Weekly Fishing Report

Pacific Northwest

The Pacific Northwest remains locked in a wet, progressive pattern with repeated rain at low elevations and snow in the mountains. Rivers fluctuate frequently, lakes remain cold and stirred, and clarity changes rapidly with each passing system. Fish behavior is defensive during active weather and opportunistic once conditions stabilize.

During steady rain and wind, trout and steelhead hold tight to soft water. Feeding activity is limited and localized. The most reliable bite window opens 6 to 24 hours after rainfall tapers off, once river levels stop rising and begin to level or slowly fall. This is when fish reposition and resume feeding.

In rivers, drift fishing dominates success. Eggs, beads, sand shrimp, flesh patterns, and small marabou jigs consistently outperform other offerings when water is stained. In clearer conditions, spinners and spoons regain effectiveness, particularly mid-day when light penetration improves. Plugs become effective during falling water, especially along seams and tailouts.

In lakes, cold water keeps fish deep and inactive. The bite window is narrow and usually occurs late morning through early afternoon on calmer days. Small spoons, jigging leeches, tube jigs, and live bait fished vertically near bottom are the most reliable producers. Aggressive retrieves almost never pay off under these conditions.

California

California fishing conditions vary sharply north to south, but across the state the key driver is timing relative to precipitation. Northern waters respond strongly to Pacific systems, while southern waters benefit from longer stable periods.

In Northern California rivers, rain increases flow and turbidity, redistributing trout and steelhead. The strongest bite consistently occurs the first full day after rain ends, once water begins to clear but remains slightly stained. During this window, eggs, beads, worms, and small jigs are highly effective. As clarity improves further, spinners, spoons, and small plugs begin producing, especially during midday.

Reservoirs and foothill lakes see bass and panfish holding deeper during cold spells. The most consistent bite window opens midday on overcast days or the afternoon following rain when inflow areas activate. Soft plastics, football jigs, drop-shot rigs, and live bait outperform reaction baits in cold water.

Southern California lakes and ponds remain more stable. Bass bite windows tighten to early morning and late afternoon, expanding slightly on cloudy days. Finesse plastics, slow-rolled spinnerbaits, jigs, and live bait remain the most reliable.

Mountain West

Winter firmly controls the Mountain West. Cold water temperatures suppress metabolism, and fish feed in short, predictable bursts rather than extended windows.

In rivers, trout hold deep in pools, tailouts, and slow runs. The primary bite window occurs between late morning and early afternoon, when water temperatures peak for the day. Nymphing is the dominant tactic: midges, scuds, sowbugs, eggs, and small stonefly patterns fished deep and slow produce consistently. Streamers only become effective during brief warming trends or immediately after snowfall clears.

In lakes and reservoirs, fish remain deep and lethargic. The most productive bite window is midday, especially during calm conditions following snowfall. Jigging spoons, tube jigs, blade baits, and live minnows fished near bottom produce best results. Patience and precise depth control matter more than lure selection.

Southwest

The Southwest offers more moderate fishing conditions, but water temperature still dictates behavior. Rainfall, even when light, plays an outsized role in triggering feeding.

In rivers and streams, trout become more active the morning after rainfall, particularly when flows increase slightly without turning muddy. Worms, eggs, small nymphs, and soft plastics perform well during this period. As water clears, dry-dropper rigs and small spinners regain effectiveness.

In lakes and reservoirs, bass and panfish respond strongly to post-rain inflow zones. The bite window typically opens mid-morning through early afternoon on cooler, cloudy days. Soft plastics, jigs, crankbaits worked slowly, and live bait produce best results. During dry stretches, activity contracts to early morning and late evening.

Northern Plains

Fishing across the Northern Plains is shaped by cold temperatures, wind, and ice development. Open water opportunities remain limited but can be productive under the right timing.

In open water, the most reliable bite window occurs midday on calm days, especially after wind subsides. Fish seek sheltered areas and feed briefly when conditions stabilize. Live bait dominates success: minnows, leeches, and worms consistently outperform artificial lures. When artificials work, slow-moving jigs and spoons fished near bottom are most effective.

Ice fishing improves during periods of stable cold. The strongest bite typically occurs mid-morning and just before dusk. Jigging spoons tipped with minnows, small jigs with waxworms, and dead-stick live bait setups produce best results.

Southern Plains

Milder conditions dominate the Southern Plains, with frequent frontal passages creating short but defined bite windows.

In rivers and reservoirs, fish activity increases immediately behind cold fronts, particularly during the first calm morning after frontal passage. Bass and catfish respond well to jigs, soft plastics, crankbaits fished slowly, and live bait. During warm, windy periods, the bite becomes scattered and inconsistent.

Waterfowl-fed reservoirs and rivers often see improved fishing ahead of incoming systems, as falling pressure triggers feeding. Live bait and natural-colored lures excel during these periods.

South Central

Warmth prevails across the South Central region, supported by intermittent Gulf moisture. Rain timing is the dominant factor influencing bite windows.

The best fishing occurs the day ahead of rain and the first calm day after rain ends. Bass, crappie, and catfish respond well during these transitions. Jigs, spinnerbaits, soft plastics, and live bait perform consistently. During extended warm periods, fish shift toward deeper water and feed primarily early morning and evening.

Fresh sheet water following rain often concentrates fish near inflow areas, producing short but strong feeding bursts.

Midwest

Early-period chill gives way to moderation as systems move through. Wind and precipitation suppress feeding during active weather.

The most reliable bite window occurs 12 to 24 hours after systems pass, once wind calms and temperatures stabilize. In rivers, live bait, jigs, and soft plastics fished slowly along current breaks perform well. In lakes, bass and panfish respond best to jigs, finesse plastics, and live bait during midday warming.

Ice fishing improves during stable cold periods, with late morning and dusk providing the strongest action.

Northeast

The Northeast experiences shifting conditions driven by wind, precipitation, and temperature moderation.

Fishing success improves during mild afternoons following weather improvement. In rivers, trout respond to nymphs, eggs, worms, and small streamers fished deep. In lakes, slow-worked jigs, spoons, and live bait produce best results during midday.

Coastal fishing responds more to wind than temperature. Calm conditions following storms often produce short but intense bite windows.

Southeast

The Southeast begins cooler before warming steadily. Rain chances increase later in the period.

Fishing improves ahead of rain and immediately after rainfall clears. Bass and panfish respond well to jigs, soft plastics, spinnerbaits, and live bait. During warm spells, the bite shifts to early morning and late evening.

Catfish remain active throughout, particularly during falling pressure and post-rain conditions.

Alaska

Cold dominates across Alaska, and fishing opportunities remain limited and highly timing-dependent.

The best bite windows occur midday during calmer wind conditions. Ice fishing dominates success, with jigging spoons, tube jigs, and live bait producing the most consistent results.

Hawaii

Hawaii maintains a steady trade-wind pattern with periodic shower bands.

Fishing success improves after showers pass, particularly on leeward sides of islands. Reef fish respond well to natural baits, while pelagic species feed more actively during calmer wind periods.