Fishing reports
19276 reports across all 50 states — current conditions and what's biting.
Green drakes and sulphur dusks mark prime season on PA limestone creeks
One Fly Fishing Forum angler fishing Trout Run Creek this past week reported "a hundred slashes and leaps in the last hour before dark" to an ovipositing Sulphur — #14, strong yellow body — with standard PMD and spent-spinner patterns completely refused. That late-evening selectivity is the hallmark of PA limestone creeks in early June, and Spring Creek and Penns Creek are squarely in that window. USGS gauge 01546500, on Bald Eagle Creek near the Spring Creek confluence at Milesburg, read 86.5 cfs as of June 2 — moderate, stable flows after spring runoff has receded, and wadeable across most public-access sections. Water temperature was unavailable from the gauge; limestone springs typically buffer these creeks into the low-to-mid 60s°F through early summer. The green drake hatch — one of the East's most celebrated freshwater events — traditionally peaks on Penns Creek in late May through early June. Hatch Magazine's current spring creek skills content underscores the premium these clear, pressured waters place on precise presentation and fly-film awareness.
Allegheny post-spawn bass seek current breaks as river runs elevated
The Allegheny River is logging 9,600 cfs at USGS gauge 03036500 as of June 2 — well above typical early-June baseline, pushing most wade fishing out of reach and concentrating smallmouth bass in eddy pockets and inside bends. Water temperature data was unavailable from the gauge this cycle. With Pennsylvania bass in the post-spawn transition, Tactical Bassin's recent post-spawn coverage highlights targeting isolated offshore structure with chatterbaits, drop-shots, and neko rigs as fish scatter from their beds into deeper holding water. Walleye typically hold in the deeper current seams that elevated flows create along the main stem, consistent with their standard early-June positioning. Channel catfish move opportunistically into tributary confluences and soft backwater edges; Fishing the Midwest notes that rivers remain productive for varied species through summer, particularly in current. Wading is inadvisable until flows recede; boat anglers should focus on slack-water windows and inside bends where baitfish — and the bass following them — tend to stack.
Lake Erie smallmouth and walleye entering early-summer stride
USGS gauge 04231600 logged 65°F water temperature and 1,420 cfs flow on June 2, a meaningful early-summer benchmark for the Lake Erie and Niagara corridor. At 65 degrees, smallmouth bass have largely completed their post-spawn bed-guarding phase and are shifting toward offshore rocky structure and reef edges to feed actively on baitfish. Walleye, the other marquee species in this region, are typically on the move by early June, staging over mid-lake humps and transition zones along the Western Basin. Tactical Bassin (blog) notes that post-spawn windows right now reward anglers who focus on isolated offshore structure, with chatterbaits, drop-shots, and neko rigs among the standout presentations. Yellow perch should be spread across mid-depth flats in the 20-to-35-foot range. No charter or tackle-shop sources specific to this area appeared in this week's intel feeds, so verify current bite conditions with a local shop before heading out.
Catskills sulphur hatch peaks as June dry-fly window opens
On The Fly Fishing Forum last week, an angler described 'a hundred slashes and leaps in the last hour before dark' on a regional trout stream, chasing ovipositing sulphurs on a size-14 yellow — a textbook early-June evening scenario for Catskills freestone water. USGS gauge 01413500 registered 95.7 cfs at midday June 2, a moderate and wading-friendly level on the upper Delaware drainage; the smaller gauge 01415000 read 15.8 cfs on a tributary. Neither gauge reported water temperature. That forum chatter aligns with MidCurrent's current tying coverage, which emphasizes patterns covering 'every feeding lane from the surface film to open water' as hatches begin to fire. Flylords Mag's green drake feature noted brook trout responding well to large mayfly imitations during afternoon windows. With flows steady and the sulphur hatch at or near its seasonal peak, the next several days look favorable for dry-fly fishing across the Catskills and Adirondack headwaters, particularly the hour approaching dusk.
Lake Ontario salmon firing; Salmon River tributaries at low summer flow
Strike Zone Charters is reporting strong salmon action on Lake Ontario this past week, with brown trout and lake trout mixed into the catch. Captains are running 100 to 160 feet of water and chasing temperature breaks that shift daily with wind direction. Mag Dipsey Divers are productive when the thermocline pushes deep, with green, white, and chartreuse e-chips accounting for most strikes. On the tributary side, USGS gauge 04250750 clocks the Salmon River at 82.7 cfs as of June 2, placing the river in low, wadable summer condition. At these flows, salmon are still staging offshore rather than pushing into the river corridor, but the lake bite signals a building fishery ahead of the midsummer window. Brown trout and smallmouth bass are the typical near-term tributary targets at this flow level. The waning gibbous moon tends to compress feeding into bookend windows, so early mornings and evenings are the time to be on the water.
