Fishing reports
19276 reports across all 50 states — current conditions and what's biting.
Colorado River fishing peaks as runoff fades and hatches build
Nymphing with Rubberleg Stones and green drake imitations is producing consistently across the Colorado River corridor, per Crystal Fly Shop (CO), which reports great water clarity and active trout from Glenwood Springs to Rifle as our USGS gauge logs 64°F and 3,260 cfs — conditions the shop describes as 'the back end of runoff' and one of the best fishing windows of the current season. Large attractor dry flies are also working on top. Crystal Fly Shop urges anglers to capitalize now before summer heat arrives and the bite tapers off. Cutthroat Anglers (CO) adds important context: despite Colorado's historically low 2026 snowpack, fish are concentrated and feeding aggressively in compressed holding water, creating genuine opportunity for adaptable anglers. Green drakes, golden stones, and PMDs are all building toward full emergence over the next two weeks — suggesting the season's best dry-fly action may still be just ahead.
Post-Spawn Bass and Summer Catfish Patterns Setting Up on the Coosa
The Coosa River is running at 5,090 cfs per USGS gauge 02339500 as of June 7, putting flow in a workable mid-range for early summer. Post-spawn largemouth and spotted bass are the primary draw across both the Tennessee and Coosa systems, with fish transitioning from bedding flats toward their first offshore structure of the season. Tactical Bassin highlights a wobble-head jig and shaky-head worm combination as the go-to June approach for offshore bass, with chatterbaits drawing reaction strikes from fish keyed to isolated cover. B.A.S.S. News historical tournament coverage from Lay Lake — a key Coosa impoundment — confirms this river chain holds quality fish through the early-summer shift. No water temperature was recorded at the gauge this read, but typical central Alabama conditions in early June put river surface temps in the mid- to upper-70s°F, a range that accelerates catfish feeding into the overnight windows.
Stripers Stack Gulf of Maine Estuaries as June Migration Peaks
Water temps at 53°F near Portland (NOAA buoy 44007) and 48°F further Down East (NOAA buoy 44027) tell the story of a Gulf of Maine still running cool for early June, but striped bass aren't waiting for warmer water. Per The Fisherman — South Shore MA to ME, the mouth of the Merrimack has been 'hot' for stripers, with bait soakers working clams by day and pluggers cleaning up after dark on soft plastics, darters, and bucktails. Stripers from 30 to 47 inches have been reported throughout the region, with quality fish pushing into the 40-pound class, according to The Fisherman (Northeast). Estuary mouths, including the Annisquam River, are holding big fish, while nearshore ledges are loaded with mackerel per The Fisherman — South Shore MA to ME. Flounder fishing has been reliable for those targeting the bottom. With On The Water noting fish beginning to settle into summer grounds along the coast, the bite window is open now.
Tarpon Schools Build Along the Beach as Tampa Bay Enters Prime June
Water temps of 80-82°F (NOAA buoys 42036 and 42013) have the Tampa Bay and Sarasota inshore and nearshore fishery running full tilt. Capt. Rick Grassett's June 2026 forecast from CB's Saltwater Outfitters calls for strong tarpon fishing as schools swell in size and begin moving offshore to spawn around new and full moons. Set up in travel lanes along the beach at first light with live crabs, baitfish, or DOA Baitbusters. Capt. Brandon Naeve (CB's Saltwater Outfitters) reports sharks peaking in Sarasota Bay, with Bull Sharks, Blacktips, and Lemon Sharks running through late spring into fall. Inshore, Capt. Chuck Cress (CB's Saltwater Outfitters) logged multiple upper-slot redfish off oyster bars in upper Sarasota Bay alongside trout and bluefish. Offshore, Captain Rick Murphy (FL Insider) is flagging king mackerel as red-hot along Florida's Gulf nearshore waters right now.
Stripers and Sea Bass Firing at the Cape Cod Canal as June Push Peaks
Red Top Sporting Goods reports another solid week at the Cape Cod Canal — topwater and jig fishing holding from mid-canal to the East End as mackerel and sand eels have pushed in. Per The Fisherman — Cape Cod & Islands, lighter jigs are finding the smaller bass while heavier Al Gags jigs near bottom are connecting with over-slot stripers. North of the Cape, Belsan's Bait and Tackle tells The Fisherman — South Shore MA to ME that most fish are running 31 to 36 inches, with bombers to 47 inches showing at estuary mouths and nearshore ledges holding big mackerel. Black sea bass action is described as stellar across Cape and Islands locations, with Red Top noting more keepers this season than in past years. Bluefish have made a showing from Marion to West Island, per Charley Soares in The Fisherman — Cape Cod & Islands. Water sits at 55°F at NOAA buoy 44013, with On The Water's June 5 migration map noting conditions still a few degrees cooler than seasonal norms.
