatch action
USGS gauge 01054200 logged 67.5 cfs on June 10, pointing to moderate post-runoff flows that favor wading on the Androscoggin headwaters and outlet streams. No water temperature reading accompanied this gauge report, though early June typically puts these waters in the upper-40s to low-50s range, still within the prime comfort zone for landlocked Atlantic salmon and native brook trout. Mainely Fly Fishing (ME), the region's closest local voice in this week's feeds, documented ice-out on Dundee Pond as April 4 this spring, consistent with an average-to-slightly-early season progression. No current June reports for the Rangeley area came through the angler-intel channels this cycle. Seasonal context: June is traditionally strong for dry-fly fishing on outlet rivers and connecting streams as caddis and early-summer mayfly hatches build. Early mornings and the last hour of daylight are typically the most productive windows. Confirm conditions and fly selection with local shops before making the drive.
White River tailwaters push trout to dawn windows as summer heat arrives
USGS gauge 07060710 recorded 76°F water temperature and just 11.2 cfs on the morning of June 10, signaling warm, low-flow conditions on the White River tailwaters below Bull Shoals and Norfork. At 76°F, rainbow trout are operating near their thermal stress ceiling and feeding most aggressively before sunrise, when overnight air cooling pulls surface temperatures down slightly. The extremely low flow of 11.2 cfs indicates generators at both dams were essentially idle at the time of reading, leaving fish in warmer, less-oxygenated shallows. None of this cycle's angler-intel feeds carried White River-specific reports, so local on-the-water testimony is absent this cycle. Brown trout, more heat-tolerant than rainbows, are the more realistic midday target. MidCurrent notes that sparse midge-style patterns excel in the clear, pressured conditions typical of tailrace fisheries, a technique well matched to the gin-clear low flows currently in play. Confirm USACE generation schedules before heading out.
Georgia lakes outshine muddy rivers as bass shift to summer patterns
USGS gauge 02334430 logged 644 cfs and 48°F on the Chattahoochee below Buford Dam in the pre-dawn hours of June 10. Cold hypolimnetic discharge from the bottom-release dam keeps the tailwater stretch viable for trout through the summer. On the lakes proper, conditions favor warm-water species: Joshua Barber's Southern Waters Fishing Report (GA Sportsman, June 6) noted that 'lakes and ponds have produced some of the best reports' while area rivers ran high and muddy. Bass at Lanier and Allatoona are transitioning out of the post-spawn scatter, moving from shallow spawning flats toward secondary points and mid-lake structure. Georgia Wildlife Blog reported that post-rain sessions have been productive this spring. A Morgan County angler landed an 8-lb, 11-oz largemouth on a spinnerbait following rainfall in late April, underscoring the value of timing casts around weather windows. With National Fishing and Boating Week running through June 14 (Georgia Wildlife Blog), this is a fine week to get on the water.
Spanish Mackerel, Blues, and Bonito Peak Along Pamlico Sound and Cape Lookout
Spanish mackerel are pushing into nearshore waters in good numbers across the Cape Lookout and Pamlico Sound coastline, with multiple Fisherman's Post (NC) reports confirming an active bite as of early June. Morgan of The Reel Outdoors at Swansboro/Emerald Isle reports mackerel moving along the beachfront and into nearshore areas, with the bluefish bite "really good" in the same zones. Rich of Chasin' Tails at Morehead/Atlantic Beach adds bluefish, spanish mackerel, and bonito all producing for surf and pier anglers, while inshore red drum are scattered but present in deeper holes around structure. At Hatteras/Ocracoke, Tom of Hatteras Jack reports bigger bluefish reaching 30-plus inches hitting casting metals and cut baits in the surf, and sea mullet fishing has been steady on bottom rigs. No buoy or gauge readings are currently available, so check local tide tables before heading out, but the on-the-water picture is encouraging across the Crystal Coast and Outer Banks.
