Fishing reports
19276 reports across all 50 states — current conditions and what's biting.
Penns Creek's green drake window arrives as limestone flows hold steady
USGS gauge 01546500 logged Spring Creek running at 78 cfs Monday morning, a wading-friendly level with good access to productive holds. Water temperature was not captured in today's reading; limestone spring-fed creeks in this region typically buffer into the mid-50s to low-60s°F in early June, keeping trout comfortable well into the month. Flylords Mag is covering the green drake hatch this week, noting trout responding to well-matched dun imitations, timing that aligns precisely with Penns Creek's celebrated Ephemera guttulata emergence, which typically peaks late May through mid-June. Hatch Magazine's recent feature on essential spring creek skills is worth reviewing before you wade in: slow, drag-free presentations on fine tippet define productive days on these clear, pressured limestone runs. Sulphurs remain a reliable secondary evening producer through June. No current PA Fish and Boat biologist field report was available for this watershed in today's intel cycle, so treat conditions as seasonal-typical rather than directly confirmed.
Catskills trout locked into Green Drake season as streams drop to summer lows
USGS gauge 01415000 shows the Beaverkill at 10.4 cfs this morning, and the East Branch Delaware (gauge 01413500) is flowing at 65.4 cfs; both are in wade-friendly, low-and-clearing summer form. Water temperature data was not available from either gauge. June in the Catskills means one thing on the calendar: Green Drakes. Flylords Mag documented the hatch this week, noting that green drake dun imitations drew brookies during afternoon sessions. For the nymph angler, Gink and Gasoline's recent advice rings true in low water: more weight before you change patterns. MidCurrent's latest tying coverage highlights a surface-to-subsurface toolkit built for exactly this stage: CDC emergers and buoyant attractors for fish that are looking up as hatches fire each evening. Wild brown trout are the headliner on the Delaware system's upper branches; brook trout hold in the shaded upper-elevation tribs. Check current New York state regulations before keeping fish.
King Salmon Firing on Lake Ontario as Browns and Lakers Join the Action
Strike Zone Charters (Lake Ontario) reports salmon fishing has been 'very good' over the past week, with brown trout and lake trout mixed into the offshore spread. The productive zone has been 100 to 160 feet of water, though exact depths have shifted daily as wind moves the temperature layer. Mag Dipsey Divers are drawing strikes when the thermocline runs deep, with green, white, and chartreuse e-chips as the preferred presentation. The USGS gauge 04250750 is reading 76.9 cfs as of June 8 — a low, seasonally typical summer flow in the Salmon River tributary system. With the river running slim, the offshore lake bite is clearly the stronger play this week. The Last Quarter moon means progressively darker pre-dawn windows through the coming days, which can sharpen early-morning feeding for salmon near the surface before they drop back to depth as the sun climbs.
Chequamegon Bay whitefish and post-spawn bass lead Wisconsin's early June bite
WI DNR Lake Superior Fishing spotlights a surging lake whitefish fishery in Chequamegon Bay — popular enough that the DNR hosted a public meeting in Ashland this spring and launched an online angler questionnaire to guide future management. With Wisconsin's general inland season now over five weeks old (opened May 2, per WI DNR Wisconsin Fishing News), early June finds most species wrapping their spawn cycles and shifting into summer feeding mode. The Wisconsin River at USGS gauge 05391000 is recording 486 cfs as of Monday morning — a manageable flow that keeps river access workable. No water temperature reading is available from the gauge. Bass are drawing the most early-summer attention statewide: Fishing the Midwest and Tactical Bassin both report post-spawn fish responding well to weedline presentations, offshore structure, and reaction baits including chatterbaits and dropshot rigs. Free Fishing Weekend on June 6–7 likely pushed extra pressure onto popular public access points heading into this week.
New River smallmouth and Ohio River catfish enter prime early-summer window
USGS gauge 03051000 is logging 132 cfs this morning — low, clear water that puts New River smallmouth bass squarely within reach of wading anglers as post-spawn recovery wraps up in early June. Smallmouth are migrating back to summer rock-ledge and mid-current structure, and Tactical Bassin reports that June bass are locking onto isolated offshore hold-ups and responding best to a swinging jig head paired with a shaky head worm. Crankbaits covering the right depth range are also producing trigger bites on ledge-stacked fish. Over on the Ohio River corridor, flathead and channel catfish are building toward their summer peak. Wired 2 Fish recently covered a record 36.2-pound flathead taken on cut gizzard shad soaked on slow-moving river ledges in 17 to 23 feet — a bottom-soak presentation that maps well onto the Ohio's deep outside bends. Last Quarter moon concentrates the best feeding activity at first light and last light.
