Fishing reports
19276 reports across all 50 states — current conditions and what's biting.
Lake Erie walleye and post-spawn bass moving to structure as June opens
Tactical Bassin's post-spawn bass breakdown puts early June bass action squarely in focus for Ohio anglers, with offshore structure and finesse presentations the recipe for recovering fish on Lake Erie's reef complexes and along the Ohio River's deeper channels. USGS gauge 03271601 is returning no live flow or temperature data at publication time, and no active buoy readings are on file, so live environmental numbers are unavailable for this report. Great Lakes Now flags growing concern over potential NOAA monitoring cuts that could reduce the Great Lakes data Ohio anglers rely on for water temperature trends and tributary conditions. Walleye are typically transitioning off post-spawn staging areas toward mid-depth structure by early June, while catfish on the Ohio River ramp up as water temps climb toward summer. The waning gibbous moon sets up the best bite windows at dawn and dusk over midday.
Walleye and Catfish Transition to Summer Patterns on the Red River
The USGS gauge on the Red River (site 05054000) recorded 729 cfs and 75°F on the afternoon of June 2, confirming that water temperatures have crossed firmly into summer territory for this corridor. At these temps, walleye characteristically retreat to deeper current breaks and channel edges during midday, concentrating their feeding activity into low-light windows at dawn and dusk. Jason Mitchell Outdoors (YT) has recent content covering walleye movement and shallow trolling approaches in North Dakota waters — including coverage of Devils Lake — that translates well to river conditions at this stage of the season. Fishing the Midwest notes that rivers across the region can deliver outstanding summer fishing when anglers focus on current seams and structure. No specific Red or Missouri River charter or tackle-shop reports appeared in this cycle's intel feed, so condition-specific guidance here is grounded in gauge data and seasonal patterns rather than this-week on-water testimony.
Big blues and Spanish mackerel heat up the Hatteras surf for early June
Bigger bluefish are running the Hatteras surf, with fish to 30-plus inches hitting casting metals and cut baits, per Tom at Hatteras Jack as reported by Fisherman's Post (NC). Sea mullet fishing has been steady along the same Hatteras/Ocracoke corridor. NOAA buoy 41025 off Diamond Shoals reads 74°F and buoy 41013 near Frying Pan Shoals shows 77°F, water temperatures that have Spanish mackerel firing along the Carolina coast. Fisherman's Post (NC) reports Spanish mackerel moving in good numbers along nearshore areas and the beachfront from Morehead to Wrightsville Beach, and that push appears well underway heading into OBX waters. The bluefish bite remains strong region-wide, with anglers pulling fish on spoons along the surf. Winds at Diamond Shoals were running near 31 knots at last reading, a breezy condition that will limit nearshore boat access and affect surf casting. Plan your trips around the waning gibbous moon's low-light windows for the best bite.
June Post-Spawn Transition Underway on the Catawba and Roanoke
USGS gauge 02142900 clocked just 2.28 cfs on a Catawba tributary the afternoon of June 2, flagging drought-level low water and likely clear conditions across the upper river arms. Direct tackle-shop and captain reports for this freshwater corridor are absent from this week's feeds, but the seasonal arc is well-defined: bass across the Catawba chain and Roanoke/Kerr Lake system are exiting the post-spawn recovery window and beginning the summer migration toward deeper, cooler structure. Tactical Bassin's June bass breakdown points to offshore points, channel bends, and brushpiles as the primary post-spawn addresses, with finesse presentations performing best in the clear, low water the gauge data suggests. The waning gibbous moon places the best topwater activity at first and last light. Crappie are typically quiet in early June following the spawn, while catfish are entering their most active summer window as nights warm.
Stripers Hot at Montauk as Fluke and Porgy Action Builds
At 58°F per NOAA buoys 44025 and 44065, Long Island's nearshore water has hit prime striper territory, and the fish are delivering. Per The Fisherman (Long Island East End), striped bass continue to dominate from Montauk Point through Shinnecock Inlet despite persistent winds, with bucktails, diamond jigs, poppers, and live bait all accounting for fish in the rips. Captain Tom of the Sea Wife IV logged a standout session this week: 20 giant striped bass released, numerous short fish, a full boat limit of slot bass, and nine bluefish on a single half-day morning trip. On The Water (May 28) confirms stripers are hot from New York City to Montauk, with bluefish showing up in stronger numbers. Porgy action is building steadily west through Greenport and into Peconic Bay, and fluke is beginning to stir inside Shinnecock Inlet, though catches remain spotty as the new season gets rolling.