Red snapper opener fires offshore while speckled trout pack bay shell
Gulf water at 82°F (NOAA buoy 42035) has the summer bite firing on multiple fronts from Galveston to Corpus Christi. The federal red snapper season opener has been a success offshore: party boats out of Galveston have been consistently busy, and Wave Dancer Charters' Capt. Taylor Borel made a 50-mile run from the Galveston Yacht Marina with strong results, per Galveston Daily News — Reel Report. Inshore, Capt. Mark Talasek out of Matagorda reported great numbers of speckled trout on deep open-bay shell in both the bays and the surf, with occasional redfish in the mix. Lone Star Outdoor News — Fishing flags whiting as running extremely well right now, calling this a prime window for easy fish-fry action. The 2026 CCA-Texas STAR Tournament is underway through September 7 per Texas Fish & Game Magazine, adding competitive stakes up and down the coast all summer long.
Blue catfish bite peaks on Texas lakes as summer sets in
Water temps have reached 85°F at a monitored south Texas gauge (USGS 08211200) as early June locks in summer conditions across the state. North Texas Catfish Guide is calling Eagle Mountain Lake "perfectly set up" right now: the reservoir is running nearly full with fresh inflows, pushing blue catfish and channel catfish into active feeding mode. The guide reports that once fish are located, bites come fast — white bass are also on the move through main-lake water. At Lake Conroe, Texas Fish & Game Magazine highlights a textbook early-summer schooling pattern, with nervous patches of threadfin shad over main-lake points signaling stacked bass below. Post-spawn largemouth are transitioning offshore; Tactical Bassin recommends a wobble-head jig or shaky-head worm on isolated structure and flats for consistent June action. At 41.3 cfs, low river flow is concentrating fish in deeper pools and shaded bends.
Post-spawn bass move offshore as Tennessee & Cumberland enter early summer
USGS gauge 03434500 reads 326 cfs heading into the first full week of June — a moderate flow that keeps most access points on the Cumberland drainage fishable. No gauge temperature was recorded this cycle, but early June typically finds Tennessee lowland waters in the upper-70s range, warm enough to push post-spawn bass off the flats and toward their summer offshore haunts. Tactical Bassin (blog) reports that a wobble head jig combined with a shaky head worm is the standout early-summer pattern for bass on isolated offshore structure — a pairing that has been producing quality fish on mid-South impoundments as the post-spawn transition locks in. The same source notes chatterbait, neko rig, and dropshot setups are also productive as fish regroup after the spawn. Flukemaster (YT) highlights topwater frogs and walking baits as viable options at first light when bass briefly push back into shallows. No direct Tennessee-specific charter or shop reports arrived this cycle; recommendations are grounded in regional seasonal patterns and national bass coverage.
Post-spawn walleye and bass prime up on Missouri as Black Hills runs clear
USGS gauge 06440200 recorded 20.5 cfs on the evening of June 6, pointing to low, clear flows on a Black Hills tributary — conditions that will reward finesse approaches and early-morning timing on area streams. No water temperature was captured at this gauge; early-June norms typically place Black Hills creek temps in the upper 50s and Missouri River mainstem flats closer to the mid-60s. On the walleye front, Jason Mitchell Outdoors (YT) tracked a productive late-May bite across the Upper Midwest, and that post-spawn momentum generally carries into the first two weeks of June as fish regroup on mid-depth structure. Tactical Bassin reports post-spawn bass are highly catchable right now on reactive and finesse combos, a pattern that translates well to Missouri River smallmouth holding near rocky transitions. Fishing the Midwest recommends working weedlines and river structure as the dominant June strategy. Trout anglers heading to Black Hills creeks this weekend should plan for demanding low-water conditions based on current flows.
Catfish and post-spawn bass signal prime summer fishing on PA rivers
Water temperature on the Susquehanna checked in at 73°F (USGS gauge 01540500) on June 7, placing conditions squarely in early-summer territory for Pennsylvania's big river systems. The sharpest fishing signal this week comes from the Delaware River corridor: a Lancaster County angler landed a record 36.2-pound flathead catfish on June 1, soaking cut gizzard shad on bottom ledges in 17 to 23 feet of water, per Wired 2 Fish — strong evidence that Pennsylvania river catfish are entering their prime summer feeding window. On the Susquehanna and Allegheny, flow running at 6,000 cfs supports active current seams and ledge structure where post-spawn smallmouth are repositioning off gravel bars and transitioning into mid-depth cover. Tactical Bassin's early-June breakdown highlights a wobble-head jig paired with a shaky-head worm as proven producers for bass targeting offshore structure — exactly the setup that fits PA's rock-ledge river systems right now. Last Quarter moon this week favors daytime bites.
