Fishing reports
19273 reports across all 50 states — current conditions and what's biting.
Delaware Bay Stripers Finding Their Summer Grounds
NOAA buoy 44009 recorded 64°F water in Delaware Bay on June 9, with light winds and air temperatures in the low 60s. On The Water's June 5 striper migration map shows bass beginning to settle into their summering grounds across the mid-Atlantic, though water is running a few degrees cooler than average, a pattern that tends to keep fish active and on the feed heading into summer. OTW Saltwater's June 2 migration report documented a baitfish buffet from Long Island Sound northward, with 40-pound bass on bunker pushing toward Boston. Saltwater Edge Blog (RI) noted that as northern-bound fish push on, fresher bass from the south continue filling in behind them across the Northeast. Weakfish are also starting to show in the region per Saltwater Edge. Delaware's striper slot season typically kicks in around July 1 per Delaware Surf Fishing, making this week a prime open window to target quality fish before size restrictions tighten.
Gulf Rigs Firing as Amberjack and Summer Structure Action Heat Up
Water temp sits at 80°F per NOAA buoy 42012, confirming Mobile Bay and the northern Gulf are fully in summer mode as of June 9. Offshore, Sport Fishing Mag reports Gulf amberjack crushing topwater lures when chummed to the surface over deep-water wrecks: one of the season's most explosive bites. The northern Gulf rig circuit, which Sport Fishing Mag describes as running from Mobile Bay to the Texas Coast, is the hub of offshore action right now. Inshore, Salt Strong highlights redfish, speckled trout, and flounder concentrating around structure as water temps climb, a pattern well underway across Mobile Bay. Offshore swell is running at 2 feet per NOAA buoy 42040, with winds light at 7-9 mph: clean, manageable conditions across the board. Last Quarter moon this week supports productive low-light windows at dawn and dusk, particularly for bay structure fishing.
Chesapeake Rockfish Settle Into Summer Structure as June Takes Hold
NOAA buoy 44009 (Delaware Bay, our closest offshore reference) logged 64°F water temps on June 9 — right in the range that typically signals the Chesapeake's shift from spring spawning activity to early-summer structure fishing. Per On The Water's June 5 striper migration map, striped bass across the Northeast are beginning to settle into their summering grounds, with water still running a touch below seasonal norms, meaning the transition window may stretch further into June than average. OTW Saltwater's June 2 migration report puts big bass on a baitfish buffet from Long Island Sound northward, with 40-pound fish on bunker off Boston — a regional signal that forage is strong. Chesapeake rockfish that have finished their spawning run should now be distributing across deeper main-stem structure and channel edges. On a regional note, Saltwater Edge Blog (RI) reports weakfish starting to show alongside bass — a species historically active in Bay shallows through summer. Light 6-knot winds and mild air temps in the low 60s make for comfortable boat days.
Whiting Running Strong on the Lower Laguna as Summer Conditions Lock In
NOAA buoy 42043 recorded 80°F water temperatures in mid-May, and the Lower Laguna Madre is now firmly in summer fishing mode. Lone Star Outdoor News — Fishing reports whiting are "running extremely" well this season — an ideal fish-fry target and easy action for wade-anglers working the Laguna's shallow nearshore reaches. Texas Fish & Game Magazine's recent Bay Profile of the Lower Laguna Madre calls out the fishery's signature clear water and expansive grass flats, conditions that concentrate speckled trout and redfish in predictable ways as the season heats up. Salt Strong notes that as summer water temps climb, redfish, trout, and flounder often "become more predictable in where they position themselves" around structure — a tactic that translates directly to wading the Laguna's interior flats. The 2026 CCA-Texas STAR Tournament, underway through September 7 per Texas Fish & Game Magazine, had anglers posting entries along the full Texas coast shortly after its May 23 kickoff, a reliable signal that inshore action is running strong from South Padre northward.
Bluefin Tuna Breaking Near Half Moon Bay as NorCal Pelagic Season Opens
The six-pack Codfather out of Alameda connected on bluefin tuna just south of the Half Moon Bay weather buoy within the past week, per Western Outdoor News — Saltwater. Deckhand Joseph Green reports the crew trolled through the area until they spotted life and hooked up on their first fish of the run — a promising early-season signal for pelagic action along the NorCal coast. Water temperatures are sitting at a cool 51°F at NOAA buoy 46026, typical of the upwelling-driven Pacific water that characterizes this stretch in early June. Inshore, SF Bay traditionally delivers striped bass and halibut through June, though no local shop or charter data surfaced this cycle to confirm current bite intensity. Anglers should also note that, per Western Outdoor News — Saltwater, CCA California has launched a campaign against invasive Sargassum horneri — dubbed 'Devil Weed' — which poses a growing threat to the native kelp habitat that underpins nearshore rockfish fishing off Bodega and the Sonoma coast.