North Platte tailwaters hold fish as Wind River runoff peaks in early June
Trout Unlimited's recent coverage of Snake River cutthroat habitat restoration work at Wyoming's Spread Creek offers a seasonal pulse on the state's wild trout resources, though direct angler intel for the Wind River and North Platte drainages was absent from this reporting cycle and USGS gauge 06259000 returned no data. Early June is historically runoff season across both systems, with snowmelt from the Wind River Range pushing freestone reaches into high, off-color conditions. The regulated tailwater section of the North Platte remains the most reliably fishable water during this window, as controlled releases keep clarity and temperatures stable when surrounding drainages are blown. Hatch Magazine's guide to fishing through drought conditions on the Colorado Front Range offers transferable technique advice for anglers who find water clearing ahead of schedule. Confirm flows via USGS WaterNow and check with a local shop before committing to any wade trip.
Wisconsin June opener: big browns near Hayward, Superior lake trout on fire
Wired 2 Fish reported a 28-inch brown trout landed near Hayward on May 24 by Avery Poppe, who was drift-bouncing earthworms along a rocky river pool while targeting walleyes -- a reminder that early June holds genuine surprises across Wisconsin's river system. The Wisconsin River is running at 523 cfs as of June 2 (USGS gauge 05391000), a workable flow for wading walleye structure. On Lake Superior, Field & Stream noted a catch-and-release state-record lake trout taken May 9 with the Lake Superior Jigging Guide Service, pointing to strong deep-water action that likely continues into early June. WI DNR Lake Superior Fishing has highlighted growing angler interest in the Chequamegon Bay lake whitefish fishery as well. The 2026-2027 general inland season opened May 2 with new regulations in effect per WI DNR Wisconsin Fishing News -- review them before heading out. Free Fishing Weekend is June 6-7 on all Wisconsin waters, no license required.
WV Rivers Prime for Post-Spawn Smallmouth as June Opens
USGS gauge 03051000 logged 348 cfs on June 2, putting WV river flows at moderate, wade- and float-friendly levels heading into the weekend. Water temperature data was unavailable from the gauge, but typical early-June conditions in the Mountain State place river temps in the low-to-mid 60s, prime territory for post-spawn bass roaming back toward summer structure. Tactical Bassin reports that post-spawn bass are actively keying on isolated offshore structure, with chatterbaits, swimbaits, and drop-shot and neko rigs producing aggressive strikes when fish are drifting outside flats and current breaks. Fishing the Midwest's Bob Jensen notes that rivers deliver outstanding summer action, especially as bass and other species settle into early-season patterns. No angler intel specific to the New River or Ohio River corridors surfaced in this week's feeds, but all regional indicators point toward a strong early-June bite window across WV's river systems.
Early-June Chinook Season Opens Across Puget Sound and the Pacific Coast
NOAA buoy 46087, positioned offshore Washington and Vancouver Island, recorded air temperatures of 14.3°C (58°F) with winds around 6 m/s on the evening of June 2, comfortable conditions for boats planning to run. Nearby buoy 46041 logged similar readings: 13.4°C and light 3 m/s winds. Water-temperature readings were unavailable from either station. Fishing-specific catch reports from WA WDFW Fishing Reports did not include current-season angler interviews in this data pull, so conditions below the surface are drawn from typical seasonal patterns for early June in this region rather than confirmed charter or agency reports. In Puget Sound, summer Chinook salmon seasons typically open or ramp up through June; Pacific halibut and rockfish remain accessible on the coast. Anglers planning trips should verify openings directly with WDFW, as area-specific closures and quotas apply. The waning gibbous moon may concentrate feeding windows around dawn and dusk.
Columbia Spring Chinook and Steelhead Season Hits Its Prime
USGS gauge 14113000 recorded 57°F water and 1,050 cfs on June 2, placing Columbia River tributary conditions squarely in the productive band for spring Chinook and summer steelhead movement. Direct angler reports for Washington's Columbia and Puget Sound river corridors were sparse in this data cycle; WA WDFW Fishing Reports maintains active creel-survey coverage at key access points, but specific bite summaries were not available in the current pull. The gauge readings alone tell a useful story: 57°F is near-ideal for salmon and trout movement, and 1,050 cfs keeps most runs accessible to waders and drift boats without the blown-out conditions common after heavy snowmelt. Smallmouth bass on the lower Columbia's basalt shelves are entering their prime early-summer feeding window as river temps approach 60°F. Dawn and dusk windows with swinging wet flies or plugs through tailouts are the standard early-June approach until fresher reports surface.
