Fishing reports
7378 reports across all 50 states — current conditions and what's biting.
NH Stripers Shift Offshore as Merrimack Run Winds Down
Per The Fisherman — South Shore MA to ME, Surfland Bait & Tackle reports the Merrimack River striper run has wound down with just a few stragglers remaining. NH coast anglers should note a significant water-quality alert: On The Water reports a sewer main break in Haverhill is dumping an estimated 8 million gallons of raw sewage daily into the Merrimack River, raising health and catch concerns for that drainage. The more reliable local option right now is Joppa Flats, where tube and worm trollers are finding consistent action near the river mouth. Correspondent Dave Anderson (via The Fisherman — South Shore MA to ME) notes a soft spot in the striper bite from Rockport up through the Merrimack corridor, but a strong push of larger fish is pressing in from Maine to the north. Beauport Fishing Adventures is logging mid-40-inch class stripers inshore and offshore out of Gloucester, with abundant mackerel fueling the action. Offshore, OTW Saltwater's July 1 report puts tuna fishing on fire across New England.
Red snapper limits offshore; Galveston Bay specks active on artificials
Williams Party Boats out of Galveston has been running 12-hour Gulf trips and returning with full boat limits of red snapper, per the Galveston Daily News — Reel Report — a standout result heading into the Fourth of July weekend. Inshore, Capt. Guy Focke spent recent days working upper Galveston Bay and located speckled trout near Red Bluff Point, though many fish were falling short of legal size. The best inshore action is concentrated in west and lower Galveston Bay, where Capt. Kenny Cambiano with Silver King Adventures has been consistently putting anglers on speckled trout using artificial lures. Capt. Jeff Larson also filed a conditions report out of Seadrift after an overnight trip, extending the picture down the mid-coast. With the Waning Gibbous moon producing moderate tidal movement, early morning starts and high-tide windows on shoreline structure offer the most productive timing for inshore anglers in the days ahead.
Salmon Season in Full Stride on Door County and Sheboygan Waters
The WI DNR Lake Michigan Fishing Report documented a banner 2024 harvest that sets up midsummer 2026 with strong expectations: over 210,000 coho salmon were landed last year, a new record, while Chinook catches topped 160,000 — the highest since 2012. The DNR credits improved alewife year-classes with lifting post-stocking survival for both species, and those same forage populations carry into the current season. In Door County, the Rowley's Bay boat launch near Newport State Park reopened after a spring improvement project that closed it through May 31, restoring a key northern shoreline access point for offshore runs. No buoy or gauge readings were available for this report, so precise surface temperatures could not be confirmed — check the NOAA Great Lakes marine forecast before heading out. The waning gibbous moon favors low-light bite windows at first light and dusk over the coming days, worth building your launch time around.
Gulf redfish push into shoreline cover as summer heat peaks on Mobile Bay
Salt Strong's summer Gulf Coast game plan highlights a familiar early-July pattern: as shallow water temperatures peak, redfish abandon open flats and push tight into shoreline cover on rising tides, staging to ambush prey near marsh grass banks and dock pilings. That behavioral shift appears underway across the northern Gulf right now. An angler on the Pensacola Fishing Forum reports struggling to locate fish in Big Lagoon's inshore pinch points, including RedFish Point, Langley Point, and Spanish Point, using live shrimp, cut mullet, and topwater jerkbaits, a difficulty consistent with fish having moved off predictable open structure. Speckled trout typically follow a similar pattern at this time of year, retreating to deeper ledges and channel edges during midday heat. No buoy or gauge readings are available for this report window. Offshore, Alabama's summer red snapper and cobia fisheries typically draw strong July participation. Confirm current dates and limits with state authorities before targeting bottom structure.
Redfish Push Into Shoreline Cover as Summer Heat Grips Lower Laguna Madre
No buoy readings are available for this cycle, and direct charter or shop intel from the Lower Laguna Madre and South Padre Island corridor is limited in this update. That said, Salt Strong's current summer guidance applies directly here: as July heat pushes midday water temperatures into the upper 80s and beyond, redfish abandon open flats and move into shoreline cover where shade, oxygen, and bait congregate. Salt Strong advises targeting those tight-to-cover spots during high tide, when fish gain access to flooded grass and structure. The Waning Gibbous moon is pulling tidal swings back from their full-moon peak, which typically steadies feeding into more predictable early-morning and late-evening windows. Speckled trout and redfish remain the anchor species across the Laguna Madre system. No water temperature readings were available for this report.
