Fishing reports
7473 reports across all 50 states — current conditions and what's biting.
Puget Sound Summer Salmon Season Takes Shape Under a Full June Moon
WA Sea Grant reported the first confirmed detection of invasive European green crab on Orcas Island this past May — the first time the species has been found on the island — marking a notable ecological development for the Salish Sea heading into summer. Beyond that ecosystem signal, specific bite intel for Puget Sound and Washington's Pacific coast is sparse in current source feeds. WA WDFW Fishing Reports references ongoing statewide creel monitoring but provided no detailed catch breakdown for this reporting window. Seasonally, late June marks the traditional entry point of the summer chinook (king salmon) window in Puget Sound, with lingcod and Pacific halibut rounding out the bottomfish picture along the coast. The full moon on June 30 drives the most pronounced tidal swings of the month, historically concentrating bait along current seams and triggering feeding windows at transition points. Check WA WDFW directly for current creel summaries and any emergency salmon closures before launching.
Gulf of Alaska Enters Peak Summer Window for Salmon and Halibut
AK Sea Grant's recent Lowell Wakefield Fisheries Symposium at Kodiak Island, centered on marine heatwaves in high-latitude oceans, underscores the environmental backdrop shaping Gulf of Alaska fishing this season. With no buoy readings or on-water charter reports available this cycle, conditions assessments lean on established seasonal patterns: late June marks the overlap of lingering Chinook salmon offshore and prime Pacific halibut grounds across the Gulf. The full moon on June 30 typically drives stronger tidal movement, concentrating halibut along structure and pushing salmon toward staging areas near major drainages. No specific shop or captain reports corroborate where fish are actively concentrated this week, so treat the species statuses below as seasonal baselines rather than confirmed hot bites. Anglers should check with local charter operators near Kodiak Island before committing to trips, and monitor NOAA marine forecasts given the Gulf's notoriously variable weather.
Charleston Harbor Summer Bite Builds: Sheepshead, Spanish Mac, Redfish Active
Fisherman's Post — Carolinas saltwater's June 2026 Carolina Beach dispatch notes the first push of smaller sheepshead moving into Cape Fear River structure — a migration that typically arrives in Charleston Harbor estuaries at the same time. Further up the Carolina coast, Spanish mackerel are showing in good numbers nearshore and along the beachfront, with the bluefish bite described as 'really good' (per Fisherman's Post reports from Swansboro and Morehead). These nearshore species follow similar timing into Charleston waters. Full Moon tides on June 30 produce the month's strongest tidal swings, creating prime current windows for redfish pushing into shoreline cover — Salt Strong's summer high-tide guidance notes reds move off open flats and into vegetated edges when water runs high. No live NOAA buoy data was available for this report; conditions here reflect the regional Carolinas pattern and late-June seasonal norms for this estuary.
Great Lakes bass hit summer stride as algae watch builds in late June
Wired 2 Fish's July 2026 lure outlook notes that northern bass country, Michigan included, is shedding spring patterns fast, with fish moving off beds and onto deep structure as summer heat accelerates. Fishing the Midwest flags weedlines as the critical zone in the region right now, with walleye pushing tight to emergent cabbage and coontail edges during the open-water peak. The full moon on June 30 is a factor to plan around: expect subdued midday action and stronger feeding windows at dawn and dusk across Great Lakes bays and Grand River stretches. Michigan Sportsman Forum is tracking a moderate algae bloom forecast for the region, rated 3 to 4.5 in severity, a concern consistent with Great Lakes Now's coverage of expanded bloom-monitoring infrastructure across the basin. No NOAA buoy or USGS gauge readings were available this cycle, so surface temperatures could not be confirmed. Check local DNR station data or a surface-temp app before making launch decisions.
Lake Michigan salmon staging offshore as Grand River mouth enters midsummer
The WI DNR Lake Michigan Fishing Report highlighted 2024 as a landmark season across the broader Lake Michigan system, recording over 210,000 coho, a lakewide harvest record, and more than 160,000 Chinook, the most since 2012, with strong alewife year classes driving that stocking survival. Real-time NOAA buoy and USGS gauge readings were unavailable for this report. Species ratings below reflect typical late-June seasonal norms rather than confirmed current bite reports, so verify on-water conditions before launching. At the Grand River mouth, late June is textbook staging time: Chinook build offshore while walleye concentrate near the river-current seam at the breakwater. Fishing the Midwest confirms the 2026 open-water season is in full swing across the region. Wired 2 Fish notes that northern-tier bass and other species are fully transitioning into summer patterns, with fish relating increasingly to deeper forage and structure edges as the heat of July arrives.