Columbia & Rogue Early-Summer Shift: Warm Water Opens the Smallmouth Window
USGS gauge 14211720 recorded 66°F on the evening of June 6, confirming these systems have crossed firmly into early-summer territory. An unusual negative flow reading of -5,520 cfs likely reflects tidal backflow influence near the lower Columbia, worth noting for anglers working structure near the confluence. This week's national angler-intel feeds carried no direct catch reports from the Columbia or Rogue, so what follows is grounded in gauge data and seasonal patterns rather than fresh dock-side testimony. At 66°F, the lower Rogue's canyon smallmouth are in their prime post-spawn window: aggressive, shallow, and willing to hit surface lures. Spring Chinook on the Columbia are past their April-May peak, and summer-run steelhead are beginning their upstream push in the lower Rogue. Hatch Magazine's current coverage on fishing through drought conditions offers a useful frame for upper-Rogue trout anglers watching water temperatures climb. Check current state regulations before targeting salmon or steelhead, as retention rules vary by river section and shift with run timing.
Pro-circuit bass in the money at Lake Eufaula as summer bite opens
The Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit's Stop 5 is live at Lake Eufaula right now, giving weekend anglers a rare real-time window into what's biting. Per MLF News, Alabama's Cal Lane led after two days with 37 pounds, 12 ounces — a five-fish limit caught fairly quickly each day, including a key 4-pounder late in round two despite persistent downpours. MLF News notes that "Lake Eufaula can fish tough after rainstorms," yet limits are still reaching the scales from top-tier pros, a clear signal that bass are catchable for prepared locals heading into the weekend. Tactical Bassin (blog) confirms the broader June pattern: offshore structure, wobble-head jigs, and shaky head worms are the early-summer two-bait punch anglers should lean on. Over on the Red River, USGS gauge 07247500 recorded 1,720 cfs on June 6 — a moderate, fishable flow that typically concentrates catfish along channel drops and slack-water eddies.
Post-spawn bass firing as Lake Erie heads into prime walleye season
Tactical Bassin reports strong post-spawn bass action heading into June, with quality fish coming off isolated offshore structure on a wobble-head jig and shaky-head combo — a pattern equally applicable to Lake Erie's nearshore zones and Ohio's inland impoundments. The on-water crew found that drifting outside flats with the wind and targeting visual cover produced the best results, with chatterbaits also accounting for multiple quality bass. No sensor data was returned from our monitored USGS gauge (03271601) this cycle, so specific water temperatures for the Ohio River are unavailable; pull current readings from USGS or a local marina before launching. Fishing the Midwest's Bob Jensen flags weedlines as a key early-summer ambush zone for versatile anglers willing to chase walleye, bass, or panfish when one bite cools. On the Ohio River, catfish action typically ramps through June as water temperatures climb across the system.
Red River walleye settle into summer patterns as post-spawn bass emerge
USGS gauge 05054000 on the Red River recorded 76°F and 1,030 cfs as of June 6 — warm for early summer and a clear signal that fish are past post-spawn recovery and shifting into seasonal structure. Walleye are the headline species on these northern plains waters: Jason Mitchell Outdoors has been documenting active walleye through May on comparable North Dakota fisheries, including dedicated trolling coverage on Devils Lake. At 76°F, expect walleye to concentrate along current breaks, deeper channel edges, and cooler tributary mouths through midday, with the best action at dawn and dusk. Channel catfish thrive in water holding through the mid-70s, making them a dependable mid-day option when walleye go quiet. Fishing the Midwest's Bob Jensen makes a strong case for river systems all summer, singling out current seams and weedline edges as the critical holding zones as water warms. The Last Quarter moon means darker nights through the weekend, traditionally a favorable window for walleye on the Red.