Green River trout in prime feeding range as early-June flows settle
USGS gauge 09234500 clocked the Green River at 1,180 cfs and 54°F early this morning — a water temperature that sits squarely in the prime feeding window for both brown and rainbow trout on this Flaming Gorge tailwater. At that flow the river is wading-friendly through its most heavily fished sections, pushing fish onto predictable mid-river seams and current breaks adjacent to undercut banks. No direct tackle-shop or outfitter intel came through in this reporting cycle, but MidCurrent's fly-tying coverage this week spotlighted midge and nymph patterns built specifically for "clear, pressured water of stillwaters and tailraces" — a description that fits the Green's character precisely. Hatch Magazine's ongoing early-summer trout content notes that hatches begin firing as water temperatures climb through the mid-50s, opening dry-fly and dry-dropper opportunities alongside subsurface rigs. Up in the Uinta high country, mountain lakes are typically in their early post-ice-off phase in early June, with cutthroat and brook trout moving shallow and feeding aggressively during this window. Check state regulations before harvesting — Gold Medal water restrictions apply on designated Green River reaches.
Colorado River trout prime window opens as runoff fades — green drakes incoming
USGS gauge 09095500 recorded the Colorado River at 3,170 cfs and 64°F early this morning, a temperature that has trout actively feeding. Crystal Fly Shop (CO) called current conditions along the Glenwood Springs-to-Rifle corridor 'great water conditions and happy fish,' urging anglers to get out 'NOW before the heat kicks in and the fishing tapers off.' Large attractor dry flies are producing on the still-elevated flows, with green drakes, golden stoneflies, PMDs, and caddis all expected to pop within the next two weeks, per Crystal Fly Shop. Nymphing rubberleg stones and green drake imitations has been steady subsurface. Cutthroat Anglers (CO) flagged that Colorado's historically low 2026 snowpack is driving an earlier-than-normal transition out of runoff — this prime window may be shorter than a typical year, and anglers should move quickly to capitalize before summer heat compresses the fishable hours.
Tampa Bay tarpon schools thicken as June spawn push kicks into gear
Water temps reaching 80–82°F at NOAA buoys 42036 and 42013 have Tampa Bay and Sarasota inshore waters primed heading into mid-June. The marquee species is tarpon: Capt. Rick Grassett's June forecast at CB's Saltwater Outfitters calls for "strong" fishing as schools increase in size and numbers, with fish pushing offshore near new and full moons to spawn. Beach travel lanes at first light, using live crabs, baitfish, or DOA Baitbusters, are the prescribed setup. Shark action is running hot alongside: Capt. Brandon Naeve of CB's Saltwater Outfitters reports Bull Sharks, Blacktips, and Lemon Sharks active through Sarasota Bay, with migratory species mixing in. On the redfish front, Capt. Chuck Cress recently put clients on upper-slot reds working oyster bars in upper Sarasota Bay, with multiple 20- to 25-inch fish releasing well alongside trout. Snook are staging near spawn structure — check current Gulf coast regulations before retaining any, as a June harvest closure typically applies on this coast.
Eagle Mountain catfish in full summer stride as June bite ignites
Water at USGS gauge 08211200 is running at 85°F and 30 cfs, indicating warm, low-flow summer conditions consistent with Texas freshwater in early June. North Texas Catfish Guide is calling Eagle Mountain Lake (Fort Worth) one of the best fishing opportunities of the year right now. The lake is nearly full with fresh water still entering the system, and the guide reports limits of blue catfish are routine, with multiple trips producing fish over 30 pounds. Channel catfish are hitting hard as well, and white bass have moved onto the main lake. Texas Fish & Game Magazine flags Lake Conroe as another summer performer, with nervous shad schools over main-lake points signaling active predators below. For bass anglers, Tactical Bassin notes that crankbaits fished from shallow to deep are well-suited to the post-spawn summer patterns taking shape across Texas reservoirs. With water temps at midsummer highs, early morning and late evening windows are typically most productive.