Allegheny tailwaters prime for bass and catfish as July heat builds
USGS gauge 03036500 on the Allegheny at Kittanning recorded 4,670 cfs as of July 1, a moderately elevated early-July flow that keeps current seams defined and wade access limited to selected tailwater pools and eddy lines. No water temperature reading was available from this gauge. July typically pushes surface temps into the upper 70s on open stretches, nudging smallmouth bass and walleye toward deeper, cooler structure near dam outflows. Tactical Bassin notes that summer bass are 'driven by three main variables,' splitting into aggressive morning shallow feeders and deeper midday suspenders: a pattern that tracks well with tailwater behavior here. Field & Stream's catfish primer highlights July as prime time for flathead catfish holding in deep woody cover and bank holes. Direct local charter, tackle-shop, or biologist-level intel was limited this cycle; the PA Fish & Boat Biologist Reports page returned site navigation without species-specific field updates.
Lanier stripers stack on cold tailwater as July bass patterns lock in
USGS gauge 02334430 on the Chattahoochee below Buford Dam is logging 49°F at 636 cfs — cold hypolimnetic releases that signal prime holding conditions for striped bass staging in the tailrace and along Lake Lanier's cooler deep-water column. Georgia Wildlife Blog's June 26 report confirms summer fishing is fully underway across Georgia waters, though specific per-lake catch breakdowns are limited this cycle. On the bass front, Tactical Bassin notes July as the month when "bass metabolism is at an all-time high," with fish "aggressively feeding on a variety of prey species" — pointing to a productive topwater bite at first light before fish settle onto deeper main-lake structure as the sun climbs. Allatoona's shallow creek arms typically produce largemouth through the morning window, with midday fish dropping to main-lake ledges and points. The Waning Gibbous moon favors the low-light bookends of the day for surface action.
Bluefin Signal Builds Offshore as Shore-Shark Rules Reshape Central Coast Access
Western Outdoor News — Saltwater reports an exceptional early-July run out of Northern California ports: limits of bluefin tuna described as "previously unheard of," rockfish and lingcod limits at the Farallon Islands, and a strong halibut bite at Bodega Bay. These NorCal patterns historically carry southward into Central Coast waters as summer upwelling peaks, suggesting solid potential for offshore pelagic and nearshore structure fishing from Monterey to Santa Barbara. The most consequential local development for shore anglers is a California Fish and Game Commission emergency regulation — effective June 17 and reported by Western Outdoor News — banning wire leaders and hooks larger than 1.5 inches within 1,000 yards of shore from Pigeon Point southward, effectively reshaping how beach and pier anglers target sharks along the entire Central Coast. No water temperature readings or direct Central Coast captain reports were available this cycle; conditions here are inferred from adjacent-region intel and seasonal patterns typical of early July.
Stripers Dominate Long Island as Canyon Tuna Bite Kicks Into July
Big stripers remain the headliner across Long Island entering July. Per The Fisherman — Long Island East End, outstanding bass action continues around Montauk Point, Southwest Ledge, and the local rips, where both slot and trophy-class fish are keeping the fleet busy on squid, sand eels, jigs, and trolling gear. On the South Shore, The Fisherman — Long Island South Shore relays that Just One Bite Charters in Center Moriches reported limit striped bass catches over the weekend with releases up to 45 inches, while Dick's B&T in Mastic Beach confirms steady day-and-night inlet fishing on eels, live spot, and bunker chunks. Fluke is gaining traction — Chasing Tails Bait & Tackle in Oakdale reports warmer water has pushed flatties into their summer staging areas, and Hi-Hook Bait and Tackle in Huntington logged a 7.85-pound fish on Spro Bucktails. Offshore, West Atlantis is producing yellowfin tuna to 90 pounds plus bluefin and bigeyes, per multiple East End marina sources in The Fisherman — Long Island East End.
Summer Chinook Season Opens Across Olympic Peninsula Rivers
USGS gauge 12041200 is recording 666 cfs and gauge 12035000 is reading 348 cfs as of July 1, placing Olympic Peninsula rivers in moderate summer flow — conditions that typically keep water clear enough for salmon to hold in prime lies. No temperature data is available from the current gauges. Specific on-the-water angler intercept reports from the WA WDFW Fishing Reports program did not surface in this cycle's feeds, so current catch detail is limited. That said, early July is historically the leading edge of the summer Chinook run on Peninsula rivers, with summer steelhead providing a secondary pursuit on most systems. Chinook generally concentrate below riffles and at seam edges under these flow levels. Regulations and retention rules shift frequently through the season — verify current state rules before heading out. The waning gibbous moon sets up favorable low-light windows at dawn for actively feeding fish.