Big bluefish run the Hatteras surf as Spanish mackerel push up the Outer Banks
Water temps of 78°F at NOAA buoy 41025 off Cape Hatteras mark firmly warm early-summer conditions, and the bite is delivering. Per Fisherman's Post (NC), Tom at Hatteras Jack reports bluefish pushing to 30-plus inches hitting casting metals and cut baits along the Hatteras surf, with sea mullet fishing running steady on the same stretches. The Spanish mackerel push is building up the coast as well: Morgan at The Reel Outdoors, per Fisherman's Post (NC) out of Swansboro/Emerald Isle, notes good numbers moving into nearshore areas and along the beachfront. Rich at Chasin' Tails out of Morehead/Atlantic Beach confirms Spanish mackerel, bonito, and bluefish all active for pier and surf anglers to the south. Inshore red drum are scattered but holding in deeper holes. With 76 to 78°F water across both NOAA buoy stations and a Last Quarter moon underway, early-morning feeding windows should be productive through mid-week.
Catawba & Roanoke bass shift to summer pattern as tributaries run bone-dry
USGS gauge 02142900 logged a near-trickle 0.23 cfs in the Catawba basin early Sunday morning, pointing to parched tributary conditions heading into the week. No water temperature data was available from the gauge, but air temps and typical early-June warming in the NC Piedmont suggest reservoir surface temps are likely pressing the upper 70s°F. Largemouth bass have cleared the spawn and are transitioning to early-summer staging; Tactical Bassin's June breakdown identifies isolated offshore structure as the prime zone right now, with a wobble-head jig paired with a shaky head worm as a proven one-two punch. Bluegill are wrapping up or still sitting on their beds in the shallows — expect solid light-tackle action near gravel and sandy flats. On the Roanoke River, landlocked striped bass typically retreat to deeper, cooler water by early June as surface temps climb. No inland tackle shop or charter reports for this specific region were available this reporting cycle.
Hudson Valley bass hit post-spawn stride as early June warmth builds
USGS gauge 01357500 logged 70°F water on June 7 at 1,560 cfs, textbook post-spawn conditions for smallmouth and largemouth bass across Hudson Valley tributaries and the Finger Lakes. NY DEC's Fishing Line noted coolwater sportfish season opened statewide May 1, and the May 22 issue flagged muskellunge season arriving imminently on premier Finger Lakes waters. On The Water's June 5 striper migration update reported stripers beginning to settle into summer staging areas across the Northeast, with water running slightly cooler than average regionally. Trout anglers face the toughest stretch of the year: 70°F pushes stocked browns and rainbows into thermal refuges, including cold tributary mouths and spring-fed pools, and daytime surface action is largely off the table. Tactical Bassin's post-spawn bass content recommends isolated offshore structure with chatterbaits, neko rigs, and dropshots as the most reliable pattern once bass clear their beds in early June.
San Juan holds steady as Rio Grande tightens ahead of monsoon season
USGS gauge 08330000 on the Rio Grande near Bernalillo recorded zero flow on June 6 — a stark marker of how hard pre-monsoon conditions are squeezing the river through central New Mexico. Water temperature data was unavailable from the gauge. None of this week's angler-intel feeds carried direct reports from the Rio Grande or San Juan, but Hatch Magazine's current feature on drought fishing for trout is squarely relevant: low, clear desert-river conditions demand long leaders, fine tippets, and targeting cooler, deeper tailout sections where fish stack during warming daytime hours. The San Juan River tailwater below Navajo Dam remains the region's most reliable option in June. Dam-controlled releases buffer the San Juan against the natural low-flow extremes now showing on the Rio Grande, keeping the quality waters section fishable for rainbow and brown trout. Last Quarter moon this weekend typically quiets overnight feeding pressure and can favor more deliberate daytime activity.
Prime catfish bite firing on Delaware River as Pine Barrens flows drop
On June 1, a Pennsylvania angler hauled a 36.2-pound flathead catfish from the Delaware River near Augustine Beach, soaking cut gizzard shad on a slow-moving ledge in 17 to 23 feet at dawn, per Wired 2 Fish. That catch signals the river's catfish bite is firmly on for early June. The USGS gauge (01408000) clocked 23.1 cfs overnight, pointing to low, clear flows in Pine Barrens tributaries that will push bass tight to deeper pools and shaded woody cover. On The Water's June 5 striper migration map notes fish beginning to settle into summer stations, with some still accessible in tidal Delaware reaches. NJ Fish & Wildlife News reports Hamburg Mountain WMA waters, including Silver Lake and Franklin Pond Creek, remain stocked, though warming surface temps are steadily narrowing the productive trout window. The Last Quarter moon through midweek favors calm, measured presentations across the region.