Cool Oregon Coast Waters Prime for Bottomfish, Halibut, and Salmon
Water temperatures measured at 55–57°F across offshore NOAA buoys place the Oregon Coast in a favorable early-June window, with buoy 46029 near the Columbia River Bar logging 55°F alongside 7 m/s winds, and buoy 46002 recording 57°F further offshore. The angler intel feeds for this period contain limited Oregon-specific on-the-water testimony: IFish.net Fishing Reports threads for the current window are dominated by lost-gear posts rather than catch reports, and AllCoast Forum (West Coast) content covers gear discussions and non-local fishing destinations. Drawing on environmental data and typical seasonal patterns for the region, June is historically prime time for nearshore rockfish, lingcod, and Pacific halibut along the Oregon Coast — all benefiting from the cool, upwelled water temperatures currently in place. Any remaining late spring Chinook salmon may still be accessible near coastal inlets and river mouths as the summer run builds. Confirm current Oregon state regulations for season dates and retention limits before heading out.
South Swell Stalls the Beach While El Niño Builds Offshore Hope
Water temps logged at 65-66°F across the LA Bight (NOAA buoys 46025 and 46221) on June 9, right in the productive early-summer zone, but getting wet has been the challenge. Surf Fishing in So Cal reports persistent rough conditions since the final week of May, with a second south-southwest swell now building that has made beach access difficult for shore anglers. Sand crabs remain the bait of choice for those finding windows between sets, and leopard sharks are worth targeting as shallow-water temperatures climb. Offshore, the season setup looks increasingly promising. Western Outdoor News reports El Niño conditions are expected to push warm-water pelagics (yellowtail, tuna, and dorado) well within range this summer, with charter boats already planning targeted offshore runs. Last Quarter moon this week typically means reduced tidal swing, which can favor more deliberate presentations over reaction-strike tactics. When the south swell moderates, boat anglers should find the Channel Islands in solid shape.
Rogue smallmouth in post-spawn mode as flows stay elevated into June
USGS gauge 14211720 measured 14,500 cfs and 66°F on the Rogue drainage on the morning of June 9, signaling that late snowmelt is keeping Oregon's major river systems fuller and warmer than usual heading into mid-June. Water temps in the upper 60s put smallmouth bass squarely in their post-spawn transition on the middle Rogue, where the bronzeback fishery is a summer mainstay. Wired 2 Fish's post-spawn smallmouth coverage this week notes that these fish "roam more, feed inconsistently, and transition quickly between spawn sites, rock structures, and offshore feeding zones" — a fair description of what anglers typically encounter on the Rogue's boulder gardens right now. Spring Chinook pressure is tapering as temperatures approach the upper comfort range for salmonids, while summer steelhead are beginning to filter into the lower Rogue, with the run typically building through late June. At 14,500 cfs, wading the main stem is difficult; side channels and tributary mouths offer more manageable footing.
Snake River Cutthroat Rising as Greater Yellowstone Peaks with Spring Runoff
At 50°F and 8,480 cfs on USGS gauge 06192500, the Yellowstone drainage is running high with peak snowmelt, yet fish are actively feeding. Flylab (Substack) recently documented cutthroat trout rising freely on the Lamar River inside Yellowstone National Park, a promising sign across the broader system. Trout Unlimited's current reporting highlights active habitat work on Spread Creek in the northwest corner of Wyoming, bolstering Snake River cutthroat populations in the Tetons drainage. Water at 50°F sits at the low end of prime feeding range — nymphing will outproduce dries for most of the day, though afternoon PMD and caddis hatches can trigger surface activity in slower side channels. Gink and Gasoline emphasizes the importance of getting weight deep when rivers are running heavy and cold, and that discipline applies here. Wading the main channels is technical at current flows; targeting inside seams, eddies, and off-channel braids will be the more productive and safer approach this week.