CT inland bass in full summer stride as July heat locks in
Water at USGS gauge 01184000 registered 78°F on July 1, confirming that CT inland waters have fully transitioned into summer mode. Largemouth and smallmouth bass are the primary targets right now, with Tactical Bassin reporting that July marks a yearly peak in bass metabolism — fish are aggressively feeding on baitfish, frogs, and crawfish across a wide range of presentations. Early topwater action near weedline edges and lily pad fields should be most productive before the heat pushes fish deeper into structure. The Connecticut River main stem is running above typical summer levels at 10,600 cfs (USGS gauge 01184000), which may concentrate bass in slack pockets behind wing dams and abutments. Smaller tributaries are at low-flow summer stage — gauge 01193500 recorded just 28.4 cfs — making wade access easy but afternoon heat a real stress factor. Trout fishing has largely wound down statewide; surface temps at 78°F far exceed comfortable salmonid thresholds, and only shaded spring-fed headwaters offer reasonable catch-and-release conditions.
Chinook season peaks on southern Lake Michigan heading into the July 4 weekend
The WI DNR Lake Michigan Fishing Report documented an exceptional 2024 harvest: over 160,000 Chinook and a record 210,000-plus coho taken across the lake, a result the agency attributed to strong alewife year-classes boosting stocked-fish survival heading into this season. No real-time buoy data or Chicago-area charter reports surfaced in this update, so current surface temperatures cannot be confirmed. Seasonally, early July is historically the peak trolling window on southern Lake Michigan, with Chinook and coho keying on mid-lake thermal breaks as alewife schools concentrate. Yellow perch remain a dependable option from Chicago's lakefront piers and harbor breakwaters. Fishing the Midwest notes that summer heat puts bass metabolism at a yearly high, making weedlines and structure edges the most reliable daytime ambush points. Check Illinois DNR regulations for current salmon and perch daily limits before your trip; bag rules can shift season to season.
Indiana's Lake Michigan shore enters peak summer salmon trolling season
The WI DNR Lake Michigan Fishing Report documented record coho salmon numbers topping 210,000 fish in 2024, with Chinook exceeding 160,000 — the best since 2012 — credited to strong alewife classes that continue to underpin the lake's salmon fishery heading into 2026. No NOAA buoy or USGS gauge data was returned for the Indiana shoreline in this reporting cycle, so anglers should confirm surface temperatures locally before heading out. Early July marks the heart of summer salmon season along Indiana's Lake Michigan coast: Chinook and coho stage along the thermocline and historically run well on downrigger and planer-board spreads targeting the temperature break. Yellow perch remain a reliable pier and breakwall option through the warmer months. Fishing the Midwest notes that weedlines are actively holding fish across the Great Lakes region this season, pointing to nearshore smallmouth bass as a worthy alternative for shore-bound anglers. The waning gibbous moon favors early-morning low-light windows for the best action.
Stripers Shift to Summer Pattern as LIS Tuna Fishing Heats Up
OTW Saltwater's July 1 Northeast Offshore Report puts tuna 'on fire from Maryland to New England,' a strong note for Connecticut boats with offshore range. Closer to shore on Long Island Sound, striped bass are well into their summer transition: the Saltwater Edge Blog's late-June Rhode Island forecasts describe fish moving away from shallow beach fronts and toward deeper, cooler structure as water temps climb. Squid, which the Saltwater Edge called 'fantastic' and 'not showing signs of slowing' through mid-June, may still linger as a productive striper bait in early July before tapering. OTW Surfcasting reports small topwater spooks and rigged Slug-Gos working well for surf-caught bass right now across the Northeast. One time-sensitive note: On The Water reports the Southern New England trophy bluefin tuna fishery closes effective July 3, leaving a narrow window for any Connecticut offshore run targeting trophy-class fish. Fluke and bluefish are settling into typical summer LIS haunts as the season shifts.