Hudson stripers push north as the valley's prime June window opens
On The Water's Hudson River Stripers podcast (Ep. 85) features a Poughkeepsie trip with Captain Chris Oliver of Keepin' It Reel Sportfishing, confirming active striper action right through the heart of the Hudson Valley. That report aligns with On The Water's May 29 migration map, which shows large stripers pushing north and feeding heavily on bunker, squid, and river herring. USGS gauge 01357500 clocked 66°F on June 2, a prime early-summer temperature for both stripers and bass. The Hudson system is running at elevated volume — gauge 01358000 logged 12,200 cfs — which typically pushes fish toward structure and tributary mouths rather than mid-channel. Per NY DEC's May 22 Fishing Line, musky season is now fully underway, and coolwater sportfish including walleye have been in season since May 1. Bass are in the post-spawn transition, with Tactical Bassin pointing to chatterbaits, drop-shots, and swimbaits as the June workhorses.
San Juan Tailwater Anchors NM Trout Season as Rio Grande Runs Thin
USGS gauge 08330000 on the Rio Grande registered just 3.89 cfs on June 2, an exceptionally low reading for early summer that signals drought-stressed conditions on the mainstem. No water temperature was recorded at the gauge this cycle. No NM-specific angler reports appeared in this week's intel feeds, so conditions are inferred from regional context. Hatch Magazine's current feature on high-desert trout fishing through drought maps directly to this corridor: chronic low flows compress fish into surviving deep pools, push temperatures toward stressful levels for cold-water species, and demand early-morning or evening windows to find actively feeding trout. The San Juan River below Navajo Dam benefits from regulated releases that buffer these pressures, making it the more dependable destination for rainbow and brown trout right now. On the Rio Grande, focus on shaded canyon stretches and deeper, slower eddies where fish have concentrated.
Post-Spawn Bass Bite Heats Up on the Delaware River and Pine Barrens
NJ Fish & Wildlife News highlighted Hamburg Mountain WMA in Sussex County this week, noting Silver Lake remains stocked with trout and Franklin Pond Creek offers year-round trout habitat. USGS gauge 01408000 logged 26.8 cfs on June 2, pointing to the low, clear flows typical of Pine Barrens drainages in early summer. Water temperature data was unavailable from this gauge, but seasonal context puts most lowland NJ streams in the 65–70°F range by early June — still workable for bass and pickerel, though challenging for holdover trout in warmer stretches. The waning gibbous moon and post-spawn timing set up well for largemouth bass in the cedar-stained Pine Barrens ponds, where fish should be feeding aggressively. Smallmouth on the Delaware are in a similar post-spawn mode, working current seams and rocky bottom. NJ Fish & Wildlife News also flags seasonal closures at five WMAs through September 7 — confirm site access before heading out.
Spring Striper Run Peaks on the NH Gulf of Maine Coast
Water at 52°F on NOAA buoy 44007, and the NH Gulf of Maine coast is locked into one of the stronger striper springs in recent memory. The Fisherman — South Shore MA to ME reports the Merrimack River mouth as a top producer, with bait anglers soaking clams working well through the day and pluggers cleaning up after dark on soft plastics, darters, and bucktails. Beaches along Joppa and adjacent to the river are delivering fish from 30 to 40 inches, with bombers to 47 inches in the mix. Atlantic mackerel are thick on the nearshore ledges, and bigger bass are keying on that large bait. OTW Saltwater's June 2 striper migration report confirms the momentum: big fish are pushing north and feeding heavily on bunker, squid, and river herring, with 40-pound bass reported outside Boston Harbor — the next stop heading up the coast toward NH.
Merrimack stripers stacking at the mouth as shad run builds
Big stripers from 30 to 47 inches are stacking at the mouth of the Merrimack right now, per The Fisherman's regional network, with clam-soaking producing fish through the day and pluggers taking over after dark on SP minnows, darters, bucktails, and lead-headed soft plastics. The Fisherman also notes a notable uptick in shad reports on the Merrimack this week, suggesting the run is building toward its peak. On The Water's May 29 migration map confirms big fish are still pushing north, feeding heavily on bunker and river herring. The USGS gauge at site 01073500 shows 383 cfs on June 2, a moderate flow that has opened up solid access along the lower river. No water temperature reading is available from current gauges. Reports specific to Lake Winnipesaukee are absent from this week's feeds; standard early-June bass and landlocked salmon patterns serve as the working baseline until local intel surfaces.