Bluefin Push Meets Surging Fluke Bite Along the Jersey Shore
Water temps running 64 to 66°F along the Jersey Shore as late June transitions into July, setting up an increasingly productive summer fishery. Fishermans HQ LBI reports a massive squid invasion off the Jersey coast that has drawn bluefin tuna within striking distance, just 20 to 30 miles out, with fish ranging from football-sized to 60-pound class. Per The Fisherman NJ/DE Offshore, fish are hitting at the Cigar on poppers and the hoo troll, and inshore lumps stacked with sand eels are also producing. Fluke is the other headline: Capt Ron's Atlantic Highlands is seeing quality keepers up to 5 pounds on Gulp sand eels, and The Fisherman Southern NJ correspondents report an improving back-bay bite with fish to 7 pounds 8 ounces. Blue Chip Sportfishing reports sea bass trips nearly limiting out alongside wide-open shark action, including Mako releases. The spring striper run is winding down, but errant bass continue picking up clams at Island Beach State Park and Barnegat Inlet.
Smallmouth and Catfish Active on a Low Delaware as Dog Days Set In
Old School Outdoors, via The Fisherman — NJ/DE Freshwater, reports smallmouth fishing is good on the Delaware River and catfishing has been productive, even as drought conditions have pushed flows below normal through late June. Anglers are finding fish stacked in deeper holes, eddies, and beneath bridge pilings as water levels drop. The Fisherman — NJ/DE Freshwater also notes June brought 90-plus degree days alongside lows in the 50s and unreliable forecasts: conditions JB Kasper describes as 'a great big puzzle.' As July arrives, the pattern is settling into classic dog-days timing, with bass active in early-morning and late-afternoon windows when shadows cool the shallows. Crappie fishing has slowed considerably. Tonight's full moon may push catfish and smallmouth into extended evening feeding windows on the river. In Pine Barrens systems, largemouth hold tight to heavy vegetation along blackwater streams and bog edges.
Flounder Bite Hits Its Stride as Summer Species Flood Delaware Bay
An 8-pound flounder weighed in from the Ocean City Reef Site and a 7-pound, 8-ounce back-bay flattie at Boulevard Bait & Tackle — both per The Fisherman — Southern NJ — signal that quality fish are now in the mix along the NJ side of Delaware Bay. Pier 47 Marina reports fish from shorts to 26 inches taking live minnows and 6-inch Gulp Mullets in as little as 6 feet of water along the ICW behind the Wildwoods, while Fin-Atics notes the back-bay bite has taken off with stabilized water temps. The summer species mix is broadening fast: Hands Too Bait and Tackle reports sheepshead, croakers, and kingfish filtering in, and Eric Burnley in The Fisherman — DE/MD/Chesapeake describes June's showing of croaker, spot, and sheepshead as the best of 2026. Grumpys Tackle adds a couple of weakfish to the mix, and crab hauls off local docks have been good. With the Full Moon on June 30, strong tidal movement should push the bite even further over the holiday weekend.
Black bass bite surges across the Finger Lakes and Hudson Valley
NY DEC's Fishing Line confirmed the bass bite is picking up with summer's arrival, timing that aligns with the current full moon. Black bass season is now in full swing across New York's freshwater lakes and rivers, and both largemouth and smallmouth are transitioning from post-spawn recovery into aggressive summer feeding mode. Wired 2 Fish notes that across northern bass country, a brief spring is quickly giving way to full summer patterns, with fish splitting between shallow cover and deeper weedlines. Musky season is open on prime Finger Lakes waters, which host some of the top muskellunge fisheries in the Northeast. Trout stocked heavily across the region this spring, per NY DEC reports, are likely retreating to deeper, cooler water as surface heat builds. No USGS gauge or NOAA buoy data was available for this reporting period, so check local conditions before heading out.