Rangeley midsummer: brook trout seek depth as terrestrial season opens
The headwaters gauge at USGS 01054200 is reading 74.1 cfs as of the evening of July 1, a moderate early-summer flow in the Androscoggin watershed. No water temperature reading is available at this time, but early July typically drives brook trout and landlocked salmon into cooler, deeper water across the Rangeley chain. Trout Unlimited cautions that warmer surface water holds less dissolved oxygen, compressing trout feeding into low-light windows at dawn and dusk. The bright side: Trout Unlimited notes the terrestrial season is now underway, with ants, beetles, and hoppers drifted tight to wooded banks the go-to summer offering. Mainely Fly Fishing (ME) documented an unusually early 2026 season, noting ice-out on Dundee Pond came April 4, pointing to fish with extra weeks of pre-summer feeding behind them. Current midsummer angler reports specific to Rangeley are sparse in this week's feeds. Plan early and late sessions and verify local water temps before heading out.
Tuna Bite Peaks Before July 3 Closure; Cape Cod Stripers Shift to Summer Structure
OTW Saltwater's July 1 Northeast Offshore Report declares tuna fishing "on fire from Maryland to New England," with strong canyon water keeping the bite rolling into early summer. The timing is critical: On The Water reports the trophy bluefin tuna fishery in Southern New England closes July 3 at 11:30 PM, leaving a narrow 24-to-48-hour window for one last shot at a giant. OTW Saltwater's recent offshore coverage also documents a hot nighttime tuna bite in the Great South Channel — the deep corridor running southeast of Chatham. For striped bass, Saltwater Edge Blog (RI) noted in their late-June forecasts that rising water temps are pushing bass toward deeper, cooler oceanfront structure — a transition Cape Cod Bay anglers are experiencing now. On The Water highlights small topwater spooks with a walk-the-dog retrieve as a consistent season-long producer. Squid fishing has been exceptional through late June per Saltwater Edge Blog (RI), though the run may taper as July heat builds.
Cool Ozark springs anchor Current and Niangua trout through July heat
Flow on the Current River registered 1,450 cfs per USGS gauge 07067000 at 5:30 p.m. on July 1, a moderate summer reading that leaves wading riffles accessible and spring inputs visible along the banks. Water temperature came back without a reading this cycle, but these Missouri spring-fed systems typically hold in the mid-50s to low-60s year-round, offering reliable cold-water refuge even as Ozark air temps climb into the upper 80s and 90s. Trout Unlimited notes in their current summer editorial that trout are cold-blooded and struggle when water temperatures rise, flagging midday fishing on warm days as a concern; the spring-fed character of the Current and Niangua insulates anglers from the worst of that pressure. Summer terrestrials (hoppers, ants, beetles) are the go-to pattern per Trout Unlimited, while Tactical Bassin reports that July sends bass metabolism to an all-time high, making smallmouth in the deeper pools a strong secondary target throughout the holiday week.
Tuna bite fires up across the Gulf as July 4 weekend arrives
OTW Saltwater's July 1 Northeast Offshore Report puts it plainly: tuna fishing is on fire from Maryland to New England, with favorable canyon water conditions expected to carry the bite through the holiday weekend. Inshore along the Gulf of Maine, striped bass remain an active target, though anglers should be aware of a significant water-quality issue. On The Water reports a sewer main break in Haverhill is discharging approximately 8 million gallons of raw sewage per day into the Merrimack River, directly fouling a prime striper corridor. Law enforcement is active in the same system: Massachusetts Environmental Police arrested additional poachers on the Merrimack this week for possession of fish outside the legal slot and fishing on posted property, per On The Water. A critical regulatory date arrives July 3: the Southern New England trophy bluefin fishery closes that day, so offshore crews should confirm their zone and size class before departure.
Offshore tuna on fire as Chesapeake mouth heads into July
OTW Saltwater's July 1 Northeast Offshore Report puts tuna 'on fire from Maryland to New England,' with favorable canyon water suggesting the bite will keep rolling. That signal puts Virginia Beach's offshore grounds directly in play for the holiday weekend. No Virginia-specific captain or tackle-shop reports appeared in this cycle's intel feeds, so inshore conditions are grounded in seasonal patterns. Early July is historically the peak window for cobia at the Chesapeake mouth, with fish typically following cownose rays through the Bay entrance and stacking around nearshore structure. Striped bass are shifting to deeper, cooler haunts, a seasonal transition Saltwater Edge has been tracking regionally, while OTW Surfcasting flags broader concern about striper spawning success across the watershed. Summer flounder are in full summer mode on nearshore reefs and rip edges. Tidal exchange at the Bay mouth remains strong through the waning gibbous this week.
