Weekly Fishing Report: October 16–23
See how fishing shaped up across the U.S. this week, from a 55-pound wahoo and trophy catfish to productive bass, walleye, and salmon trips.
This week’s report features a 55-pound wahoo near Palm Beach, a 35-pound catfish at Lake Conroe, a 40-pound fish in a Lavon Lake catfishing report, and more than 40 fish caught on Table Rock Lake.
1. Florida: Wahoo, Redfish, and Peacock Bass
Palm Beach
On October 16, Tuna Wahoo Charters landed a 55-pound wahoo while trolling outside the inlet. Bottom fishing later produced yellowtail snapper, lane snapper, grunts, and other reef fish.
Weather: 79°F, rain and partly cloudy conditions, 88% cloud cover, and 90% humidity at Riviera Beach Municipal Marina.
Tampa Bay
Fishin Magician Inshore Charters reported catching redfish, snapper, gag grouper, and flounder during an outing lasting less than two hours.
Chassahowitzka Bay
Gulf Coasts Scallop Masters reported that cooler weather and water had pushed fish into backwater estuaries, where they were feeding actively.
Weather: 75°F, rain and partly cloudy conditions, 100% cloud cover, and 84% humidity.
Crystal River
On October 21, Tops Charters took two veterans fishing. The outing produced approximately a dozen redfish, including two keepers, along with two undersized snook, a flounder, grunts, black drum, and a bonnethead shark.
Miami
On October 22, Bassin’ With Capt. Lou Guide Service reported catching 13 peacock bass. The largest landed fish weighed 4 pounds; another estimated at around 6 pounds got away.
2. Texas: Catfish at Lavon Lake and Lake Conroe
Lavon Lake
ZD Fishing Guide reported a productive catfish outing following a cold front. The report listed a 40-pound fish, three fish over 30 pounds, ten over 20 pounds, and several in the teens. Shad and tilapia were the leading baits mentioned.
Lake Conroe
On October 18, M.O.A. Guide Services reported a jugline trip that produced several catfish weighing 5–6 pounds and one weighing 35 pounds.
Weather: 74°F and clear conditions.
3. New York: Striped Bass and Salmon
Mastic Beach
On October 21, Just One Bite Charters reported catching striped bass on live bait near Narrow Bay before the tide changed.
Salmon River
On October 17, Apocalypse Fishing reported that salmon remained in the river and advertised salmon and steelhead trips for October 19–20.
4. Alabama: Speckled Trout and Bull Redfish
On October 20, Coastal Fins Fishing reported catching speckled trout and a tripletail in Mobile Bay. The guide also tagged and released ten bull redfish and reported a 26.25-inch speckled trout.
5. Offshore Atlantic: Amberjack and Mackerel
On October 22, Atlantic Blue Charters tested new kite-fishing equipment and caught amberjack, king mackerel, and a citation-sized Spanish mackerel.
6. Hume Lake: Trout on a Dry-Dropper Rig
On October 20, Scott MacDonald of Kings River Fly Guide reported catching several trout at Hume Lake using a dry-dropper rig.
7. Missouri: More Than 40 Fish on Table Rock Lake
On October 22, Breaking Bass Guide Service reported a father-daughter outing that produced more than 40 fish, including spotted bass, catfish, and bluegill.
8. Great Lakes: Walleye and Salmon
Lake Erie
On October 22, Bercaw Sportfishing reported successful walleye outings. One update described a strong bite while drift fishing.
Lake Michigan
Fishin Da Net Charter Fishing shared results from four recent trips. Each trip produced between 9 and 16 fish, mostly king salmon, with some coho salmon mixed in. The guide said the boat would be coming out of the water during the week of October 26.
USA Weather Outlook for October 23–30, 2026
The National Weather Service forecasts an active weather pattern across parts of the U.S. over the coming week. Heavy rainfall is possible across the Western High Plains and Florida’s east coast through Monday, October 26. Showers and storms are also expected across parts of the central and southern Rockies and western High Plains.
For October 28–30, NOAA’s outlook favors warmer-than-normal temperatures across much of the central and eastern U.S., including Texas, Missouri, the Great Lakes, and the Southeast. Cooler-than-normal conditions are favored in Washington, Oregon, and western Montana.