Colorado River bass in post-spawn stride as cold flows keep trout honest
USGS gauge 09380000 logged the Colorado River at 7,640 cfs and 57°F as of early Monday morning, water running considerably cooler than surrounding desert air temperatures and characteristic of dam-regulated tailwater releases on this section of the upper Arizona river. That cold column keeps the trout program dialed in well into summer while bass across the broader drainage work through a classic post-spawn transition. Wired 2 Fish covered post-spawn smallmouth behavior in depth this week, noting that bronzebacks are moody and mobile right now, swinging between shallow rock structure and deeper offshore feeding zones, a pattern that fits the boulder-edged Colorado corridor closely. On the Salt River impoundments, Tactical Bassin's June offshore breakdown highlights bass responding to a wobble-head jig and shaky head worm combination, with fish stacked on isolated structure away from the spawning flats. Channel catfish are a reliable early-summer presence on both drainages, active along deep channel edges after dark. The Last Quarter moon this week provides darker overnight windows that typically favor catfish.
Post-Spawn Smallmouth Take Center Stage on the Finger Lakes
Water at 62°F per USGS gauge 04232050 puts the Finger Lakes right in the heart of productive early-summer territory. Smallmouth bass are the headline species: Wired 2 Fish reports that post-spawn bronzebacks are cycling between shallow flats, rock structure, and offshore feeding zones, often feeding inconsistently as they recover from the spawn. Tactical Bassin confirms June is the time to commit to offshore structure — their go-to combination of a wobble-head jig and shaky head worm has been producing quality fish on isolated bottom structure away from the bank. On Cayuga, Seneca, and Skaneateles, rocky points and submerged humps in 10–25 feet are worth covering methodically. Lake trout, walleye, and yellow perch round out the deeper basins; trout will increasingly favor thermocline depth as surface temps push toward the upper 60s. The Last Quarter moon this week tends to compress topwater feeding windows — earlier mornings and dusk edges will likely outperform midday. Tributary streams connected to the lakes are running at a very low 4.34 cfs, signaling clear, gin-low conditions for any stream-trout work.
Sea Bass Limits and Stripers Running as Raritan Bay Enters June
Capt Ron's out of Atlantic Highlands has been logging consistent sea bass action this week, with bait outperforming jigs on most tides and keeper fluke plus tog rounding out the cooler. Blue Chip Sportfishing reports limiting out on sea bass on nearly every trip right now. OTW Northern New Jersey's June 4 report confirms the pattern: bottom fishing on the nearshore reefs is yielding quality sea bass, fluke to 8 pounds are being caught in the rivers, and bluefish, black drum, and stripers are all active along the surf. Grumpys Tackle notes that a larger class of striped bass has moved into the NJ surf, with clams and bunker chunks earning the most bites. On The Water's June 5 striper migration map shows fish beginning to settle into summer grounds, though water is running a few degrees below seasonal average, a factor that should keep the spring-striper window open a bit longer than usual off Sandy Hook. No NOAA buoy readings were available for today's report.
Summer Chinook and post-spawn bass prime WA's Columbia system
USGS gauge 14113000 recorded 1,030 cfs and 53°F at 4:00 a.m. on June 9, a temperature range that sits squarely in the comfort zone for both salmonids and bass. Specific bite reports from WA rivers were limited in this cycle's feeds — WA WDFW Fishing Reports tracks statewide conditions through creel interviews but no targeted catch data surfaced in available sources. WA Sea Grant confirms Washington's recreational boating season is officially underway. At 53°F, timing lines up well for early summer Chinook beginning their push into Columbia tributaries. Post-spawn smallmouth are also worth targeting: Wired 2 Fish notes this is the transitional phase when bronzebacks leave shallow spawning flats and drift toward deeper structure and offshore feeding zones. The Last Quarter moon this week may moderate aggressive daytime surface activity; plan early-morning windows for the best results. Verify season status and any special closures with WDFW before heading out.
Post-spawn bass move offshore as Coosa and Tennessee flows run elevated
The USGS gauge at Wetumpka logged 18,300 cfs on the Coosa River early Tuesday, signaling elevated flow that's pushing post-spawn bass off shallow staging areas and toward current breaks and offshore structure. We're in the heart of the post-spawn transition across both the Coosa and Tennessee systems, a notoriously tricky window Wired 2 Fish describes as fish that "roam more, feed inconsistently, and transition quickly" between spawn sites, rock structure, and deeper feeding zones. Tactical Bassin's recent June footage reinforces the offshore theme: wobble-head jigs and shaky-head worms on isolated structure are dialing in scattered bass on similar mid-South systems, while a post-spawn chatterbait and dropshot rotation is producing quality fish around current-washed cover. MLF News notes Tennessee pro Jake Lawrence keeps buzzbaits in heavy rotation into early summer, a reminder that dawn topwater remains viable before fish drop midday. Water temperature was unavailable from the gauge this cycle.