Stripers Running the Mouth as Spring Migration Peaks Near Bay Entrance
Water temps are sitting at 60°F per NOAA buoy 44009, placing the Chesapeake mouth in prime early-June transition territory. The dominant story this week is the striper migration: OTW Saltwater's June 2 migration report confirms big striped bass are pushing north while feeding heavily on bunker, squid, and river herring, a bait-driven pattern that puts the Bay mouth squarely in the migration corridor. The Fisherman (Northeast) reported black drum showing as far north as Staten Island in late May, indicating drum are likely working the full mid-Atlantic coast and present at the Bay entrance. Conditions at the buoy are calm, with light winds near 4 knots and air temps in the low 60s. Flounder and cobia, both typical early-June species at the mouth, should be picking up as baitfish schools consolidate near inlet structure, though no Virginia-specific reports confirmed precise timing this week.
Stripers entering the tidal Potomac as smallmouth lock into post-spawn mode
On The Water's May 29 striper migration map reports big stripers pushing north and feeding heavily on bunker, squid, and river herring — a surge that typically reaches the lower tidal Potomac by early June. USGS gauge 01646500 shows the Potomac at Little Falls running 12,600 cfs as of June 2, elevated above typical early-summer norms, which should push fish tight to current seams, channel edges, and tributary mouths where bait concentrates. Post-spawn smallmouth are transitioning to deeper structure on both the Potomac and the Shenandoah; Tactical Bassin's post-spawn coverage points to dropshot, neko rig, and chatterbait on isolated offshore structure as the consistent producers right now. The Virginia DWR Wildlife Blog flags that a historic spring drought has stressed smaller tributaries and isolated aquatic habitats across the region — check conditions on Shenandoah headwater streams before committing to a trout outing. No water temperature reading is available from the current gauge.
Connecticut River Running Lean as Shad Thin Out and Trout Hold Deep
USGS gauge 01135300 on the upper Connecticut River recorded 90.2 cfs on June 2 — lean early-summer flows that are concentrating trout in the deeper holding water. The Fisherman — New England Freshwater reports that the American shad run along the Connecticut River corridor is "definitely slowing," while carp fishing has surged to a springtime peak at river access sites. Trout at lower Connecticut River stocked reaches are described as "holding and hitting in deeper pools" where cooler water lingers as flows drop — a pattern that typically mirrors conditions on Vermont's upper-river stretches as well. On Lake Champlain, smallmouth bass and walleye are easing out of post-spawn recovery and into early-summer feeding patterns, with June historically producing some of the season's best structure fishing for both species. MidCurrent's recent coverage of the Battenkill Fly Fishing and Arts Festival in Arlington, Vermont, is a timely reminder of the cold-water trout fishery within reach of many Vermont anglers as summer heat begins to build.
Green River tailwater browns primed as early-June flows settle in
USGS gauge 09234500 logged 963 cfs and 52°F on the Green River below Flaming Gorge Dam on June 2, a moderate and fishable reading that puts tailwater brown and rainbow trout in their active feeding zone. No local shop or captain reports for this stretch were captured in this week's intel feeds, but MidCurrent's current tying coverage highlights midge-style patterns built for the clear, pressured water of stillwaters and tailraces, a direct match for Green River conditions. Hatch Magazine's concurrent piece on drought-era trout tactics on Colorado's Front Range reinforces the value of precise nymphing when visibility is high and fish are selective. Up in the High Uintas, alpine lakes are cycling through early-June ice-out: cutthroat and brook trout are typically accessible at lower elevations now, with higher-elevation basins opening through mid-June. Plan trips to the upper Uintas around trail and access conditions, which vary year to year.
Offshore red snapper open and whiting running along the Texas Gulf
NOAA buoy 42035 is logging 86°F water temps and a calm 1.3-foot sea state off the Texas coast today — near-ideal conditions for both bay and offshore runs. The federal red snapper season opened May 22, per Lone Star Outdoor News — Fishing, and Galveston Daily News — Reel Report confirms charter boats are running with offshore conditions looking cooperative. Galveston Bay itself has been fishing "really, really good" according to Galveston Daily News — Reel Report, with plenty of fish in the system for bay anglers. Lone Star Outdoor News — Fishing calls whiting "running extremely" right now, flagging the species as an easy-to-target option perfect for a fish fry. TexasFishingTips video reports from Capt. Larry Bell working Rockport-Copano and Mesquite Bay (June 2) and Capt. Kevin Navid out of Baffin Bay and Laguna Madre (May 28) point to active bay conditions stretching the full length of the coast. Salt Strong highlights a productive redfish grass-flat pattern as summer water temperatures lock in.