Quality Fluke Showing at Raritan Bay as Summer Patterns Arrive
Capt. Ron's out of Atlantic Highlands is reporting quality fluke finally materializing in Raritan Bay, with water temps hovering around 64 to 65°F and fish reaching the 4- to 5-pound class after weeks of grinding for keepers. Per Capt Ron's Atlantic Highlands NJ, Gulp sand eels have been the top producer on recent trips, with multiple anglers landing three-fish limits on tide-change morning sessions. Blue Chip Sportfishing (NJ) calls sea bass fishing 'red hot,' limiting out on nearly every trip, and shark fishing has 'busted wide open' with mako sharks recently caught and released. The broader NJ coast is transitioning to summer: stripers are holding in the surf on clams and plugs but beginning to thin as the season shifts, per OTW Northern New Jersey. Bluefish in the 3- to 5-pound range are showing early mornings on poppers along the surf, per Grumpys Tackle (NJ). The Fisherman, New Jersey edition flagged a 12.3-pound doormat weighed at Bayonne, underscoring the quality fluke circulating near Sandy Hook.
Tarpon and Permit Peak Across Gulf Coast as Full Moon Arrives
Naples Offshore Fishing Charters reports the tarpon migration is fully underway along Southwest Florida, with captains intercepting quality fish on morning tidal runs before pivoting to afternoon permit sessions on the flats. The combination is delivering some of the year's most dynamic fishing, per Naples Offshore, which has also noted steady kingfish action offshore on plugs and flies. Coastal Angler Magazine's Capt. Dave Stephens, reporting from Boca Grande Pass and Charlotte Harbor, calls summertime on the Gulf Coast an absolutely great time to fish, with multiple species in play. Salt Strong's Florida Gulf Coast weekend game plan for late June highlights summer redfish pushing deep into mangrove and shoreline cover at high tide. The full moon this week will drive amplified tidal swings, concentrating bait on current seams and creating prime feeding windows for the area's marquee species.
Summer steelhead begin entering as Snake River bass reach seasonal peak
No buoy or gauge readings were available for the Snake and Salmon Rivers this cycle, so current conditions should be verified with Idaho Fish & Game advisories before you launch. The closest regional signal comes from Trout Unlimited, whose account of fishing Idaho's Clearwater River in May for spring Chinook describes water that "looked right" and "felt right" — yet yielded nothing over a full day, underscoring a disappointing late-spring showing for Pacific salmon across the state's major drainages. By late June, those spring Chinook runs are typically winding down. The seasonal upside: lower Snake River canyon smallmouth bass reach their summer stride in this exact window, and Yellow Sally stonefly hatches — flagged by Caddis Fly (OR) as a key and often-overlooked Western summer pattern — should be firing on trout-holding reaches of both rivers. The full moon on June 30 favors concentrated dawn and dusk feeding windows.
Summer Gulf Bite Peaks Along the Panhandle: Snapper, Kings, and Amberjack on Tap
Anglers on the Pensacola Fishing Forum are actively working offshore ledges around Destin and Pensacola, chasing American red snapper, kingfish, beeliners, triggerfish, amberjack, and grouper — the full summer Gulf species mix is in rotation. No live buoy or gauge data is available for this report cycle, so conditions reflect seasonal patterns and forum intel rather than real-time sensor readings. Late June is historically the heart of summer fishing in the Panhandle, with the Federal Gulf red snapper season underway and nearshore structure holding a solid variety of bottom fish. Salt Strong's June 26–28 game plan specifically flagged the Florida Panhandle as an active region for the weekend, though detailed results are behind their INSIDER paywall. The Full Moon on June 30 will drive strong tidal exchanges through the July 4th holiday weekend, typically opening productive feeding windows on structure. Inshore, summer redfish pushed onto flooded shoreline cover during high-tide peaks round out the local target list.
Savannah Falls Back and Bass Settle into Summer Depths
The Savannah River at Clyo was running 4.3 feet and falling as of June 25, according to GA Sportsman / Georgia Outdoor News — a signal that Georgia's freshwater river systems are settling into stable summer conditions as spring flows recede. Georgia Wildlife Blog's June 26 report confirms full summer fishing mode is underway statewide. For anglers working the Chattahoochee and Savannah drainages, expect bass to be pushing into deeper structure as midday heat builds: Wired 2 Fish's July 2026 bait roundup notes that across the South, bass are grouping on offshore shad schools, with topwater action limited to dawn and dusk. Tonight's full moon sharpens those low-light windows, making first light Saturday and Sunday the high-percentage times on Georgia's rivers and reservoirs. GA Sportsman warns that incoming weekend heat will be intense — stay hydrated. Spotted bass on rocky Chattahoochee ledges and largemouth around reservoir timber are the primary targets heading into July.