Stripers Settling In as Narragansett Bay Enters Early Summer
Per Saltwater Edge Blog (RI)'s late-May fishing forecasts, big stripers were crushing big baits across Rhode Island, the tog bite had come to life, and weakfish were starting to show in decent numbers. On The Water's June 5 striper migration map confirms that fish are beginning to settle into summering grounds along the New England coast, though water temps are running a few degrees cooler than normal regionally. No NOAA buoy data was available for this update, so confirmed surface readings for Narragansett Bay are pending. The cooler-than-average water noted in regional reports likely extends productive topwater and shallow feeding windows into early June. With the Last Quarter moon on June 9 producing moderate tidal flow, expect tidal transitions at rocky points and channel edges to generate reliable bite windows. Bunker presence and emerging squid, typical for the bay in early June, should keep bass aggressive around deeper structure.
Delta stripers and bass seek slack water as June flows run elevated
USGS gauge 11455420 on the Sacramento River at Rio Vista clocked 102,000 cfs early on June 9 — well above typical early-summer levels — and that elevated flow is the defining factor shaping where fish are holding across the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta right now. High discharge pushes striped bass, largemouth, and catfish out of exposed main channels and into protected backwater sloughs, tule-lined cuts, and secondary canals where current is manageable and bait concentrates. NorCal Fish Reports maintains regular Delta coverage heading into the early-summer period. With bass firmly in post-spawn transition, Tactical Bassin (blog) notes this is the moment when isolated offshore structure shines and a one-two punch of chatterbaits and dropshot rigs — worked from shallow tule edges down to deeper canal intersections — consistently produces quality fish on similar freshwater systems. Last Quarter moon suppresses midday action; dawn and dusk windows are your highest-percentage sessions. No water temperature reading was available from the gauge this cycle.
Lake Champlain smallmouth enter post-spawn roaming phase
At 63°F (USGS gauge 04294500, June 9), Lake Champlain's water temperature sits squarely in the post-spawn transition window for smallmouth bass. Wired 2 Fish characterizes this period as one of the most challenging of the season: post-spawn bronzebacks roam unpredictably between shallow flats, rocky structure, and offshore feeding zones, switching moods day to day. On one outing they'll crush moving baits in the shallows; the next, they pull deep and ignore everything. Tactical Bassin reports early June success targeting offshore bass with a wobble-head jig paired with a shaky head worm, drifting outside flats and casting to isolated structure — a pattern worth running on Champlain's rocky points and ledge edges. Landlocked salmon, which prefer cooler thermal refuges, are likely transitioning toward deeper, colder water as surface temps climb. The Last Quarter moon this week typically softens the midday bite; concentrate effort in early-morning and late-evening windows.
Evening sulphur windows opening on PA's limestone trout streams
USGS gauge 01546500 on Spring Creek registered 78 cfs at dawn Tuesday — a stable, wadeable reading consistent with early-June norms on Pennsylvania's limestone spring systems. No direct on-the-water reports from Spring Creek or Penns Creek surfaced in available feeds this cycle, so this report draws on seasonal patterns and guidance from limestone specialists recently covered by Hatch Magazine, which highlighted the precision casting and long-tippet techniques that define success on these pressured waters. June is typically the transition point on both creeks: spring runoff has settled, evening sulphur hatches are building, and the early terrestrial season is opening. Brown trout are the resident quarry, and with clear, stable flows, fish will be selective — expect refusals on heavy tippet. MidCurrent's recent hatch-pattern roundup noted that as hatches begin to fire, complete fly coverage from surface film to open water becomes essential. Check PA Fish & Boat for any current stocking updates before heading out.
Delaware Bay Black Drum Bite Best in 15 Years as Back-Bay Flounder Improve
The standout story on the NJ side of Delaware Bay right now is black drum, and by all accounts it is historic. Nick at Hands Too Bait and Tackle, reporting via The Fisherman — Southern NJ, calls the drumfish bite the best he has seen in at least 15 years, with boaters finding up to a dozen fish per night less than a mile off the beach. Fish are running 15 to 20 pounds on the smaller end, with 60-pound slobs mixed in; fresh clams fished in 10 to 18 feet of water on the moving tide are the proven ticket. The Fisherman's NJ/DE Bay region forecast for early June confirms black drum among the top inshore options alongside striped bass, bluefish, and summer flounder. Back-bay flounder action has improved noticeably, with Boulevard Bait and Tackle customers (via The Fisherman — Southern NJ) landing limits of keepers to 22 inches and a notable 6-pound flattie. Bluefish in the 2- to 4-pound class are showing as a welcome bycatch throughout the bay.