Texas catfish bite surges as full reservoirs meet summer warmth
Water temperature at USGS gauge 08211200 logged 87°F on June 2, confirming Texas freshwater is running deep into summer conditions. On Eagle Mountain Lake near Fort Worth, the North Texas Catfish Guide reports the lake is nearly full with active fresh inflows keeping fish on the move and feeding aggressively — "it happens fast when you get on them," the guide service notes of current June conditions. Channel catfish are biting like crazy, and blue catfish limits with 30-pound-class fish have been a consistent outcome through the spring push and into June. White bass are on the move across the main lake as a secondary target. Post-spawn largemouth are transitioning toward summer structure; Tactical Bassin identifies June as a prime window for offshore bass on ledges and brush piles with reaction baits and finesse rigs. LakeForkGuy has been active on catfish jug fishing from jon boats on area lakes. Lone Star Outdoor News also flags Rio Grande cichlids as a rising summer target now that rainbow trout season has closed.
Post-Spawn Bass Moving Offshore as Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers Run Low
The Cumberland River is flowing at 1,070 cfs per USGS gauge 03434500 as of June 2 — a moderate-low reading that points to improving water clarity in tailwaters below the dams. That cleaner-water environment coincides with the post-spawn transition defining early June on Tennessee's rivers and reservoirs. MLF News reports that ahead of a Phoenix Bass Fishing League event at Kentucky Lake on June 6, fish have already vacated the shallows and moved to deep ledges — a pattern mirrored across the state's connected reservoir chain. Tactical Bassin (blog) confirms the playbook: post-spawn bass are targeting isolated offshore structure, with chatterbait, Neko rig, and drop-shot all drawing strikes away from visible shallow cover. TacticalBassin (YT) notes topwater remains viable in the early-morning window on schooling points before fish slide deeper as the sun climbs. Crappie have typically completed their spawn by now and are likely settling into deeper brush piles and main-lake timber for the summer.
Walleye and trout on pace as Missouri River flows stay light
USGS gauge 06440200 recorded 52.3 cfs on June 2, with no water temperature data available, a modest and workable flow heading into early summer. No South Dakota-specific angler dispatches surfaced in this cycle's feeds, so conditions are read through regional signals. Jason Mitchell Outdoors (YT) flagged strong May walleye activity across the northern plains, a common lead-in to productive early-June fishing on the Missouri River impoundments. Fishing the Midwest reinforces that river systems consistently reward anglers through summer, with walleye and bass keying on current seams and structure. In the Black Hills, June typically marks the opening of prime trout water as snowmelt runoff clears and caddis and mayfly hatches build in earnest. The waning gibbous moon concentrates low-light feeding windows at dawn and dusk, productive timing for both walleye and rising trout. Anglers targeting walleye should verify current South Dakota slot limit regulations before keeping fish.
Spanish Mackerel Pouring Inshore as Sheepshead Stack Charleston Structure
NOAA buoy 41004 is reading 80°F at the surface off the South Carolina coast, signaling full early-summer warmth across Charleston Harbor. Fisherman's Post's June 2026 Carolinas reports show spanish mackerel moving into nearshore beachfronts in good numbers to the north, a push that typically rolls south into the Lowcountry on a similar schedule. Sheepshead are also worth a dedicated run right now: Fisherman's Post's Carolina Beach correspondent notes the first wave of smaller fish staging on hard structure, stacking dock pilings, bridge fenders, and rocky bottom — the same pattern Charleston Harbor anglers expect on jetties and inshore structure throughout June. Red drum are present but scattered, holding in deeper holes per Fisherman's Post. Wind is running around 21 knots off buoy 41004, which may push anglers toward protected harbor water and dock-fishing until conditions ease. Check local regulations for current size and bag limits before keeping fish.