Deschutes steelhead season peaks; Upper Klamath trout seek cooler depths
Summer steelhead season is fully underway on the Deschutes River as late June transitions to July, though no USGS gauge data or direct local reports were available for this cycle. This week's angler intel feeds — including IFish.net Fishing Reports, which covered other Oregon waterways — contained no on-the-water dispatches specifically from the Deschutes or Upper Klamath corridor. That said, seasonal patterns are reliable: full moon conditions (June 30) typically shift trout feeding toward low-light windows at dawn and dusk, with daytime activity moving deeper during the bright phase. MidCurrent's recent fly-tying coverage spotlights midge-style patterns that "excel in the clear, pressured water of stillwaters and tailraces" — a description that maps well onto Upper Klamath and the Deschutes tailrace stretch. On Upper Klamath, late June surface warming typically pushes Klamath Lake rainbow trout and browns to deeper columns. Verify current conditions locally before heading out.
Colorado tailwaters fishing lean and technical as trico and midge season peaks
Cutthroat Anglers (CO) described Colorado's 2026 snowpack as "historically bad," and both the South Platte and Arkansas tailwaters are reflecting those lean-water conditions heading into July. The guide staff there sees a silver lining: low flows concentrate fish, and anglers willing to scale down to lighter tippet and smaller flies are finding success. Late June marks the beginning of trico spinner fall season on the South Platte — Gink and Gasoline has written firsthand about the river's prolific trico hatches, describing dense naturals floating downstream and pulling selective trout up into feeding lanes. Colorado Trout Hunters reported one of the better spring runs of migratory trophy fish on the Dream Stream in recent memory, suggesting quality browns and rainbows remain present on that stretch. AvidMax Blog (CO) has been spotlighting tailwater-tuned patterns including foam-back midge emergers and tube midges, both well-matched to the clear, demanding conditions now defining these systems.
Summer heat drives Lanier and Allatoona bass deep as full moon arrives
Georgia Wildlife Blog's June 26 report confirms summer fishing is fully underway across Georgia waters, with anglers on reservoirs like Lanier and Allatoona adapting to peak heat. No real-time gauge or buoy data is available for either lake this week, so conditions are estimated from seasonal norms. Late June on North Georgia impoundments typically pushes striped bass and spotted bass into the deeper, cooler portions of the water column as surface temps climb. Tactical Bassin notes that as temperatures rise, bass "become very predictable," staging offshore and following bait schools — a pattern already taking hold heading into July. Wired 2 Fish's summer lure guide for Southern anglers corroborates, noting fish are moving "out deep on shad" as July heat sets in. GA Sportsman's June 27 report advises staying hydrated: conditions across Georgia are running very hot this weekend. Tonight's full moon may sharpen dawn and dusk feeding windows on both lakes.
Canyon Ferry Walleye Active as Blue-Ribbon Trout Rivers Eye Summer Drought
MT FWP Fishing News is urging anglers on Canyon Ferry Reservoir to keep more of the smaller walleye they catch, citing that reduced competition among small fish will help larger walleye grow. That is an indirect signal that the bite is steady on the reservoir heading into July. The bigger story, however, is water. MT FWP Fishing News reports that this past winter's low snowpack, combined with a summer forecast trending hotter and drier than normal statewide, has the agency standing by with a suite of fisheries protection tools. A new TroutCast forecasting tool, launched June 1, 2026 through a USGS and Montana State University partnership, now lets anglers model drought impacts on Montana's blue-ribbon trout rivers before committing to a trip. With no gauge readings currently available for the Yellowstone or Missouri drainages, all trip planning should include a same-day flow and temperature check, especially on smaller tributaries where summer warmth can quickly stress trout.
Summer catfish season peaks on Kentucky's Ohio and Cumberland Rivers
Field & Stream's summer catfishing feature opens with a drift-boat knock on a current seam — a scene that maps well to the flathead and blue catfish prime window arriving on Kentucky's Ohio and Cumberland Rivers this week. No USGS gauge data is available for this cycle; check current conditions before launching. Tactical Bassin's July bass roundup confirms fish metabolisms are 'at an all-time high' right now, with bass 'aggressively feeding' throughout the warmer months and transitioning to offshore structure by midday. MLF News previewing this month's Barren River BFL event in Kentucky notes fish are 'grouped up offshore' with creek mouths offering a secondary shallow bite — a pattern that typically mirrors conditions on the Ohio and Cumberland as summer heat intensifies. Full moon tonight adds a nocturnal feeding boost for catfish along wing dams and bridge abutments on both rivers.