Sierra Trout in the Sweet Spot as Truckee Flows Ease into Summer
The USGS gauge on the Truckee River (site 10311000) logged 224 cfs on the morning of June 2 — a moderate early-summer flow that puts the river in a workable range for wading as Sierra Nevada snowmelt slowly tapers. Water temperature was not recorded this cycle; upper 40s to low 50s°F is typical for snowmelt-fed runs in early June here, sitting right in the comfort zone for active rainbow and brown trout. None of this week's regional angler-intel feeds carried specific Truckee or Lake Tahoe reports, so conditions are assessed from gauge data and established seasonal patterns for the drainage. At 224 cfs, fish are likely occupying softer water — slack edges, mid-channel eddies, and pockets behind boulders — rather than holding in the main current push. The waning gibbous moon this week should push active feeding to first and last light. Plan your approach around those low-light windows for the best chance at surface or subsurface takes.
Summer catfish and post-spawn bass emerge as Nebraska rivers tighten
Nebraska Game & Parks is flagging low water levels across the state this week — verify conditions and boat safely before launching. The Platte River is registering 4,190 cfs per USGS gauge 06796000 as of June 2, though no water temperature reading is available from current gauges in the region. With spawning wrapped up, bass are transitioning off beds and into early summer patterns. Tactical Bassin reports that post-spawn fish are moving toward isolated offshore structure, responding to chatterbaits and drop-shot presentations fished on outside flats and current seams. Fishing the Midwest highlights that larger summer rivers like the Platte and Missouri can concentrate fish along current edges and produce reliable action. Channel catfish are entering their warm-weather prime period on both systems. Nebraska Game & Parks also notes Niobrara State Park Pond is closed through fall for aquatic habitat improvements, so redirect any pond plans accordingly. A phone-call check on local conditions before heading out is strongly recommended this week.
Paddlefish Season Active as Yellowstone Holds Moderate June Flows
Per MT FWP Fishing News, paddlefish season is underway on the Yellowstone and Missouri drainages with new tagging requirements for 2026. Anglers must now complete tagging before the carcass is tied up, stored, cleaned, or removed from the water, mirroring big game tag protocols. On the upper Yellowstone, USGS gauge 06043500 at Corwin Springs logs 2,050 cfs as of June 2, indicating slightly elevated but accessible flows for early June. No water temperature data is available from this gauge today, though mountain snowmelt typically keeps the upper Yellowstone cold through much of June. For trout anglers, nymphing and streamer work are the go-to presentations during moderate runoff periods. MT FWP's ongoing bull trout recovery effort at Swan Lake, highlighted in their latest Field Trips episode, serves as a reminder that this native species faces ongoing pressure from invasive lake trout throughout Montana's drainages.
Post-spawn bass transition as Missouri River runs high in early June
USGS gauge 06934500 puts the Missouri River at Hermann at 170,000 cfs with water sitting at 74°F as of June 2, elevated flows that are the defining condition right now. Bass have largely wrapped their spawn and begun the shift toward summer feeding structure. Per Fishing the Midwest, summer rivers reward anglers who identify current breaks, slack backwaters, and eddies where post-spawn fish congregate once they leave spawning flats. Tactical Bassin's June bass coverage points to chatterbaits and neko rigs as top presentations for post-spawn fish holding on isolated structure and current seams, while Flukemaster's June bass breakdown highlights deeper offshore structure as the emerging pattern on warming river systems. B.A.S.S. News adds that adjusting to changing water levels is the critical skill; fish have moved from spawning flats toward transition depth and main-channel edges. Catfish are a strong system-wide bet, as high water concentrates baitfish along current edges and tributary mouths in a textbook early-summer setup.
MS Sound enters summer mode ahead of Free Fishing Weekend
NOAA buoy 42067 logged water temperatures at 85°F in the Mississippi Sound on June 2, placing the fishery firmly in summer mode. Anglers heading out this weekend have a clear incentive: MS DMR confirms that June 6 and 7 are Free Fishing Weekend statewide, allowing any person to fish all Mississippi public waters without a recreational license, with July 4 designated as a second Free Fishing Day. With water this warm, inshore fish typically compress their feeding into early morning and late evening windows, pulling tight to shaded structure and deeper grass edges through the midday heat. Salt Strong's recent coverage of redfish behavior on warming flats notes fish holding to oyster beds, grass potholes, and dock edges as temperatures climb. No local charter or shop reports are in this cycle's feed; species activity below reflects seasonal norms for early June. Offshore, Sport Fishing Mag's guide to Northern Gulf platform fishing highlights oil and gas rigs as reliable summer structure worth targeting when Sound conditions settle.