Chincoteague's Early-Summer Shift: Flounder and Red Drum Hold the Flats
On The Water's June 5 striper migration map reports bass beginning to settle into their summer grounds along the Atlantic coast, with water temperatures running a few degrees below seasonal norms — a cue that typically signals the tail end of Chincoteague's spring striper window and the opening of its summer inshore season. No NOAA buoy data was available for the Eastern Shore this cycle, and no direct local charter or tackle-shop reports were captured, so specifics are drawn from regional patterns rather than confirmed on-water intel. With that caveat, early June on Virginia's seaside typically transitions angling pressure to summer flounder working tidal channel edges and back-bay structure, red drum pushing into the Assateague surf troughs, and bluefish active throughout the inlets. The waning crescent moon tracking toward new moon can sharpen inshore bite windows on strong moving tides — worth factoring into your planning for the days ahead.
Smith Mountain Lake & Buggs Island: Bass Scatter Offshore as Early Summer Arrives
USGS gauge 02075045 is recording Roanoke River outflow at 197 cfs below Smith Mountain Lake as of early June 10, a moderate release that keeps the tailwater stretch fishable. No water temperature reading was available from the gauge this cycle. Both Smith Mountain Lake and Buggs Island (Kerr Lake) are entering the early-summer phase when bass complete post-spawn recovery and shift from shallow areas toward offshore structure and deeper feeding zones. Tactical Bassin's June bass breakdown highlights a wobble head jig paired with a shaky head worm as a reliable one-two punch for offshore fish right now, while their early-summer crankbait guide points to diving baits as the tool for covering offshore flats quickly. Wired 2 Fish's post-spawn smallmouth analysis notes bronzebacks in this stage roam inconsistently and respond best to moving baits during low-light hours before transitioning deeper. No VA-specific angler reports were available in this reporting cycle; this update draws on gauge data and current regional freshwater patterns.
Tarpon Migration at Peak as Permit and Offshore Action Build Along Gulf Coast
Naples Offshore Fishing Charters reports the tarpon migration is fully underway along the Gulf Coast, with captains intercepting quality fish as they push through the area. Morning sessions are devoted to jumping tarpon, with afternoons pivoting to permit on the flats, a productive two-species combination that has been paying off consistently through late spring into early June. Sight fishing for large permit has been particularly strong. Naples Offshore Fishing Charters also notes kingfish, cobia, and amberjacks in the offshore mix, making for a dynamic and varied fishery. Inshore, Coastal Angler Magazine logs a 23-inch seatrout taken in Naples on a micro jig, confirming trout are active around nearshore structure. Sport Fishing Mag highlights topwater tactics for Gulf amberjack as a peak summer opportunity around deep-water wrecks. No NOAA buoy data is available this cycle; water temps typical for early June in the Gulf favor the ongoing tarpon push.
Toledo Bend largemouth push offshore as early summer heat takes hold
USGS gauge 08025500 on the Sabine River recorded a strikingly low 18.5 cfs as of June 10, signaling minimal tributary input into Toledo Bend and confirming stable, structure-dependent conditions heading into summer. No water temperature was available from the gauge, but mid-June on Toledo Bend typically puts surface temps in the upper 70s to low 80s°F range. Largemouth bass are deep into the post-spawn transition, dispersing from shallow spawning flats toward offshore humps, channel ledges, and submerged timber. Tactical Bassin highlights June as the moment to pivot offshore: a wobble head jig paired with a shaky head worm is their recommended combination for picking apart creek channel drops and isolated structure, while crankbaits covering mid-column depths add a reaction-bite option. With the moon in a waning crescent phase, the best feeding windows will cluster around low-light morning and evening periods. No Louisiana-specific state agency fishery reports were available this cycle for the Toledo Bend fishery.
Saginaw Bay walleye and Lake Huron smallmouth enter early-summer pattern
The MI DNR Weekly Fishing Report returned no parseable conditions data this cycle — the report page presented a browser-compatibility barrier with no fishing intel accessible — and USGS gauge 04157000 is offline with all null readings. Against that data gap, this report draws on seasonal positioning: mid-June typically marks the transition from post-spawn scatter to active summer feeding across Saginaw Bay and the adjacent Lake Huron shoreline. Wired 2 Fish's current coverage underscores the post-spawn smallmouth challenge throughout the Great Lakes basin, noting that bronzebacks are moving off shallow spawning flats and resettling on mid-depth rock structure with characteristically inconsistent day-to-day action. Saginaw Bay's walleye — the bay's signature quarry — are historically staging on sand and gravel edges in the 8–15 foot range by this point in June. The waning crescent moon this week favors extended daytime feeding windows, particularly during the early morning hours before light penetration pushes fish deeper.