Stripers Lingering in Narragansett Bay as Cool Water Extends the Run
The Saltwater Edge Blog (RI) reported in their late-June new moon forecast that striped bass and squid fishing in Rhode Island have both been "fantastic" — and, thanks to water temperatures that stayed cooler than normal through the second half of June, neither fishery was showing signs of slowing. That cool-water carry-over is the dominant story heading into July 1. Fluke, scup, and black sea bass have settled into their summer holding spots around the bay, per Saltwater Edge's June full moon preview. Offshore, OTW Saltwater's July 1 Northeast report puts tuna as "on fire from Maryland to New England," though anglers targeting trophy bluefin in Southern New England should know the season closes effective July 3, per On The Water. No live buoy readings are available for this report; all conditions reflect current angler accounts. Check local forecast before heading out.
Canyon Tuna Firing Near Virginia Waters as July Flounder Season Peaks
OTW Saltwater's July 1 offshore report confirms tuna fishing is 'on fire from Maryland to New England,' placing Virginia's offshore canyon grounds squarely in the action as the first week of July opens at Chincoteague. No NOAA buoy readings were available for nearshore waters in this update, so anglers should confirm current conditions locally before launching. The Saltwater Edge Blog notes that striped bass have entered their summer pattern of retreating to deeper, cooler oceanfront water, consistent with what mid-Atlantic anglers see when temperatures climb. Inshore, early July is historically the heart of summer flounder season around Chincoteague's channels and inlet mouths, with bluefish providing reliable surf and inlet action through the heat of the day. Red drum in the back-bay shallows are worth targeting on early-morning ebbs while water stays at its coolest.
Red drum running Pamlico Sound flats and river structure as July opens
Red drum of all sizes are working the flats and shoreline structure along the Pamlico and Neuse rivers, per Donald of Custom Marine Fabrication reporting through Fisherman's Post NC. Big drum are in the mix. The pattern holds across adjacent inshore waters: Rich of The Reel Outdoors (via Fisherman's Post NC) reports steady drum in the sounds around Swansboro and Emerald Isle on live bait, while Nathan of East Coast Sports (via Fisherman's Post NC) highlights an early-morning topwater bite for reds at Topsail and Sneads Ferry that transitions to bottom fishing as the day heats up. The surf is delivering a mixed bag of bluefish, croakers, whiting, and some pompano at multiple coastal access points. Angie of Dutchman Creek Bait and Tackle (via Fisherman's Post NC) notes intermittent dirty water and floating seaweed complicating surf efforts around Southport and Oak Island. No buoy data is available for specific water temperatures this cycle, but mid-summer conditions in Pamlico Sound are firmly in the warm shallow-water pattern that defines inshore fishing here.
Summer Snapper Bite Lights Up the Keys as Mutton Spawn Rolls On
The Florida Keys are turning in one of their strongest summer snapper fisheries in recent memory. ALL IN Key West charter captains are calling the bite "on fire," with mutton snappers staging in force for their annual full-moon spawn and yellowtails "practically jumping in the boat." The waning gibbous moon puts us just past the spawn's peak window, but fish remain stacked and actively feeding across reef and bottom structure. A recent Gulf of America trip by ALL IN Key West produced groupers, snappers, cobia, barracuda, and kingfish in a single session. Offshore, live bait is drawing sailfish, king mackerel, and tuna along Gulfstream edges running close to Key West. One captain with 16 years on the water called the May and June stretch "as good as I've seen," and early July shows no signs of a letup. No current buoy readings are available; check local marine forecasts before departing.
Michigan's July bass and walleye window opens as Great Lakes summer heats up
Grand River is running at 2,260 cfs as of July 1 (USGS gauge 04119000) — a moderate, fishable summer stage for wading and kayak anglers. The MI DNR Weekly Fishing Report for July 1, 2026 stands as the regional authority on statewide conditions this week. On the Michigan Sportsman Forum, anglers from the Grand Rapids area are actively planning Lake Erie walleye runs, with some wondering whether July heat has pushed fish to deeper structure. Smallmouth bass are drawing kayak-fishing inquiries on the Huron River near Ann Arbor, with the Barton Pond stretch generating discussion. Tactical Bassin notes that July ranks among the year's strongest months for bass, with fish metabolisms running high and aggressive feeding across multiple prey species. A waning gibbous moon favors low-light bites at dawn and dusk through the holiday weekend. No buoy water temperatures were available in this reporting cycle — check local forecasts and recent reports before targeting temperature-sensitive species.