Bitterroot summer hatches take hold as Flathead lake trout stratify deep
Hatch Magazine's recent examination of bull trout targeting ethics across the Northwest lands at a timely moment for these Montana waters: both Flathead Lake and the Bitterroot drainage hold populations of these federally threatened char, and regulations are worth confirming with Montana FWP before each outing. No real-time gauge or buoy data reached this report, and no shop, charter, or regional blog feeds provided current on-water testimony specific to these waters this cycle. What the calendar offers: late June typically marks the close of the salmonfly window on the Bitterroot and the start of summer caddis and pale morning dun hatches, with evening rises the key timing window. On Flathead Lake, lake trout (mackinaw) tend to move off shallow structure into deeper water as surface temps climb. All species guidance here reflects typical seasonal patterns for this region rather than direct current-season testimony.
Delta Largemouth Enter Peak Summer Window as Full Moon Arrives
Tactical Bassin reports that July brings one of bass fishing's most aggressive seasonal feeding periods, with metabolisms at peak and fish spread across shallow cover and deeper structure. For California's Sacramento-Delta, that signal arrives with the full moon on June 30 priming topwater windows from dusk through first light. A recent Tactical Bassin session filmed on a pressured California lake showed largemouth responding to both drop shot finesse and power presentations. Wired 2 Fish's July lure roundup notes that across the country fish are relating strongly to current, a factor that gives the tidal Delta a built-in tactical advantage even on slow summer afternoons. NorCal Fish Reports covers the Delta actively but did not return specific conditions data for this cycle. No NOAA or USGS gauge readings were available at press time. Plan arrivals before 5 a.m. for the best shot at the full-moon topwater bite along tule banks and riprap edges.
Roosevelt Lake Bass Lock Into Summer Deep Patterns as Desert Heat Builds
With July arriving and desert heat in full force, largemouth and striped bass at Roosevelt Lake and the Salt River chain are shifting into classic summer deep-structure mode. Tactical Bassin notes that July spikes bass metabolisms to a seasonal high, creating aggressive feeding windows at dawn and dusk before fish retreat to deeper water mid-day. Their July bait rundown highlights deep-diving crankbaits, Neko rigs, and soft jerkbaits as top producers, each a strong match for the ledge and submerged structure that defines Roosevelt Lake. Wired 2 Fish's July lure round-up echoes the theme, with fish pushed offshore by rising surface temps and chasing shad schools on main-lake points. No local guide, shop, or charter reports for Roosevelt Lake or the Salt River chain were available in this cycle. These recommendations blend broadly applicable summer bass strategy with what is seasonally typical for central Arizona desert reservoirs in late June.
New River smallmouth and Ohio catfish shift into full summer mode
Field & Stream's summer catfish feature notes that flathead and channel cats hit their nighttime aggression peak in late June, a timing that aligns squarely with conditions expected this week on West Virginia's Ohio River sections. No USGS gauge readings are available for this update, so anglers are working from seasonal benchmarks and national pattern data. Tactical Bassin's July bass fishing breakdown confirms what regional regulars observe: summer metabolisms are running high, pushing smallmouth and largemouth bass into tight feeding windows at dawn and dusk, with mid-day fish stacking on deeper current seams and rocky ledge structure. The full moon tonight extends low-light bite windows worth planning around. Check local gauge readings before launching; West Virginia rivers can rise quickly after summer storm cells sweep through the highlands.
South Fork Snake cutthroat prime up as Yellow Sallies take the stage
Trout Unlimited this season described a humbling day on Idaho's Clearwater River — the water looked perfect, but spring Chinook never showed — a reminder that Idaho salmon runs have been unpredictable heading into summer. Attention on the South Fork Snake River now turns to cutthroat trout as the prime late-June window opens. Caddis Fly (OR) flags Yellow Sally stoneflies as a key mid-summer pattern across Pacific Northwest rivers right now, and these small yellow stones are among the most reliable cutthroat triggers on the South Fork through July. Gink and Gasoline recently found trophy brown trout on the nearby Owyhee River demanding precise, drag-free nymph presentations — a finesse approach that translates directly to the South Fork's pressured cutthroat water. No real-time gauge or temperature data is available for this update. Tonight's full moon (June 30) will likely compress active feeding toward low-light windows; plan on first light or the final hour before dark for the best topwater action.