Big Stripers Push into Gulf of Maine as Summer Season Builds
Water temps at NOAA buoy 44007 sat at 55°F off the NH coast as of early Sunday morning, running a few degrees cooler than a normal early-June baseline. That reading aligns with On The Water's June 5 striper migration map, which notes temperatures are still below average across the region. The cool water has not stopped the fish, though. OTW Saltwater's June 2 migration report put 40-pound bass on bunker just outside Boston, placing large stripers within striking distance of the NH Gulf of Maine. On The Water confirms fish are beginning to settle into summer territories, though cooler conditions are slowing that process in some pockets. Light winds around 6 knots at buoy 44007 set up clean, fishable conditions this weekend. The striper action is the story: big bass are tracking bunker, squid, and river herring northward per the May 29 On The Water migration update, and the bait is moving with them. Rip lines, rocky points, and inlet mouths are the places to focus.
Post-Spawn Bass Come Alive on Winnipesaukee as Merrimack Clears
USGS gauge 01073500 on the Merrimack registered 115 cfs on June 7, a low, clear-water reading that is pushing the river into prime summer conditions ahead of most years. With the Merrimack running lean and transparent, fish are retreating to deeper pools and structure, making precise presentations critical. On Lake Winnipesaukee, bass have mostly cleared their spawning beds by early June, and the post-spawn feed-up period is underway. Tactical Bassin notes that June bass respond well to a one-two punch of wobble-head jigs and shaky head worms worked along offshore structure, tactics that translate directly to Winnipesaukee's rocky points and submerged ledges. On the Merrimack, low flows concentrate smallmouth in the deeper runs and eddies below dams; a chatterbait or drop shot along current seams can be productive this time of year. Water temperature data was unavailable from the gauge this cycle, but June typically puts surface temps in the mid-60s across the region.
Truckee running moderate as Sierra trout season shifts into summer mode
USGS gauge 10311000 shows the Truckee River carrying 182 cfs as of June 6, a moderate early-summer flow as Sierra Nevada snowmelt continues to taper. No regional shop or guide reports specifically covered Truckee or Lake Tahoe in our source feeds this week, so the conditions below draw on gauge data and seasonal patterns typical for this stretch of calendar. Hatch Magazine's recent coverage of drought-year Western trout tactics frames what local regulars already understand: as post-runoff flows settle and water clarity improves, lighter leaders, smaller flies, and precise presentations become the deciding factors on the main stem. Rainbow and brown trout on the Truckee are typically keying on caddis emergers and PMD hatches through June. On Lake Tahoe, mackinaw push deeper as surface temperatures climb toward summer, and kokanee school along the thermocline. Last Quarter moon this week reduces nighttime light pressure and generally concentrates feeding activity into dawn and dusk windows. Check current Nevada and California regulations before fishing — several Truckee sections carry special catch-and-release or artificial-only rules.
June bass and catfish in focus on the Platte as summer flows settle
USGS gauge 06796000 clocked the Platte at 4,640 cfs on June 6, a moderate early-summer reading that keeps structure accessible without blowing out holding water. Water temperature data is unavailable from the gauge this cycle. Tactical Bassin reports that June post-spawn bass have committed to offshore structure, with a chatterbait-plus-wobble-head jig combination and dropshot or neko rigs drawing quality fish around isolated cover and flats. Fishing the Midwest's Bob Jensen notes that rivers are a dependable summer destination, recommending targeted casts to weedlines and current breaks for walleye and mixed-bag species. On the catfish front, Wired 2 Fish highlighted a record 36.2-pound flathead taken on cut gizzard shad soaked on bottom ledges in 17–23 feet — a technique that translates directly to the Missouri's deep channel structure. Last Quarter moon this weekend favors dawn and dusk bite windows over midday sessions.
Yellowstone enters wade-fishing season early as drought watch grows
The Yellowstone River is flowing at 1,860 cfs at USGS gauge 06043500 as of June 6, a level that signals runoff has largely passed and tips the river toward its summer wade-fishing window earlier than typical. That low reading reflects the broader story on Montana's blue-ribbon waters: a below-average snowpack winter followed by a summer forecast calling for hotter, drier conditions than normal. MT FWP Fishing News is sounding an early alert, hosting a virtual townhall on fishery protection and releasing TroutCast, a new drought-impact forecasting tool launched June 1. "Despite recent rains around the state, the summer heat is rapidly approaching," the agency notes. On the Missouri, Flylords Mag spotlights a notable guide shift: Headhunters Fly Shop co-founder Mark Raisler has moved away from nymphing entirely, favoring presentations that keep anglers active rather than passive. Paddlefish season is underway; per MT FWP, new tagging procedures now mirror big game requirements, so verify the rules before harvesting.