Herring bite drives Murray bass; Santee stripers fall to spinnerbaits
The Phoenix Bass Fishing League All-American at Lake Murray played out as a 'classic herring-lake event,' per MLF News, with the field's top finishers running points and triggering bass to feed on or near the surface — flukes were the clear ticket throughout the event. Clear water at Murray kept it a run-and-gun program, rewarding anglers who stayed mobile and covered water. Down the road, B.A.S.S. News recaps of the 'South Carolina Swing' confirm Santee Cooper Lakes are holding good numbers of stripers, with spinnerbaits and jigs drawing the most bites. USGS gauge 02160390 is reporting 265 cfs as of June 2 — stable, moderate inflow that should maintain clarity across both systems heading into the weekend. No water temperature was recorded at the gauge. With a waning gibbous moon now overhead, the best feeding windows will concentrate around low-light hours through the first half of the week. Catfish and crappie status for both lakes reflects typical early-June seasonal patterns, as no direct reports were available this cycle.
Smallmouth bass hit post-spawn stride on the Susquehanna and Allegheny
USGS gauge 01540500 recorded 69°F and 8,780 cfs on the Susquehanna as of June 2 — water that sits squarely in the prime smallmouth feeding window coming out of the spawn. Post-spawn bass are transitioning off beds and pushing back toward feeding stations: offshore structure, current seams, and rocky humps. Tactical Bassin's early-June coverage emphasizes targeting bass around isolated offshore structure with chatterbaits, neko rigs, and dropshot, noting the reaction bite is most consistent when fish hold just outside flats. Fishing the Midwest reinforces that larger rivers reward anglers who work structural edges through summer. At 8,780 cfs the Susquehanna is running on the higher side — wade fishing is limited to shallow riffles and eddy margins, while boat anglers can work current breaks effectively. Walleye and channel catfish are also prime beneficiaries of these warming temperatures. Main-stem trout fishing is challenged at 69°F; anglers targeting browns should redirect to cold tributary streams early in the morning.
Chinook window opens on the Oregon Coast as early-June seas settle
NOAA buoy 46002 logged 57°F and buoy 46029 read 56°F as of June 2, with light winds of 2-5 m/s — conditions that look favorable for the Oregon Coast's early-summer ocean salmon fishery. None of the angler-intel feeds in this cycle carry Oregon-specific reports, so species assessments below lean on established seasonal patterns for this stretch of coast rather than firsthand captain or tackle-shop testimony. What we can say is that the water temperature profile is solidly in range for Chinook holding near the surface thermocline and pursuing anchovies and sardines pushed up by late-spring upwelling. On the broader Pacific Coast, Western Outdoor News — Saltwater noted this week that Central Coast California charter boats were finding Chinook responding as water temperatures dropped several degrees due to northwest wind-driven upwelling — a dynamic that Oregon anglers know well as the precursor to strong bite windows. Check ODFW regulations for current ocean salmon area designations before launching.
Rogue smallmouth and Columbia shad enter peak season as summer temps arrive
USGS gauge 14211720 logged 66°F and 16,700 cfs on June 2, placing the Rogue system squarely in the temperature range that smallmouth bass anglers wait for all season. Post-spawn smallmouth in the mid-Rogue's canyon pools and rocky ledges typically turn aggressive once water climbs into the mid-60s, and current conditions appear to have crossed that threshold. The American shad run on the Columbia — one of the most underrated fisheries in the Pacific Northwest — peaks through June, offering fast action on light tackle near major tributary mouths and tailraces. Meanwhile, the spring Chinook season is winding down as early summer steelhead begin staging at the coast and filtering into the lower Rogue. No charter or tackle-shop reports appeared in this cycle's intel feeds to confirm specific bite windows, so these observations reflect general seasonal guidance grounded in current gauge data. Check ODFW regulations for open seasons and any emergency closures before heading out.
Post-spawn bass shifting offshore as Eufaula gears up for Pro Circuit
B.A.S.S. News reports Oklahoma bass are largely post-spawn as of early June, with fish beginning the move toward summer areas. One contributor noted that warm weather finally arrived after a late spring: "It just started warming up the last couple of days. By now, most of our fish are postspawn." The Poteau River, a key Eufaula tributary, is running at just 26.3 cfs per USGS gauge 07247500, well below typical June inflow, indicating clear, low-flow conditions in the upper lake arms. MLF News confirms a Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit stop at Lake Eufaula on the near horizon and a Toyota Series Southwestern Division finale at Muskogee on the Arkansas River June 11-13, underscoring the lake's profile heading into summer. Offshore structure and isolated cover are the primary targets now, with finesse presentations and chatterbaits pulling fish per Tactical Bassin's post-spawn breakdown. Catfish action on the Red River typically strengthens through June as water temperatures continue climbing.