Post-spawn bass and catfish concentrate in backwaters on high Mississippi
USGS gauge 07289000 recorded an exceptionally elevated flow of 845,000 cfs on the Mississippi River as of June 2, pushing nearly all viable fishing out of the main channel and into backwater lakes, oxbow sloughs, and tributary mouths. With post-spawn timing well underway, largemouth bass are the headline target this week. Tactical Bassin notes that June patterns favor seeking fish on isolated offshore structure with chatterbaits, drop-shot rigs, and neko presentations where current breaks allow fish to hold. Blue, channel, and flathead catfish represent arguably the most resilient bite under high-water conditions, stacking against woody debris and hard current seams where baitfish concentrate. No water temperature reading was available at the gauge this period. A Waning Gibbous moon sets up decent low-light feeding windows at dawn and dusk, which are the prime windows for working slack-water pockets. Anglers on the Pearl River, which runs independently of the main-stem Mississippi, may find more consistent access this weekend.
Lake Superior Coho Topping Limits as Inland Waters Shift to Summer
Surface temps along Lake Superior's lower shore (Duluth to Two Harbors) held at 35-37°F as of the MN DNR's May 28 Lake Superior Summer Fishing report, and Coho Salmon were the story: most boat anglers trolling stick baits 5-10 feet down in 80-140 feet of water were landing limits. The same report rated Lake Trout action as fairly slow overall, though patient trollers working flasher-fly rigs and spoons 40-80 feet down in 90-140 feet of water still connected. Inland, USGS gauges on the Mississippi River system show elevated late-spring runoff (12,700 cfs at St. Paul, 5,700 cfs upstream at Anoka), pointing river anglers toward slack eddies and wing-dam edges rather than open current. Field and Stream reported a new Minnesota catch-and-release lake trout record landed May 9 with the Lake Superior Jigging Guide Service, a fitting exclamation point on a strong spring on the big water. With bass opener past and walleye transitioning to early-summer structure, the multi-species window across North Woods lakes is wide open.
Michigan bass and walleye shifting into summer patterns on the Grand River
Grand River at Grand Rapids was running 3,020 cfs on June 2 per USGS gauge 04119000, sitting in moderate early-summer range that keeps boat access comfortable and several wade stretches fishable. Post-spawn transition is underway statewide: Tactical Bassin's recent on-water outing describes bass abandoning beds and relocating to isolated offshore structure, with chatterbaits, swimbaits, drop shots, and Neko rigs all producing on that trip. Jason Mitchell Outdoors (YT) has published both a shallow-smallmouth segment and a "May Walleye Craziness" piece documenting strong late-May feeding activity, patterns that typically carry into the first weeks of June on Michigan rivers and connected lakes. The MI DNR Weekly Fishing Report series through May 27 confirms broad season-wide activity across all peninsulas. No water temperature data is available from gauges or buoys this cycle. The waning gibbous moon will compress feeding activity into low-light windows at dawn and dusk over the coming days.
Post-Spawn Bass and Trophy Crappie on the Bite Across Central MA Lakes
Crappie fishing has been a standout story across Massachusetts this week. The Fisherman's New England Freshwater correspondent Jeff Sullivan scored crappies in the 2-pound range at Cook Pond in Fall River on Keitechs and squarebills, noting the May full moon as the prime window for big slabs. On Goose Pond in the Berkshire Hills, Rod Teehan reporting for The Fisherman found a 13-inch brown trout on a downrigged silver Junior Mooselook Wobbler in 35 feet of water on May 26, while the depth sounder lit up with additional fish stacked deep. USGS gauges show regional flows at 18.6 cfs and 57.4 cfs — moderate conditions consistent with the early-June transition away from spring runoff. No surface temperatures are available from the gauges today, but June typically brings lake temps into the mid-60s across Central MA, pushing post-spawn bass onto offshore structure. Tactical Bassin reports chatterbaits and neko rigs are producing well on isolated offshore structure as bass recover from the spawn.