Post-Spawn Bass Dialing In on Tennessee and Cumberland Structure for June
USGS gauge 03434500 is running at 264 cfs as of the morning of June 8, putting Tennessee and Cumberland river levels in fishable shape heading into the weekend. With the post-spawn transition well underway, Tactical Bassin's June bass breakdown identifies offshore structure as the primary holding zone: a wobble-head jig paired with a shaky head worm is their recommended one-two punch for early summer fish that have stacked on main-lake ledges and humps after vacating the banks. Crankbaits cover depth efficiently, from shallow diving models over flats to deeper-running plugs on main river ledges, per Tactical Bassin's summer gear guide. Tennessee pro Banks Shaw's victory at Lake Eufaula (per MLF News, June 7), built on a finesse-to-reaction rotation on offshore structure, is a blueprint transferable to home reservoirs on both systems. Last Quarter moon reduces overnight light pressure, favoring dawn and dusk bite windows through the weekend.
Black Hills Streams Run Low as Missouri Walleye Enter Summer Pattern
Rapid Creek is flowing at just 8.81 cfs as of early Monday morning, according to USGS gauge 06440200, a lean number for early June that signals tightening conditions on Black Hills trout streams. Across the Missouri River chain, walleye have wrapped their spring spawn and are typically making their first serious moves toward mid-depth structure and weedline edges through the first weeks of June. Fishing the Midwest points to weedline transitions as a prime early-summer target zone, and that pattern maps directly onto the Missouri River impoundments. For bass, Tactical Bassin (blog) reports post-spawn fish responding well to offshore structure, with a wobble-head jig paired with a shaky-head worm serving as a productive two-bait approach suited to early-summer reservoirs. On Black Hills streams, low and clear water rewards dawn and dusk presentations with lighter tackle. Last Quarter moon means reduced overnight light, which often nudges walleye into shallower feeding windows before sunrise.
Post-spawn smallmouth heating up on Susquehanna and Allegheny
The Susquehanna logged 74°F and 5,470 cfs at USGS gauge 01540500 on the morning of June 8 — conditions that have crossed firmly into warm-water summer territory. Post-spawn smallmouth bass are the primary draw right now, with fish completing their transition off shallow spawning flats and setting up along offshore humps, current seams, and submerged rock structure. Tactical Bassin tags this as the ideal window for a shaky head worm or wobble-head jig combination — a one-two punch that early-summer bass struggle to resist once the pattern clicks. On the catfish front, a Lancaster County, PA angler landed a 36.2-pound flathead on the Delaware River on June 1 by soaking cut gizzard shad along slow-moving ledges in 17–23 feet of water, per Wired 2 Fish — an approach that translates directly to the Susquehanna's deep channel edges. No active walleye or muskie reports were available from citable sources this week.
Columbia & Rogue enter early-summer pattern as bass bite heats up
USGS gauge 14211720 recorded 16,800 cfs and 67°F on the morning of June 8, a reading that marks a clear inflection point in the Pacific Northwest fishing calendar. Water at 67°F sits at the upper threshold where Chinook salmon begin to show thermal stress, signaling the spring run is winding toward its close on most accessible reaches. Specific on-the-water reports from Oregon's Columbia and Rogue drainages were not available in this week's angler intel feeds, so species assessments draw on the gauge reading and typical early-June patterns for these watersheds. Smallmouth bass in the Rogue and lower Columbia tribs enter a prime feeding window when water climbs into the mid-to-upper 60s. American shad, which typically peak on the lower Columbia through late May and early June, may still be present in fishable numbers downstream of Bonneville Dam. Summer steelhead are beginning their upstream migration and will build in numbers through July.
Lake Erie walleye active as post-spawn bass bite heats up across Ohio
Fishing the Midwest notes the 2026 open water season is firmly in swing, with walleye responding well to weedline transitions, a pattern directly applicable to Lake Erie's nearshore and mid-lake structure in early June. Real-time data was unavailable at report time (USGS gauge 03271601 returned no reading), so precise water temperature and flow figures are absent from this update. On the bass front, Tactical Bassin reports post-spawn fish hitting chatterbaits, swimbaits, dropshots, and neko rigs around isolated offshore structure, a cadence that fits Lake Erie smallmouth and Ohio River largemouth alike as fish recover from the spawn and start feeding aggressively. Wired 2 Fish flags the ongoing Great Lakes walleye policy debate in Michigan, a timely reminder of how valuable Erie's trophy walleye fishery is to the region. Check current Ohio regs for walleye slot and bag limits before heading out.