Low Water Concentrates Quabbin Smallmouth in Big-Water Zones
A June 4 trip to Quabbin Reservoir by anglers Rod Teehan and John Chrisant (The Fisherman — New England Freshwater) found the giant impoundment running more than ten feet below normal, with extensive smallmouth and largemouth habitat now sitting on dry land. Rather than working familiar shallows, the pair rode from Gate 31 in New Salem out to Fishing Area 3, targeting big-water islands where they located satisfying concentrations of smallmouth bass. A May 22 scouting session had already pointed to those offshore island structures as the productive zones for 2026. The USGS Swift River gauge (01174500) backs up the low-water picture, logging just 23.6 cfs on the morning of June 9. No water temperature reading is available from this gauge. With summer drawdown apparently well advanced, anglers should plan longer runs and focus on deeper structure rather than familiar shoreline cover that may no longer hold water.
Squid Blitz Fires Up Stripers and Sea Bass from Canal to the Vineyard
The squid blitz is the headline story this week for Buzzards Bay and Vineyard Sound. Per The Fisherman — Cape Cod & Islands, Red Top Sporting Goods called it "a week to remember in the canal," with rocks and sand littered with squid that stripers drove out of the water. Field reporter Charley Soares described the Canal action as "insane and mind boggling," noting the Vineyard is also running a great squid event. Stripers of all sizes, from schoolies to over-slot bass, are working the ditch, with bluefish also picking off squid in the wash. Meanwhile, black sea bass have turned on strong in Westport: Little Sister Charters logged full limits with fish over 20 inches, and Capt. Carl of Westport River Outfitters produced plus-20-inch knuckleheads. On The Water's striper migration map from June 5 notes water remains a few degrees cooler than typical, which should sustain the bite window heading into the weekend. No buoy readings are available this cycle; check local forecasts before launching.
Kennebec & Penobscot Enter Summer Mode as Stripers Settle and Smallmouth Fire
The Kennebec River is flowing at 1,970 cfs per USGS gauge 01046500 as of early June 9 — a moderate, workable stage that keeps boat launches viable and leaves wading options open in shallower reaches. On The Water's June 5 striper migration update reports fish are beginning to settle into their summering grounds across the Northeast, with water temperatures running a few degrees below normal, stretching the productive spring window into early June. Adjacent Massachusetts river systems are showing strong striper action per The Fisherman — South Shore MA to ME, which notes the intense upriver push near Lawrence is beginning to level off after a hot May run. Post-spawn smallmouth bass are actively feeding across the region, consistent with The Fisherman — New England Freshwater's early-June reporting from major New England impoundments. No water temperature reading was available from the Kennebec gauge this cycle. On the Penobscot, landlocked Atlantic salmon action typically transitions to deeper, colder holding water as June temperatures climb toward the upper edge of salmon comfort range.
Yakima Drainage Flows Easing as Eastern WA Smallmouth and Trout Season Opens
USGS gauge 12484500 logged 2,760 cfs in the Yakima drainage as of the morning of June 9 — a signal that late-spring snowmelt is winding down and conditions are trending toward the clearer, lower water that defines the peak early-summer bite in Eastern WA. No water temperature reading was available at this gauge. WA WDFW Fishing Reports tracks statewide creel data and stocking activity, though specific catch tallies for this window were not included in the feeds available for this report. With flows still elevated but dropping, smallmouth bass in the Yakima system are likely transitioning from post-spawn recovery into active summer feeding — historically one of the most productive stretches of the year for this fishery. Wild trout in the upper reaches benefit as clarity improves with each foot of drop. The Last Quarter moon this week reduces overnight light and can consolidate bite activity into early-morning and late-evening windows.
Olympic Peninsula Spring Chinook Season Underway as Rivers Hold Moderate Flows
Early-June gauge readings on two Olympic Peninsula salmon-river corridors register moderate flows — 770 cfs at USGS gauge 12041200 and 747 cfs at gauge 12035000 — as the region enters its traditional spring Chinook window. Water temperature data was unavailable at both stations this cycle. No direct bite reports from Peninsula charters, tackle shops, or WA WDFW creel monitoring appeared in this week's intel feeds, so conditions here reflect gauge-based inference and typical mid-June seasonal patterns rather than on-water testimony — confirm current bite activity locally before making the drive out. That caveat noted, flows in this 700–800 cfs range are generally regarded as fishable for drift-boat and bank anglers, with kings holding in deeper seams and bucket water. Summer-run steelhead are typically beginning to stage in tidal and lower-river reaches by early June. Confirm season status and any emergency closures on the WA WDFW website before heading out, as Olympic Peninsula salmon regulations can change on short notice.