Puget Sound Enters Prime June Salmon Window as Crab Molt Season Kicks Off
Washington Sea Grant's announcement of the June 26 Salish Sea-wide Molt Blitz signals that the annual Dungeness crab molting cycle is underway across regional waters, a seasonal benchmark that traditionally coincides with strengthening summer fisheries in Puget Sound and along the Washington Pacific coast. WA WDFW Fishing Reports confirms the department is actively collecting statewide creel and catch data through angler interviews, though no specific bite-condition details were available in this reporting cycle. No buoy or gauge readings were collected for this period. June marks the traditional opening of Puget Sound's prime Chinook (king) salmon season, while Pacific-side anglers typically shift toward halibut and lingcod as summer weather stabilizes. With no charter or shop intel in the current data pull, species assessments below reflect standard seasonal patterns for early June rather than fresh on-water testimony. Confirm current season status and bag limits with WA WDFW Fishing Reports before heading out.
Lower Chesapeake Pivots to Cobia Season as Striper Migration Winds Down
On The Water's June 5 striper migration map notes fish beginning to settle into summer grounds coast-wide, with water running a few degrees below normal for the date — context that carries to the lower Chesapeake mouth. No buoy or gauge readings are available this reporting cycle, so anglers should verify local conditions before heading out. The spring striper migration has largely wound down at the Bay mouth by early June. OTW Surfcasting's current season analysis acknowledges an uneven spring fishery coast-wide, with results varying sharply by location and temperature. Resident bass and schoolies should still hold along deep channel edges and structure at the mouth, but the trophy-class run has passed through. Early June is historically prime cobia time at the lower Chesapeake, with fish staging around buoys, crab pot floats, and channel markers. Spanish mackerel and bluefish round out the active summer inshore mix. No direct local captain or shop intel is available for this cycle — check with Virginia-area marinas for real-time ground truth.
Post-spawn bass and catfish emerging on Illinois River and Lake Michigan
The USGS gauge at site 05586100 recorded the Illinois River running at 15,500 cfs on June 9 — elevated but fishable, with current pushing fish tight to slack-water pockets, inside bends, and submerged structure along the river corridor. No specific catch reports from Illinois River guides or tackle shops came through this cycle's intel feeds, so this report leans on seasonal patterns and technique intel from trusted regional sources. Tactical Bassin's June field session targets offshore bass with a wobble head jig paired with a shaky head worm — a two-bait combination the team calls their go-to for early-summer structure fishing that translates well to the Illinois River's channel edges and deeper backwater transitions. Wired 2 Fish notes that post-spawn smallmouth are roaming inconsistently off deeper rock structure and require patience to dial in. On Lake Michigan's Illinois shore, IL/IN Sea Grant recently completed spring deployment of its three nearshore monitoring buoys, giving anglers real-time surface conditions along the western lake corridor.
Post-spawn smallmouth and walleye shift into early-summer Erie patterns
USGS gauge 04213000 on Elk Creek, a Lake Erie tributary in Erie County, logged 38.1 cfs on June 10 with no water temperature reading available from current sensors. Direct on-water reports specific to Lake Erie and Presque Isle are absent from this cycle's angler intel feeds, so conditions below draw on seasonal context and applicable Great Lakes coverage. Post-spawn smallmouth bass are the most actionable target right now: Wired 2 Fish notes that bronzebacks at this stage tend to roam offshore structure and feed inconsistently, making wobble-head jigs and shaky-head worms the most reliable approach. Walleye, Lake Erie's premier species, are entering their early-summer feeding transition. PA Sea Grant is hosting a June 25 webinar on harmful algal blooms affecting Great Lakes waterways, a condition worth monitoring as surface temperatures climb through June and into July.