Walleye shift deep as North Dakota rivers hit summer stride
USGS gauge 05054000 recorded 77°F and 1,390 cfs on the morning of June 8, a clear signal that North Dakota's Red and Missouri Rivers have crossed into full summer mode. Walleye — the region's marquee species — are well above their thermal comfort zone and have retreated to deep river holes and channel edges, feeding in short bursts at dawn and dusk. The Last Quarter moon reinforces those low-light windows and is worth timing your trips around. Channel catfish are the counterpoint: 77°F sits squarely in their feeding zone, and Fishing the Midwest's Bob Jensen notes that rivers produce outstanding warm-weather action when anglers willing to work current breaks and structure. Flow at 1,390 cfs indicates stable, fishable conditions — the spring pulse has largely passed and access for both boat and bank anglers should be comfortable. Versatility is the watchword this week: chase catfish through the heat of the day, then pivot to walleye at the edges of light.
Catawba and Roanoke bass settle into summer patterns under lean flows
USGS gauge 02142900 recorded a near-trickle flow of 0.52 cfs on June 8, signaling lean, likely clear conditions across the drainage. No water temperature came back from the gauge, though early June typically pushes surface temps on the Catawba chain of lakes and Roanoke corridor into the upper 70s to low 80s°F. No tackle-shop or charter reports specifically for these freshwater watersheds surfaced in the current feed. Drawing on bass technique content from Tactical Bassin and Wired 2 Fish, the early-summer picture is a familiar one: post-spawn largemouth are recovering and beginning to push offshore, and low, clear water compresses the productive bite into first light and the last hour before dark. Channel catfish typically take over the night shift this time of year, feeding aggressively on deep river bends. Crappie and bream are available but typically slow under summer sun.
Hudson Valley stripers settling in as post-spawn bass hit early-summer stride
USGS gauge 01357500 logged Hudson River water at 68°F on the morning of June 8, placing the valley firmly in early-summer fishing mode. On The Water's June 5 striper migration map reports that Northeast fish are beginning to settle into summering grounds, with water running a few degrees cooler than normal, a lag that typically extends active striper feeding before mid-summer heat sets in. Bass are deep into the post-spawn transition: Tactical Bassin highlights June as a prime window for offshore structure with chatterbaits, dropshot rigs, and crankbaits as fish recover from beds and move to staging areas. The Hudson at Catskill is running 1,470 cfs, a moderate flow that concentrates fish on current breaks and hard structure. Upstream at Green Island the gauge reads 9,690 cfs, reflecting significant tributary volume entering the system. NY DEC The Fishing Line (Freshwater) confirms the coolwater sportfish season (including walleye across Finger Lakes systems) opened May 1, and muskellunge season is approaching.
Rio Grande and San Juan Trout Shifting Into Summer Patterns
Hatch Magazine's guide to fishing through drought — written with Colorado's high-desert Front Range in mind but squarely applicable to New Mexico's canyon rivers — frames the challenge heading into early June on the Rio Grande and San Juan: warming air temps, the tail end of snowmelt runoff, and increasing fishing pressure as summer recreation ramps up. No current gauge readings are available for USGS station 08330000, so anglers should verify flows directly before heading out. On the San Juan tailwater below Navajo Dam, dam-regulated releases buffer seasonal swings; expect consistent, clear conditions typical of a managed tailrace, where MidCurrent's featured midge and nymph patterns built for "clear, pressured water of stillwaters and tailraces" should remain productive. The Last Quarter moon reduces overnight illumination — dawn and dusk windows are the practical planning anchors this week.
Delaware flatheads running hot as Pine Barrens flows settle to summer lows
A 36.2-pound flathead catfish landed June 1 near Augustine Beach on the Delaware River points to prime big-cat conditions on the lower river right now, per Wired 2 Fish. That fish fell to cut gizzard shad soaked on bottom in 17-23 feet along a slow-moving river ledge, the same presentation producing consistent action on similar structure this week. Back in the Pines, USGS gauge 01408000 recorded 22.2 cfs this morning, confirming the region has dropped into its summer low-flow pattern. Clear, tea-stained water concentrates chain pickerel, largemouth bass, and yellow perch around deeper holes and woody cover. NJ Fish & Wildlife News notes continued trout stocking at Hamburg Mountain WMA to the north, but warming June water across most of the region is shifting the odds firmly toward warm-water species. Anglers should plan early-morning sessions while temperatures remain manageable.