Post-spawn bass heating up on the Potomac and Patapsco as June arrives
The Patapsco River is flowing at 68.7 cfs (USGS gauge 01589000, June 2), reflecting the low, clear conditions typical of early summer on this system. Post-spawn bass are the headline story region-wide right now. Tactical Bassin reports strong action during post-spawn windows on isolated offshore structure, with chatterbaits, neko rigs, and drop shots all producing; their June bass guide notes that reaction presentations fire early in low-light windows and finesse bottom-contact rigs take over once the sun climbs. On The Water's May 29 striper migration map shows large stripers pushing north along the coast, feeding heavily on bunker and river herring, and the upper tidal Potomac can intercept the trailing edge of that push before summer heat sets in. No water temperature is available from current gauges, so anglers should probe shaded banks and transitional depth edges early and move to deeper structure through the midday hours.
Kennebec running full as post-spawn smallmouth season opens in central Maine
The Kennebec River registered 3,380 cfs at USGS gauge 01046500 as of June 2, reflecting healthy late-spring flows across the watershed with no water temperature available in the current reading. No direct on-water reports from Kennebec or Penobscot-based sources are available in this cycle, so conditions here are grounded in gauge data and regional context. The broader Northeast striper migration is well documented: The Fisherman — South Shore MA to ME describes fish running actively from the Massachusetts coast into Maine waters, and the lower tidal reaches of both the Kennebec and Penobscot typically see stripers entering by early June as the push advances. Inland, early June marks the opening of the prime smallmouth bass window across both river systems, as post-spawn fish begin recovering and moving toward summer feeding stations on rocky mid-river structure. Landlocked salmon are transitioning to deeper, cooler lies, while brook trout remain accessible in cooler tributary streams.
Venice Swordfish Runs Deep as Gulf Rig Fishing Peaks for Early June
Sport Fishing Mag's recent feature on daytime swordfishing highlights Venice, Louisiana as one of the world's top departure points for targeting the species in the deep Gulf, with Osprey Charters noted as a local operation positioned for success. NOAA buoy 42001 recorded surface water at 82°F on June 2, and offshore seas measured around 1.6 feet at buoy 42067, comfortable conditions for reaching the shelf edge. Sport Fishing Mag also covers northern Gulf rig fishing in a separate piece, describing the region's oil and gas platform network as among the continent's most diverse fishing grounds. Inshore, Salt Strong (YT) is featuring a redfish grass flat pattern consistent with the classic early-summer push into Louisiana's Delta marshes. The waning gibbous moon supports low-light feeding windows at dawn and dusk across both offshore structure and inshore flats, making the next few days a worthwhile window for anglers on either front.
Atchafalaya Basin Opens as High Mississippi Flow Floods Timber and Cypress Edges
USGS gauge 07374000 on the Mississippi is pulling 558,000 cfs at 76°F as of June 2, an elevated early-summer flow pushing largemouth bass and catfish deep into Atchafalaya Basin backwaters and flooded cypress edges. Louisiana Sportsman reported June 1 that LDWF Inland Fisheries biologists are working to restore critical fish habitat on Toledo Bend with native submersed aquatic vegetation, a signal that state managers are investing in structure-based habitat as the region heads into its warm-weather season. The high water keeps conditions spread across the basin's swamp and timber zones rather than concentrating fish on levee edges. Expect largemouth working shallow flooded willow and cypress stands, blue catfish stacking near current seams on the main Atchafalaya, and crappie holding deeper in flooded timber. The waning gibbous moon favors an active overnight catfish bite. No specific charter or shop intel was available for this reporting cycle; conditions are grounded in the gauge reading and seasonal patterns for early June in this corridor.
Post-spawn bass push offshore as Kentucky rivers settle into early summer
USGS gauge 03301500 logged a moderate 574 cfs on June 2, suggesting river levels are running stable with no significant recent pulse. Water temperature data was unavailable from the gauge, though early-June conditions across Kentucky's river systems typically push surface temps into the low-to-mid 70s°F range. The bass picture is the headline right now. MLF News reports that fish on adjacent Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley have locked onto ledge structure in classic post-spawn fashion, with a major Phoenix Bass Fishing League event targeting that pattern beginning June 6. Tactical Bassin backs this up, noting that post-spawn bass are most responsive to chatterbaits, neko rigs, and dropshotted presentations fished on isolated offshore structure. Flukemaster (YT) highlights frogs and walking topwaters as productive early-morning options throughout June. On the Ohio and Cumberland main stems, catfish typically enter prime early-summer feeding mode during this window, with channel edges and scour holes the most reliable holding areas.