Black Drum, Stripers, and Fluke Active on Delaware Bay's Inshore Grounds
The Fisherman's NJ/DE Bay regional forecast for the first weekend of June 2026 reports a solid variety of species along Delaware Bay's inshore grounds: striped bass, bluefish, black drum, and summer flounder are all in play. Fluke are showing in the wash and along inlet rocks, per The Fisherman, while sheepshead continue pushing northward through the region. On the Water's June 5th striper migration map notes that fish are beginning to settle into summering areas, though water temperatures are running a few degrees cooler than normal for this point in the season. That cooldown may be keeping transitional striper behavior active a bit later than typical for early June. No NOAA buoy readings were available for this report cycle, so confirmed water temperatures are not on hand. With the waning crescent moon on June 10th and summer approaching, bay anglers have a reasonable window to work structure and channel edges before the heat of summer reshapes the bite.
Oregon Coast June Window Opens for Halibut and Salmon Transition
IFish.net's Oregon fishing boards turned up no current saltwater catch reports for this cycle, with activity limited to freshwater lost-gear posts. Without environmental readings from coastal buoys or offshore gauges, conditions can't be pinned to specific numbers this week. Even so, June 10 falls squarely in one of the Oregon Coast's historically productive saltwater windows: spring Chinook salmon runs typically near their close through mid-June as summer fish begin staging offshore, Pacific halibut season is typically well into full swing by early June, and rockfish and lingcod remain consistent at nearshore structure year-round. The waning crescent moon phase tends to reduce nocturnal light pressure, often concentrating daytime feeding windows for bottom-oriented species. Anglers should check current ODFW regulations for bar conditions and daily retention limits before launching from any coastal port this weekend.
South Swells Stall the Shore Bite; El Niño Offshore Action Building
A second significant south-southwest swell is building along the Southern California coast, per Surf Fishing in So Cal, extending rough conditions that have persisted since the final week of May. The churned wash makes open-beach targets like corbina and surfperch difficult right now, with shore anglers largely waiting out the swell. The more promising angle is offshore: Western Outdoor News — Saltwater reports El Niño conditions are expected to fuel warm-water action this summer, with captains already planning to target yellowtail, tuna, and dorado on a late-June Point Loma departure. Inshore, leopard sharks remain a viable option for patient shore anglers during quieter stretches between swells; Surf Fishing in So Cal recently detailed targeting them from the beach with strip baits. No buoy readings are available to confirm current water temperatures, but El Niño years historically push Southern California surface temps well above seasonal norms, a favorable setup for offshore species.
Peak runoff pushes Yellowstone & Teton cutthroat to spring creeks and soft edges
Snowmelt runoff is ripping through the Yellowstone drainage, with USGS gauge 06192500 recording 8,360 cfs and 53°F water on June 9 — conditions that push main-stem trout to back eddies, seam lines, and tributary mouths. Despite the push, cutthroat remain accessible: Flylab (Substack) recently featured a piece recounting a cutthroat trout rising freely to dry flies on the Lamar River inside Yellowstone Park, a reminder that protected spring creek reaches and slower side channels stay fishable even during high water. Trout Unlimited is currently spotlighting conservation work on Wyoming tributaries hosting native cutthroat populations, underscoring the value of the smaller drainages right now. PMD hatches are beginning to fire across the Northern Rockies — MidCurrent's recent surface-and-film tying roundup notes these windows opening as water temperatures approach hatch-trigger levels. Target sheltered water and fish soft edges; main-stem wading is hazardous at current flows.
Rainbow trout holding at Lees Ferry as Colorado River stays cool in June
The USGS gauge at the Colorado River near Lees Ferry (site 09380000) logged 10,300 cfs and a steady 59°F on June 9, marking conditions typical of this dam-regulated tailwater's reliable year-round temperature window. At that flow volume, wading is challenging; drift boats and pontoons will give anglers the best access to seam lines and eddy margins where rainbows stack. No local charter or shop reports surfaced in this week's feeds for this corridor, so the picture below is built from gauge data and established seasonal patterns. On the Salt River, June typically marks the post-spawn wind-down for largemouth and smallmouth bass, with fish migrating toward deeper offshore structure. Tactical Bassin calls the wobble head jig and shaky head worm pairing one of the most productive early-summer combinations for offshore bass, a pattern well-suited to the Salt's rocky ledges and impoundment structure. Waning Crescent moon this week favors subtle subsurface presentations.