Post-spawn bass and striper push prime the Merrimack corridor
The Merrimack River is running at 98.5 cfs per USGS gauge 01073500 as of June 8, a low late-spring flow that concentrates fish in deeper holes and slower pockets. On The Water's June 5 Striper Migration Map reports fish beginning to settle into summer grounds along the Northeast coast, with water temperatures running a few degrees cooler than normal. Those cooler-than-average conditions should extend striper activity in the lower Merrimack corridor beyond a typical early-June window. For Lake Winnipesaukee, post-spawn bass are the headline story. Tactical Bassin's early-June reports highlight wobble-head jigs and shaky head worms as reliable producers for offshore fish, while a chatterbait worked through weed edges should account for largemouth through mid-June. Lake Winnipesaukee landlocked salmon and lake trout are transitioning toward deeper water as surface temps climb, but early-morning passes near thermocline breaks remain productive. Check current state regulations before targeting any species.
Truckee & Tahoe trout active as June runoff eases into fishable range
The USGS gauge at site 10311000 shows the Truckee River running at 188 cfs on the morning of June 8, a moderate and wadeable level marking the transition from peak Sierra snowmelt into early-summer trout season. No water temperature reading was available from the gauge. None of the national angler intel feeds carried direct reports from the Truckee or Lake Tahoe corridor this week, so the conditions below draw on gauge data and seasonal patterns for the region. Hatch Magazine's recent guide to fishing through western drought conditions offers relevant context for similar freestone and tailwater setups: in clear, lower water, technical presentations in deeper runs and shaded holding water tend to outperform. For Lake Tahoe, mackinaw and kokanee typically enter a productive early-summer window as surface temps begin to climb. Check local tackle shops and Nevada state fishing resources for the most current bite reports before heading out.
Catfish and post-spawn bass take center stage on the Platte and Missouri
Wired 2 Fish reported a 36.2-pound flathead catfish taken on cut gizzard shad on river ledges in 17 to 23 feet of water, a pattern that speaks directly to what Nebraska's Missouri River can offer in early June. The Platte checked in at 5,000 cfs at dawn on June 8 (USGS gauge 06796000), a moderate post-runoff level consistent with fish-holding positions along current breaks and deeper channel edges. No water temperature was captured at the gauge this morning. Tactical Bassin's June bass coverage points to offshore structure as the post-spawn address for largemouth, with a wobble head jig and shaky head worm combination producing quality bites on structurally similar Midwest river systems. Fishing the Midwest identifies weedline edges as the go-to walleye venue right now, noting that anglers willing to work multiple species and adapt presentations are finding the most consistent early-summer results on Midwest rivers.
Drought Watch Looms as Trout Season Peaks on Yellowstone and Missouri
The Yellowstone River gauge (USGS 06043500) was reading 1,810 cfs on June 8, with no water temperature data available; carry a thermometer and check conditions before wading. The defining story this week comes from MT FWP Fishing News, which has issued a drought warning for the season: low snowpack this past winter and a summer forecast trending hotter and drier than normal have managers convening a virtual townhall to roll out protective tools for trout populations statewide. MT FWP also launched TroutCast on June 1, an interactive drought-forecasting model built specifically for blue-ribbon rivers. On the Missouri, Flylords Mag profiled Headhunters co-founder Mark Raisler, who has stopped fishing nymphs with clients entirely in favor of more participatory techniques, a notable shift from one of the river's most experienced guides. Paddlefish season is underway with a new tagging system per MT FWP: no more colored plastic tags, and requirements now mirror big game harvest rules.
Summer Bass and Catfish Stack Against Structure as Mississippi Runs High
USGS gauge 07289000 logged the Mississippi River at 863,000 cfs on June 8 — a substantially elevated reading that pushes fish off the main channel and into backwater edges and current breaks. No water temperature was available at time of report. For freshwater anglers working the Mississippi and Pearl systems this week, the post-spawn bass window is the primary draw. Tactical Bassin reports that isolated offshore structure and outside flats are the key addresses in early summer, with wobble-head jigs paired with shaky-head worms accounting for quality fish. High water on big rivers tends to concentrate largemouth against woody debris, bridge pilings, and slack-water pockets rather than open channel. Catfish are a reliable summer staple in both systems; Fishing the Midwest notes that rivers consistently fish well through summer, with larger specimens responding to cut and live bait on slower current seams. Crappie are typically in a post-spawn lull through mid-June, though cooler morning windows can still produce on deeper brush piles.